6. Faculty Affairs
ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY (15.2.20)
Academic freedom and academic responsibility give vitality to the University of North Texas and its mission. As such, the academic freedom to be able to freely consider or investigate important, and, perhaps, controversial questions is essential to the education of students and advancement of knowledge. Faculty have the academic responsibility to subject their knowledge and postulates to rigorous review by peers who are experts in the relevant subject material, to have a firm foundation of their postulates in the most relevant and suitable available evidence, and to work with one another to provide the best education possible for students.
Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW POLICY (15.2.13)
The University of North Texas will periodically conduct a review of all of its degree programs. The objective of program review is to promote the quality of each UNT academic program through an assessment of its curriculum, operations, and resources, as well as its mission, strength, and challenges.
All Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
ACADEMIC WORKLOAD AND MERIT EVALUATION OF FACULTY (15.1.9)
Faculty members at the University of North Texas have a variety of duties and responsibilities associated with the mission of the institution, including the essential functions of teaching, research, creative activities, and professional service. Work in these areas constitutes the faculty member’s professional obligation to the University. Annual merit evaluation will be based on the quality of the faculty member’s contributions in these areas of responsibility.
Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
ADOPTION & PRICING OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INCLUDING CLASSROOM AND SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS AUTHORED BY UNT FACULTY, STAFF & DEPARTMENTS (19.8)
The University of North Texas permits the use of instructional materials including classroom texts and supplemental texts authored by faculty or staff members, whenever such texts enhance the educational experience of students. The following policy is intended to safeguard the interests of students as well as faculty or staff in the use of such materials, and to insure uniformity of practice across the university.
Total University
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
ANNUAL EVALUATION AND REAPPOINTMENT OF ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS (15.1.25)
Academic Administrators
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
APPOINTMENT OF DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS (15.1.6)
An individual whose long, continuing superior scholarly or creative achievement has resulted in a national or international reputation may be appointed as Distinguished Professor. Such achievement will usually be marked by an accumulation of awards or prizes given by national or international organizations in the individual's field.
All Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
APPOINTMENT OF NAMED PROFESSORSHIPS OR CHAIRS (15.1.7)
Named professorships or chairs may be established where sources of funding provide for the creation of such positions. The holder of such a professorship or chair should be an outstanding scholar, artist, business authority, or performer.
All Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
APPROVAL OF DISTRIBUTED LEARNING COURSES AND PROGRAMS (15.2.14)
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has transferred the authority to approve electronically delivered undergraduate and masters level courses and degree programs to the university governing boards. The Vice President for Academic Affairs Office approves distributed learning courses at the University of North Texas.
Total University
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
ATTENDANCE POLICY (15.2.5)
The attendance policy as described within this policy was voted approval by the Faculty Senate, endorsed by the Faculty Senate, and approved by the President.
All Faculty and Students
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
AWARDING POSTHUMOUS DEGREES (15.2.19)
UNT may confer posthumous baccalaureate and graduate degrees upon deceased students who have successfully completed a substantial portion of their academic program at the time of death.
Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
CHARTER OF THE FACULTY SENATE (13.1)
A University is a community of scholars engaged in the free discussion, research and dissemination of ideas and knowledge. To the end that the governing of this university shall embody the full freedom of discussion, participation and examination of ideas by faculty, students and administrators in the search for truth, the administration and the faculty of the University of North Texas hereby establish and promulgate this Charter of the Faculty Senate of the University of North Texas.
All Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
CONFERRING OF EMERITUS STATUS (15.1.18)
The title “Emeritus” may be conferred by the Board of Regents to a faculty member or librarian at the time of retirement, upon the recommendation of the department/unit, and with administrative approval.
Full-Time Faculty and Librarians
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY (15.2.8)
The goal of the policy is to establish a well-defined and clearly understood administrative and organizational structure which (1) supports the efforts of the faculty of the various schools and colleges and extends their knowledge and expertise in public service activities, and (2) responds to the needs of a rapidly changing society.
Total University
Jean Keller
VP for Community Engagement
CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT POLICY (18.1.20)
To support timely and successful completion of graduate degree programs where a thesis or dissertation is required, students must maintain continuous enrollment in appropriate thesis or dissertation courses.
Graduate Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
COURSE AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (15.2.3)
This policy prescribes how new programs (i.e., departments, schools, degree programs, and/or certificate programs) can be added, substantively changed or expanded and it identifies the entities engaged in the approval process.
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
DISTRIBUTED LEARNING-CREATION, USE, OWNERSHIP, ROYALTIES, REVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRONICALLY DEVELOPED COURSE MATERIALS (15.2.17)
This policy addresses the use of distributed learning at the University of North Texas. Distributed learning is a pedagogy whereby students are instructed via electronic transmissions, often utilizing electronically published course materials. Electronically published course materials are materials utilizing electronic transmissions to teach students at sites distant from the faculty member. The purpose of this document is to protect the rights of both the faculty member and the University and to encourage the offering of quality distributed learning programs.
Total University
Cristy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
EVALUATING, AWARDING AND ACCEPTING CREDIT (06.1001)
As an institution of higher education, the University of North Texas (UNT) holds the responsibility for determining and upholding standards related to the awarding of credit hours for student work consistent with national standards. At UNT, a credit hour represents at least a minimum level of student achievement of specific learning outcomes, as verified by an assessment of student work. UNT’s definition of the credit hour establishes a basis to quantify academic activity for purposes of awarding academic credentials and determining federal funding, including institutional eligibility, program eligibility, and student enrollment status and eligibility.
Academic Affairs
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS AND GRANTING OF TENURE (15.0.1)
Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT LEAVE POLICY AND GUIDELINES (15.1.11)
Faculty development leaves are authorized for the primary purpose of increasing the value of the recipient’s sustained contribution to the university by providing the individual an opportunity for professional growth. Such developmental leaves are not to be understood as deferred compensation, nor are they to be anticipated simply on the basis of longevity at the university, alone. Development leave may be granted, upon application, for study, research, writing, field observations or other suitable purposes.
Faculty and Adminstrators
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
FACULTY LEAVES OF ABSENCE WITHOUT PAY (15.1.12)
The University recognizes conditions may occur in the life of a faculty member that results in a need to request time away in the form of a leave without pay. On such occasions, when the faculty member can reasonably be expected to return to duties following the absence, the University may grant such a leave of absence. This should be done rarely, and only when the ongoing needs of the institution can be addressed by other means.
All Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
FACULTY MISCONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE (15.1.33)
All Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
FACULTY RETIREMENT WITH MODIFIED SERVICE (1.3.15)
Full-Time Tenured Faculty (includes librarians with five-year contracts)
Cristy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
FINANCIAL EXIGENCY POLICY (15.1.26)
Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
GRADE APPEALS PROCEDURE (15.2.7)
All Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
GRADUATE FACULTY MEMBERSHIP (15.1.5)
This policy describes the process and conditions for appointment to the Graduate Faculty at the University of North Texas. Graduate Faculty advance the research, teaching and professional development mission of the University through excellence in graduate education. The Graduate Faculty is composed of Full Members and Associate Members.
UNT Faculty, Administrators with faculty appointments, and Faculty and Practitioners from other institutions.
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP/RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP LOAD SPECIFICATIONS (18.3.13)
Graduate students who hold a fellowship (scholarship), research assistantship of half time (20 hours per week) or greater, or other appointment designed for the support of graduate study must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester credit hours during the long terms.
Graduate Students
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
GRADUATION WITH HONORS(15.2.11)
Candidates for graduation whose overall grade point average, based on grades earned in University of North Texas resident credit courses and transferred resident credit courses, is from 3.5 through 3.69 are eligible to graduate cum laude; those whose GPA, as defined above, is from 3.7 through 3.89 are eligible to graduate magna cum laude; and those whose GPA, as defined above, is from 3.9 through 4.0 are eligible to graduate summa cum laude.
All Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
GUIDELINES FOR CALCULATING SICK LEAVE USED BY FACULTY (1.4.10.2)
Faculty members at institutions of higher education must submit prescribed leave forms for all sick leave taken during their normal forty-hour (40 hour) work week even if no classes were missed. For absences over a continuous period exceeding one day, the amount of time charged against sick leave should include each working day, except holidays.
All Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
JOINT FACULTY APPOINTMENTS (15.2.21)
Joint appointments provide opportunities for faculty members to have assigned responsibilities in two or more academic disciplines. University of North Texas (UNT) faculty members may hold appointments in multiple academic units within the university; and with other institutions of higher education or external organizations. Individuals employed with other institutions of higher education or external organizations may hold appointments at UNT. All joint appointments require the approval of each academic unit involved in the search, offer, execution, and evaluation of the agreement.
All UNT Faculty Members
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
OPEN ACCESS, SELF-ARCHIVING, AND LONG-TERM DIGITAL STEWARDSHIP FOR UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SCHOLARLY WORKS (17.5)
The University of North Texas (UNT) is a state-funded public research university, and UNT Community Members are expected to take advantage of new technologies to increase access to their scholarly works among scholars worldwide, educators, policymakers, and the public. UNT Community Members engage in a wide range of scholarly activities that result in new knowledge, understandings, and expressions, and UNT Community Members are committed to disseminating as widely as possible the results of their scholarly activities. UNT recognizes the value added by publishers and proposes a policy that is intended to ensure the sustainability of journal publishing. As a public research university, UNT recognizes and values its responsibility to the larger society. Scholarly products — the innovations, scholarship, and creative endeavors of its faculty, and the education provided to its students — benefit the communities the university serves. By providing access to scholarly...
University of North Texas Faculty, Staff, and Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
ORIENTATION, SUPERVISION, AND EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC ASSISTANTS (15.1.28)
The University of North Texas requires appropriately trained academic assistants to support instructional activities in classes no matter the mode of instructional delivery. Such assistants need supervision and evaluation to encourage their growth, productivity, and effectiveness. This policy describes the required activities for orientation, supervision, and evaluation of academic assistants.
Academic Departments
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
PART-TIME FACULTY (15.1.32)
N/A
All Part-Time Faculty, Academic Units, and Deans
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
PAYMENT OF NINE-MONTH CONTRACTS (15.1.14)
The procedure of payment of a nine-month contract over twelve months is intended for those employees with a stable income expectation. Any payroll change requested during the year regardless of the reason may result in termination of the twelve-month payment agreement at the option of the Controller provided full settlement is made with the employee and payment reverts to a nine-month basis.
All Faculty and Staff
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
POLICY ON CENTERS AND INSTITUTES 16.8
As internal organizations, Centers and Institutes provide a framework to advance a university’s goals in areas such as service, outreach, interdisciplinary scholarship and externally funded research and development. It is incumbent upon UNT to invest its limited resources in Centers and Institutes in a manner that aligns with and supports its mission and strategic goals. This policy on Centers and Institutes provides for the establishment, review, maintenance, operation, and discontinuation of Centers and Institutes in order to promote the best use of these organizational structures.
Entire University
Ronda Bewley
VP for Academic Affairs
PRE-FINALS DAYS, READING DAY, AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS (15.2.16)
So that students can more adequately prepare for their final examinations, special rules apply to pre-finals week activities and the administering of final examinations.
All Faculty and Students
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE TO FACULTY WHOSE PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH (15.1.31.1)
All Teaching Personnel
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF TEACHING FELLOWS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS (15.1.27)
Each academic unit shall meet minimal academic criteria required for teaching fellows/teaching assistants in the department, in accordance with relevant accreditation standards for the University and the unit. These criteria shall be filed with each school/college and shall be periodically reviewed.
Academic Departments
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
REGENTS PROFESSORSHIPS (15.1.24)
The purpose of the Regents’ Professorship award is to provide recognition and salary support for individuals at the rank of professor who have performed outstanding teaching, research and service to the profession and to the University of North Texas (UNT), and who have achieved a high level of national and international recognition.
Full-Time Tenured Faculty at the Rank of Professor
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
SAFETY IN INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES (15.2.4)
All university administrators, faculty and staff are expected to be continuously and actively concerned about safety in the teaching environment. The University Safety Policy mandates compliance with federal and state laws and adherence to the National Life Safety Code with respect to the operation of the physical plant of the university, but it is the responsibility of those directly involved in academic instruction to evaluate critically specific courses and the immediate environment in which instruction occurs.
All Faculty and Staff
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
SHARED GOVERNANCE & ROLE OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES & ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION (13.9)
Shared governance is and shall be a central tenet of academic decision-making at the University of North Texas (as it is in higher education at major public Universities throughout the U.S.). The participation of faculty in decisions that involve academic matters assures that academic quality remains at the heart of the process. Authority for decisions, however, is vested in the Board of Regents, Chancellor, and the President. The President may delegate authority to other members of the University administration as allowed by state law and Regents Rules. Authority may only rest with individuals who can be held directly accountable for the decisions they make. Thus, authority may not rest with a committee.
Faculty and Academic Administration
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
STUDY ABROAD POLICY (15.2.18)
The University of North Texas will endeavor to provide out-of-country study opportunities for students in their academic degree programs through a variety of mechanisms. The university Study Abroad Center shall have primary responsibility for coordinating out-of-country study programs and serve as the central clearinghouse for information concerning these programs. Faculty, staff and students who participate in out-of-country study programs are responsible for complying with and are subject to all applicable laws and university policies.
Total University
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY ON EVALUATING TENURED FACULTY AT UNT (15.1.2.4)
The evaluation of tenured faculty is a comprehensive process that results in a fair and equitable evaluation of faculty, while rewarding quality performance. A faculty member with administrative responsibilities shall be subject to established annual review procedures for administrators, as codified by university policies. Administrative performance will not be evaluated in the faculty performance evaluation process. When administrators resume full-time faculty service, they are subject to the regular faculty review process.
All Faculty
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
TENURED ADMINISTRATORS RETURNING TO FULL-TIME ACADEMIC STATUS (15.1.10)
This policy applies to members of the tenured faculty who serve on at least 50 percent administrative appointments in positions noted above for a period of at least one year. When such person concludes an administrative assignment to return to full-time academic status, his or her faculty salary base (excluding any longevity pay consideration) will be prorated generally at nine times his or her then monthly salary earned while an administrator.
Faculty and Adminstrators
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
TIME PERIOD EXCLUSION FROM THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD (15.0.2)
Excluding time from the probationary period allows balance between work and life away from work for tenure track faculty members who experience significant personal obligations (e.g. medical, family or other circumstances that interfere with academic work) during the pre-tenure probationary period. Recognizing the inherent challenges in balancing work and life away from work and addressing them appropriately allows UNT to recruit and retain the best scholars, who will contribute to academic excellence at UNT.
Tenure Track Faculty
Mary Foster
VP for Academic Affairs
UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH PROFESSORSHIP (15.1.23)
The University Distinguished Research Professorship award recognizes tenured faculty at the rank of professor who have achieved an exceptionally outstanding record of creative activities or research productivity and who demonstrate a record of continued extraordinary productivity.
Faculty at the rank of Professor
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED TEACHING PROFESSORSHIP(15.1.22)
The University Distinguished Teaching Professorship award recognizes tenured faculty who perform outstanding teaching, teach at the introductory levels of their disciplines, promote the continuous development of teaching excellence, and promote improved teaching among their colleagues in the UNT community.
Faculty at the rank of associate professor or professor
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
USE OF ACADEMIC ASSISTANTS IN LARGE CLASSES (15.1.30)
Faculty require logistical support when teaching large lecture sections as well as assistance to meet specialized instructional needs. The need is particularly strong when the nature of the course requires essay tests, homework assignments, and term papers as well as normal administrative classroom assignments including test administration and grading. The following guidelines are intended to help maintain a quality learning environment in the large class format.
Academic Departments
Christy Crutsinger
VP for Academic Affairs
