Faculty Handbook
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Faculty Handbook Revised: 08/2021 Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs PREFACE The Faculty Handbook contains three major sections. The first section, Section A, contains information and policies, including the Faculty Bylaws, which may only be changed with the official approval of the Board of Trustees. The second section, Section B, contains procedures and information relative to the divisions of the University and may be edited and updated as needed. The third section, Section C, contains general benefits, policies and procedures which apply to all employees and are controlled by the Samford University Policy Manual and approved by the Board of Trustees. It is understood, however, that ultimate responsibility for the University rests with the Board of Trustees and that nothing in any section of this Faculty Handbook can “compromise, restrict or otherwise diminish the ultimate authority of the Board of Trustees…” (Section A1.5.8). The University, through Trustee action or otherwise, retains the right to change, delete and/or modify any provisions of the Faculty Handbook, the Staff Handbook, and the Samford University Policy Manual as may be consistent with good management. Samford University complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination, including applicable provisions of and amendments to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or services. Inquiries and concerns regarding this policy may be directed to the vice president for business affairs or general counsel, Office of Business and Financial Affairs, 200 Samford Hall, Birmingham, AL 35229, 205-726-2811. This notice is available in alternative formats upon request. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION A A1. INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE .................................................................... 1 A1.1 Foundational Statements ....................................................................................................................... 1 A1.2 Educational Assumptions and Objectives ............................................................................................. 2 A1.3 University Governance ......................................................................................................................... 2 A1.3.1 Organization ........................................................................................................................... 2 A1.3.2 The Board of Trustees ............................................................................................................ 2 A1.3.3 Samford University Advisory Boards .................................................................................... 3 A1.4 Administrative Organization ................................................................................................................ 3 A1.4.1 The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs .......................................................... 3 A1.4.2 The Vice-Presidents ............................................................................................................... 4 A1.4.2.1 Business and Financial Affairs ............................................................................. 4 A1.4.2.2 Student Affairs and Enrollment Management ...................................................... 5 A1.4.2.3 University Advancement ...................................................................................... 6 A1.5 Faculty Governance Structure .............................................................................................................. 7 A1.5.1 Article I - Faculty Membership Defined ................................................................................ 7 A1.5.2 Article II - Faculty Responsibilities ....................................................................................... 7 A1.5.3 Article III - Faculty Senate ..................................................................................................... 8 Section 1. Membership and Election ..................................................................................... 8 Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities .................................................................................. 8 Section 3. Meetings ............................................................................................................... 9 Section 4. Quorum ................................................................................................................. 9 Section 5. Voting ................................................................................................................... 9 Section 6. Recall .................................................................................................................. 10 A1.5.4 Article IV - University Faculty Meetings ............................................................................. 10 Section 1. Purpose and Schedule of Meetings ..................................................................... 10 Section 2. Quorum ............................................................................................................... 10 Section 3. Attendance .......................................................................................................... 11 Section 4. Voting ................................................................................................................. 11 A1.5.5 Article V - Faculty Officers and the Executive Council ....................................................... 11 Section 1. Functions and Composition ................................................................................ 11 Section 2. Election of Officers ............................................................................................ 11 Section 3. Duties of Faculty Officers .................................................................................. 11 A1.5.6 Article VI - Standing Committees of the University ............................................................ 12 Section 1. Description ......................................................................................................... 12 Section 2. Membership and Reporting ................................................................................ 12 Section 3. Composition of the Committees ......................................................................... 13 A1.5.7 Article VII - Adoption and Amendments ............................................................................. 13 A1.5.8 Article VIII - Approval by the Board of Trustees of Samford University ............................ 13 A1.5.9 Article IX - Functions and Composition of Standing University Committees ..................... 14 A1.5.9.1 Committee on University Curriculum ................................................................ 14 A1.5.9.2 Committee on Academic Affairs ........................................................................ 14 A1.5.9.3 Committee on Academic Technology and Learning .......................................... 15 A1.5.9.4 Committee on Business Affairs and Faculty Welfare ......................................... 16 A1.5.9.5 Committee on Athletics ...................................................................................... 16 A1.5.9.6 Committee on Campus Life ................................................................................ 17 A1.5.9.7 Committee on Elections ..................................................................................... 18 A1.5.9.8 Committee on Diversity ..................................................................................... 19 A1.5.9.9 Committee on Enrollment .................................................................................. 20 A1.5.9.10 Committee on Global Engagement .................................................................... 20 A1.5.9.11 Committee on General Education ....................................................................... 21 A1.6 Formation of Ad Hoc Committees by the Faculty Senate .................................................................. 22 A1.7 Faculty-Administrative Committees ................................................................................................... 22 A1.7.1 Undergraduate Admissions Committee ................................................................................ 22 i A1.8 Special Committees ............................................................................................................................ 22 A1.8.1 Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects .................................................................. 22 A1.8.1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................... 22 A1.8.1.2 Scope .................................................................................................................. 22 A1.8.1.3 Procedure ...........................................................................................................