Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

Each faculty member must distribute a syllabus within the first week of class (or by the second day of a short course). Electronic publication and dissemination of syllabi are acceptable.  A clearly stated attendance or participation policy is a required element of the syllabus. Syllabus resources including a template and syllabus checklist are included on the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning site.  

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

An accurate class roll is important throughout the duration of the course.  A correct statement of a student’s registration is required in such areas as financial aid, veterans’ affairs, athletic eligibility, and eligibility for participation in Greek life and other extracurricular activities.  Faculty members are responsible for verifying their class rolls and seeing that each student in their classes is appropriately registered.  Students who do not report to class within the first two weeks of the long semester should be reported to the Registrar’s Office as “no shows” by email at registrar@acu.edu.  They will be subsequently withdrawn from the class.

Assignments should not be graded for any student who is not on the official class list.  The official list is available in Banner, on myACU, or in Banner Web.

Responsible Administrator: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: January 2023

Course Scheduling

The goal of a common approach to course scheduling for residential undergraduate students is to support student progress toward their degrees by ensuring access to courses. In order to achieve this goal, the university needs to offer courses distributed across available times throughout the day that are not overly concentrated in a few time periods and do not overlap other time periods. Once these priorities are met, faculty preference about scheduling may be considered. This approach reduces conflict among classes, uses campus facilities effectively, and provides predictable protected time for students’ work and extracurricular commitments.

All synchronous residential undergraduate courses should conform to standard starting times by day of the week. Courses may begin on MWF at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Courses may begin on TR at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. Any course that meets a unique requirement for general education or an undergraduate major that meets at 3 p.m. or later must meet two criteria: 

1. Multiple sections of the course must be available. This could either be multiple sections in the current semester with at least one meeting before 3 p.m. or sections at different times in the long semesters of the academic year. For example, a single section of a course may meet at 3 p.m. TR in the fall if a section of the same course is offered at 8 a.m. TR in the spring.
2. The Provost’s Office must approve the proposed schedule before it is entered in Banner.

Residential undergraduate courses that meet before 3 p.m. should conform to the standard length for every day of the week. This is 50 minutes on MWF and 80 minutes on TR. There are two exceptions to standard lengths. First, lab sections that meet once weekly may exceed standard lengths but should conform to standard starting times. Second, Abilene courses that use the accelerated part of term may choose to meet in back-to-back time slots of 110 minutes on MWF and 170 minutes on TR. Accelerated courses may not be scheduled in back-to-back time slots that begin at MWF 9 a.m. or MWF noon in order to avoid conflicts in densely-scheduled time slots.

Any exceptions to this approach for residential undergraduate scheduling on any day of the week before 3 p.m. must be approved by the dean and Provost’s Office.

Some residential undergraduate courses that begin at 3 p.m. or later on any day of the week may use non-standard starting times or lengths. Examples are MW courses that meet for 80 minutes or courses that meet one day per week for 170 minutes. Courses that use non-standard starting times or lengths must be approved by the dean and Provost’s Office.

Weekend courses for residential undergraduate students may begin no earlier than Fridays at 3 p.m. unless approval is granted by the dean and Provost’s Office. Meeting times may not begin on Sundays before noon.

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

The Credit By Exam page at the site of the Office of the Registrar has information available for students and faculty. Faculty may also contact the University Testing Center for information concerning credit by examination, course challenge, placement tests, and standardized tests. 

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

The official undergraduate academic regulations of the university are contained in the Undergraduate Academic Information  section of the catalog. Additional remarks about specific areas of regulation are included in this section.  

Authority for Enforcing Regulations

The basic authority for enforcing academic regulations and upholding academic standards as they apply in any one class is the professor in charge of that class.  While exceptions to, or variations from, the stated procedures or regulations are sometimes made, the professor is the first step for approval of such exceptions.  Since students know that exceptions to regulations are sometimes made, no office can shield the professor from having to make the judgments required. Fairness and consistency are enhanced by consultation with and approval by department/school chairs and deans.

Responsible Body:  Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review:  June 25, 2021

University Mail Services

University Mail Services provides a  full range of mail and shipping services for the ACU community.  Products and services are available for department/school charge or personal payment.  In most cases, faculty members get their mail from their department/school’s office.  Visit the Mail Services’ website for hours, the services available, mail preparation  instructions, and relevant processing goals or deadlines.

Faculty members may send campus mail to anyone with an ACU mailbox.  Campus mail should be addressed with the recipient’s full name and ACU mailbox number. The campus mail policy and  preparation instructions are available on the website listed above.  Commercial mail, including an ACU employee’s personal business, is not allowed in campus mail to ACU employees.  

Brown Library

The Brown Library exists to serve faculty in their central academic tasks of research, learning, and teaching. Faculty members should feel free to discuss their needs with the Dean of Library Services and Educational Technology or with the librarian in charge of any particular area.

Library Research Support for Faculty

See the library website for general information about web-based resources, interlibrary loan, hours, check-out privileges, and research rooms.

1. Adding Books, Journals, and Databases to the Collection. Library faculty and professional librarians collaborate with faculty to build and maintain collections that support the research interests of the university, of particular disciplines and departments/schools, and of individual professors.  Faculty members should talk with their department/school’s liaison librarian to add new books, journals and databases.
2. TexShare Cards. The TexShare Consortium of academic and public libraries in the state provides free or low-cost walkup access to resources, an ID card for borrowing books, and a statewide distribution service.  Faculty members planning to visit a member library in Texas should sign up for a TexShare card at the Brown Library circulation desk.

Learning Support

ACU has created a unique student-focused collaborative service, the Learning Commons, which features group study spaces designed to support undergraduate research and study in a technology-rich environment.  ACU designed the Learning Commons to be the place of choice for learning outside the classroom and for completing every phase of an academic project from inception to publication. 

Learning Commons partners include traditional Library Services (circulation, research assistance, a printed reference collection, and online resources), an art gallery, a café, Educational Technology, Team 55 Technology Support, the Speaking Center, the Writing Center, and the Learning Studio.  

Instructional Support

1. Collection Evaluation. Each department/school’s liaison librarian will prepare a collection evaluation to help faculty in getting any new course or program approved.  Collection evaluations assess the library’s ability to support proposed courses.
2. Reserves. The Library Circulation Service places books, articles, and AV materials on reserve for particular courses as requested by professors.
3. How to Put Items on Reserve:
   1. Faculty members should bring any personal or library item to the Reserve Office at circulation at least 24 hours before they expect the students to call for the materials.  If a faculty member has a number of items, he or she should allow more processing time.
   2. Faculty members should fill out a reserve form at the Circulation Desk, giving the course name and number as they appear in the course schedule, the desired loan period, and handling instructions.
   3. Faculty members should provide a copy of the course syllabus.
   4. When the item is no longer needed, faculty members should notify the Reserve Office.  Faculty members should allow one business day for processing and then pick up personal items promptly.
   5. If faculty members have AV materials, they should follow the same procedure at the AV desk on the lower level.
   6. Faculty members should be aware of their responsibility to comply with copyright law.  Help with copyright is available at the Research Desk.
4. Information Literacy. The library faculty is happy to collaborate with faculty members to teach research strategies, methods of determining high quality information, and the basic elements of  academic integrity.  Typically the conversation begins with the faculty member’s expression of interest in the structured use of library materials in course assignments.
5. Region XIV Education Center. Faculty members may call Region XIV for films and other instructional materials, which will be delivered weekly to the ACU Library Circulation Desk on Friday mornings.  Faculty members should return borrowed Region XIV items to the Circulation Desk the following week.  A Region XIV catalog is kept at the Research Assistance Desk in the Learning Commons.
6. Library Policies of Interest to the Faculty. Written policies are in force for the areas listed below.  Copies of these policies are available on request at the office of the Dean of Library Services and Educational Development.
   1. Collection Development
   2. Circulation Policies (for all types of users)
   3. Faculty Overdue Policy
   4. Interlibrary Loan Policy
   5. Mission of the Library
   6. Reference Service Policy
   7. Reserves Policy

Registrar

The registrar serves as the official custodian of all academic records of the university.  The basic responsibilities of the registrar are to initiate and manage academic processes including, but not limited to, registration, academic standing, readmission, grading, and graduation; provide transcript service for current and former students; evaluate and articulate transcripts from other schools; coordinate intercollegiate enrollment (HSU and McMurry); maintain degree audits and certify students for graduation and other eligibility requests; prepare and submit records for the Veterans Administration (for students receiving VA benefits); and establish (in consultation with deans and directors) policies, procedures, and processes. The registrar also plans, prepares, and submits long- and short-term planning and budget documents and other reports as required by the university and oversees the selection, training, and supervision of office personnel.  The registrar also serves as the chair for the University Calendar Committee.

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

Funds for Professional Travel

The university encourages members of the faculty to attend professional meetings. The budget of each department/school includes funds for travel to professional meetings.  Travel funds are  allocated to departments/schools by the dean of the college. Some colleges and  departments/schools may have restricted funds that can be used for faculty travel.

Each department/school chair, with the concurrence of the dean, decides how travel funds are to be used.  It is unlikely that all the expenses for all requested professional travel could be funded. A faculty member who has an opportunity to travel should submit a request for funding using the university travel system. Travel should not be booked without approval. 

Faculty Development Committee  

The purpose of the Faculty Development Committee (FDC) is to facilitate, advocate, and provide opportunities and resources for faculty enrichment across the university.  The FDC makes recommendations to the Provost.  For further information, see the FDC page on the site of the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning.  

Adams Center for Teaching and Learning  

Numerous faculty enrichment opportunities are provided by the Walter H. Adams Center for  Teaching and Learning.  The goal of the Adams Center is to enhance teaching and learning by  providing resources and tools that empower faculty.  The Adams Center offers faculty opportunities for innovation, focus, leadership, and community building.  A state-of-the-art facility houses several resource-rich areas to serve faculty as well as personnel to meet specific service needs.  See the Adams Center site for more information about the services available.

Faculty Renewal Leave

Each year the university provides Faculty Renewal Leaves (FRL) based upon applications received and reviewed by peers. The purpose of leaves is to provide a faculty member with a significant period of time to devote to enrichment, reflection, writing, and retooling that ultimately leads to higher quality teaching and other forms of scholarship.  

Awards and Eligibility

FRLs are contingent on merit and available funding. Apportionment will usually be 50% in CAS, 15% in each in CBS, COBA, and CEHS and 5% in Nursing, Library, etc. Applications are reviewed initially by the department chairperson and dean of the faculty member. The Faculty Renewal Leave Committee reviews all materials and makes recommendations to the Provost. Decisions will usually be made before Christmas Break.

Faculty Renewal Leave usually are awarded for one semester and provide the recipient the salary he or she would have been paid for teaching during the semester. An applicant may request 1/2 salary for two semesters. All fringe benefits will continue as will eligibility for raises and promotion; however, applicants with other grants are expected to provide a proportionate share of benefits from these sources. The minimum time and energy a recipient devotes to these awards must be equal to a normal semester’s work. Other work unrelated to the leave project is strongly discouraged and will be a factor in determining the granting of a Faculty Renewal Leave. Applicants who expect to be engaged in other work during the semester (compensated or not) must notify the committee of the possibility and document the fact that such work will not interfere with the completion of the proposed project.

Normally no more than one faculty member from a department will be awarded a Faculty Renewal Leave in a particular semester. A faculty member who has received a Faculty Renewal Leave is ineligible to receive it again for six years. Unless explicitly understood and stated in writing to the contrary, an individual who requests and receives a Faculty Renewal Leave incurs an obligation to return to the university for at least one year immediately following such leave. If the recipient ceases to be an ACU employee within this one year period, he or she must repay the salary and benefits earned during the leave.

To be eligible, applicants must be tenured members of the Abilene Christian University faculty and must have served ACU a minimum of six years (excluding the years of the proposed faculty renewal leave) and have the rank of Assistant Professor or higher.

Application Deadline

For scheduling purposes, those intending to apply for a Faculty Renewal Leave should declare in writing their intent to apply to their department chairs no later than the end of the Spring Semester of the academic year preceding the submission of the application. The application (and any supporting documents) must be submitted electronically by the fourth Friday in October to the Office of the Provost, the committee chair and the applicant’s department chair and dean.

The Chair’s Review Form and Dean’s Review Form are linked below and are due electronically on or before the first Friday in November to the FRL committee chair and the Office of the Provost. The independent reviews by deans and chairs are evaluation documents and not approvals. They are confidential and should be submitted separately from the application.

Proposed Project

The proposed project should involve professional enrichment/renewal resulting in a scholarly product, and equivalent in time, energy, and output to a full-time faculty load (from Faculty Handbook, 1996, page 3.10). The nature of “scholarship” that is eligible for consideration follows the categories listed and defined by Ernest Boyer in Scholarship Reconsidered, Priorities of the Professorate. These are — scholarship of discovery, scholarship of integration, scholarship of application, and scholarship of teaching. (Please review the attached Boyer chapter before preparing your application.) Types of projects include (but are not limited to) pedagogical innovation, technological innovations, curriculum reform, new or revised courses/syllabi, research, publications, presentations, exhibits, recitals, new teaching methods, etc.

Evaluations

Each application will be evaluated by the members of the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee based upon the criteria listed below. Please note that the worth of a project can be judged only by the written proposal.

1. Overall quality of the project (50%)

• • Description and rationale of the project
  • Contribution to the discipline
  • Enhancement of professional growth of the applicant
  • Enhancement of ACU’s image and reputation

2. Prior service of the applicant to ACU (25%)

• • Total years
  • Years of continuous service since last leave or faculty renewal leave
  • Nature and quality of departmental and university service

3. Likelihood of successful completion (25%)

In the evaluation process, assuming all other factors are equal, other items that could be considered include: rank, seniority, and projects involving activity outside of Abilene (strongly encouraged). If the proposed work or project is already underway, the proposal should include a statement of the progress made thus far, an estimation of the work left to be done, and the amount of time required for its completion. If the project will not be completed within the Faculty Renewal Leave period, this should be clearly stated in the application. If the applicant anticipates significant intellectual property issues, these should be discussed and arranged in advance of the Faculty Renewal Leave.

Accountability

Some tangible product (e.g., publication, multi-media, syllabus revision, exhibition or performance) must be produced by the project. Each recipient of a Faculty Renewal Leave will submit a final written report within 60 days after conclusion of the Faculty Renewal Leave term. During the year following the leave, recipients will make a presentation to the faculty based on their Faculty Renewal Leave. These reports are to be submitted to the Provost, Dean of his/her college, Department Chair, and the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee. The final written report of the Faculty Renewal Leave will become a part of the faculty member’s file.

Application Format

1. General Information

• • Name
  • Department
  • Rank
  • Date of tenure
  • Semester or semesters for which faculty renewal leave is sought
  • Have you ever been granted Faculty Renewal Leave from ACU? If so, when?
  • How many years of full-time, tenure track service do you have at ACU?
  • How many consecutive years have you served since your last Faculty Renewal Leave?
  • Have you applied or are you applying for any other funds to support you while on Faculty Renewal Leave? If so, please specify the source and amount of grant expected.
  • If taking a year-long leave, do you plan to teach at another university during your Faculty Renewal Leave? Give details. (Teaching requires advance approval by the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee.)
  • Do you plan to pursue any part-time employment during your Faculty Renewal Leave? If so, please specify (including estimated time demands). (Reminder — such employment is strongly discouraged and requires advance approval by the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee and the Provost.)
  • Where do you intend to pursue your Faculty Renewal Leave? (Reminder — generally the committee encourages Faculty Renewal Leaves that are removed from ACU.)

2. Description and Rationale of the Proposed Project

• • Title
  • Background of problem or description of area to be studied (e.g., educational trends related to the project, unresolved issues, social concerns, questions to be answered). A literature survey and/or annotated bibliography is part of this description.
  • Purpose of the project
  • Procedures (e.g., description of methodology, data collection and analysis, travel locations to be visited, names and positions of potential contact persons involved in the study, space requirements, equipment, laboratory and computing facilities necessary for the project)
  • What are the expected tangible products (e.g., book, articles, syllabus revision, exhibition or performance, videos, software) of this project? (Reminder — some tangible product must come out of the project.)
  • When do you expect to complete the project? Carefully discuss the process that leads to the stated completion date.

3. Value of Proposed Project

• • What is the value of this project to your discipline?
  • What is the value of this project to your own professional growth as a teacher/scholar at Abilene Christian University?
  • In what other ways will this project enhance ACU’s image and reputation?
  • Are there any other expected long-term benefits of this project?
  • Are there intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights, royalties, etc.) agreements to be made? If so, please explain.

4. Signature — Please sign the proposal.

5. Supporting Data

Before the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee will consider an application, the Chair’s and Dean’s Review Forms must be in the Office of the Provost by the announced deadline. In addition, the application must include the following:

• Current curriculum vita (including teaching, research, and service)
• Teaching schedule for the previous six years to be considered by the Faculty Renewal Leave Committee as providing for a Faculty Renewal Leave
• University and departmental Committees and service to students
• Other supporting data (e.g., letter[s] from host institution[s], itinerary, etc.)

Forms

• Faculty Renewal Leave Chair’s Review Form
• Faculty Renewal Leave Dean’s Review Form

Criteria for Evaluating Proposals

The Faculty Renewal Leave Committee has determined criteria for Faculty Renewal Leaves as follows:

1. Overall quality of the project (50%)
   1. Description and rationale of the project
   2. Contribution to the discipline
      1. Produces products that peers in the discipline find useful in their work as scholars
      2. Increases faculty member’s depth and/or breadth of knowledge in an academic area
      3. Develops new or improved teaching materials (e.g., multi-media, syllabus, book of readings, computer programs, problem sets, etc.)
   3. Enhancement of professional growth of the applicant
      1. Person gains stature as a “recognized authority” in an area
      2. Relevance to improving teaching (e.g., instructional strategies, new course development, etc.)
   4. Enhancement of ACU’s image and reputation
      1. Direct and indirect benefit to the students
      2. Contribution to ACU’s image as an academic institution
2. Prior service of the applicant to ACU (25%)
   1. Total years
   2. Years of continuous service since last leave or Faculty Renewal Leave
   3. Nature and quality of departmental and university service
3. Likelihood of successful completion (25%)
4. Miscellaneous
   1. Location of the proposed project
   2. Rank and seniority
   3. Effect of person’s absence on teaching load in his/her department
   4. Evaluations of chair and dean

Criteria for Evaluating Eligibility

A faculty member is eligible to apply for faculty renewal leave if the individual is currently completing his/her sixth full year of continuous service to ACU. Applicants will normally have earned the rank of assistant professor or higher. Only full-time, tenured faculty will be eligible for faculty renewal leave.

The faculty renewal leave year is not to be interpreted as an interruption of “consecutive years of service.” However, time spent on any other leave of absence (other than faculty renewal leave) is not to be counted as part of the six years of service. Faculty members who leave the university for other employment and return to ACU at a later date must begin a new service period in order to establish eligibility. Neither grants for reassigned time, faculty summer grants, nor special assignments by ACU (e.g., Assistant Dean assignments) affect faculty renewal leave eligibility. Any other ACU leaves will be addressed on a case by case basis. A faculty renewal leave may not be used for the purpose of pursuing a terminal degree.

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

A non-tenured faculty member teaching at ACU for at least three years may apply for a leave of  absence for further graduate studies.  In addition, because of unique circumstances, the provost may negotiate an agreement of support for an individual who will join the faculty in the future. Whether the leave is granted will depend on the following: 1) the need for additional terminal degrees in the  faculty member’s department/school; 2) the probability that the faculty member can carry the  program to a successful conclusion; and 3) the availability of funds in the academic budget.  Any leave will be granted on certain conditions. Typically, leaves function in these ways:

1. The faculty member and the provost will reach agreement on the terms of support for  pursuit of a terminal degree. Support may include some level of compensation and/or  reimbursement for a portion of tuition expenses. If the faculty member is enrolled in a  traditional program he or she will be expected to take a full load of classes or be working full time on the dissertation; if a full load is not maintained the pay will be reduced  proportionally.  
2. The faculty member and the provost will reach agreement on a teaching commitment that the faculty member must fulfill upon completion of the terminal degree, and upon an  amount that the faculty member will be obligated to pay to the university if he or she  does not complete the teaching commitment.
3. If the faculty member is maintaining employment with the university while pursuing a  terminal degree, the faculty member and the provost will reach agreement on the  teaching load while enrolled in graduate classes; and continued employment is not  guaranteed by the university, but will be reviewed annually as a part of the faculty  member’s yearly contract.
4. The provost and faculty member will sign an “Agreement Regarding Leave of Absence” that specifies the responsibilities of each party.

Responsible Administrator: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

Research, creative scholarship, and other scholarly activities are essential functions of a comprehensive university—vital in the professional life of the professor and important in the  education of students.  Research and creative scholarship play important roles in considerations for faculty tenure, promotion, and salary allocation.  The Institutional Review Board should review research involving human subjects.

 University Support of Research  

1. The university provides the use of library space and materials, including efficient interlibrary loan services and digital resources for faculty and student research. 
2. It provides office space, secretarial help, and laboratory facilities and equipment through  the academic department/school.
3. Graduate students and undergraduate and graduate assistants are available in some disciplines.  
4. Selective reassigned time may be arranged to allow a high level of research productivity, with the approval of the department/school chair and dean. 
5. Release from all teaching assignments during the summer terms provides opportunity for full-time research.  Funds for research may be obtained through research grants from  outside sources or through the ACU Research Council. 
6. The Office for Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provides assistance in the  preparation of research grant proposals to outside funding agencies.
7. College and departmental/school budgets, in some cases, provide support for faculty and student research.  

University research funds are available through application to the Research Council.  Application forms and instructions and deadlines may be obtained from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Research Council  

The Office of the Provost and the Research Council have the responsibility for establishing  guidelines for allocation of institutional research funds.  Each full-time faculty member is eligible to submit to the Research Council a proposal for research or creative activity and a request for financial support.  Internal grant opportunities are available on the ORSP page.

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

Graduate Faculty Membership

The dean of the college of the course must approve individuals instructing graduate courses. This approval is part of the faculty hire credentialing process and must be approved during the initial credentialing process.

When requested, a college dean may grant special approval for graduate faculty status to  faculty members with terminal degrees* to serve on a thesis committee or teach one or two  courses on a continuing or limited basis. Those with continuing status generally teach courses  each year (as adjunct faculty). The instructors with limited status serve on a thesis committee  or teach specified courses on a semester-by-semester basis (supply instructors).

Thesis committees will consist of faculty members who have graduate faculty status.  Thesis committee chairs must be full-time ACU faculty with graduate faculty status and must  have previous thesis committee experience. 

Review of graduate faculty performance and scholarship is part of the annual faculty review for ACU faculty. 

* For ACU purposes, terminal degrees include the PhD, EdD, MSW, MFA, DMiss, DPhil,  and MLS. Faculty members with the DMin or JD degree may instruct selected graduate classes with special approval. 

Honors College

The Honors College helps provide academic enrichment to bright, highly motivated students.  Some of the benefits of the Honors College are small classes taught by selected faculty, interdisciplinary Honors Core classes, interdisciplinary short courses (colloquia), early registration, grants for student research and study abroad, visiting speakers, special transcript notes, supplemental advising, social events, small-group chapel, use of the Honors Commons, and recognition at Commencement.

International Efforts

The Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars assists in bringing foreign faculty and visitors to the campus, arranges for international symposia, offers internationally focused workshops to ACU personnel, and assists faculty in internationalizing their courses.  The office collaborates in the ACU mission of providing today’s students with a Christian education appropriate for the world of the 21st century, a global world that is changing rapidly. 

Experiential Learning

Study Abroad