VCOM Faculty Handbook

• Contact references o The Director for Human Resources will check a minimum of three references for candidates to provide verification of the candidates’ employment, work habits, and interpersonal skills utilizing the Reference Check Guidelines (see Appendix B) and Faculty Recruitment Reference Check Form (See Appendix C). The responses to the reference check questions will be retained with the candidate’s recruitment record. Additional references may be sought by the Associate Dean and/or Campus Dean. Offer Extension Upon approval by the Campus Dean, the President, and Provost, the Associate Dean will contact the selected candidate to offer the position. If the candidate is still interested in the position upon receiving a verbal offer, the Associate Dean will inform the candidate that a contract will be developed for the candidate’s consideration. The contract duties are determined by the Campus Dean and submitted to the Provost for final approval and the President for contract development. The candidate will be required to accept the position and return the signed contract within two weeks of receiving the contract so not to lose additional applicants. Acceptance of an Offer Upon acceptance of an offer, the Associate Dean or Campus Dean will notify the Director for Human Resources of the anticipated start date and other relevant information. New faculty will participate in a new hire orientation process through Human Resources. Human Resources engages the Center for Institutional, Faculty, and Student Success and all Divisions in the orientation process. Once a faculty member is hired, he or she applies to the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee (APT) for recommendations for appointment. Human Resources will provide the Associate Dean and Campus Dean with the results. Human Resources will also be responsible to send letters to the unsuccessful candidates after committee review.

Faculty Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure

The Appointment, Promotion and Tenure (APT) process is a vital part of VCOM’s goal of fostering professional growth among our faculty. The APT policy and procedures assure that all teaching faculty have the appropriate credentials, and that all faculty are recognized for their contributions in the areas of teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service. VCOM faculty members must be qualified through their education, training, experience, and continuing professional development and provide the leadership and support necessary to attain the institution's educational, research, and service goals. Through the APT process, VCOM ensures that all faculty who teach, supervise, and/or assess students are adequately prepared for those responsibilities. VCOM academically credentials and/or approves all faculty.

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