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Categories of Faculty
Faculty Rank and Promotion
Job Descriptions
Full-Time Faculty Workload
The college employs faculty in different categories as determined by the college’s Human Resources Department.
Full-Time Faculty
Faculty appointed to a nine-month teaching position that appears as a line item in the college’s annual budget. Department Chairs and Librarians are considered faculty, but are appointed to a twelve-month position that appears as a line item in the college’s annual budget. Full-time faculty may also teach overload or summer courses as adjuncts.
Part-Time or Adjunct Faculty
Faculty appointed on a course-by-course contractual basis each semester.
Non-Credit Faculty
Faculty members with specialized skills such as technical writing or foreign language skills may, when recruited, serve as consultants to teach short courses for the Economic Development division in addition to their regular teaching loads. Pay for these services are determined by ED on a course-by-course basis.
Faculty Qualifications
BRCC recruits and appoints the best-qualified faculty available. All full-time and part-time faculty must have appropriate credentials and competencies that demonstrate they are qualified to teach. Oral and written competencies will be demonstrated during the recruitment and selection process. The search process is intended to recruit and select faculty whose highest degree is earned from a broad representation of regionally accredited institutions.
The College will only hire faculty that meet or exceed the following minimum credentialing qualifications as stated in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Criteria for Accreditation:
Credentials
- Faculty teaching General Education courses in the humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences must hold the minimum of a master’s degree and have completed at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline.
- Faculty teaching credit courses in professional, occupational, and technical areas that are components of Associate Degree programs not usually resulting in college transfer, or in the continuation of students in a senior institution, must possess appropriate academic preparation or academic preparation coupled with work experience. The typical combination is a bachelor’s degree with appropriate work experience. The minimum academic degree for faculty teaching in professional, occupational, and technical areas must be at the same level at which the faculty member is teaching.
Note: In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be accepted in lieu of formal academic preparation. Any such exception will be justified and documented fully on an individual basis by the division dean and PVCWSD.
- Non-degree diploma or certificate occupational courses are typically taught by faculty members with some college or specialized training, but with an emphasis on competence gained through work experience. Some courses may require faculty with a bachelor’s degree or beyond with little or no work experience. Others may require little formal education beyond high school. While the competency requirements may vary, it is the responsibility of the academic dean and PVCWSD to fully define competency requirements prior to the initiation of the recruitment and selection process.
- Faculty members who teach remedial programs must hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to their teaching assignment and either classroom experience in a discipline related to their special proficiency or graduate training in remedial education.
It is the responsibility of all full-time and part-time faculty to provide the appropriate documentation of academic preparation, such as official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), and if appropriate for demonstrating competency, official documentation of professional and work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, and certifications and other qualifications.
In accordance with Louisiana Community and Technical College System Policy #1.044 Rank and Promotion Eligibility Framework for Permanent Full-Time LCTCS Faculty Members,
“Levels of academic and technical rank recognize progressive levels of achievement and stature within the postsecondary teaching profession. More than length of service, advanced ranks is recognition of quality, depth of performance, achievement, and contribution to the college by the faculty member. …All institutional procedures for implementation of the policy shall be approved by the LCTCS President and the LCTCS Board of Supervisors…The awarding of rank is normally determined by the Chancellor.
The approval of initial rank rests with the LCTCS Board of Supervisors based upon the recommendation of the Chancellor.”
- Purpose
The purpose of rank and promotion is to provide eligible faculty with academic rank as an acknowledgement for quality teaching, service to the college, and professional growth. The following policy and procedures are established to enable faculty to recommend for promotion their peers who have met the established criteria.
- Scope of Rank and Promotion
The rank and promotion policy and procedures applies to all full-time faculty and any staff holding faculty status. It does not apply to faculty who are employed on an adjunct basis.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum Time-in-Rank Eligibility
To be eligible for promotion in rank, a faculty member must have completed a minimum of three years (six semesters, not including summer) of continuous teaching as a full-time faculty member in a rank at Baton Rouge Community College and/or another institution under the management of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors.
An application for promotion in rank may be submitted at the beginning of the fourth year of employment in one’s present rank, in accordance with the established timeline.
- Educational and Professional Credentials
The minimum educational and professional credentials for teaching at Baton Rouge Community College are set as required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In addition to the SACS minimum requirements, applicants for promotion must meet the following stated requirements:
- Instructor to Assistant Professor
Minimum of a master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in discipline taught. Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years.
OR
For faculty teaching courses not designed for transfer (A.A.S. degree or certificates):
Development of significant course or curriculum development or improvement project that demonstrates outstanding contribution to the BRCC academic program.
Significant service to the college as demonstrated by outstanding contributions to the operation of the institution.
Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years.
- Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
Minimum of a master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline taught plus 30 graduate hours of study in an area related to primary responsibility. Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years.
OR
Minimum of a master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline taught. Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years.
Development of significant course or curriculum development or improvement project that demonstrates outstanding contribution to the BRCC academic program. Such projects may include the following elements.
Evidence of innovation in teaching or program development,
Design and implementation of the project,
Evaluation of the project, including the collection of data.
Demonstrated evidence of quality teaching based on analysis of student evaluations, supervisor evaluations, and other appropriate evidence.
Significant service to the college demonstrated by outstanding contributions to the operation of the institution. Such activities may include leadership related to faculty senate duties, task force work, and accreditation activities. Significant service is best demonstrated by evidence of innovation, improvements, problem-solving or new projects of major benefit to the college. A minimum of three such activities would be required, and must be outlined on the application portfolio.
Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years.
- Associate Professor to Professor
Minimum of an earned doctorate in discipline or area related to primary responsibility. Exceeds Expectations or above on the annual evaluation for the most recent three consecutive academic years. Applicants with less than an earned doctorate degree may petition to waive this requirement. (See Section III. C.)
- Petitioning for Recognition to Waive Degree Requirement for the Rank of Professor Some outstanding achievements may be recognized as significant enough to waive the requirement for the doctorate degree. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: authoring a book within one’s academic discipline, performing or exhibiting works of art at the regional or national level; or being recognized for continuous outstanding participation and active service in professional educational organizations at the regional or national level. Neither outstanding service to the college nor longevity at the college will be considered as achievements meriting a waiver of the doctorate. The Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee (see section IV. C.) will consider all petitions for waiver of the doctorate.
- Application Process
- Applicant Verification of Eligibility
Eligible applicants are responsible for the following: 1) completing the application form; and 2) submitting documentation in the form of the promotion portfolio (see description of promotion portfolio). Applicants requesting a waiver of the doctorate must also file an appeal which will be reviewed by the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee. The vice
chancellor for academic affairs is responsible for receiving the applications and convening the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee for review of applications.
Faculty members who apply for promotion in rank must complete and submit an application to the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. Copies of official transcripts with degrees conferred must be attached. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development is responsible for guaranteeing that applications are complete. After review of the application by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development, candidates for promotion will be notified by letter.
The role of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development is to ensure that guidelines have been followed. In situations in which the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development concludes that the guidelines have not been followed or that inconsistencies exist, the promotion packet will be immediately returned with an appropriate explanation. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development will then convene the Rank and Promotion Committee.
- Rank and Promotion Committee
The Rank and Promotion Committee’s first order of business is to select a chair. Following that, the Committee will examine all applications and decide whether a promotion is recommended. The Committee will consider equivalencies for the rank of Professor. The relevance of that information will be judged by the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee.
The Rank and Promotion Committee determines if promotion applications meet the required criteria. The committee is composed of two elected faculty members from each academic division with 20 or more faculty, and one elected faculty member from each academic division with less than 20 faculty. Members of the Rank and Promotion Committee will hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
The Faculty Senate Elections Committee is to conduct the election and provide the results to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development will notify selected members, and will call the first committee meeting. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development will serve on the committee as a non-voting member and will serve as a resource to the committee. The members of this committee cannot be seeking promotion for that academic year.
- Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee
Members of the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee will be appointed by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. The faculty members will not be serving on the Rank and Promotion Committee. The committee will be composed of at least three faculty members representing different academic divisions and holding at least the rank of associate professor.
Should faculty wish to appeal the decision of the college Rank and Promotion Committee they must submit a letter with rational to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development, who will at that point convene the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee. The Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee will meet to review the appeal, and will submit their recommendation to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. The ruling of the Promotion in Rank Appeals Committee is final. This committee also reviews exemplary credentials for waiving degree requirements. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development will report the decision of the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee to the chancellor.
- Recommendation for Promotion
The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development will submit the names of faculty recommended for promotion in rank to the chancellor. The chancellor will make the final decision regarding recommendations to the System President and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors must approve all recommendations for promotions. Following approval, the Chancellor will announce to the faculty the names of individuals receiving promotion in rank as approved by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors.
Rank and Promotion Calendar
November (First Monday in November) - Deadline for faculty applying for promotion to submit eligibility verification to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
November (First Monday in November) - Deadline for Faculty Senate to provide to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development the names of faculty to serve on the Rank and Promotion Committee.
December (First Monday in December) - Vice chancellor notifies faculty of their membership on the Rank and Promotion Committee, and on the Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee.
February (First Monday in February) - Rank and Promotion Appeals Committee meets if necessary to begin to review appeals for rank of professor and submits recommendations to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
February (Second Monday in February) - Rank and Promotion Committee meets to begin review of applications.
March (First Monday in March) - Rank and Promotion Committee notifies the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development of their decisions.
March (Third Monday in March) - Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development notifies individual faculty of the status of the College Promotion in Rank Committee decision.
April (First Monday in April) - Appeals due to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
April (Last Monday in April) - Promotion in Rank Appeals Committee meets to review appeals and make final recommendations to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
May (First Monday in May) - Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development sends recommendations for promotion in rank to the chancellor.
Note: All deadlines must be met. No credentials will be accepted after the prescribed deadline.
Documentation of Official Transcripts
It is the responsibility of each faculty member to submit official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended. The official transcript should be sent directly to Human Resources. This procedure is in place to document compliance with the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS) requirements and for placement on the faculty salary schedule. This requirement applies to all faculty, whether full-time or part-time. A copy of the transcript may be used for initial credential review, but the official transcripts must be on file before the end of the first semester for continued employment.
Full-Time Faculty
POSITION TITLE: Full-Time Faculty
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Full-time faculty members are responsible for teaching courses as assigned, student advising, college service, professional development and promotion of a collegial atmosphere. Faculty are expected to support the institution’s mission and vision and abide by the Faculty Handbook and college-wide policies. Faculty report directly to the department chair within their respective departments and divisions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
I. Teaching
o Provide learning experiences in accordance with students’ needs and abilities
o Use learning resources to help students learn
o Assess student learning in accordance with college policy
o Provide each student with a course syllabus and schedule
o Maintain flexible office hours consistent with the course modality and mode of instruction
o Meet all scheduled classes within the appropriate timeframe
o Advise students and assist with registration, orientation, and recruitment as needed
o Follow the approved master course syllabi
o Maintain accurate grade and attendance records
o Submit syllabi, office hours, grades, attendance, electronic time sheets, and other reports by established deadlines
II. Administrative
o Notify department chair of absence with course substitution plan in a timely manner.
o Attend all departmental, division, and general faculty meetings
o Attend convocations and participate in graduation exercise (attired in appropriate academic regalia)
o Adhere to professional standards of conduct
o Participate in the faculty evaluation process
III. Service
o Contribute to the college and your discipline by collaborating with others and offering your service to the college
IV. Professional Development
o Engage in continual professional development activities as it relates to pedagogy, assessment, and faculty area of expertise
Part-Time or Adjunct Faculty
POSITION TITLE: Adjunct Faculty
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Adjunct faculty members are responsible for teaching courses as assigned. Adjunct faculty may teach in the evening, weekends, online and dual enrollment courses as needed.
Faculty are expected to support the institution’s mission and vision and abide by the Faculty Handbook and college-wide policies. Adjunct faculty report directly to the academic program manager and/or department chair within their respective departments and divisions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide learning experiences in accordance with students’ needs and abilities
2. Notify department chair of absence with course substitution plan in a timely manner
3. Maintain accurate grade and attendance records
- Submit syllabi, grades, attendance, electronic time sheets, and other reports by established deadlines
- Discuss with counselors and other appropriate personnel any student problems which may require special attention
4. Use learning resources to help students learn.
- Engage in continual professional development activities as it relates to pedagogy, assessment, and faculty area of expertise
- Meet all scheduled classes within the appropriate timeframe and provide opportunities for student conferences either online, by phone, or face-to-face interactions
5. Attend annual orientation
6. Adhere to professional standards of conduct
7. Participate in the faculty evaluation process
8. Assess student learning in accordance with college policy
Librarian
POSITION TITLE: Librarian
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Academic librarians organize, manage, evaluate, disseminate information, and provide support to all members of the academic community. Librarians report directly to the Dean for Learning Resources.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Maintain performance standards and pursue goals, objectives, and activities that promote the mission of the college
- Participate in committee activities at the division and college levels
- Conduct and schedule bibliographic instruction sessions, workshops and classes in order to instruct users in the methods of information retrieval.
- Clarify information queries and needs throughout the search process and counsels library users on effective search strategies to maximize the use of library collections.
- Participate in all aspects of the professional library. Activities to include: selection, acquisition, organization, expansion, preservation, and dissemination of information
- Collaborate with instructional faculty in the development of a collection of materials that supports the programs of the college
- Maximize the use of technology, including the use of computers and related strategies, in the library as appropriate
- Utilize assessment of patron outcomes to improve library services
- Represent the college in manner, appearance and behavior that promotes a positive image of the college within the community
- Obey and enforce college policies that prohibit the use of foodstuffs in the library, smoking within college buildings, drugs on campus, and the destruction and misuse of all college property
- Create a library environment in which all patrons are treated equitably and with respect
- Provide library services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Adhere to federal harassment policies, and other legal requirements
Full-time faculty members are expected to work the equivalent of 40 hours per week. Some duties such as course preparation, grading and community service may be performed off-site. Full-time faculty members are expected to meet performance expectations identified in their job descriptions. These include, but are not limited to, teaching, maintaining office hours, advising/mentoring, professional development, and college and community service.
The workload of full-time faculty includes:
- Teach a minimum of 15 credit hours in each regular fall and spring semester
- Maintain flexible office hours consistent with the course modality and mode of instruction
- Advise and mentor assigned students
- Attend and participate in scheduled activities
- Serve on college committees
- Participate in professional development activities
- Complete administrative tasks
- Due to extensive clinical responsibilities, nursing faculty teaching load is 13-19 contact hours.
Part-time Employment Agreements
- Faculty who are employed during a given term (part-time or full-time) and complete extra projects may be paid through a part time employment agreement
- Faculty not currently employed (part-time, summer full-time) may be issued part time employment agreements for project work
- Consultants and outside vendors are paid through professional services contracts.
Modifications to full-time workload may include overloads and release times, which meet the approval by the PVCWSD and Chancellor.
Overloads and Summer Teaching
- Overload is defined as any and all teaching sections above and beyond the required 15 credit hour semester load. Overloads are paid separately and at a different rate of pay. Faculty members are expected to perform all regular duties and responsibilities with no reduction of service resulting from the overload.
- Full-time faculty may accept overloads each semester for additional compensation. The total contact hours in the classroom may not exceed 21 hours per week per semester.
- Overloads will be paid at the current adjunct rate of pay.
- Academic Deans will be responsible for providing the name of faculty, the title of the course, time of course, meeting days, and office hours for all assignments.
- Overload assignments are approved by the PVCWSD and reported to the Office of Human Resources. The original form is sent to Human Resources and a copy to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
Release Time
- Release time provides a course load substitution for work completed on special projects
- Requests for release time may be initiated by the faculty member, dean, PVCWSD or the Chancellor
- Release times must be approved by the dean, the PVCWSD and the Chancellor
Time Sheets
Full-time faculty must submit electronic time sheets in LoLA according to the BRCC/LCTCS payroll time entry schedule. Time sheets are submitted every other week. Failure to submit an electronic time sheet in LoLA will require the submission of a paper time sheet (PDF/Adobe Sign) to your department chair (for signature) and BRCC Payroll. If you miss the cut off day/time for submitting your electronic time sheet in LoLA and are required to submit a paper time sheet, please reach out to your department chair as soon as possible. Part-time faculty do not submit timesheets.
Fractional Pay/Independent Study Agreements
Should the enrollment of a course be fewer than 10 students the academic dean responsible for that course may petition the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development (PVCWSD) to offer the course on a fractional pay basis [one-fifteenth (1/15) the adjunct rate of pay per enrolled student]. This practice is to be utilized in the case of courses needed for graduation.
Twelve Month Faculty and Staff Teaching Assignments
Twelve-month faculty and staff who desire to teach at BRCC on an adjunct contract must secure the permission of their immediate supervisor, vice chancellor for the area, and the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. Unless special permission is granted and appropriate arrangements are made, this assignment must be scheduled outside of the regular working hours of the employee. This adjunct teaching load cannot exceed six (6) credit hours.
Adjunct Faculty Workload
The maximum teaching load for adjunct faculty is as follows:
- Regular semester (fall and spring) - 9 credit hours
- Four and Eight week summer term- 9 credit hours
- Seven-week term (fall and spring) - 6 credit hours
- Nursing faculty - 12 credit hours
Multiple contracts that occur within a fall, spring or summer term should not exceed 9 hours of employment. Any teaching assignment that exceeds the maximum credit hours allowed during any semester or term will require written approval from the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development and the Chancellor.
Professional Development
BRCC is committed to a policy of making available and supporting opportunities for professional development for faculty, as well as for other employees. The concept of professional development has a dual nature: expansion of capabilities and revitalization of the individual in order to contribute to the achievement of institutional goals.
Interested faculty should consult the DLASC for specific professional development activities or assistance available to faculty.
Faculty Advising of Students
Full-time faculty members are expected to meet the requirements identified in the job description, and will be evaluated on their performance, which includes assisting students with advising and includes the following activities:
- Advise assigned students each fall and spring semester
- Meet with assigned advisees each semester
- Assist other faculty members’ advisees if needed
- Assist in advising during peak registration periods
Adjunct faculty members must provide opportunities for student conferencing. These can be online, by phone or in-person interactions.
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