Category: Employment Policies and Procedures

It is CCS’s goal to evaluate the performance of each full-time faculty member annually. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide the Department Chair and the faculty member an opportunity to review the faculty member’s work during the past year, to outline the strengths and weaknesses in the faculty member’s performance, to share concerns and criticisms, to lay out a plan for the faculty member’s work in the coming year, and generally to provide support, encouragement, and direction to the faculty member in the pursuit of excellence.

The annual performance evaluation procedure is as follows:

Faculty are evaluated on the basis of the work of the academic year that is concluding, including how they have addressed the expectations articulated in the evaluation of the previous academic year. The evaluation is based on the criteria established in Duties and Responsibilities of Full-Time Faculty.

The evaluation process consists of a meeting of the faculty member with the Department Chair at which the following written materials are discussed:

1. An annual performance evaluation by the faculty member of their activities in the past year and plans for the coming year is submitted to the Department Chair at least two weeks before the scheduled review.
2. A written appraisal of the faculty member’s performance is prepared by the Department Chair, or in the case of the Chair themselves, their Dean taking into consideration the faculty member’s annual performance evaluation. The Chair forwards their written appraisal to the faculty member at least a week before the scheduled review.
3. Institutional student evaluations are consistent with the form approved by the Faculty Assembly and College administration.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair and faculty member sign the annual report and the Chair’s review, indicating that each party has seen and read each document, but not necessarily indicating agreement with the comments. The Department Chair and faculty member endeavor to complete this portion of the evaluation by June 1.

The Department Chair should forward all documents pertaining to the evaluation to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Studies. The faculty member should receive copies of all documents sent to the Dean, including the summary.  In the event that the faculty member disputes the evaluation, the faculty member and Chair should seek to resolve the disagreement. The faculty member may respond in writing to the review. The Chair may amend the annual appraisal in light of this discussion. If the disagreement cannot be resolved, the faculty member may ask, in writing, that the Dean review the evaluation and convene a meeting of the Chair and faculty member, after which the Dean will make a determination as to whether the evaluation should be modified. The Dean’s determination is final and will be made within 30 days of receiving the written request for review. However, the faculty member may bring to the Faculty Concerns Committee any grievances related to termination, contract non-renewal, or contract length reduction.

From time to time, faculty members may teach in departments other than the department to which they are appointed. It is important, in developing a complete picture of the faculty member’s performance, that the annual evaluation covers performance in these classes as well. In such cases, the Chair of the additional department should write a summary of the faculty member’s performance and submit it to the Chair of the faculty member’s home department for inclusion in their written evaluation.

The records of all faculty evaluations are maintained in confidential digital folders created by the Academic Affairs office. Faculty have the opportunity to add documentation to these folders during the reappointment/rank advancement process. The Academic Affairs Deans supervise the evaluation process and ensure that the procedures described in the Handbook are followed.  It is the responsibility of the faculty member to ensure that their file is up to date when up for renewal. The Dean of Academic Affairs establishes procedures for the maintenance and use of the faculty files, including who has access to them and for what purposes.

The College encourages and expects faculty to remain active in their professional or academic disciplines. These activities can take many forms, including doing professional work or providing services for pay. However, such activity should not interfere with the faculty member’s ability to fulfill their CCS responsibilities. In the event that the College determines that such outside professional activity conflicts with the satisfactory performance of the faculty member’s obligation, the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Studies may require that the faculty member cease such activity or appropriately and effectively adjust the faculty member’s teaching commitment and/or status.

No equipment or supplies owned or provided by CCS are to be taken off campus and used in conjunction with any external work, unless the faculty member obtains prior agreement in writing from CCS and accepts responsibility for the item as part of that agreement. A copy of such an agreement must be provided to the appropriate Department Chair or facility director.

The College assumes no responsibility and/or liability for the competence or performance of outside activities engaged in by faculty members, nor may any responsibility be implied in advertising with respect to such activities.

Instructors who cannot meet a class for valid reasons must contact the Department Chair and the Program Manager, as well as make all determined efforts to provide each student with as much advance notice as is realistically feasible. In the event of prior knowledge of valid inability to meet a class, faculty have several options:

• They may arrange for a substitute instructor with a current full-time or adjunct faculty, or a member of the department’s adjunct “pool,” 
• Upon approval of the Department Chair, move the class to a synchronous or asynchronous online format where all content for that class will be covered, or
• Schedule an equivalent make-up class period. 

If the faculty member misses class due to illness or another valid reason approved by the appropriate Chair, and an adjunct instructor serves as substitute instructor, the College will provide appropriate remuneration for the substitute. The Program Manager should initiate a payment request for the substitute. The request should be signed by the Department Chair and forwarded to the Academic Affairs office. Full-time faculty do not lose pay when they miss a class, nor are they paid when they offer their services as substitute instructors. As this is the case, when full-time faculty require a substitute for their own classes, they should first call upon other full-time faculty for coverage when possible.

Faculty members may offer special projects (tutorials in regularly established courses, independent studies, and experimental courses) not listed in the catalog. Special project courses are run on an occasional basis and may only run twice. A special project course allows faculty to gauge student interest and see how the course performs. 

All special project and experimental courses must be reviewed and approved by the Department Chair, and the appropriate Academic Dean. If a faculty person would like to make the special project course a regular part of the curriculum, a Request for New Course form would need to be completed and approved by the Chair, Academic Affairs, and the Curriculum Committee.

The quality of the education students receive at the College for Creative Studies depends upon the quality, dedication, and integrity of its faculty.  While the combination of duties that comprise a faculty member’s contributions to the institution and its students will differ for each individual, a faculty member is expected to demonstrate excellence in the areas of instructional quality; College service, including departmental contributions;  and professional practice and scholarly research.

At all times, a faculty member must act in the best interests of the students, encourage their educational development, demonstrate current knowledge of their discipline, treat all students fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism.

The duties in each area of responsibility are as follows:

• Instructional Quality and Departmental Contributions
• College Service 
• Professional Practice and/or Scholarly Research

Instructional Quality and Departmental Contributions 

1. Teach courses as assigned by the department, in accordance with curricular goals and criteria established by the department and the College.
2. Teach the equivalent of three 3-credit courses per semester. At least one-third of a faculty member’s teaching load must be in the department to which the faculty member is appointed.
3. Prepare and distribute to students, in each course taught, a written syllabus describing the learning outcomes and expectations of the class. A syllabus must be prepared using the syllabus template provided by the Academic Affairs office. This format is available from the Program Managers. Syllabi due dates are determined by the department; upon receipt, syllabi are reviewed by the Chair who then forwards an approved copy to the Academic Affairs office prior to the start of the semester.
4. Adhere to best teaching practices:
   1. Demonstrate effectiveness as educators, evincing a thorough and up-to-date understanding of their field/discipline and pedagogical practices.
   2. Clearly communicate course-specific content as determined by their respective departments.
   3. Manifest openness to innovative practices that enhance student learning, including technological advancements in pedagogy.
   4. Adhere to learning outcomes and assessment practices that have been established by their respective departments and the College.
   5. Determine that the classroom is properly set up for each session. Arrive punctually and remain throughout the entire class.
   6. Mentor students regarding their professional and academic goals.
   7. Conduct timely evaluations of students, including grading, according to policies and criteria established by the department and the College.
   8. Acquaint students with the proper use of materials and equipment, as appropriate.
   9. Create a learning environment that advances CCS’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
5. Seek or participate in sponsored, interdisciplinary, and/or community projects, where appropriate to their respective departments. The Chair of each department has the discretion to determine whether a project meets the educational objectives of the course and to assign the project to a particular faculty. The Chair may decline the project if it does not meet the curricular needs of the program.
6. Faculty are responsible for establishing an attendance policy for each of their classes and for outlining that policy on the course syllabus. Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policy for their class and adhering to those requirements. Students seeking exceptions to an instructor’s attendance policy should discuss their request with that instructor. For the complete policy, see CCS Attendance Policy.
7. Participate in departmental meetings.
8. Participate in curriculum assessment and planning.
9. Serve on departmental committees.
10. Participate in the mentoring process and serve as a mentor.
11. Establish a method for weekly office hours to enable “mentees” and students to schedule appointments. The number of office hours necessary to meet mentoring needs may vary during the semester.
12. Participate in departmental student reviews.
13. Assist the department, as appropriate, in determining equipment and facilities needs and in maintaining the operational readiness of equipment and facilities.
14. Participate in preparing departmental budget submissions.
15. Assist in coordinating and encouraging student participation in departmental exhibitions and outreach.
16. Participate in the department’s student recruitment activities and enhancement of departmental and College reputation.
17. Assist, as appropriate, in obtaining outside funding to support the department’s educational program.
18. Maintain up-to-date skills related to the College’s Learning Management System.

College Service

1. Participate in the Assessment Program
2. Attend Commencement
3. Serve on one tier I and one tier II Faculty Assembly committee. Committee service beyond that will be needed and encouraged to fulfill the College’s mission and vision.
4. Participate in College-wide activities such as:
   1. Faculty Assembly
   2. Installation and deinstallation of the Student Exhibition
   3. Strategic planning activities
   4. Self-Study and re-accreditation activities
   5. Admissions events and student recruitment 
   6. Be a positive advocate and ambassador for the College
5. Submit content for the department’s monthly report submissions

Professional Practice and/or Scholarly Research 

Faculty should demonstrate evidence of sustained inquiry and continual professional activity and growth, consistent with the opportunities, expectations, and advancement of their disciplines or professions. They should display active engagement in an artistic, scholarly, or professional production. Professional development activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Portfolio of published materials/projects
• Exhibitions, exhibition catalogs
• Peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, book chapters, and monographs
• Creative practice, such as fiction, creative nonfiction, artwork, design work, craft, films, artifacts, performances, systems, processes, or patents
• Lectures and presentations, participation in panels, symposia, etc.
• Jurying of exhibitions, guest critiques at another institution
• Guest teaching/artist residency
• Community activity, involvement, organization
• Introduction of new programs, courses, curricula
• Research
• Professional accounts/commissions
• Consulting
• Juried competitions and awards
• Practice-based/led research including artworks, films, artifacts, performances, systems, processes, or patents

The College supports Faculty Development in the above areas as detailed in the Faculty Development section of the Faculty Handbook.

Full-time faculty members must devote their full time and attention to the performance of their responsibilities. In order for faculty members to fulfill their teaching responsibilities, as well as their responsibilities outside the classroom, they should spend a significant amount of time on campus in addition to their teaching hours. Faculty members must not render any full-time services to or enter into the full-time employment of any person or entity other than CCS during the academic year. Faculty members must obtain the prior approval of their Department Chair and the appropriate Dean in any semester in which they are interested in accepting part-time teaching assignments outside of CCS. The purpose is to ensure that such commitments do not conflict with CCS obligations or interests.

CCS expects faculty members to perform their duties in a satisfactory manner. The duties and responsibilities of faculty members are described below, and CCS may assign other duties from time to time. In addition, CCS expects faculty members to adhere to the institution’s guiding principles and observe the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the College.

The schedule of each faculty member is arranged by the Department Chair in consultation with the faculty member. Department schedules are subject to the approval of the appropriate Dean. A full-time faculty member must be scheduled to teach at least one class per semester in the department to which they are appointed unless on sabbatical or leave.

The full-time teaching load for studio faculty is 18 contact hours and for faculty teaching lecture courses, nine contact hours per semester. There are faculty who teach both studio and lecture courses; three 3-credit courses are considered a full-time load irrespective of the contact hours.

A faculty member’s responsibilities extend over the course of an academic year. The academic year begins the Monday of the week before the week in which classes begin in the Fall semester, and concludes with the Student Exhibition opening on the day following Commencement. While a faculty member’s responsibilities fall primarily within this part of the calendar cycle, the responsibilities of full-time faculty members may and often do require them to perform duties at times outside the academic year. Faculty members are required to honor reasonable requests from the President, the Provost, the Deans, or Department Chairs to attend to faculty responsibilities (for example, on-campus departmental meetings or representing the department or College at various events) at times other than the regular academic year.