1.0 POLICY & PURPOSE

Laramie County Community College has established workload requirements that allow for full-time faculty members to fulfill their teaching duties, as well as other College obligations. Specific guidelines related to workload requirements are outlined in further detail in the accompanying procedure.

2.0 REVISION HISTORY

3.0 PERSONS AFFECTED

Full-time Faculty Members

4.0 DEFINITIONS

  1. Instructional Teaching Terms
    1. Advising – the faculty member’s role in academic planning with students, which includes assistance in course selection and registration, monitoring academic progress and degree planning.
    2. Assessment – the on-going process to provide information about student achievement and performance and program effectiveness, in order to make sound decisions about students and programs, and ultimately budget and strategic planning
    3. Banking – the option to hold a semester’s overload pay to offset an expected underload in a subsequent semester during the same contract year.
    4. Clinical – a course in which students provide direct patient care within a clinic setting. An instructor must be available in the facility at all times for supervision and assistance in the provision of direct patient care, and ongoing evaluation of students. The faculty member is also jointly responsible for the quality of care provided to the patient.
    5. Contact Hour – a 50-minute instructional activity in which the student and faculty interact (not necessarily synchronously) to meet specified learning objectives.
    6. Contract Year – normally, an academic year is defined as consisting of the fall semester and the following spring semester of two consecutive calendar years. This typically consists of a 168 day or nine-month contract. If alternative contracts are established, the academic year or contract period shall be as stated within the contract.
    7. Credit Hour – the number of semester credits awarded by the College to a student upon successful completion of a course.
    8. Distributed Learning – an alternative instructional delivery system that offers flexible student access to courses and programs. Modes of delivery include compressed video courses, telecourses, online courses and hybrid courses
    9. Independent Study – a course delivered by a faculty member to a small number of students without assigned class time. Independent study is typically offered only in the following circumstances: there are no other sections of the course offered; there are not alternative courses for the completion of the defined program of student printed in the catalog; the faculty member and Dean determine it essential that the course be made available to students, and the faculty member is willing to become a mentor.
    10. Instructional Laboratory – a course in which demonstrations, exercises, projects, experiments and examinations require direct involvement by the instructor. The instructor is required to be present at all times and provide lectures, demonstrations and evaluations of students.
    11. Load Reduction – Justification for reduced teaching loads may include (but not be limited to) the following:
      1. special administrative or other assignments; and/or
      2. load reduction in compensation for a teaching overload in an alternate semester.
    12. Overload – simultaneous employment by the College of a full-time employee in a part-time assignment for either instructional or non-instructional duties.
    13. Preparation – an instructional preparation is defined as the number of different courses (not sections) which the instructor teaches within one semester.
    14. Stacked – multiple level/delivery or different classes taught by the same instructor during the same or different time period(s) for the purpose of delivering classes that otherwise wouldn’t make due to low enrollment.
    15. Teaching Load – a faculty instructional assignment during the day, evening or weekend, in person or online, as determined by the current course schedule, and approved by the respective dean.
    16. Underload – any teaching load below the standard teaching load of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester.
    17. Practicum/Internship/Preceptorship – a learning experience for the student which requires placement in a community affiliate (health related or business related). The instructor makes periodic visits to the learning site; however, he/she is not required to be present during the entire student learning experience. When the instructor is not present, the student works directly with or under the supervision of an employee of the affiliate.

  2. Duties other than teaching
    1. Alternative Assignment – additional assignments for a faculty member that may be awarded workload credit that are considered over and above typical faculty responsibility. Credit is variable depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
    2. Lead Instructor – a faculty member with release time to coordinate the activities of a large department. The position typically does not supervise other faculty in the department.
    3. Professional Development – an expected component of faculty workload dedicated to continuous growth and development as both instructor and discipline expert.
    4. Program Director – a faculty member with release time to supervise the faculty and the activities of an externally accredited program of study that requires such a position as a condition of accreditation.
    5. Reassigned Time – see Release Time.
    6. Release Time – workload assigned to a special project or committee leadership, with the intent to reduce load assigned to direct instruction.
    7. Service to Institution – an expected component of faculty workload dedicated to serving the college beyond the department in which the faculty member works, or the community at large.

5.0 PROCEDURES

  1. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities of Faculty
    1. Academic Credentials Laramie County Community College has established standards regarding the minimum academic credentials for all full-time teaching members of the faculty.
      1. Most academic faculty must have earned and can document receipt of a master’s degree with at least 18 graduate hours in the teaching specialty or closely related field. In-field credentials, such as a CPA, may be approved as meeting degree requirements;
      2. Although a master’s degree is preferred, some faculty positions in developmental studies (reading, writing and math) and English as a second language require documentation of a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in the teaching field;
      3. Although a master’s or bachelor is preferred, qualifications for teaching occupational/technical courses require at least three years of related work experience and an associate’s degree in the teaching field.
      4. Faculty members must submit their complete academic credentials from regionally accredited institutions to their Dean, including official transcripts from each institution promptly after being hired and after completion of any additional relevant coursework. The Dean is responsible for transmitting the originals to the Human Resource Office.\
    2. Facilitating learning is comprised of responsibilities associated with serving students, including teaching, planning, evaluating, advising, and mentoring;
      1. Model appropriate attitudes, behaviors and technical skills that maximize student learning;
      2. Design, deliver and facilitate well-organized learner-centered instructional activities and lessons that actively engage students and promote achievement of student learning outcomes;
      3. Implement instructional strategies that provide students regular opportunities to actively engage with course content to achieve course objectives.

    3. Student Learning Assessment Faculty members are expected to participate in the development and implementation of plans to measure student learning. These measures will include measures of value-added projects and comparisons with national and/or regional data. If deficiencies are found, faculty members are expected to participate in program or course modifications designed to improve student learning in the areas of deficiency. As needed by the division and the college, faculty will participate in approved learning outcomes assessment projects.
    4. Service to the Institution includes responsibilities that support the institution such as serving on committees, mentoring faculty, recruiting faculty and students, and developing curriculum; and includes activities that support the community such as serving in community service organizations, supporting area college activities, and speaking at local schools, clubs, and organizations;
    5. Personal and Professional development includes responsibilities such as participating in the evaluation process, attending workshops, and enrolling in and completing programs of study.
    6. Civility LCCC is committed to learning. We believe that academic inquiry, personal integrity, and respect for self and others are the foundation of the educational experience. Therefore, all members of the campus community will strive to create a campus environment of mutual respect and high ethical standards. LCCC students, faculty, and staff have the right to experience, and the responsibility to maintain, a safe educational community that is civil in all aspects of human relations.

  2. Load
    1. Typical load Contracts are awarded annually and provide the term of employment. The contract period typically includes thirty instructional credits divided between the fall and spring semesters. Circumstances requiring division of workload beyond fall and spring semesters will be discussed with the faculty member and approved by the division dean and the Vice President of Instruction prior to the final assignment.
      1. The thirty credits may be divided unequally among fall, spring and/or summer semesters, serving the best interest of the students, faculty and the College. If the thirty credits are divided unequally with some of the hours taught during the summer session, this will cause the faculty member to teach beyond the 168 days of the “normal” faculty contract.
        1. If the hours that are assigned for the summer session are needed to “make load” then no overload payment will be given for those hours needed to meet the 30 hours for the academic year.
        2. Any hours above the 30 hours required to make load, will be paid at the overload rate.

      2. When administrative or other duties are assigned beyond the normal workload expectations, a class load reduction may be granted.

    2. Load Calculations An instructional hour equivalent is an artificial unit of measure which does not necessarily correspond to credit, lecture, laboratory, clinical, or contact hour. An instructional hour equivalent is used for the purposes of calculating full-time loads and payment of supplemental contracts except where indicated. The following will be used for the purpose of calculating instructional hour equivalents:
      1. One college credit or college preparatory lecture hour equals 1.00 instructional hour equivalent.
      2. One studio, nursing clinical, technology, science laboratory, or activity hour where the faculty member is continually on site with students and facilitate all the student’s learning experiences equals 0.75 instructional hour equivalent.
      3. Other LCCC accredited health science clinicals in which LCCC students are assigned the supervision of an employee of the clinical facility and LCCC faculty make occasional visits to the clinical facility, are assigned on a sliding scale based on the number of students enrolled.
        1. Less than or equal to 5 students for each clinical hour equals 0.25 instructional hour equivalent.
        2. More than five but less than or equal to twelve students for each clinical hour equals 0.33 instructional hour equivalent.
        3. More than twelve students for each clinical hour equals 0.40 instructional hour equivalent.

    3. Under load When a faculty member’s class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or a full class load cannot be assigned to a faculty member, the division dean in consultation with the faculty member is to determine an alternative work assignment. The alternative work assignment may include additional duties during the current semester and/or workload in the following semester and/or summer session.
    4. Banking When a faculty member teaches more than fifteen (15) credit hours in the fall semester, those hours above fifteen (15) may be banked and used to make load for the spring semester. Hours in excess of fifteen (15) in the spring semester cannot be banked for the following academic year. If the faculty member has banked hours from the fall semester and does not need the additional hours in the spring semester in order to make load, the hours that had been carried over must be paid at the adjunct rate from the fall semester.
    5. Overload
      1. A faculty member may request or be asked to teach a course or courses over and above his/her contracted work hours. Any credit or contact hours that exceed the semester/yearly maximums but are needed to make a full teaching load will be paid at the adjunct rate of pay or may be banked from fall to spring of the same academic year.
      2. Total load should not exceed eighteen (18) hours in any semester unless deemed necessary and approved by the dean of the division. If the eighteen (18) hours are reached because of the number of credit hours of the courses in making load, then no overload will be assigned except with the approval of the Vice President of Instruction.
      3. Although a faculty member may request an overload, there is no guarantee that an overload will be assigned; overload assignments are contingent on enrollment and based on institutional need. When asked to take an overload, faculty members are encouraged to accept the assignment; however, overload assignments are not a requirement to remain in good standing. The Vice President of Instruction must approve any exceptions to this policy.
      4. The overload stipend is calculated at the adjunct rate of pay for the overload classes taught.
      5. The division dean is responsible for assuring the quality of instruction when faculty workloads are in excess of the standard.

    6. Stacking
      1. Same Time Period For stacked classes (multiple level or different classes taught by the same instructor during the same time period) one (1) credit hour will be added for the second stack with an additional 0.5 credit hours for each additional stack. An additional 0.5 credit hours will be added if the class is at 75% capacity. If the class is at 100% capacity, an additional 0.5 credit hours will be added. (i.e., three stacked classes offered for 3 credit hours at 100% capacity would equal 5.5 credit hours; two classes offered at 75% capacity would equal 4.5 credit hours). Exceptions may be due to load calculations.
      2. Different Time Periods Two or more classes taught by the same instructor with low enrollment [six (6) or fewer students in each class] may be stacked and count as one course. Classes with different prefixes, course numbers and/or different sections with low enrollment may be stacked when it is deemed necessary to offer these classes. The division dean will make this decision in consultation with the faculty member and approval from the Vice President of Instruction.

    7. Team-Taught Courses The numbers of credit hours are to be divided among the team-teaching faculty according to the contact hours taught by each.
    8. Summer Load Faculty members may teach six (6) to ten (10) credit hours during the summer session. Typically, this load is achieved with no more than three courses. Additionally, during the summer term three office hours will be maintained. Any faculty member teaching an electronically-delivered course must provide for an electronic equivalent of office hours. Any exception to this load must be approved by the appropriate division dean and the Vice President of Instruction.
    9. Preparations The usual number of class preparations for a faculty member will be three (3) to five (5) per semester, excluding same-period stacked classes. If / when the faculty member’s teaching assignment for any given semester exceeds six (6) class preparations (excluding same-period stacking), other workload assignments will be reduced proportionately.
      1. When two or more sections of the same class are taught by the faculty member during the same semester, those courses will be counted as a single class preparation.
      2. For one-credit hour courses that are part of a sequence in a semester (i.e., Word I, Word II, Word III), the first course counts as one (1) prep, two (2) courses are counted as 1.5 preps, and three (3) courses are counted as two (2) preps.

    10. Distributed Learning Faculty members should work with their division dean to determine whether a reduction in load is appropriate for teaching online, hybrid, and/or blended classes.
    11. Office Hours Faculty members must post office hours in places accessible to students such as in his/her syllabi and outside their office doors. The number and location of scheduled office hours should provide students easy access to the instructor as well as accommodation of student needs and student numbers. The following should be used as a guide when determining office hours.
      1. Office hours should be distributed at various days and times in order to meet student needs unless otherwise approved by the division dean.
      2. Full-time faculty member’s schedules shall reflect a minimum of seven (7) posted office hours available to students each week with an additional five (5) office hours on campus to be used for other professional responsibilities of the faculty member.
      3. Faculty will respond to student communication within 24 hours during the work week (Monday through Friday).
      4. Schedules of office hours and on-campus hours must be given to the division dean by the end of the fifth (5th) day of classes.

  3. Extended Faculty Contract
    1. Faculty may be placed on extended contract for a specified number of days or months of service beyond the normal nine-month contract year, which is subject to annual review, when one or more of the following conditions exist:
      1. Supervisory responsibility is required,
      2. Teaching is in a program in which the same level of activity and enrollment continues beyond the nine months,
      3. Teaching is in a program which is designed as a 12-month program or curriculum, and/or
      4. Employment is in an instructional-related area which requires year-round service.

    2. 2) Faculty members on extended appointments of less than 12 months' duration will follow the same or equal duty days and holidays as the nine-month faculty during the academic year. For the extended appointments, the days and responsibility will be designated. Faculty members in this category do not accrue vacation.

  4. Student Advising/Mentoring

    5. Full-time faculty members are expected to serve as advisors to students assigned to them. In the role of advisor, the faculty member assists the student in interpreting assessment information, choosing classes, planning an academic program, discussing academic or disciplinary problems, and choosing a career. Advisors may also aid in the placement of the student on a job after completion in his/her academic program.

    1. Assignment of up to and including 30 advisees (full- or part-time students) is considered part of a faculty member’s workload.
    2. All full-time faculty members are expected to maintain an “Advisee Contact Form” and submit it to their respective division dean at the end of each semester.
    3. Compensation for advising overload/documentation of advising loads is based on the following criteria:
      1. Faculty who advise more than 30 advisees and perform “documented advising” with them, as described in b) immediately below, are entitled to overload pay at the current hourly substitute rate per unduplicated student over 30 unduplicated advisees.
      2. To be eligible for advising overload compensation, all full-time faculty must submit a completed “Advisee Contact Form” to their respective division dean at the end of each of the fall and spring semesters. When face-to-face advising sessions are conducted, the advisee will sign and date the form. The advisor will record all information (advisee name, date, and time involved) for advising sessions conducted by telephone. The “Advisee Contact Form” should not include students or prospective students who are making general inquiries about the college, college programs, or program requirements. The form should list only those students who are actually pursuing a program of study and being guided (receiving career or transfer advice and developing a course schedule) by the advisor.

  5. Co-Curricular Assignments

    6. Compensation for directing all kinds of individual study, including tutorials, directed study or research, and credit by examination, will be uniform. The said compensation for any of the following assignments will be paid upon submission of the final grade and administration processing of same.

    1. Cooperative Education Faculty who participate in the Cooperative Education program will be reimbursed, in addition to their base pay, at the equivalent rate of one credit hour for six students. Divisions may arrange for alternate compensation where travel to out-of-town and out-of-state work stations will require a larger amount of time per student. Banking credit hour reduction or overload is acceptable within one academic year.
    2. Internship/Practicum Faculty coordinators for internships and/or practicum spend approximately fifteen (15) hours per internship/practicum student in finding work sites; matching students and work sites; assisting students in drafting of objectives; visiting work sites and supervisors; and evaluating students and work experience. Banking credit hour reduction or overload is acceptable within one academic year. Faculty coordinators for internship/practicum will be compensated on the following basis:
      1. Four to five students = 1 credit hour compensation
      2. Six to eight students = 2 credit hour compensation
      3. Nine to ten students = 3 credit hour compensation
      4. Eleven to thirteen = 4 credit hour compensation
      5. Fourteen to sixteen = 5 credit hour compensation
      6. Seventeen to nineteen = 6 credit hour compensation
      7. Twenty to twenty-two = 7 credit hour compensation
      8. Twenty-three to twenty-five = 8 credit hour compensation

    3. Self- and Independent Study Compensation is based on ten (10) percent of the faculty member’s current adjunct/overload rate per credit hour per student per semester to be limited to seven (7) students per semester. Self/Independent study courses must meet the following objectives:
      1. The self-study course must use the appropriate existing catalog course number and will be assigned section number 00; independent study courses will be numbered 1475 or 2475 for transferable courses and 1975 or 2975 for non-transferable courses.
      2. Course must be part of a defined college program of study.
      3. For self-study courses, there must be no other sections of the course printed in the official college schedule.
      4. There are no alternative courses for completion of the defined program of study printed in the current official college schedule.
      5. The faculty member and appropriate division dean(s) determine if it essential that this course be made available to students.
      6. The faculty member is willing be become a mentor.
      7. The faculty member will provide a course syllabus to the student and to the division office; assist the student in developing a self-study course contract that meets the objectives of the course and make final approval of the learning contract; meet with the student at least twice during the period of the learning contract; prepare and grade assignments that the student must complete; and evaluate and assign the grade for the student.

  6. Other Work Assignments
    1. Department Lead Instructor
      1. Release Time Department lead instructors shall be compensated for their duties as follows:
        1. Departments with ten (10) to twelve (12) full-time faculty: six (6) credit hours release time per semester;
        2. Departments with six (6) to nine (9) full-time faculty: three (3) credit hours release time per semester;
        3. Departments with three (3) to five (5) full-time faculty: one to one and a half credit hours release time per semester;
        4. Departments with less than three (3) full-time faculty members may be given one-half to one credit hour release time per semester when there are a large number of adjunct faculty members in the department or other extenuating circumstances.

      2. Expectations
        1. The department lead instructor will not teach an overload while on this work assignment unless requested and approved by the division dean.
        2. The department lead instructor will facilitate communication among all instructors within the department including adjunct, full-time, and concurrent enrollment faculty; coordinate activities and duties of all faculty within the department; and provide leadership for the department.
        3. For each credit hour or its equivalent that a department lead instructor is reassigned from the regular full-time teaching load, that lead instructor shall schedule two additional weekly-on-campus office hours.

      3. Duties The following are representational duties and responsibilities of department lead instructors when working with the division dean and members of the department.
        1. Foster democratic processes which encourage input and cooperation;
        2. Aid in developing a course schedule and identifying adjunct instructors;
        3. Assist in the coordination of the sequencing of courses within and between departments;
        4. Facilitate discourse regarding departmental coordination, equivalency, communication, and outcomes;
        5. Meet with the division dean on a regular basis and complete reports that may be requested by the dean;
        6. Assist with assessment issues;
        7. Facilitate the department program review process and updates as necessary;
        8. Provide leadership in articulation;
        9. Facilitate the use of technology with departmental faculty;
        10. Centralize textbook selection and ordering;
        11. Assist in supplying information needed for the preparation of the department budget;
        12. Assist the division dean in prioritizing the needs of the department to maintain a well-qualified staff. This prioritization will reflect the recommendations of the members of the department; and
        13. Other duties as assigned by the division dean that relate to the department.

      4. Selection Full-time faculty members who wish to be considered for lead instructors, must make application with their division dean.
      5. e. Term The term for a lead instructor will be for three years except when it is deemed necessary to terminate the assignment through input from the department and evaluation by the division dean.
      6. f. Term Limit Normal term limit is two consecutive three-year terms. This limit may be extended if no other members of the department wish to serve in this capacity.

    2. Program Directors The workload reassignment for Health Science program directors will be reviewed annually with the division dean. Completed copies of the reassignment will be placed in the program director’s personnel file. Based on the accreditation requirements and complexity of the program, Health Science program directors/coordinators have responsibilities including:
      1. Achievement of initial and continuing accreditation by discipline-specific associations.
      2. Submission of annual/periodic reports to accreditation associations and governmental regulatory boards, including notification of any significant college/programmatic changes affecting accreditation
      3. Membership on program advisory and regulatory boards, as needed.
      4. Selection of agencies for student clinical practicum learning experiences including coordination of clinical contracts.
      5. Fulfillment of contractual obligations and oversight with clinical agencies in which students have clinical practicum learning experiences.
      6. Management and monitoring of student recruitment, admissions, and selection process.
      7. Oversight for development, monitoring and revision of program curriculum and assessment plan(s).
      8. Oversight for development and maintenance of program laboratory facilities and assuring all equipment is in save and working order.
      9. Planning and coordination of graduate recognition ceremonies.
      10. Supervision of full- and part-time program faculty and staff, as required.
      11. Tracking program budget expenditures, budget preparation, purchasing requests.

    3. Release Time Release time from teaching duties may occur in order to meet the needs of students, maintain program standards, and accomplish objectives of the program, division, or college. Full-time faculty members in specific departments have duties related to and beyond classroom instruction. All requests for release time must be completed each academic year by the division dean and approved by the Vice President of Instruction. (See Appendix A.)
      1. Choral/Instrumental director – 20% release time per academic year
      2. Journalism instructor – 20% release time per academic year
      3. Forensics (Speech/Debate) – 40% release time per academic year
      4. Honors program coordinator – 40% release time per academic year
      5. Student Learning Assessment coordinator – 40% release time per academic year
      6. Phi Theta Kappa -- 20% release time per academic year
      7. Instructional Designer -- 40% release time per academic year
      8. Art Gallery Coordinator -- 20% release time per academic year
      9. Theater instructor -- 20% release time per academic year
      10. High Plains Register – 10% release time per academic year
      11. Health Science program directors – see section F,2
      12. Equine Judging Coach – 20% release time per academic year
      13. Livestock Judging Coach – 20% release time per academic year
      14. Ranch Horse Judging Coach – 20% release time per academic year

    4. Other In addition, each full-time faculty member shall:
      1. demonstrate competence in his/her teaching field and related technologies
      2. exhibit effective teaching
      3. develop curricula
      4. prepare syllabi, i.e., determine course content that is consistent with the catalog description
      5. attend faculty meetings and general assembly
      6. attend briefings on procedures, advising, registration, and general policy
      7. attend commencement
      8. provide extra help to students outside of class
      9. select instructional materials (textbooks)
      10. assist with registration
      11. complete appropriate administrative paperwork in a timely manner
      12. participate in faculty renewal and development programs
      13. teach off-campus, dual credit and by distance learning as required
      14. demonstrate and maintain competence in the use of instructional technology
      15. participate in recruitment activities
      16. educate themselves regarding College policies