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PART-TIME FACULTY HANDBOOKWelcome! On behalf of your colleagues, I welcome you to TSTC Harlingen and wish you every success here. We believe that each employee contributes directly to TSTC’s growth and success, and we hope you will take pride in being a member of our team. This handbook was developed to describe some of the expectations of our employees and to outline the policies, programs, and benefits available to eligible employees. Employees should familiarize themselves with the contents of the employee handbook as soon as possible for it will answer many questions about employment with TSTC Harlingen. We hope that your experience here will be challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding. Again welcome! J. Gilbert Leal, Ph.D. The purpose of the Handbook is to provide adjunct faculty with general information about the college and specific information about relevant personnel policies; expectations of faculty; academic regulations and procedures; and campus resources and support services. If you have questions or concerns, consult the Vice President of Student Learning. While the information in the Handbook is current at the time of publication, it should be recognized that policies and regulations will change from time to time as required and/or authorized by the Legislature of the State of Texas, the Board of Regents of the Texas State Technical College System, or the Administrators of Texas State Technical College System or Texas State Technical College Harlingen. The Handbook should be considered as a guide to the College concerning organization, employee obligations and benefits, and services available. It is not intended to be a formal statement of college policies, procedures or regulations, nor does it supplement, amend or supersede any official policy or regulation printed in one of the following references: · College Operating Procedure (COP) Manual · System Operating Standards (SOS) Manual · TSTC Compensation Manual · General Appropriations Act · State Attorney General Opinions · State Auditor Rulings In addition, College Operating Procedures and System Operating Standards are available on the TSTC Harlingen Web site at www.harlingen.tstc.edu. Click on “Administration, Human Resources, then Policies. The State of Texas and TSTC Harlingen are employment-at-will employers. There is nothing in this document which negates the employment-at-will status or implies any contractual agreement between the employee and the college. No supervisor, manager, or Vice-President has the authority to enter into any agreement with an employee which in any way alters the employment-at-will relationship. Texas State Technical College Harlingen is a leader in providing technical education. Providing an opportunity to access quality technical education and training for all Texas citizens is its primary goal. As the largest residential two-year public technical college in Texas, TSTC Harlingen encourages the enrollment of all who have an interest in technical education and is authorized to develop highly specialized technical programs, giving primary consideration to the industrial and technological workforce of the State. Quality is fundamental to all programs, services, and instruction. TSTC Harlingen is well positioned by campus location, legislative mandate, historical commitment, experience, available facilities, equipment, and personnel to assist, facilitate, and lead in the economic development of Texas. The purpose of Texas State Technical College, as defined by the 74th Texas Legislature, is as follows: Texas State Technical College System is a coeducational two-year institution of higher education offering courses of study in technical-vocational education for which there is demand within the State of Texas. Texas State Technical College System shall contribute to the educational and economic development of the State of Texas by offering occupationally oriented programs with supporting academic course work, emphasizing highly specialized advanced and emerging technical and vocational areas for certificates or associate degrees. The Texas State Technical College System is authorized to serve the State of Texas through excellence in instruction, public service, faculty and manpower research, and economic development. The system’s economic development efforts to improve the competitiveness of Texas business and industry include exemplary centers of excellence in technical program clusters on the system’s campuses and support of educational research commercialization initiatives. Through close collaboration with business, industry, governmental agencies, and communities, including public and private secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, the system shall facilitate and deliver an articulated and responsive technical education system. In developing and offering highly specialized technical programs with related supportive coursework, primary consideration shall be placed on the industrial and technological manpower needs of the State. The emphasis of each Texas State Technical College system campus shall be on advanced or emerging technical programs not commonly offered by public junior colleges. Texas State Technical College Harlingen embraces the philosophy that technical education is the key to success in life for many students. Technical education emphasizes performance, knowledge, and the development of occupational skills, and de-emphasizes the teaching of generalities and abstractions. It utilizes the student’s personal occupational interests to teach the concepts and ideas that contribute directly to success in achieving a productive and satisfying life, with enhanced earning ability. Relevance of all instruction to occupational requirements and interests is the essential and predominant theme. Occupational interests vary with each individual. They vary not only across career fields but also through competency levels within careers. Hence, TSTC’s institutional philosophy embraces the principle that educational programs must not only offer choices in careers but should also provide opportunities for students to progress to higher levels within their career fields. Thus, TSTC is committed to welcoming any man or woman at his/her level of experience, skill, ability, and past learning accomplishments and to provide educational opportunities which, combined with individual motivation and abilities, will enable advancement to the highest level of professional proficiency. Proficiency levels are personal goals which may be adjusted as a student experiences the satisfaction of educational and professional accomplishment and is thus motivated to seek higher goals. TSTC supports the student in that quest and believes that there must be no upper limit on any student who chooses to pursue his or her life’s objectives through education. 4. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Equal opportunity shall be afforded within the Texas State Technical College System to all employees and applicants for admission or employment regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. TSTC will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Refer to SOS HR 2.51 Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action. Texas State Technical College had its beginning as the James Connally Technical Institute, on April 22, 1965. Governor John Connally signed the bill which authorized the Board of Regents of Texas A&M University to establish “a coeducational institution which may offer courses of study in vocational/technical education for which there is a demand within the State of Texas.” The deactivated James Connally Air Force Base, near Waco, provided excellent facilities for developing the variety of educational programs authorized in the bill. The Harlingen college was founded in 1967 as an extension of the James Connally Technical Institute in Waco. The extension used a section of the former Harlingen Air Force Base and city-owned buildings to offer technical development classes. Those classes filled a widely recognized need for technical training in the Rio Grande Valley. The separation from Texas A & M University came by an act of the 61st Legislature, effective September 1, 1969. The name was then changed to Texas State Technical Institute, and a Board of Regents was appointed as its governing body. Another dimension of the TSTI-Harlingen campus was added in 1983 with the establishment of the McAllen extension center. The campus was established by passage of House Bill 178 by the 68th Texas Legislature. Buildings and facilities have been provided through the city of McAllen. Programs offered at the McAllen campus were designed to meet the particular employment needs of McAllen, Hidalgo County and surrounding area. In September of 1991, TSTI's name was officially changed to Texas State Technical College. Growth and an increased desire to further serve the needs of the immediate area led to the conversion of the McAllen extension center into the South Texas Community College, made official September 1, 1993. Today the TSTC System has four colleges located throughout Texas with campuses in Harlingen, Waco (1965), West Texas (1970), and Marshall (1999). The independent status of TSTC is a direct result of its success in establishing high-quality occupational education needed by business and industry in Texas. Support and response from industry, business, and government assure continued growth and development of TSTC and its services to students. TSTC-Harlingen is located in semi-tropical Cameron County, the southernmost county in Texas. The college serves a population of more than 650,000 in the immediate commuting area of South Texas. This location also attracts students from other Texas cities and northern Mexico. Within 45 minutes of Harlingen is South Padre Island, recognized for its excellent recreational facilities. Also nearby is the city of Brownsville and the international border with Mexico. The address is:
Buildings and Facilities TSTC-Harlingen is a modern 125-acre college consisting of over 30 instructional facilities designed for learning. Recent college additions have included the Semi Conductor Manufacturing Technology Building completed during the Fall of 2000 and the Learning Resource Center completed during the Spring of 2004. While associated with TSTC Harlingen, you are encouraged to take an active part in the affairs of your home community. By your participation in local affairs, you will make your community proud to have TSTC Harlingen employees contributing to community development. Many opportunities are afforded employees to participate in civic activities and projects in Harlingen and the surrounding areas. Employees should be cautious to ensure that actions or remarks made by or attributed to them are not taken as an official expression of Texas State Technical College Harlingen. This does not preclude employees from public disclosure of their professional position with the college when speaking on issues directly related to their field of technical expertise at TSTC. Faculty and Staff members are urged to accept invitations for personal appearances to inform the public about Texas State Technical College Harlingen and what it has to offer. Recruiting visits and public appearances should be coordinated through the College Information Office. The governing body of the TSTC System is the Board of Regents, appointed by the Governor of the State of Texas. It ensures that the college is properly administered, that the college achieves the objectives established by the Legislature, and that policies necessary to guide the college are formulated. Mr. Bernie Francis (appointed 10/8/97) Mr. C. “Connie” De La Garza (appointed 10/23/95) Mr. Terry Preuninger (appointed 10/20/99) Mr. Don H. Elliot (appointed 02/08/02) Mr. Jere M. Lawrence (appointed 10/8/97) Mr. Mike Northcutt (appointed 02/08/02) Dr. Jerilyn K. Pfeifer (appointed 10/23/95) Ms. Linda Routh (appointed 10/20/99) Ms. Barbara Rusling (appointed 08/23/02) The Chancellor is the direct agent of the Board of Regents and the chief executive officer of TSTC. He is responsible to the Board for the complete operation of all campuses and facilities. The Management Council consists of the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Associate Vice Chancellors, Executive Director of the Regents Circle, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, Comptroller, Executive Director of External Relationships, Executive Director of Development, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment, Director of Internal Audit, Manager of Administrative Support, Coordinator of Records Management, the President of each campus, and the Vice-Presidents and Provost of the Extension Centers. The Management Council meets to consider policy matters, establish guidelines, and act on matters of common interest to all the campuses. President – Responsible to the Chancellor for the complete operation of the campus with specialized advice and guidance from System Administration. President’s Council (chaired by the President) – Comprised of the Vice-President of Administrative Services, Vice-President for Student Learning, Chief Financial Officer, Vice-President for Student Development, Director Administrative Technical Support, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research, Director of Human Resources, Executive Assistant to the President, President of the Faculty Senate, and the President of the Staff Senate. The Council assists the President in developing and implementing procedures essential to the effective operation of the campus. The President’s Council meets monthly. Vice-President for Administrative Services – Responsible for the operational activities or services related to support services. Vice-President for Student Learning – Responsible for the Instructional Division. Chief Financial Officer – Responsible for those operational activities or services related to fiscal and support administration. These services include Budget Control, Accounts Payable, Student Receivable, Cashiers, Grants and Contracts, Purchasing, Property Accountability, Bookstore, Inventory Control, and the Mail Center. Vice-President for Student Development – Responsible for those activities related to student development to include Student Services, Student Records, Counseling, Financial Aid, Residential Life, Recruiting, Support Services, Student Activities, Intramurals, Student Health Services. Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research – Responsible for supports the mission of the college by providing coordination and technical expertise and by maintaining a broad-based comprehensive system of planning and assessment. Executive Assistant to the President – Assists the President in the implementation of the campus strategic plan and campus policies and procedures. Director Human Resources – Responsible for coordinating personnel functions with the campus to ensure compliance with equal employment criteria, Fair Labor Standards Act, and related state and federal laws and regulations. Director Administrative Technical Support – Responsible for the coordination and development of administrative technology and software as it relates to college operations. 1. No State officer or State employee shall accept or solicit any gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to influence him in the discharge of his official duties or that he knows or should know is being offered him with the intent to influence his official conduct. 2. No State officer or State employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which he might reasonably expect would require or induce disclosure of confidential information acquired by reason of the official position. 3. No State officer or State employee shall accept other employment or compensation which could reasonably be expected to impair independence of judgment in the performance of official duties. 4. No State officer or State employee shall make personal investments which could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between the private interest and the public interest. 5. No State officer or State employee shall intentionally or knowingly solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit for having exercised one’s official powers or performed one’s official duties in favor of another. The manner in which the employee conducts himself or herself on the job has a direct bearing on the effective accomplishment of duties and responsibilities. In addition, the direct contact of employees with the public can play a significant role in molding the public’s attitude toward State services in general and TSTC Harlingen in particular. This attitude is influenced both by the way employees serve the public and the manner in which they conduct themselves publicly. All employees are expected to practice good hygiene and arrive at work clean and well groomed. All clothing should be clean, neat, and free from tears. Hair must be clean and neat; if it is colored, it must be a color that is a normal, natural hair color (i.e., not green, blue, purple, etc.). To prevent loss and injury, jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Earrings are acceptable. Other rings or “piercings” through the nose, tongue, or other body parts may not be worn while at work. The purpose of these appearance standards is to promote a comfortable working environment that is free of unnecessary distraction. Employees’ dress and grooming should not draw attention or interfere with the performance of work duties. Employees who report to work inappropriately groomed or attired may be asked to leave and change into acceptable clothing. 8.3 Prevention of Workplace Violence Workplace safety and health hazards affecting employees have traditionally been viewed as rising from unsafe work practices, hazardous industrial conditions, or exposures to harmful chemical, biologic or physical agents, not from violent acts committed by other human beings. Recently, though, Public Safety Agencies have recognized the need to provide for prevention and safety measures to protect employees from workplace violence. As a state agency, TSTC must follow guidelines designed to stop workplace violence. Employees who utter threats of bodily violence, either written or stated, against any other TSTC employee or student will be terminated. Refer to SOS HR 2.4.8 Prohibiting Workplace Violence Sexual harassment of employees or students will not be tolerated and is expressly prohibited at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. Offenders are subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1. Submission to such conduct is made, either expressly or by implication, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or educational opportunity or advancement; 2. Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting such individual; or 3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or working environment. If an employee believes he/she has been subject to sexual harassment, such perceived offense should be immediately reported to the local Human Resources Office, Extension 4041 or TSTC Systems Human Resources at (254) 867-2372 or (254) 867-2387. Refer to SOS HR 2.4.3 Prohibiting Sexual Harassment Texas State Technical College Harlingen has a policy which allows employees with HIV or AIDS to exercise all rights and privileges of their employment as long as they are able to perform their duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The policy also allows students with HIV infection or AIDS to register, attend class, participate in activities, reside in campus housing and exercise all rights and privileges of other students as long as they are physically and mentally capable. TSTC Harlingen will increase awareness and education to its students and employees about HIV and AIDS. Refer to SOS HR 2.4.4 AIDS/HIV in the Workplace and Learning Environment. Texas State Technical College Harlingen is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, healthy and drug-free environment for educational and work experience purposes. The college seeks to ensure work and learning environments free of the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. Employees and students determined to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary measures as prescribed by policy guidelines. Refer to SOS ES 3.08 Drug-free Schools & Campuses and Work Place. Use of tobacco products is permissible only in designated areas. Without exception, employees should observe “no smoking” guidelines and directives. The employee Identification Card issued to regular employees serves as identification when using services on campus requiring employee status. Keys to building locks may not be issued, made, or duplicated without approval of the Director of the Physical Plant and the Departmental Supervisor. A Request for Key Duplication form signed by the supervisor must be directed to Work Order Control in the Physical Plant. 9. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL TSTC Harlingen maintains commissioned peace officers to protect people and property. College Police enforce campus parking and traffic regulations and State laws; maintain a security and fire watch of school and personal property, and investigate complaints of criminal activities. Parking permits are required for all vehicles that are parked on campus. A decal is issued at the cashier’s window in the Student Services Center upon payment of the parking fee. A temporary permit may be obtained from the College Police Office for vehicles parked on campus for no more than two weeks. Please give particular attention to parking and speed regulations. The speed limit is 20 mph. 9.3 Theft of State or Personal Property Theft of State or personal property by an employee of TSTC Harlingen is cause for immediate termination and for prosecution under the law. Vigilance on your part in reporting acts of theft, destruction, or misappropriation of resources and your assistance in bringing offending parties to the attention of College Police are the best ways of reducing personal and college losses. In the event of fire or medical/police emergency, call 911 (9-911 on campus phones) immediately. The TSTC Harlingen campus is covered by the Harlingen Emergency Response System, which is designed to respond to fire, medical and police emergencies as quickly as possible. It is extremely important that the 911 (9-911 on campus phones) system be used only for emergencies. Calls to 911 should be followed up with a call to TSTC College Police, Ext. 4234. The Safety Office provides assistance in identifying and correcting hazardous conditions, unsafe equipment and poor work habits. You should thoroughly familiarize yourself with all equipment and operations under your control and insist that accepted standards of safety be maintained. You should report immediately to your supervisor any condition that may endanger life or property. All injuries occurring in the course of your work, regardless of how slight they may seem, must be reported to your supervisor at once. The supervisor will arrange for necessary medical treatment should the need arise. Supervisors are required to contact the Safety Officer, Ext. 4205, as soon as possible to report any on-the-job injury. 10.1 Adjunct Faculty Orientation Texas State Technical College Harlingen shall provide each new adjunct faculty member with an introduction to the college and its operations. An orientation program will be provided by the Instructional Development Services office in conjunction with the Human Resources Office and will include a general introduction to the college, policies, and procedures. The responsibility for selection of textbooks and related teaching materials and supplies rests with the Department Chair, who makes the selection upon the advice and recommendation of the department. Selection of these materials requires advance planning in order to enable the Bookstore to order and receive them in adequate quantities when needed. Similarly, changes in requirements must be made in such a fashion as to not leave the Bookstore with quantities of materials on hand for which there is no longer any use. The Bookstore is provided with a current list of “Textbooks and Materials Required.” Each term the Bookstore is advised of the courses to be offered in the next term and an estimate of the number of students to be enrolled in each. Any department ordering an incorrect textbook or discontinuing a current textbook will assume responsibility for freight charges incurred. TSTC Harlingen is committed to fostering and supporting work and teaching environment which for employee and students encourages development and use of "state-of-the-art" instructional materials, equipment, processes, methods and/or technology that may result in inventions useful to TSTC so long as that development is in accordance with institutional plans and purposes. It is the intent of TSTC to permit an individual to receive recognition and reward for intellectual and innovative inventions and to protect TSTC from exploitation. When inventions that may be patented, licensed, or copyrighted are in development, the ownership and equity shall be prescribed in advance of the development. See SOS 1.01 Intellectual Property TSTC Harlingen is committed to providing employees with direction/guidance in the event of an emergency situation. A Crisis Management Plan handbook is distributed to all employees during New Employee Orientation. The handbook consists of a crisis notification chart which includes the crisis, the chain of command which should be followed, the procedure, the aftermath plan and any additional resources. 10.5 Worker’s Compensation Insurance All employees, including part-time, temporary and student employees, are covered by Worker’s Compensation as required by law. If an employee is injured as a result of or in the course of employment, the immediate supervisor must be notified of the injury at the earliest possible time. In any event, the injured employee must notify the supervisor of the injury within twenty-four (24) hours of the injury or at the first indication of an occupational injury. All on-the-job injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported by the supervisor to the School Nurse and the Safety Director (or the Human Resources Office if the Safety Director is not immediately available) no later than the end of the next working day following the date of the injury. This reporting procedure shall include completion of an Accident Investigation Form by the supervisor/employee with the assistance of staff in the Human Resources Office. If an on-the-job injury results in lost time and/or medical expenses, supplemental reports must be prepared by the supervisor and/or the Human Resources Office and provided to the Risk Management Division of the State Attorney General’s Office. Refer to SOS HR 2.3.5 Workers Compensation Insurance 10.6 Acceptable Use of Computer Resources Texas State Technical College Harlingen owns and operates computer resources that are provided for TSTC students, faculty, and staff and other authorized users in support of college business and programs used for administration, education, research, academic development, and public service only. Personal use for profit is specifically prohibited. All authorized users are responsible for seeing that computer resources are used in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner. Rules and prohibitions that define acceptable use of these computer resources within TSTC are in addition to and do not supercede any Texas state or federal laws or any other TSTC policies regarding confidentiality, information dissemination, or standards of conduct. Unacceptable use is prohibited and is ground for loss of privileges, termination, and/or legal sanctions under federal, state, and local law. See also SOS GA 5.2 Acceptable Use of Computer Resources The faculty includes those employed in teaching, instructing, or lecturing for the purpose of imparting knowledge to students. Faculty selection is primarily the responsibility of the Department Chair in charge of the program in which a prospective faculty member will teach. Other faculty members in the same program, as well as staff from Instructional Administration, may be asked to participate in the interview and selection of a prospective faculty member. For information on degree and certification requirements, refer to COP 3.72 Faculty Credentials. Upon recommendation of the Department Chair and subsequent approval of the Division Director, Vice-President for Student Learning and the Director of Human Resources, for EEO compliance purposes, a formal offer of employment will be issued. A contract setting forth the conditions for employment will follow. All subsequent appointments are made on an annual basis and are contingent upon satisfactory work performance, the need for the position, and the availability of funds. For a job description, please refer to http://db.tstc.edu/jobdesc/INST.doc. See SOS HR 2.1.9 Employment Contracts It is the practice of TSTC to hire applicants for faculty and laboratory assistant positions only if those applicants are proficient in oral and written communication in the language in which the course(s) will be taught. Texas State Technical College provides an instructional delivery system for technical instructional programs and general education departments based primarily on the utilization of full-time faculty members. The employment of adjunct (part-time, temporary) faculty members is authorized when necessary to eliminate teaching overloads or when an adjunct teaching load develops in a curricular area in which currently employed full-time faculty members are not qualified. The employment of adjunct faculty members will conform to the same requirements as those for full-time faculty, as outlined in Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' principles, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's guidelines, and TSTC Harlingen Policy 6.29 Faculty Credentials. Refer to COP 3.74 Employing Adjunct Faculty Faculty members have the freedom to teach and conduct classes in the manner in which they determine best enables them to meet the occupational learning objectives specified in the course syllabi for the courses they are assigned to teach. Restrictions on this freedom are imposed only to the extent that all faculty members are expected not to infringe upon the rights of colleagues, also engaged in conducting classes, and to utilize practices and maintain decorum commensurate with an institution of higher learning. Radical departures from accepted teaching practices in technical and vocational education are considered experimental. Experimentation is acceptable and valuable; however, it must be planned and must have received advanced approval. Where doubt may exist about the propriety of utilizing a given teaching method or technique, the faculty member should seek the advice of the Department Chair and appropriate Division Director. Technical education courses are based on occupational learning objectives. These objectives are established by the faculty through use of industrial consultants, School-Industry Cooperative Committees, and Advisory Committees. The objectives are established collectively and must be changed collectively in an orderly manner. Until changes have been examined and approved, the College and its faculty are committed to directing learning activities toward, and conducting courses to meet, the prescribed objectives. Faculty members are urged to constantly search, question, and advance suggestions for alterations in objectives, teaching methods, and curriculum organization which will improve the quality of the teaching efforts. Faculty members may not be dismissed over an issue of academic freedom. Faculty members may only be disciplined or dismissed for cause due to poor work performance or misconduct as governed by SOS HR 2.4.2 Discipline, Dismissal, and Grievances of Contract and Faculty Employees. The faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his or her subject, but is expected not to introduce into his or her teaching controversial matter that has no relation to his or her subject. For details on procedures for dealing with charges of misconduct refer to SOS ES 1.06 Academic Freedom and Responsibility. The laws governing liability for injuries sustained by students are vague, and the extent to which faculty may be held liable is inconclusive. All faculty members are cautioned that the vagueness of their legal liability status leaves them in a precarious position, and all reasonable precaution should be exercised to avoid the possibility of being held liable for accidental injury. To minimize the likelihood of being held liable for damages, certain rules can be stated. 1. Students must never be permitted to use equipment which is unsafe. 2. Students should never be exposed to undue/needless hazards or dangerous situations. 3. Students should never be permitted to use equipment without prior instruction about its safe operation and only then after the student has demonstrated to the instructor’s satisfaction that the student knows and understands how to operate the equipment in a safe manner. 4. Students should never be left unsupervised. Faculty members assigned the responsibility of supervising a classroom, shop or laboratory are inviting lawsuits in the event injuries occur during their absences. Adequate precautions should be taken in those instances when students are permitted in shops and laboratories on an individual basis to do make-up or additional work. Similarly, regulations should be established to safeguard against unscheduled use of equipment by students. All regular full-time employees are covered by a blanket liability policy whose maximum limits are $5,000,000 with a $5,000 deductible. A copy of this liability policy is retained at the TSTC System Office. Texas State Technical College faculty have the prerogative of teaching their classes in the manner which they judge will enable them to most effectively achieve the learning objectives for which the curriculum is designed. Curricula are designed through cooperative efforts between a program’s faculty and its Advisory Committee, selected from industry for their knowledge and experience. All programs are approved by the Coordinating Board, and changes must be approved by the Curriculum Review Committee prior to being implemented. Changes in curriculum can only be accomplished through a prescribed procedure for purposes of meeting learning objectives or improvements in meeting those already established. Faculty members are urged to constantly seek ways of improving the teaching programs. They are encouraged to make recommendations to their Department Chairs either informally or formally (by written memoranda) or in faculty meetings. 11.7 Responsibilities to the College 11.7.1 Class Projects and Live Work Live training projects involve partnerships with external businesses and provide student learning experiences in a realistic context. Such projects are encouraged because such real-life accomplishments add an invaluable dimension to the learning experience. However, class work must never be exploited solely to accomplish outside objectives. All class projects must be designed and scheduled to achieve learning objectives, never as a means to accomplish other objectives. 11.7.2 Lesson Plans, Syllabi, and Course Information Sheets Instructional staff shall develop lesson plans which enable them to achieve prescribed learning outcomes. Current syllabi and course information sheets must be kept on file in the Department Office, of the appropriate Division Director’s office and the Curriculum Office. The name of each student must appear on the Validation Roster, issued by the Admissions and Records Office on the census date of each semester. A student is not officially enrolled in a class unless listed on the Validation Roster. Students whose names do not appear on the Validation Roster, but who are attending the class, should be sent to the Admissions and Records Office to clear up discrepancies and correct their enrollment. Students should not be allowed to attend the next class meeting until these corrections are made. Students requesting to add a class after classes begin must process the official Course Schedule Change form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office. 11.7.4 Attendance and Grade Reports The College has no formal attendance policy; therefore, no official attendance records are kept. Individual instructors may keep attendance if they choose, and individual departments may have certain requirements. When the Validation Rosters are sent out (after the census date of the semester) faculty are required to indicate which students have not participated since the beginning of the semester. This aids the Admissions and Records Office in determining the official headcount for State reporting. Mid-term and final grades are input into Web Advisor by the instructor of record for each class and are due by the stated deadlines. Grade reports are mailed to the students, or students may access their grades through Web Advisor. Many of our students are sponsored through various Federal and State agencies that require regular and periodic reports on progress and participation. The College has no formal attendance policy for students. It is expected that students will attend each regularly scheduled period of instruction. This does not nullify or otherwise override any attendance requirements which may be dictated under Federal or State laws or standards. The instructor of record is the only person authorized to initiate a grade change, except as noted below, once a grade has been assigned. The change may be accomplished by forwarding the new grade on a “Change of Grade” report form or by written memo to the Admissions and Records Office. NOTE: If the instructor who recorded the grade is no longer with the college, the Department Chair with approval of the Vice President for Student Learning may execute the change of grade procedure. Faculty members are responsible for enforcing the regulation against smoking in classrooms, laboratories and shops. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas. To assist the custodial staff in maintaining the facilities, the consumption of soft drinks, candy and other food items should be restricted to lounge areas. In many laboratories, eating and drinking are hazardous because of the toxic nature of lab materials being handled. 11.8 Responsibilities to Students Faculty members may not accept pay for tutoring students during regular working hours (either privately or in groups) in courses of study offered on this campus. However, a faculty member may charge for such services after regular working hours, weekends, and/or during holidays provided the student is not, at that time, enrolled in any section of the course the faculty member is assigned to teach. Peer tutoring is available through the Student Success Office and/or the Support Services office. 11.8.2 Release of Student Information Student records are considered to be the property of Texas State Technical College Harlingen and are compiled, retained, and/or released in accordance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. It is the policy of this College to regard student scholastic records as confidential information. Information contained in these records will be released to persons or agencies outside Texas State Technical College only upon receipt of proper legal authorization, or with the written consent of the student concerned (FERPA Subpart D. Section 99.30). The Admissions and Records Office is the only department authorized to release copies of student scholastic records. Faculty and staff members having legitimate need for information in a student’s file for purposes of advising, counseling, or conducting authorized institutional studies may have access to student scholastic records as required for these purposes (34C.F.R.99.31a 1). Comprehensive examinations for course credit may be authorized by the appropriate Department Chair when a student appears capable of meeting course objectives because of previous training and/or experience. Students who make satisfactory grades will receive the grade of “CR” (credit) and will be relieved of formally enrolling in the course. Credit for the course is counted toward graduation, but grade points are not assigned nor included in calculating grade point ratios. |
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