Comprehensive
Standard 3.7.1
The
institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the
mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable
qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to
the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers
competence, effectiveness, and capacity, include, as appropriate, undergraduate
and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional
licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented
excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements
that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all
cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the
qualifications of its faculty.(see Commission guidelines "Faculty
Credentials.") (Faculty competence)
Non-Compliance
Because
T. A. Lawson State Community College did not follow prescribed guidelines for
the submission of the Faculty Roster, the Off-Site Review Committee was unable
to determine faculty competence. The On-Site Review Committee should verify
that all faculty members are competent and qualified to provide instruction for
all credit courses they are assigned to teach.
Response:
Lawson State Community College
employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals
of the institution. All college transfer full-time and part-time faculty
members who teach Associate Degree courses that are designed for transfer
towards a baccalaureate degree have either a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the
teaching discipline or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate semester
hours in the teaching discipline as governed by State Board Policy 605.02 (Policy 605.02). Faculty members who teach developmental courses (below college
level) hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline or within a
related field. Career Technical faculty members have either Associates degree
in their discipline, appropriate certifications and a minimum of three years of
work experience in the related teaching field or a professional license (2008-2009 Faculty
Roster).
Lawson State adheres to State Board Policy 602.02 guidelines as it
relates to the hiring practices and procedures governing faculty appointments (Board
Policy 602.02). Job announcements and position descriptions
detail the required qualifications of faculty and outline minimum
qualifications (Sample Job
Announcement). The Vice President for Instructional Services
is responsible for recommending (to the President) a committee for each
announced position. Committee structures
include faculty representatives from the department and others, an
administrative representative from the department and a Human Resources
representative (Sample
Screening Committee). During
the preliminary stage of candidate selection, the credentials of all applicants
are reviewed and assessed against the minimum qualifications for the position,
including a review of transcripts and work experience. Following the screening
and interviewing process, Committee recommendations are sent to the President
for final approval and appointment as outlined in State Board Policy 602.01 (Policy
602.01).
The College ensures (through the use of its Faculty Credentials
Packet and adjunct hiring process) that adjunct faculty meet the same academic
credential requirements as full-time faculty do; however, the department chair
will identify potential candidates, conduct interviews, evaluate transcripts, verify
related work experience and make the recommendation for employment to the
appropriate administrators (Associate Deans, Deans, and Vice President for
Instructional Services) (Faculty Credentials
Packet, Template). The Credential Packet outlines a specific
step-by-step process that administrators must follow and includes a background
check authorization, listing of education qualifications, attachment of
unofficial transcripts and/or current certifications (for preliminary review),
and includes an eligibility test
(Completed Faculty
Credentials Packets). If approved tentatively, an official request
for transcripts is provided to the instructor (Transcript Request
Notification Letter).
Once transcripts are received in Human Resources, Department Chairs are
provided copies of official transcripts for review and final clearance of
credentials. Once officially cleared, the credentials packet is signed by the
Department Chair and submitted (for approval) to the Dean (academic or career
technical) and the Vice President for Instructional Services. Final approval and appointment is reserved
for the President.
In cases where a faculty member is hired without the appropriate
degree, the employee must complete a portfolio documenting extensive work
and/or talent in the teaching field. The portfolio is evaluated by a
qualified professional in the teaching field and is then sent to the Vice
President for Instructional Services for validation and submission to the Human
Resources Office for credential verification and placement in the personnel
file. The instructor is certified to teach as a qualified and properly
credentialed instructor in accordance to accreditation requirements.
All personnel files are housed in the Human Resources Office.
Documentation:
|
Documentation |
Location |
|
2008 Policies & Procedures Manual, State Board
Policy 605.02 |
|
|
Faculty and Staff Roster |
|
|
2008 Policies & Procedures Manual, State
Board Policy 602.02 |
|
|
Sample Job Announcement |
|
|
2008 Policies & Procedures Manual, State
Board Policy 602.01 |
|
|
Faculty Credentials Packet, Template |
|
|
Completed Faculty Credentials Packets |
|
|
Transcript Request Notification Letter |