Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Student-faculty ratios are calculated with a formula that assumes that full-time undergraduate students take 15 hours and graduate students take nine hours. Full-time faculty are counted as one FTE faculty, unless they have reassigned time from the standard 12-hour load; part-time faculty are counted as .25 FTE for each three hours of teaching load.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Each semester every faculty member must devote a short amount of class time toward the end of the semester to obtain each student’s opinion of the course and teaching. The faculty member may not be present when the evaluation is given and may  not see the results of the evaluation until grades have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar. While these data are only one component of a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning and do not provide a means of assessing faculty performance on the level of evaluations by chair or dean, they nevertheless do indicate trends over a period of time that will assist in evaluating the faculty member’s classroom performance by the chair and dean.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Full-time Abilene faculty members are typically on an academic year contract spanning the fall and spring semesters with salary paid in 12 monthly payments, with some exceptions. There may be a summer teaching assignment with extra pay. As a general rule, the university does not encourage teaching more than 12 hours per semester.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Each full-time faculty member is provided an office equipped with desk, chairs, bookshelves, filing cabinet, telephone, and computer. Office assignments are made by the dean of the college in consultation with the department or school chair or director.

Each full-time faculty member is required to schedule and post a minimum of 7 hours each week and to be available during these hours for conferences with students. These office hours should be posted on the office door and reported to the department or school chair at the beginning of each semester. Faculty members must announce their office hours to their classes and indicate those hours to students in their syllabi.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Faculty members may request leaves of absence without salary for a variety of reasons, such as teaching at another institution, postdoctoral research or study, travel, and mission work. Requests for such leaves should be directed to the department or school chair and the dean of the appropriate college.

If the leave is granted, the faculty member must leave his or her retirement plan intact (even though no contributions will be made to it during the period of the leave). To liquidate his or her retirement plan, the faculty member must terminate employment with the university. The faculty member may also arrange during the leave of absence to pay for hospitalization and life insurance premiums on a monthly basis with the payroll office.

Faculty members who receive Faculty Renewal Leaves may be absent from campus for one or two semesters (one semester at full salary or two semesters at one-half salary). In the latter case, the salary may be supplemented by an appointment at another university or through an external grant. For further details, see the information in 3.5 Faculty Enrichment.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Faculty members are expected to meet classes and attend faculty meetings, except in cases of emergency. Reasons which may justify missing a class or faculty meeting may be attendance at professional meetings, scholarly research away from the campus, speaking engagements that benefit the university, sickness or death in one’s family, and other reasons subject to the chair’s approval. All such absences should be approved in advance.

In addition to reporting to and/or obtaining the approval of the chair, faculty members must report all absences of more than five consecutive days because of illness to the departmental/school administrative coordinator for entry on the monthly report for lost time.

If a faculty member wishes to miss a day or two of classes for professional reasons, he or she should submit a travel request to the department or school chair. Each such request will be considered through the university travel approval system on its merits and in terms of its value to the university as an educational institution. Such absences will not impact the faculty member’s pay. If a faculty member wishes to be away from classes for personal reasons, such absences must be approved in advance by the chair and dean.

A faculty member should be punctual in meeting all classes. It is important to be in the classroom ready to begin at the appointed time.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

Daily chapel is a focal point in the spiritual life of the university and a cohesive force for the Abilene Christian University community. Faculty members are expected to attend chapel regularly. Nothing should be scheduled that will interfere with this expectation.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

For the organizational chart of the university, see the University Organizational Chart. 

Provost

The provost is responsible for the leadership, administration, and operation of the Academic Division of the university.  The four primary functions of this position are:

1. To provide vision, leadership, and oversight for the Academic Division;
2. To represent the university to external constituencies, including the Abilene community; state, regional, and national organizations; the Churches of Christ; professional and higher education organizations; and at public functions;
3. To serve on committees and projects for the university at the request of the president or the chair of the Board of Trustees; and
4. To engage in scholarly and professional activities, including teaching, research, and service, that contribute to the mission of the university, the discipline, and the field of higher education. 

The provost provides leadership for the Academic Division of the university.  The Academic Division is responsible for the academic life of the university–faculty, student learning, curricula, degree requirements, and academic services.

Other leadership in the Office of the Provost includes:

Vice Provost

The vice provost reports to the provost. The vice provost may teach a course annually and is expected to continue to be an active professional. Responsibilities include academic initiatives on both the main and branch campus: curriculum and instruction, institutional effectiveness, registrar, faculty development, disability services, tutoring, three federal TRIO grants, residential graduate programs, experiential learning and faculty-led study abroad programs. 

Assists the Provost with planning and budgeting in the Academic Division and other academic matters, including leadership of the faculty and collaboration with the college deans. The vice provost has primary responsibility for addressing student concerns regarding curricular and co-curricular programs, including appeals and requests for exception to policy. The vice provost chairs the Academic Managers group.

Associate Vice President of Academics, Dallas

The associate vice president of academics, Dallas is directly responsible to the provost and works to provide leadership for academic programs of the Dallas campus.  The AVPA-Dallas may teach a course annually and is expected to continue to be an active professional.  Responsibilities include planning and budgeting for the Dallas campus and assisting with institutional research and assessment.

Associate Provost for Curriculum and Assessment

The associate provost for curriculum and assessment reports to the vice provost.  The associate provost may teach one course annually and is responsible for curriculum administration, curricular integrity, and for directing academic assessment. The associate provost chairs the University Undergraduate Academic Council and the University General Education Council.

Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and SACSCOC Liaison

The associate provost for institutional effectiveness and SACSCOC liaison reports to the vice provost.  The associate provost leads the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and may teach up to four courses per year. In the role of SACSCOC liaison, the associate provost is authorized to communicate with the university’s accreditor and works to ensure continued compliance and accreditation.

Assistant Provost for Residential Graduate Programs

The assistant provost for residential graduate programs reports to the vice provost and works directly with the academic deans and residential graduate program directors.  The assistant provost teaches 12 hours per academic year and is expected to be professionally active. The assistant provost provides leadership in the strategic planning for graduate education, including growth and development of programs, and works with the Abilene academic deans and program directors in the assessment and evaluation of programs. The assistant provost chairs the Graduate Council and is responsible for residential graduate policies and student appeals.

Deans

A dean administers each of the university’s six colleges, School of Nursing, and Library Services and Educational Technology.  The president and provost appoint deans with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees. Deans are responsible to the provost. Deans have twelve-month appointments. 

Deans of the Colleges

The deans of the colleges normally teach one class annually, are active professionals in  their disciplines and in higher education, and serve as the chief academic administrators for their colleges. They provide leadership in strategic planning and budgeting, are responsible for personnel and administration, and guide departments, programs and schools in the development and review of academic curriculum and graduation requirements.  

Dean, Honors College

The dean of the Honors College reports to the provost and is advised by the Honors Advisory Committee, which includes two at-large members selected by the Faculty Senate. The dean also oversees the TRIO program McNair Scholars.

Dean, School of Nursing

The dean serves as the administrator of the School of Nursing. The dean is appointed by and reports to the provost and serves the president in alignment with the mission and strategic plan of the university. The dean directs the achievement of the vision, mission, and values of the School. The dean is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the students, faculty, staff, curriculum, organizational  structure and governance, resources, and evaluations. The dean represents the school to ACU and to the community and serves as liaison to health care facilities and to other schools of nursing. 

Dean, Library Services and Educational Technology 

The dean of library services and educational technology works cooperatively with the college deans, the faculty, and other libraries and organizations to provide resources and services in support of teaching, learning, and research. The dean participates in campus-wide planning, budgeting, and curriculum development. Externally, the dean serves on the Council of the Abilene Library Consortium (ALC), which serves ACU as well as Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, Howard Payne University, and the Abilene Public Library.  

Academic Administration

Vice President, Church Relations

The vice president for church relations reports to the provost and works to promote constructive and collaborative relationships between ACU and churches.

Registrar

The registrar reports to the vice provost and is responsible for maintaining accurate, secure academic records for former and current students in accordance with the policies of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).  The registrar also chairs the University Calendar Committee.

Executive Director of the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning

The executive director of the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning reports to the vice provost and oversees faculty development and instructional design through the Adams Center.

Executive Director of Study Abroad

The executive director of Study Abroad oversees ACU’s programs in Oxford, England; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Leipzig, Germany.

Executive Director of University Access Programs

The Executive Director of University Access Programs reports to the vice provost and oversees testing, ESL, tutoring, supplemental instruction; supervises TRiO program staff in Student Support Services, Talent Search and Upward Bound; supervises Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars; coordinates program development with staff and the institution and oversees other access programs as they are developed. The Executive Director of UAP ensures Compliance of Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Director of Experiential Learning

Responsible to the vice provost, the director coordinates and supports high-impact experiential learning including undergraduate research, discipline-specific laboratory experiences, community engagement, internships/clinicals/practica, study abroad, missions and ministry programs, and related opportunities.

Academic Operations Manager

Responsible to the provost for managing financial and operational activities for the Academic Division including all employment processes; tenure, promotion and other faculty-related processes; records management; and Provost’s Office operations.

The preceding administrators along with the chair of the Faculty Senate serve as the Provost’s Cabinet, which addresses matters of academic policy and assists in planning and budgeting for the Academic Division.

Additional Academic Administrators

Several administrators with specialized roles also report to the provost. 

Vice President for Research

The vice president for research reports to the president and provost and is responsible for setting and executing the strategy for maturing and growing the research enterprise at ACU by promoting and facilitating scholarship and research, strengthening the university’s position with external funding and strategic partnerships, and enhancing the research infrastructure.

Director of the Carl Spain Center

The director of the Carl Spain Center reports to the provost and works to promote racial unity within Christian organizations all over the country. The center seeks to equip churches, church leaders and lay members alike, to understand and respond to the call for racial unity by providing experiences, resources, and tools to expand their understanding of the racism and to draw them closer to God and, in so doing, draw them closer to other Christ followers regardless of race.

Chief Diversity Officer

The chief diversity officer reports to the president and provost and works to cultivate university-wide organizational capacity for diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The CDO also serves as co-chair of the Diversity Council with the president and may serve on other relevant councils. 

Executive Director of the Center for Building Community and Director of the Lynay Program

The executive director reports to the provost and works with students in the Lynay program to build community and develop their leadership skills. The center also serves local groups and beyond on issues of community.

One administrator serves the Dallas campus and reports to the associate vice president for academics, Dallas. 

Assistant Provost for Academic Initiatives and Innovation

The assistant provost for academic initiatives and innovation reports to the associate vice president for academics, Dallas. This individual directs the launch of new academic initiatives, assists in setting course delivery schedules, and provides support in the approval process for programs and courses. In conjunction with the dean, the assistant provost curates and directs ongoing professional education in regard to existing and emerging pedagogical and andragogical methods of instruction, particularly as pertains to online learning.

Department and Program Leadership

Department Chairs

The department chair on the Abilene campus provides administrative leadership for the department or school. Each is directly responsible to the dean of the college. They are selected by the dean, in consultation with faculty and with the approval of the provost. Appointments are for 3-year renewable terms. Some Abilene schools have program directors who serve the functions of a department chair. Generally, department chairs serve in a year-round role but may work less structured hours during the summer term, with the dean’s permission. 

Chairs’ duties include: 

1. 1. Personnel matters for faculty and staff members (e.g., searching, hiring, evaluating)
   2. Student academic requests and processes (e.g., academic integrity, grade appeals, student complaints, substitutions and waivers)
   3. Budget management
   4. Course scheduling
   5. Review of transfer course requests within the discipline or delegation to academically qualified faculty member
   6. Program coordination (See the definition of program coordinator. In cases where the department chair cannot be credentialed in all fields in which the department offers programs, this responsibility may be delegated to another faculty member for one or more programs in the department with the permission of the provost’s office)
   7. Communication with campus offices to support student experience and other constituencies (e.g., Admissions, Advising, Alumni, Marketing and Strategic Communication)
   8. Program assessment
   9. Oversight of applicable disciplinary accreditation
   10. Departmental representation at college and university events

Program Directors

The program director on the Dallas campus provides administrative leadership for the program. Each is directly responsible to the dean of the college. They are selected by the dean with the approval of the provost. Program directors serve in a 12-month role.

Program directors’ duties include: 

1. 1. Personnel matters for faculty and staff members (e.g., searching, hiring, evaluating)
   2. Student academic requests and processes (e.g., academic integrity, grade appeals, student complaints, substitutions and waivers)
   3. Review of transfer course requests within the discipline or delegation to academically qualified faculty member
   4. Program coordination (See the definition of program coordinator, which includes curricular responsibilities. In cases where the program director cannot be credentialed in the program offerings, this responsibility may be delegated to another faculty member with the permission of the provost’s office)
   5. Program assessment
   6. Oversight of applicable disciplinary accreditation

Program Coordinators

The program coordinator is responsible for the curriculum of an educational program, which includes undergraduate majors toward the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, graduate program degrees, and certificates. This role is program-specific, and a department may have more than one program coordinator. 

The program coordinator must be qualified in fields appropriate to the curricular content (and degree level) of the program. This may be demonstrated through a graduate degree in the field represented in the program requirements or a documented and approved justification. The program coordinator must be able to oversee the cohesion and quality of the program. In programs that represent multiple disciplines, a program may have multiple coordinators. 

Program coordinators’ duties include:

1. 1. Periodic review of the degree plan
   2. Periodic review of course content supporting the degree plan
   3. Annual review of assessment findings
   4. Working in conjunction with the department chair or program director and other program coordinators, recommend course terms for courses in the degree plan and help coordinate scheduling conflicts outside the department to implement effective delivery of the curriculum

Responsible Body: Office of the Registrar

Date of Last Review: 

Privacy Rights of Students

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (better known as  FERPA), information contained in a student’s record may not be released or discussed with anyone except the student without the student’s written consent, except in certain limited and specific cases, which are mentioned below.

FERPA defines “education records” as “those records, files, documents and other materials which 1) contain information directly related to a student; and 2) are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a person acting for such agency or institution.”  This includes (but is not limited to) financial aid, student life, and academic information, including individual tests or assignments, grades, academic schedule information, and transcripts.

All ACU students have the opportunity to complete an Education Record Information Release form.  Information may be released to persons the student has identified on the form. Forms are filed with  the student’s record in the Registrar’s Office, and the information is coded in Banner. Before discussing a student’s information, a faculty member must verify Education Record  Information Release by looking on SZFERPA in Banner. If a faculty member has any question about whether or not he or she can discuss such information, the faculty member should contact Wildcat Central or the Office of the Registrar.

Students may obtain their grades on my.acu.edu.

Disclosure of Student Records

In general, no personally identifiable information from a student’s education records will be disclosed without written consent from the student.  This includes, but is not limited to, grade reports, academic schedule information, and transcripts. Two exceptions may, however, be made:

1. Directory information will be released unless the student requests that it be withheld, as explained in the section below; 
2. With proper verification, records may be disclosed to parents of students financially  dependent upon them as defined by Internal Revenue Code 1986, Section 152. Certain additional  limited exceptions are available under FERPA. Contact Legal Services for further explanation or  discussion of FERPA. 

Public Notice Designating Directory Information  

Abilene Christian University hereby designates student information listed below as public or  “Directory Information.”  The institution may disclose such information for any purpose at its  discretion.

• Name, classification, major field of study, address, email address, local residence,  telephone number
• Previous institutions attended, dates of attendance, full-time or part-time status, awards, honors (including Dean’s Honor Roll), degree(s) conferred (including dates), church affiliation, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight of athletes), date, and place of birth.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of “Directory Information” under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.  For disclosures to be withheld, written notification must be received in the Student Life Office within twelve calendar days from the first day of registration for each long term and four days for summer terms.  Forms requesting the withholding of “Directory Information” are available in the Student Life office. Abilene Christian University assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of  categories of “Directory Information” indicates individual approval for disclosure. 

Non-Discrimination Notice  

Abilene Christian University complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws and does not engage in prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, gender, age, or disability, including qualified veterans of the Vietnam Era. ACU is affiliated  with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. The university is governed by a Board of Trustees, all of whom are members of the Church of Christ, and is operated within the Christian-oriented aims, ideals, and religious tenets of the Church of Christ.  As a religiously controlled institution of higher education, ACU is exempt from compliance with some provisions of certain civil rights laws, including some provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  Inquiries concerning this notice or the application of the laws referenced herein should be referred to the Legal Services office:

Slade Sullivan, General Counsel
ACU Box 29125
Abilene, TX 79699-9125
Phone: 325-674-2485
Fax: 325-674-2879
Email: legalservices@acu.edu 

Access to Student Records  

Educational Record information (including financial aid, student life, and academic information) concerning ACU students is confidential.  Any access or modifications that are made to a student’s record, via the web or the online administrative system, should be only those that the faculty member is authorized to make in his or her role as faculty or advisor.  Much of the information to which faculty members have access in their departments/schools concerning ACU students, staff, administration, or faculty is confidential. Violation of confidentiality will be regarded as a serious offense and could be cause for termination.  Faculty members should read and understand the information regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at https://www.acu.edu/office-of-the-registrar/ferpa/.  For more information, contact the Registrar.