2.7.3.1 Probationary and Tenure Contract Faculty

2.7.3.2 Term Contract Faculty

2.7.3.3 Equitable Distribution of Workload

2.7.3.4 Alternate Work from Teaching

2.7.3.5 Scheduling Practices

In general, course assignments are determined by faculty expertise. This practice does not guarantee that any courses will be assigned to a faculty for subsequent semesters. Scheduling practices for Nicholls State University also include but are not limited to the following:

1. Faculty members shall not be assigned to more than one undergraduate evening class beginning later than 5:30 p.m. in a semester, unless by consent. Library faculty shall not be assigned to a schedule requiring more than two (2) night assignments each week, unless by consent or by contract.

2. Twelve (12) clock hours shall elapse in a schedule for teaching or library assignment between the end of one class day and the beginning of the next class day, unless by consent. Library faculty schedules vary.

3. Faculty members shall not be assigned teaching schedules in excess of five (5) working days in a
calendar week, unless by consent.

4. The rotational work schedules of library faculty may vary from practices cited in 1, 2, and 3 above. 5. Full-time probationary and tenure contract faculty members shall not, without the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President, teach more than two courses above their normally assigned loads in a semester, including assignments in Continuing Education.

2.7.3.1 Probationary and Tenure Contract Faculty

The primary teaching assignment for full–time probationary (tenure track) and full–time tenure contract faculty shall be no more than 24 credit hours per academic year or its equivalent. Exceptions may apply for independent study courses and internships. Any additional teaching assignments must be agreed upon by facultyfor an overload fee. The assignment of library faculty shall be a minimum of 40 hours per week.

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2.7.3.2 Term Contract Faculty

The primary teaching assignment for full–time term contract faculty shall be no more than 30 credit hours per academic year or its equivalent. Exceptions may apply for independent study courses or internships. Any additional teaching assignments must be agreed upon by faculty for an overload fee. The teaching assignment for part-time term contract employees shall not exceed 9 semester credit hours in a semester. The assignment of library faculty shall be 40 hours per week.

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2.7.3.3 Equitable Distribution of Workload

The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, in consultation with Deans and Department Heads, shall determine workload assignments according to the following guidelines:

• consideration of the number of contact hours per semester hour;
• consideration of the number of course preparations for courses taught per semester;
• consideration of the number of students taught per semester;
• consideration of curricular requirements such as internship, practicum, and field experiences;
• consideration of standards promulgated by accrediting agencies, professional organizations, or disciplinary bodies;
• consideration of special teaching circumstances (that is, team teaching, independent studies, and others);
• for library faculty, consideration of position requirements and library service hours, service, and/or scholarly activities;
• consideration of scholarly or creative activities or assigned administrative duties;
• consideration of a thesis or directed research advisor;
• consideration of student advising load: (Advising assignments should be equitably distributed at the department level. In cases where the Department Head and the Dean consider the number of advisees for an advisor excessive, advising may be considered a part of a total workload.)

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2.7.3.4 Alternate Work from Teaching

After consultation with the faculty and Head of a department, the Dean shall recommend to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs all requests for alternate work from teaching. Faculty members approved for alternate work from teaching assignments shall devote a minimum of three (3) clock hours per week for each semester hour of alternate work time to tasks associated with such alternate work time. Guaranteed alternate work time from teaching shall be provided for Department Heads and Faculty Directors

Alternate work time from teaching to engage in sponsored research, University supported scholarly or creative activity, University service or other approved activities may be authorized by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs dependent upon the availability of funds and program needs.

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2.7.3.5 Scheduling Practices

In general, course assignments are determined by faculty expertise. This practice does not guarantee that any courses will be assigned to a faculty for subsequent semesters. Scheduling practices for Nicholls State University also include but are not limited to the following:

1. Faculty members shall not be assigned to more than one undergraduate evening class beginning later than 5:30 p.m. in a semester, unless by consent. Library faculty shall not be assigned to a schedule requiring more than two (2) night assignments each week, unless by consent or by contract.
2. Twelve (12) clock hours shall elapse in a schedule for teaching or library assignment between the end of one class day and the beginning of the next class day, unless by consent. Library faculty schedules vary.
3. Faculty members shall not be assigned teaching schedules in excess of five (5) working days in a calendar week, unless by consent.
4. The rotational work schedules of library faculty may vary from practices cited in 1, 2, and 3 above.
5. Full–time probationary and tenure contract faculty members shall not, without the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President, teach more than two courses above their normally assigned loads in a semester, including assignments in Continuing Education.

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Changes to Section of Manual