Revised, September 2009

The Faculty Senate, as sanctioned by the Ohio University Board of Trustees, is an elected representative body that acts on behalf of all faculty on matters related to University planning, governance, and resource allocation. The Senate maintains primary jurisdiction over curriculum and academic policies, and is an advocate for faculty views on all other University policies and practices. As a key partner in University governance, the Senate provides representatives to all relevant University committees, boards, and task forces. The Faculty Senate provides a forum for the discussion of all issues of concern to the faculty and is dedicated to creating and maintaining a University environment that preserves academic freedom and fosters the free exchange of ideas.

The rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the faculty of Ohio University are governed by the statements and bylaws contained in the latest revision of this Faculty Handbook. Proposed revisions are referred to the Faculty Senate and, when approved by the Senate, are forwarded as recommendations to the President for approval and subsequent publication in the Faculty Handbook.

Approved as Official University Policy
 
Roderick J. McDavis, President

Pending Updates

It is the practice of the Faculty Senate to update its Handbook in June and December of each year.  To view resolutions that have been passed/signed and pending update click here. 

Downloadable copy

A downloadable and printable PDF copy of the full Faculty Handbook, complete with page numbers, effective date, and index, is available by clicking here.

Contents

I. Academic Freedom

A. Academic Freedom, Professional Ethics and Tenure

1. Statement of Principles-American Association of University Professors
2. Statement on Professional Ethics
3. Academic Freedom
4. Academic Tenure

B. Political Activity of Professors

C. Policy on News Releases and Press Conferences

D. Policy on Faculty Academic Files

II. Contracts

A. New Appointments

B. Special Appointments

1. Professional Courtesy Appointments
2. Other Special Appointments

C. Faculty Rank and Status: Privileges and Limitations

1. Academic Rank
2. Appointment of Faculty
3. Classification of Faculty
4. Faculty Status
5. Promotion
6. Faculty Tenure
7. Appointment and Tenure for Members of the Same Family
8. Adjudication and Amendment

D. Appointments, Tenure, and Renewal of Contracts

1. Terms of Appointment
2. Probationary Appointments
3. Renewal of Contracts for Probationary Appointments
4. Termination of Appointment by the University
5. Loss of Tenure

E. Procedures for Tenure and Advancement in Rank and Recommendations for Salary Increases

F. Grievance Procedures for Non-reappointment and for Denial of Promotion and/or Tenure

G. Faculty Grievance Committee

H. Sick Leave Policy

I. Leaves of Absence

1. Justification
2. Regulation
3. Family Medical Leave

J. Parental Leave

K. Resignations

L. Retirement

M. Wage Rate for Part-Time Faculty

N. Overload Compensation for Contract Personnel

O. Regional Campus Faculty Members

P. Relocation from One Ohio University Campus to Another

Q. Policy on Sexual Harassment

R. Policy on Consensual and Familial Relationships in the Instructional Setting

S. Consensual and Family Relationships

III. Group Benefits

A. Health Insurance Plans

1. Basic Plan
2. Comprehensive Plan
3. Open Choice PPO

B. Pre-certification

C. Life Insurance

D. Dental Insurance

E. Vision Insurance

F. Flexible Spending Account

G. Major Medical and Life Insurance for Early Retirees

H. Travel Accident Insurance

I. Sick Leave Policy - Retirement Benefit

J. Disability Insurance

K. Ohio University Employees Credit Union

L. State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)

M. Tax Deferred Annuities

N. Twelve-Month Pay Option

O. Policy Regarding Retirement-System Contribution For Those On Leave

P. Educational Benefits For Faculty Children

Q. Educational Benefits For Eligible Contract Employees and Their Spouses

R. Early Retirement Policy

IV. Academic Activities

A. General

1. Scope
2. Change of Instructor, Time, or Place of Meeting
3. Information Given Class at First Meeting
4. Class Lists and Record Books
5. Office Hours for Student Conferences
6. Texts
7. Retention of Student Records
8. Instructional Evaluation
9. Classroom Privacy

B. Class Attendance

1. Instructor Absences
2. Dropping Non-attending Students
3. Class Attendance Policy

C. Final Examinations and Change of Grade

1. Final Examinations
2. Correction of Grade
3. Grade Appeals

D. Participation in Outside Work

E. Course Auditing Privileges

F. Faculty and Administrator Registration for Graduate Degrees

G. Travel and Entertainment Expense

H. Ohio University Patent Policy

I. Course Credit and Grading in Emergencies

J. Guidelines for Sponsored Research

K. Policy for Faculty Participation in Production of Educational Materials

L. Procedures in the Event of Allegations of Violation of Professional Ethics

1. Introduction
2. Violations of Professional Ethics not Involving Research Misconduct
3. Fraud and Misconduct in Professional Research

V. University Faculty Fellowship Program, Research Grants, and Awards

A. University Faculty Fellowships

B. The John C. Baker Fund

C. Distinguished Professor Award

D. Leaves of Absence and Reduction of Teaching Load for Support of Research

E. Ohio University Research Committee

F. Emeritus Status

G. University Professor

VI. Faculty Organizations

A. Constitution of the Faculty Senate of Ohio University

B. Bylaws of the Faculty Senate of Ohio University

1. Rules of Election
2. The Election of Faculty Senate Officers
3. Salaries and Stipends of the Officers of the Faculty Senate
4. Meetings
5. Standing Committees
6. Faculty Initiation of Proposals
7. Faculty Initiated Referendum
8. Recall of Faculty Senate Members
9. Removal of Senate Officers or Committee Chairpersons
10. Parliamentary Authority
11. Amendments of the Bylaws

C. Ohio University Representatives to the Ohio Faculty Council

VII. University Committees, Curriculum Council, Department Chairs, Deans

A. University Committees

B. University Curriculum Council

C. Graduate Council

D. Appointment and Evaluation of Department Chairs and School Directors

E. Appointment and Evaluation of Deans and Executive Officers

F. Appointment of Assistant and Associate Deans

VIII. Student Regulations of Interest to the Faculty

A. Student Records

B. Instructors' Attendance Reports

C. Notification of Causes of Absence

D. Student Dress and Appearance Requirements

E. Teaching Associate Dress and Appearance Requirements

F. Academic Dishonesty

IX. Appendix A

A. Affirmative Action Policy

B. University Ombudsman

C. Archival Policy

D. Commitment to Equitable Treatment

E. Guideline for Implementation of University Faculty Fellowship Program

F. Recommendations Regarding Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committees at all Campuses of Ohio University

X. Appendix B

A. Notification Deadlines

1. Non-renewal of Probationary Appointments (Section II.D.3)
2. Promotion and Tenure (Sections II.D.1, II.E.2, II.E.7, II.E.8, and II.E.10)
3. Evaluation and Contracts of Continuing Faculty (Sections II.D.1, II.D.2, and II.E)
4. Resignations (Section II.K)
5. University Faculty Fellowships (Sections V.A.11 and V.A.12)

B. Time Limits

1. Appeal of Non-reappointment or Denial of Tenure or Promotion (Section II.F) 
2. Grievances other than Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure (Section II.G) 
3. Minimum Period for Retention for Student Records (Section IV.A.9)

XI. Appendix C

Healthcare Benefits - Contributions and Expenditures

The Faculty Handbook is being updated daily and is available on the World Wide Web. The current version of the Faculty Handbook is available in hypertext on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ohiou.edu/facultysenate/