1. Administrative officers of Michigan Technological University and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments endeavor to provide equitable allocation of instructional resources consistent with the nature and purpose of each academic unit and in accordance with the unit's contribution to the overall objectives and priorities of the University. To this end, objective allocation procedures should be developed and employed where appropriate and where quantification measures are not appropriate, it is expected that professional judgment will be exercised.
Each academic unit shall be held accountable for the utilization of resources placed at its disposal and shall be expected to search for ways of improving its annual output, qualitatively and/or quantitatively.
Individual teaching assignments of faculty shall be determined at the department or school level without imposition of rigid and arbitrary teaching load standards. However, in determining the extent to which each academic unit may warrant changes in resource levels, average teaching loads expressed in terms of student credit hours (SCH) per full time equivalent faculty (FTEF) may be applied as appropriate to each instructional level, discipline, and volume of instructional activity.
Each faculty member has the dual responsibility of (a) participating in the discovery of new knowledge, and (b) transmitting the fund of accumulated wisdom to students in the University's classrooms and laboratories, and also to colleagues in the worldwide learned community. Hence, individual faculty members are expected to maintain ongoing programs of research and publication appropriate to their respective fields of expertise. The quality of research achievements and of service in the University's teaching mission both weigh heavily when an individual is recommended for reappointment, whether or not the reappointment involves promotion or tenure.
In addition to direct classroom assignments and research activities, the University also recognizes as important in promotion and tenure decisions, the wide range of additional legitimate faculty activities which may include academic advising, curriculum and course development, fund raising, service to the profession or the public, general good citizenship within the University (e.g., by service on College, School, and University committees), and activities supportive of the University's goals for active technology transfer.
2. The Board of Control of Michigan Technological University is committed to maintain Michigan Technological University as an institution where both students and faculty are free to pursue scholarship in an open and creative environment. The rights of faculty members to undertake scholarly approaches to their disciplines in accordance with professional standards in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in publications are guaranteed. Likewise, the rights of students to question, without fear of reprisal, the positions and points of view espoused by faculty must be assured. An academic community is a delicate balance of teaching and scholarship in which both suffer when the freedom to pursue either in a fully open manner is compromised.
As a public institution of higher education, Michigan Technological University acknowledges its responsibility to conduct its programs in the public interest. The Board of Control expects the University faculty to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and to act only in ways that will further the mission of the University. In return, the University shall vigorously defend the competence of the faculty to establish the content and direction of their scholarly investigations and presentations in the classroom in accordance with prevailing professional and legal standards and institutional requirements.
This policy specifically relates to academic faculty members; for those holding certain joint appointments, this policy relates to that part of the individuals activities which is that of an academic faculty member. Only projects, the results of which may be published in the public domain, can be undertaken within academic units within the University.
3. In recognition of the many roles, functions and activities incorporated in the typical academic appointment, it is expected that any development of faculty allocation procedures include the total contribution of each department, school, or college. To provide an appropriate record of such commitment of resources, each academic unit is expected to report periodically, as requested, the total work-load assignment and accomplishments of each faculty member.
Upon developing the faculty allocation procedures required to implement this policy, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs should, following Presidential approval, file a copy of the procedure with the Secretary of the Board of Control for transmission to the Board as an informational item. Additionally, due to the dynamic nature of the academic program, it is the Board's intent that the staffing procedure and associated parameters be reviewed annually and, furthermore, that the Board be advised annually of any needed modifications of the procedure which added experience may suggest.
| History | ||
| Prior: | 06/07/74 01/28/82 05/23/86 |
To be reviewed annually Revised item 2 - Academic Freedom |
| Adopted: | 03/23/90 |