TCAT

14:09:00 TCAT Faculty Work Week and Schedules

The purpose of this policy is to delineate the responsibilities and expectations of faculty who teach in the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) division at Chattanooga State Community College.

1. Work Week and Faculty Schedules
   1. The following guidelines for the TCAT faculty workweek should be considered as a guide for fulfilling schedules through the College as an institution. These guidelines will be evaluated, changed, and supplemented as needs become apparent, with the understanding that faculty are professionals who are trusted partners to ensure students’ needs and the needs of the College are met.
      1. Definitions and application
         1. Instructional time is defined as time spent delivering instruction/laboratory activities in person or engaging with students in online/hybrid learning opportunities. Faculty are expected to engage with students throughout the entirety of the scheduled in-person and/or hybrid/online class hours. Faculty that utilize online/hybrid learning must submit a schedule to their department head for approval. Any modification to the approved schedule must be approved before the change takes effect. Full-time faculty should be on campus when their students are on campus. If adjuncts are used, they should be the backup for on-campus (in case of sickness of the full-time faculty) and primarily teaching online during online/hybrid class hours.
         2. Non-instructional time is defined as time spent on college business but not in the classroom. This time will include office hours, committee meetings, advising, college and community service, professional development, visiting and engaging industry partners, and other approved activities. Attendance at department/divisional meetings and other activities (required training and committee meetings) is expected.
         3. Office hours for TCAT program faculty are defined as a minimum of 15 minutes before class and 15 minutes after class each day when faculty are available for meetings with students (please see TCAT policy 14:00:00 TCAT Faculty Attendance and Absence), in the faculty member’s office or using alternative technologies that students and faculty agree upon (e.g., telephone, email, or videoconference).  Faculty may elect to hold virtual office hours off-campus at a time that meets students’ needs.  During virtual office hours, faculty are to be available by phone, email, or otherwise connect synchronously with students.  If a faculty member needs to be away from the office during this time, an alternative schedule of office hours is to be provided to students, with adequate notice.  Virtual and/or face-to-face office hours are to be posted in D2L eLearn site for the class. Changes to the office hours schedule requires department head approval.
      2. To ensure student success in courses, faculty are expected to respond to student communications in a timely manner. Faculty should respond to student communications regarding course content, assignments, clock hour questions and grades as soon as feasible or no later than 24 hours, except weekends and semester breaks.
      3. Alternate workdays due to inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances must be approved in advance by the department head and Executive Vice President.

Submitted to Policy Review Committee on February 28, 2021

Submitted to Policy Review Board on March 22, 2012

Approved by Policy Review Board on April 21, 2021