UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA Faculty Handbook Last Revised: July 2021 Table of Contents Preface . 3 Chapter 1: About the University of South Florida . 4 Chapter 2: Organization and Administration of the University . 7 Chapter 3: University Governance . 15 Chapter 4: University Policies and Procedures . 17 Chapter 5: Privacy and Public Access to Information . 34 Chapter 6: Instructional Policies . 37 Chapter 7: Information Technology . 46 Chapter 8: Research and Innovation . 52 Chapter 9: Faculty Employment and Related Issues . 64 Chapter 10: University Services and Resources . 76 The University of South Florida Faculty Handbook is maintained by the Office of the Provost . A multitude of people in various offices, too numerous to mention here, have contributed to the extensive revisions of this edition of the Handbook . All who have participated in this effort are due an appreciative note of thanks . Revisions to the current document will be made as needed and subsequent versions will be subject to review and revision . All website links referenced in the current edition were active at the time the document was posted . NOTICE: The language used in the University of South Florida Faculty Handbook does not constitute legal terms and conditions of employment, and if any policy or practice described herein is inconsistent with federal law, state law, or existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, such policy or practice is superseded by the applicable law or agreement. 2 University of South Florida Faculty Handbook Preface Welcome to the University of South Florida! The University of South Florida (USF) was formally established by legislation in 1955 . Five years later, in September 1960, USF opened its doors to more than 1,900 students and 130 charter faculty . Located on a 1,700-acre site that was the former bombing range for Henderson Air Field, USF became the state’s first metropolitan university and the first Florida public university to be developed in the 20th century . It is now part of a 12-institution State University System that spans the state . USF’s main campus is located in Tampa, including a downtown USF Health facility, but serves the broader Tampa Bay region through its vibrant campuses located in St . Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee . USF is one of 56 public research universities nationwide classified as a Doctoral University with “Highest Research Activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching . The title of “Highest Research Activity” is a distinction attained by only 3% of all post-secondary institutions, making USF one of five public universities in the state of Florida classified as such . More facts and figures regarding USF may be found here . The University of South Florida Faculty Handbook is designed to provide information about the roles and responsibilities of faculty members at USF, as well as information about resources available to them . Given the size and scope of USF, as well as the complexity and fluidity of the times, former handbooks became obsolete at an increasingly rapid pace . Therefore, the current and future versions are presented in a web- based format that allows for occasional updating of pertinent information . Please note that there are a multitude of web links throughout this document; they were current as of its posting, but be aware that links can, and do, change with some regularity . Also, it is common for accessing a link to generate a generic warning about accessing computer links . All links included in this document have been determined to be safe for opening, at least at the time of the document’s posting . The University of South Florida Faculty Handbook is not intended to address all aspects of university life and specific circumstances that faculty members may encounter . However, it serves as a resource by which summary information about a wide range of topics may be accessed . Readers may find some overlap in coverage because certain topics are pertinent to inclusion in various chapters . The branch campuses of USF, as well as USF Health, may have supplemental materials that contain information specific to their locations . 3 University of South Florida Faculty Handbook Chapter 1: About the University of South Florida OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success . Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF . Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St . Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities . USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students . USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference . Learn more at www .usf .edu . MISSION AND GOALS Mission Led by outstanding faculty and professional staff, the University of South Florida conducts innovative scholarship, creative activity and basic and translational research, and delivers a world-class educational experience promoting the success of our talented and diverse undergraduate, graduate, and professional students . As a public metropolitan research university, USF, in partnership with our communities, serves the people of Florida, the nation, and the world by fostering intellectual inquiry and outcomes that positively shape the future - regionally, nationally and globally . Goals • To promote the lifelong success of well-educated, highly skilled, and adaptable alumnae/alumni who lead enriched lives, are engaged citizens and thrive in a dynamic global market . • To conduct high-impact research and innovation to advance frontiers of knowledge, solve global problems and improve lives . • To be a major social and economic engine creating robust global, national and regional partnerships to build a prosperous and sustainable future for our regional communities and the State of Florida . • To provide a safe, inclusive and vibrant community for learning, discovery, creative activities and transformative experiences enabled through adaptive design of physical, social and digital environments . • To practice continuous visionary planning and sound management throughout USF to ensure a strong and sustainable financial base, and to adapt proactively to emerging opportunities in a dynamic environment . PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY Preamble We the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators of the University of South Florida unite as 4 University of South Florida Faculty Handbook a community to propel the success of “One USF .” We celebrate our accomplishments and respect our complex differences . We commit ourselves to shaping the future in a community that cherishes justice, accessibility, and meaningful participation by all of its members . USF starts with US . In this spirit, we state the following Principles of Community: Excellence with Equity We affirm the value of excellence . Our essential pursuit of truth and wisdom depends upon fairness and equity . We recognize that individual and collective excellence entails a responsibility to ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to succeed . Diversity with Inclusion We affirm the value of diversity, individual dignity, equity, and our common humanity . Diversity of lived experiences, thought, and values enriches our lives and our whole university community . We seek the intentional inclusion of the broadest possible range of these perspectives essential to a university with local, state, national, and global impact . Freedom with Responsibility We affirm the value of academic freedom and the inherent value of people’s right to express themselves respectfully, freely, safely, and with civility . We reject the demeaning acts of bullying, violence, prejudice, and discrimination as they undermine the community we aspire to be . Dialogue with Respect We affirm the value of evidence and seek perspectives to foster productive communication, dialogue, and constructive disagreement . We listen respectfully and reject language that demeans any member of the community . We embrace differences by learning through open debate in a spirit of curiosity . Transparency with Accountability We affirm the value of a clear and transparent working and learning environment that promotes honesty, fairness, and trust . We commit our time, talents, and resources to building a culture of caring that promotes the integrity of our relationships and the sustainable well-being of the entire community . We are personally responsible, across every level, for treating each other with respect, candor, and accountability . STRATEGIC PLANNING The USF Strategic Plan 2021-2031 builds on the success of previous plans and was designed to advance the institution as a global research university and continue to advance the university’s aspiration for membership within the Association of American Universities (AAU) and to enhance our positioning in an array of selected university rankings including Top-50 among public universities in the U.S. News and World Report rankings . The vision is to extend the university’s reach in the United States and around the world, provide further educational opportunities for students and improve