Employment of Part-Time Faculty
Academic Policy Statement 890301
Revised September 3, 1991

1. GENERAL

1.01 Sam Houston State University utilizes part-time faculty in order to provide the institution with the ability to effectively cope with changes in instructional requirements brought about by enrollment shifts or other special circumstances. Part-time faculty normally fill positions which are allocated to an instructional program on a term basis, i.e., for one or more semesters or during summer school on either a part- or full-time basis. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES 2.01 Part-time faculty are hired to satisfy normal teaching responsibilities for one or more courses for a specified period. As a general rule, part-time faculty are not assigned non-teaching responsibilities such as committee assignments, counseling, or administrative tasks.

2.02 In order to enhance the educational benefits realized from the use of part-time faculty, the university encourages academic administrators at all levels to foster the concept of a strong collegial bond between part-time and full-time faculty. Part-time faculty are also encouraged to participate with department full-time faculty in such matters as curriculum development, textbook selection, and other appropriate organizational interests.
 

 3. REMUNERATION, SICK LEAVE, AND FRINGE BENEFITS 3.01 Remuneration for part-time faculty is based on rates established by the university according to the number of courses/semester credit hours taught.

3.02 Established remuneration rates for part-time faculty are reviewed by the Academic Policy Council annually.

3.03 Academic Deans and the Library Director may recommend to the Vice President for Academic Affairs that individual part-time faculty members employed on a continuing basis be considered for an increase in pay above the established rates.

3.04 In accordance with state guidelines, sick leave with pay, and insurance fringe benefits are available to part-time faculty members who are employed one-half time or more for a period of at least four and one-half months. Part-time faculty members entitled to sick leave earn such leave in proportion to the amount of time employed.

3.05 In accordance with state guidelines, eligibility for sick leave with pay and insurance benefits shall not extend to part-time faculty members who are employed on an irregular, seasonal or temporary basis for less than one-half time or for a period of less than four and one-half months. Students employed as Assistant Instructors, Doctoral Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Senior Teaching Fellows, etc. are not eligible for sick leave with pay.
 

 4. HIRING 4.01 Hiring of part-time faculty follows the procedures outlined in Academic Policy Statement 800114, Academic Instructional Staffing. Part-time faculty members provide an essential and a valuable instructional service to the university. The fact, however, that part-time faculty members are not expected to have an overall institutional involvement to the extent of their full-time faculty counterparts mitigates against employing them in large numbers. As a matter of general guidance, part-time faculty members should be kept to a minimum.

4.02 Uncertainty as to future availability of funds, shifting student enrollment levels, and other hiring variables make it impracticable for the university to make commitments to part-time faculty regarding the future of any term position beyond the period specified at the time of employment.
 

 5. QUALIFICATIONS 5.01 Part-time faculty must meet the same requirements for professional, experiential, and scholarly preparation as their full-time counter-parts teaching in the same disciplines.

5.02 Part-time faculty teaching at the baccalaureate degree level in the humanities and fine arts, social, and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, education, and business administration must have completed a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in their teaching field and hold the master's degree.

5.03 Part-time faculty teaching graduate courses must hold the highest earned degree in their disciplines, although in some cases experience and/or scholarly or creative activity may substitute for the doctorate.

5.04 Part-time faculty who teach in remedial programs must have a bachelor's degree in a field related to their teaching assignment and either classroom experience in a field related to their teaching assignment or graduate training in remedial education.

5.05 Any exceptions to the educational qualifications of part-time faculty must be approved, prior to their employment, by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
 

 6. ORIENTATION/TRAINING, SUPERVISION, AND EVALUATION 6.01 Part-time faculty will be included in the normal orientation/training, supervision, and evaluation processes provided to regular faculty members.

6.02 Information and guidelines unique to part-time faculty will be provided by the appropriate college dean/library director following regular orientation sessions.
 

 7. PERQUISITES AVAILABLE TO PART-TIME FACULTY 7.01 Part-time faculty members shall be accorded the following perquisites during their employment with the university. a. An appropriate work area

b. Essential secretarial assistance

c. Access to copying and visual aid equipment

d. Faculty identification card

e. Faculty library privileges

f. Use of university dining services

g. Access to sponsored university activities

h. Parking privileges

i. Use of university mail service and facilities

j. Other privileges for part-time faculty which may be approved by the President of the university.

 8. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY 8.01 In accordance with the provisions of Academic Policy Statement 871214, English Language Proficiency for Instructional Personnel, each written recommendation for the employment of part-time faculty will bear a certification from the appropriate academic dean/director that the English language proficiency of the person being recommended has been evaluated and that person is qualified to fill the vacant position. Approved:                           /s/
                    Martin J. Anisman, President

Revised September 3, 1991