UH Faculty Handbook

Faculty Handbook University of Houston The University of Houston is the doctoral degree-granting, largest and most comprehensive university in the University of Houston System, a public system of higher education that includes three other universities: UH-Clear Lake, UH- Downtown, and UH-Victoria. The University of Houston is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. The University provides equal treatment and opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation except where such distinction is required by law. This statement reflects compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Furthermore, the University of Houston, in compliance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, and Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, does not discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of age or because they are disabled veterans or veterans of the Vietnam era. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in programs and activities, and application for and treatment in employment. The University of Houston also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. This University of Houston Faculty Handbook and related policies do not constitute an employment contract or an offer to contract with any employee. The University of Houston reserves the right to change, amend, or abandon any of the policies contained in this handbook at any time. Nothing contained in this handbook changes the employment at will status of any employee, or creates any additional rights, remedies at law, or expectations of continued employment. This handbook replaces all previously published handbooks. University of Houston policies are subject to University of Houston System policies. Compiled by the Office of the Faculty Senate and distributed by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of Houston. 2007 Revised, 21st Edition 1 Foreword 2 3 Note to Faculty Definitions: For ease in reading this handbook the following titles have been shortened as noted: Chancellor/President: University of Houston System Chancellor and University of Houston President Chancellor: University of Houston System Chancellor and University of Houston President acting in his/her capacity as the head of the UH System. President: University of Houston System Chancellor and University of Houston President acting in his/her capacity as the head of the University of Houston. Provost: University of Houston System Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and University of Houston Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost For the purpose of this Handbook, administrative ranks include: President, Senior Vice President/Provost, Vice President, Dean, Associate Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Chair, Executive Director, and Director. Faculty ranks include: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Librarian, Senior Associate Librarian, Associate Librarian, and Assistant Librarian. Handbook Availability Following the 1996 decision by the Board of Regents to restructure the UH System, a complete revision of the handbook was performed and printed with a release date of February 1, 1998. Since 2000 the handbook has been not printed, however, on-line versions are updated regularly at http://www.uh.edu/fs/handbook/fachand.html. Due to the rising cost of publication, the 2007 revision will also be primarily accessible on-line. A limited number of print copies will be distributed as follows: • one print copy each to the President, Senior Vice President/Provost and General Counsel • one print copy each to M.D. Anderson Library and the Office of the Faculty Senate A copy of the Faculty Handbook will be distributed on CDs as follows: • one copy each to the remaining Vice Presidents, • one copy each to the Deans of the UH Colleges and Graduate College, and • two copies each to the M.D. Anderson Library and the Office of the Faculty Senate. These copies should be made available for review upon request. Important Changes and References: The on-line version of the Faculty Handbook will be kept as current as possible. Information on- line will supersede that of any printed version available. As stated in M.A.P.P. 01.01.01, all "University of Houston administrative and business operations are subject to federal, State of Texas, Board of Regents, and University of Houston System laws and regulations, and to standards of good business and management practice." Wherever possible references have been made to the applicable policies and procedures set forth in the Board of Regents Polices (available on-line at http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/regents/policy/), the System Administrative Memoranda/S.A.M.s (available on-line at http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/sam/) and the University of Houston's Manual of Policies and Procedures/M.A.P.P.s (available on-line at http://www.uh.edu/mapp/) For the most current Faculty Handbook, visit http://www.uh.edu/fs/handbook/fachand.html 4 Table of Contents Frontispiece 1 Foreword 2-3 From University of Houston System Chancellor and University of Houston President 2 From the Faculty Senate President 3 Note to Faculty 4 Table of Contents 5-20 Statement of Mission 21 General Information 22-40 Administrative Officers 22-27 University of Houston Board of Regents 22 University of Houston System Administration 23 University of Houston System Presidents 23 University of Houston Administration 24-25 University of Houston System Administration Organization Chart 26 University of Houston Administration Organization Chart 27 The University of Houston: An Introduction 28-29 History 28 Description of Faculty, Students, Staff and Academic Programs 28 Accreditation: Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 28-29 Affirmative Action/Equal Educational and Employment Opportunity 30-31 Equal Opportunity Policy 30 Inquiries/Complaints Directed to University’s Affirmative Action Office 30 Statement of Nondiscrimination 30 Sexual Harassment Policy 30-31 Sexual Assault Policy 31 Reporting/Investigating Fraudulent Acts 32 Protection for Whistleblowers 32 Ombudsperson 32-33 Shared Governance 34-40 5 Faculty Senate 34 University Councils and Standing Committees 34 Definition 34 Procedure 34-35 Councils 35-40 Graduate and Professional Studies Council 35 Undergraduate Council 36 Research Council 36-37 Standing Committees 37-38 Other Governance Bodies 38- Board of Regents 38 Houston Alumni Organization 38-39 Staff Council 39 Student Government Association 39 University Commission on Women 39 University Coordinating Commission 40 University Policies and Procedures 41 Definition 41 Administrative Policies 41 Academic Policies 41 Amending Policies Regarding Faculty Roles 41 Academic Personnel Policies and Procedures 42-85 Academic Freedom 42 Expectations of Faculty with Teaching Responsibilities 42-43 Faculty Appointments 43-61 Definitions 43-46 Appointment 43 Term of Appointment 43 Designations of Faculty Positions/Titles 43-44 Tenure Track Positions 43 Instructor 43 Assistant Professor 43 Associate Professors 43 Full Professors 43 Non-tenure Track Positions 43-44 6 Lecturer 44 Adjunct Professor 44 Visiting Professor 44 Research Faculty 44 Clinical Faculty 44 Instructional Faculty 44 Part-time Faculty 44 Joint Appointments 45 Separation 45 Resignation 45 Non-reappointment 45 Dismissal 45 Tenure 45-46 Promotion 46 Distinguished and Named Professors 46 Standards for Distinguished and Named Professors 47 Terms and Reviews of Distinguished and Named Professors 47 Emeritus Status 48 Eligibility for Employment 49-50 Nepotism Policy 49 Employment of Noncitizens 49 Primary Spoken Language of Teaching Personnel 49-50 Faculty Position Approval and Search Procedures 51 Affirmative Action Procedures on Search Committees 51 Personnel Records 52 Policies and Procedures Governing Specific Faculty Groups 52-61 Administrators with Faculty Rank 52 Research Faculty 52-54 Clinical Faculty 54-55 Librarians 56 Part-time Faculty 56 Instructional Faculty 56-57 Graduate Student Assistantships 57-61 Promotion and Tenure 62-85 Definitions 62- Tenure 62 General Policies 62-63 7 Probationary Period 63 Probationary Review 64 Nonrenewal of Appointment of a Tenure Track Faculty Member 64 Time in Rank 65 Extension of Probationary Period for Childbirth or Adoption 65 Extension of Probationary Period for Emergency Purposes 65-66 Criteria and Standards for Promotion and Tenure 66 University Procedures for Tenure Reviews 67 Grievance in Promotion and Tenure Matters 67 Grievances Procedures 68-69 Grievance Policy for Graduate Assistants and Graduate Students 69 UH System Post-tenure Performance Review (BOR Policy 21.11) 69-71 Preamble 69 Delegation of Authority 70 Fundamental Principles 70-71 Academic Values 70 Peer Review 70 Academic Freedom 70 Due Process 70-71 Procedures 71 UH Post-tenure Performance Review 71-73 Preface 71 Performance Evaluation 71-72 Outcomes 72-73 Review Process 73 Reporting Mechanisms 73 Due Process 73 Dismissal 74-82 Assurances in Dismissal Proceedings 74 Justifications 74- Adequate Cause 74 Dishonesty and/or Incompetence in Teaching or Research 74 Substantial and Manifest Neglect of Responsibilities

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