VCOM Faculty Handbook

abilities honestly at time of appointment and assignment of such duties. In all areas, faculty will recognize the effect of their decisions, their spoken words, and their written actions upon the programs of VCOM and each faculty member carries the responsibility to avoid verbal or written words that would bring discredit or cause interruption of VCOM’s educational and research programs. Faculty have the right to criticize and seek revisions within VCOM but are expected to always act in a professional manner using the appropriate channels, processes, and procedures that have been developed within VCOM to voice the need for change and resolve differences, to seek revision, and to result in continuous improvement. The processes for grievances are outlined in the VCOM Faculty Handbook. Faculty are expected to use professional language and not utilize language that is offensive to others. Faculty are also expected to always avoid anger, intimidation, or other unprofessional behaviors when speaking with colleagues or students. Faculty are expected to demonstrate respect for other faculty members, staff, students, and supervisors when in the process of resolution of differences. Professional behavior calls for faculty to address individual concerns directly, informally, or through the formal process. Faculty are expected to represent VCOM in a positive light to the outside community so as not to cause harm to VCOM, the students, or the other faculty. Faculty are expected to treat others with mutual respect and avoid maligning or openly criticizing them. Faculty should engage the Human Resources Department for such concerns. Faculty should defend the right of free inquiry by others and should demonstrate respect for the opinions of others. Faculty will strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues. Whether it be in the classroom or the community at large, faculty recognize that it is unprofessional and destructive to openly criticize students, other faculty, departments, administration, or VCOM whether to the student body, to other students, or in a public forum. Faculty will bring their grievances to the Human Resources Department, where appropriate procedures for grievance exist and where change may be accomplished. Division Organization and Responsibility Faculty members are assigned to disciplines according to their major academic responsibilities and qualifications. As the Chairs of their Division, the Associate Deans guide and direct the business of their disciplines/departments according to the VCOM’s mission statement and the long-range plan. The Associate Dean annually evaluates the faculty member. Faculty members report directly to the Associate Dean as the division chair in accordance with the faculty member’s responsibilities and institutional goals. Individual faculty members have the responsibility of carrying out the academic responsibilities they are assigned. The Discipline Chairs and Course Directors agree upon the assignment of the duties with the Associate Deans and with the appropriate Campus Dean. The execution of these duties constitutes a basis for a faculty contract. When considering interruptions of service or teaching, faculty must recognize the effect of their decisions upon VCOM’s program. Consequently, faculty must give adequate due notice of any anticipated work interruption, so as to prevent any disruption to the work of VCOM. Faculty must be on campus teaching at expected times of the contract unless an excused absence has been granted. The faculty body of each campus, as the Faculty Assembly, meets annually. More information is provided in the Faculty Senate section of this Handbook. The Associate Deans, as Division Chairs hold monthly meetings with their division faculty or Chairs and are responsible for ensuring that the minutes of the meetings are kept and that divisional concerns and needs are

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