FACULTY HANDBOOK
2008- 2009

This handbook is prepared for the convenience of faculty and is not to be construed as an official publication of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. In case of any divergence from or conflict with the Bylaws or Policies of the Board of Regents, the official Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents shall prevail.

Georgia Southwestern State University, University System of Georgia, An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Organization and Governance

Organizational Chart 

Georgia Southwestern State University Mission Statement 

Georgia Southwestern State University Vision Statement 

Diversity Statement 

Faculty and Administration Shared Governance 

Faculty Meetings 

Faculty Senate 

II. Faculty Affairs

Corps of Instruction

Graduate Faculty

Faculty Work Load 

Academic Advisement

Faculty Evaluation

Annual Evaluation

Academic Freedom

Grievance Procedures for Faculty & Staff 

Affirmative Action

USG Background Check Policy

Faculty Personnel Files

Faculty Handbook Revisions Policy

III. Promotion and Tenure

Pre-Promotion Review

Promotion 

Pre-Tenure Review

Tenure

Promotion and Tenure Procedures 

Post-Tenure Review

IV. University Policies

Non-discrimination against Students with Disabilities 

Policy Statement on a Drug Free Campus

Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment

Information Provided by Faculty for Students

Class Rolls/Class Size

Grading System 

Assignment of Grades/Re-Examinations for Seniors

Incompletes 

Schedule Changes

Student Attendance Policy

Administrative Withdrawal from a Course

Referral of Students for Counseling

Academic Renewal 

Final Examination Schedule

Credit by Examination

Textbooks 

Instructional Materials

Purchasing Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures of the Academic Affairs Committee

Distance Education Policy

WebCT Technical Support Policy

Adoption of a New Course or a New Program 

Faculty Offices 

Faculty Absences

Faculty Released Time for Professional Development

Faculty Searches

Part-Time Faculty

Teaching Assistants

Faculty Development Grants 

Work for Outside Pay

Selection, Installation and Support of Computer Software and Hardware 

Composition and Duties of the Publication Subcommittee of the Student Affairs Committee

Property Control Policy

Scheduling of Facilities

Smoking Policy

Family Members in the Workplace 

Hazardous Materials Management 

AIDS Policy 

Immunization against Disease

Procedure for Reporting Student Illness or Injury

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

(For further information on University policies related to the faculty see the Statutes, Georgia Southwestern State University.)

V. Faculty Welfare

Payroll Payments

Holiday, Sick Leave and Miscellaneous Leave Policy 

Leaves for Professional Personnel 

Retirement 

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Social Security 

Group Insurance Plans

Long Term Disability Plan 

DOCO Credit Union 

Flexible Benefits Reimbursement Accounts 

Unemployment Compensation Insurance 

Faculty Travel 

Private Automobile Travel Allowance 

Printing Services

Mail Service 

Telephone Service 

Faculty Parking and Automobile Registration 

Financial Exigency Policy, University System of Georgia 

VI. Grants and Contracts 

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS MANUAL FOR RESEARCH AND SPONSORED PROGRAMS

     Proposal Development

     Finding Information about Grant Opportunities

     What is Appropriate for Federal Support

     Travel Support

     Application Procedures (including sample format)

     Sample Biographic Data Sheet

     Deadlines

     Institutional Approval Procedure 

     Sponsor’s Evaluation

     Proposal Rejections

     Deciding to Resubmit

     Fiscal Considerations: Budget Preparation

     Outline Steps to Follow in Budget Preparation

     Direct Costs

     Indirect Costs

     Proposal Negotiation

     Post-Award Project Management

     Grant Close-Out Requirements

     Appendix A: Contact Names

     Appendix B: Commonly Encountered Acronyms

     Appendix C: Glossary of Grant Related Terms

TIMELINE FOR DEVELOPMENT/APPROVAL FOR PROPOSAL FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING

APPROVAL TO SUBMIT PROPOSAL FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING (ROUTING FORM)

VII. Institutional Review Board Policies and Procedures

INTRODUCTION

SPECIAL APPROVALS

   Other Institutions

   Research Conducted at a VA Medical Center

   Advertisements

GENERAL INFORMATION

   Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research

   Duration of IRB Approval

   Amendments or Changes to Protocol and Consent Forms

   Adverse Effects or Unanticipated Problems

THE INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS

  IRB Approval Stamp

   Format of Consent Forms

   Research Involving Children as Subjects

IRB EXEMPTION

    Procedure for Requesting an IRB Exemption

EXPEDITED REVIEW

    Procedures and General Information for Expedited Review

IRB FULL REVIEW

    Instructions for IRB Submission

    Renewal Instructions

    Final Report Instructions

APPENDIX A – Sample Consent Form

APPENDIX B – Sample Signature Page of Consent Form for Research Involving Children

APPENDIX C – IRB Exemption Application

APPENDIX D – IRB Expedited Review Application

APPENDIX E – Human Subjects Protocol for Expedited Review 

APPENDIX F – Human Subjects Protocol for Full Review

APPENDIX G – Investigator's Progress Report 

VIII. Comprehensive Program Review Policies and Procedures

Introduction and Overview

Relationship of the Comprehensive Program Review Process and Self-Studies for National Program Accreditation

The Self-Study

     Purpose and Responsibilities

     Self-Study Format

     Format Details

THE REVIEW TEAM

     Purpose and Responsibilities

     Composition

     Selection

     Format of the Team Report

RESPONSES TO THE REVIEW TEAM REPORT

     Department's Response

     Dean's Report

     Vice President for Academic Affairs Report

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW TIMELINE

IX. Appendix

Fall 2008-Fall 2009 Calendars 

Faculty Meeting Dates 

Major/Advisor List for 2008-2009

Regents System Academic Advisory Committee Representatives for 2008-2009

Personnel Roster - 2008-2009

Faculty Committee Assignments 2008 -2009

University Statutes 

Academic Affairs Organizational Chart 

Scholarship

Graduate Assistant Evaluation Form

Faculty Development Grant Proposal Form 

Policy on Academic Integrity 

Procedure for Faculty Flower Fund

INDEX