Article 7 - Academic Freedom and Unit Core Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

Section 1. The University’s Academic Freedom Statement may be amended from time to time.

Section 2. The Union acknowledges that, like other University employees, Unit Core Faculty members covered by this Agreement are subject to all University policies, as set forth in employee handbooks, faculty handbooks, handbooks or catalogues available for each department, division, program, or school, or on the University website. Such policies may be amended from time to time at the discretion of the University. By way of example, Unit Core Faculty members will follow the University’s policy on plagiarism, the Community Standards of Conduct, the Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence Policy, and other rules and regulations governing employees, students, and Unit Core Faculty member work and conduct expectations. The parties recognize that if such policies are in conflict with or superseded by this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall apply.

Section 3. The faculty member shall develop the syllabus, pedagogical approach, and, course content consistent with the approved school, department, division, or program goals and outcomes for the course.

Section 4. To the extent a department or division has particular written expectations on course syllabi, teaching and grading responsibilities, student assignments or other expectations, such written expectations will be made available to the Unit Core Faculty member at the time that the course is assigned or as soon thereafter as practicable.

Section 5. Unit Core Faculty are responsible for the maintenance of good order and the observance of University policies in the classroom. Unit Core Faculty shall meet classes on time, hold classes for the full period except in the event of an emergency or as an approved practice by the Department Chair or Program Director, and evaluate academic and clinical performance fairly and reasonably. Unit Core Faculty shall submit grades and student evaluations on a timely basis and shall provide feedback to student work and responses to student communication on a timely basis. Unit Core Faculty should discuss teaching expectations and related concerns with the Department Chair or Program Director.

Section 6. Unit Core Faculty shall report promptly to their Department Chair or Program Director matters that may require academic or non-academic disciplinary action against students under applicable University policies. Unit Core Faculty shall participate or cooperate, as appropriate, in any resulting investigation.

Section 7. The University sends important information by email to Unit Core Faculty members’ University email addresses. All Unit Core Faculty members must check their University email accounts on a regular basis and must use their University email accounts for purposes of conducting University business, including all communication with students.