VCOM Faculty Handbook

appropriate supervising VCOM officer with an acceptable written plan for supervision. In the alternative that a plan for supervision is not provided, the employee with the least seniority must resign or be terminated. Gifts, Gratuities or Rewards VCOM employees are in a position of trust, and therefore, cannot accept gifts, gratuities, favors, any form of payment, or rewards for any services performed in connection with their employment. If employees violate this policy, they may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Internet Usage Employees may be issued computers with access to the Internet. Employee Internet usage requires good judgment, common sense, and careful discretion. Use of the VCOM computer system to gain access to remote systems or offensive sites, as determined by VCOM, is prohibited. Personal use of the Internet should be limited and must not disrupt the operation of VCOM’s network or interfere with the employee’s productivity. Visiting and/or use of Facebook or other social networking sites is not allowed during working hours. Computer use is meant for work related purposes only; therefore, when an employee is terminated or leaves the institution, email may be accessed in attempt to find missing work-related information. VCOM may create and maintain tracking logs of Internet sites accessed on the VCOM network. These logs may be reviewed by VCOM immediately or later. Additionally, as with any conduct outside of VCOM, employees can be held accountable for conduct that negatively impacts VCOM’s mission. This may include, but is not limited to, public internet and online information technology activities where employees represent themselves as a VCOM employee, inappropriately share information related to VCOM, and/or make inappropriate/unprofessional statements which may negatively impact VCOM. Please see the social media policy section below and/or refer to Policy #U006, VCOM Policy on Social Media Usage. Library, Printing and Multi-Media Services An electronic library is connected throughout VCOM via the internet. Key reference texts, journals, and library audiovisuals are kept at VCOM for employee and student convenience. Students and employees may also have site access to the Virginia Tech, Auburn University, and University of Louisiana-Monroe libraries; however, that access may be limited to use of the library holdings on-site and are not extended to electronic libraries of those institutions or to “check out” of reserves. Off-Campus Consultation or Academic Work When faculty members are invited to provide their expertise to outside institutions, they are encouraged to do so providing that such activities: 1. Are directly related to the professional interest, expertise, and improvement of the faculty or staff member. 2. Are in the best interest of the division and VCOM. 3. Do not constitute a conflict of interest. 4. Do not interfere with regular instructional duties of faculty/staff. 5. Are not funded or considered employment unless funding is designated to VCOM or unless such employment has been approved by the Campus Dean. The appropriate Campus Dean, after consultation with the employee, will determine if any financial services will remain the property of the individual or VCOM, depending upon time commitment and the freedom from VCOM duties to carry out such activities. When it is deemed that the faculty member will own such services, the individual faculty member must assume tax responsibility. In general, external funding for a full-time faculty member is

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