NSU Faculty Handbook
Material appearing in this Handbook in bold italics is quoted from the Regional University System of Oklahoma's Policy Manual. (see General Information)
4.0 FULL-TIME FACULTY WORK LOAD
4.1 Teaching
Full time faculty have instructional and non-instructional duties as assigned by the University. Instructional duties include but are not limited to the teaching of assigned classes, evaluating the students in the classes, and meeting with those students who require assistance in their classes. Non-instructional duties include but are not limited to conducting research and other scholarly activity, advising students, serving on committees, sponsoring organizations, and participating in professional organizations. A full-time faculty member should generally carry an instructional load of twelve (12) to thirteen and one-half (13.5) hours per semester and a non-instructional equivalent load of four and one-half (4.5) to six (6) hours per semester so the full-time load would be the equivalent of eighteen (18) hours per semester.
4.2 Reassigned Time
The University may grant reassigned time from normal teaching responsibilities (described in 4.1 of the Handbook) to faculty for a specified time period to pursue approved academic projects. Such reassigned time must be used to engage in specialized scholarly and academic activity (e.g., grant administration, research), or cultural experience. Northeastern views reassigned time from teaching responsibilities as an investment with the expectation that the teaching reduction will significantly enhance the faculty member's capacity to contribute to the objectives of the University. Reassigned time approval shall be consistent with the appropriate budgetary and faculty arrangements so as not to disrupt the instructional program or other vital operations of the University.
Examples of reassigned time from instructional responsibilities include: (1) receiving internal funds through the Faculty Research Committee to cover instructional/clinical replacement for a class/lab, permitting a faculty member to pursue approved projects; (2) administration or involvement in an externally-funded grant/contract provided that the salary percentage is provided by the grant, equal to the academic load reduction (e.g., for a standard 12-hour load, 25% plus benefits for 3-hr course equivalency reduction); and (3) serving in positions involving specified assignments essential to the instructional program of the University, including semi-administrative duties.
4.3 Other Activities
The composition of a full-time faculty member's work load normally will include a combination of teaching assignments described in 4.1 above and the following types of activities: student advisement; research, professional and scholarly activities, including grant solicitation; department/college/university/community service activities; and other appropriate professional activities as designated by the college dean and confirmed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
4.4 Summer and Short-Term Session Employment
An appointment to the summer faculty is limited to the specific summer for which the appointment is made. The full-time summer teaching load, including short-term intersessions attached to the summer semester, will be: no less than six (6) and no more than seven (7) semester credit hours for an undergraduate load; and no less than four (4) and no more than six (6) semester credit hours for a graduate load. The teaching load for short-term intersessions (4 weeks or less) will normally be limited to no more than three (3) semester credit hours.
Selecting faculty to teach summer or short-term intersession classes in situations where there are more qualified faculty seeking employment than classes to teach, must be dealt with in an objective manner. First, courses offered must be ones which best serve the needs of students (and their degree plans) and the University. A dean should base course selection on anticipated enrollment as assessed from current degree requirements. No nine-month faculty employee is guaranteed summer or short-term intersession employment, but each dean will try to distribute the summer load among qualified faculty.
The objective distribution of a limited work load should consider criteria such as teaching skill, degree (doctorates first, etc.), specialized knowledge, and other such factors. Part-time employees may be hired to teach summer or pre-summer courses if no full-time faculty are available. All contracts must be justified by the dean to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Perceived inequities in summer teaching access should be addressed first to the dean and then to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
4.5 Cancellation of classes due to low enrollment
After regular enrollment, any class having fewer than the minimum number of students established by guidelines approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be subject to review before continuance. A class should be terminated only when it can be determined that it is not vital to a recognized degree program. Special consideration will be given to small classes in accordance with the above guidelines.
4.6 Faculty Overload Policy
A faculty member is eligible for extra compensation for teaching an overload course provided he/she has an approved full-time assignment and so long as the overload course does not interfere with his/her regular duties and all University, State and Federal regulations are observed. In no case should a faculty member be asked or be allowed to teach more than three (3) credit hours overload during any semester. Supplemental pay normally is given only when a faculty member's teaching load exceeds a full-time work load (see 4.1).
A faculty member may also receive payment, over and above his or her regular salary, for participation in a limited number (no more than five [5] days per calendar year) of non-credit conferences, short courses, workshops, and/or similar activities that are scholarly in nature and related to his/her discipline provided that:
- the activity does not interfere with his/her regular duties;
- the funds for the payment are not funds paid by State appropriations to Northeastern;
- the assignment is not for duties within the primary employing unit;
- other applicable University, State and Federal regulations are observed.
For each individual overload situation, the faculty member's dean will be responsible for recommending the approval of the overload request to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President shall review each individual request for faculty before approval is given.
4.7 Courses Outside Regular University Workload
Faculty may be involved in teaching continuing education or educational outreach courses which are outside the regular University workload. For specific policies relating to continuing educational outreach courses see 5.4.
4.8 Office Hours
Each full-time, teaching faculty member is expected to keep eight (8) office hours per week during regular semesters and five (5) per week in the summer term. Office hours are times set aside for faculty members to communicate with students, advisees, and colleagues as well as complete administrative duties. For classes that meet only once a week, it is highly recommended that one of the office hours be scheduled before or after that class on the campus where the class is held. At least one of these hours shall be scheduled each weekday (Monday - Friday) unless University commitments off campus prohibit it. Exceptions must be approved by deans. Part-time faculty, or full-time faculty with University obligations other than teaching, will keep a number of office hours proportional to their teaching load. Faculty with reassigned time from teaching provided through a NSU Faculty Research Grant are full-time and, hence, will maintain hours indicated above, but may be authorized to maintain a more flexible weekly schedule. Once a faculty member has established an office hours schedule for a semester, he/she will send two copies (on cards provided by the Vice President for Academic Affairs) of the schedule to his/her dean who will forward one copy to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Faculty who are assigned as resident status at Broken Arrow or at Muskogee campus will also send one copy of their office hour card to the respective campus academic affairs/ administrative office.
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