Trinity University
Faculty and Contract Staff Handbook
Table of Contents

(1)    INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, PURPOSE, AND STRUCTURE

(2)    FACULTY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

(3)    FACULTY GOVERNANCE POLICY

(4)    FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

(5)    RESEARCHER RESPONSIBILITIES

(6)    INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GUIDELINES

(7)    ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

(8)    EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND BENEFITS

(9)    APPENDIX

(1)    INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, PURPOSE, AND STRUCTURE

1. Historical Overview
2. Restated Articles of Incorporation of Trinity University
3. Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of Trinity University
4. The University Covenant
   • Preamble
   • Historical Context
   • The Covenant Affirmation
   • Statements of Understanding

1. The Mission of Trinity University: Statement of Institutional Identity and Strategic Objectives
2. Diversity for Excellence at Trinity—A Statement of Intent
3. Commitment to Excellence

1. The Office of the University President
2. The Office of Faculty & Student Affairs
3. The Office of Finance and Administration
4. The Office of External Affairs
5. The Office of Student Affairs
6. The Office of Information Resources
7. University Administrative Structure Chart

(2)    FACULTY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

1. Purpose of the Faculty Organization
2. The Academic Faculty
3. The University Curriculum Council
4. The Faculty Senate
5. The Commission on Promotion and Tenure
6. Implementation and Amendment

1. Authority
2. Membership
   1. Constitutional Provision
   2. Composition and Election According to Act of Academic Faculty Assembly
   3. Resignations and Replacements
   4. Organization of the Council
   5. Committees
3. Meetings
   1. Schedule
   2. Quorum
   3. Docket and Disposition of Business
4. Consent and Discussion Agendas
5. Effective Dates of Council and Faculty Actions
6. University Curriculum Council Standing Committees
      A.  Commission on Graduate Studies
           1.  Authority and Responsibility
           2.  Procedures
           3.  Membership
           4.  Approval of Actions
      B.  First Year Seminar Steering Committee
      C.  Committee for the Assessment of the Common Curriculum
7.  Adjunct Bodies
8.  Procedures
9.  Amendments

(2D)    FACULTY SENATE BYLAWS

1. Officers
2. Meetings and Agenda
3. Committees
4. Amendments

1. Overview
   1. Membership
   2. Rules of Procedure
2. University Committees
   1. Admissions, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
   2. Advising and Registration
   3. Board of Campus Publications
   4. Bookstore Operations
   5. Committee to Review University Compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act
   6. Conduct Review Board
   7. Diversity Committee
   8. Employee Benefits
   9. Lecturers and Visiting Scholars
   10. Library Activities
   11. Safety, Security, and Health
   12. Student Finance Board
   13. Sustainability Committee
   14. Advisory Committee for the Collaborative for Learning and Teaching
   15. Traffic and Parking
   16. University Conduct Board
   17. University Standards
3. Faculty Committees
   1. Faculty Development Committee
   2. University Distinguished Professorship Committee
   3. The Faculty Grievance Committee
   4. The Committee for the Evaluation of Courses and Faculty
   5. Faculty Committee on Information Technology
   6. Open Access Committee
   7. The Piper Professor Committee
4. Elected Faculty Governance Bodies and Committees (Faculty Constitution)
   1. Faculty Senate
   2. University Curriculum Council
   3. Commission on Promotion and Tenure
   4. The Investigating Committee
   5. The Hearing Committee
5. Administrative Committees
   1. Animal Research
   2. Institutional Biological Safety
   3. Institutional Review Board
   4. Commencement and Convocation
   5. Major Scholarships and Fellowships
   6. Intercollegiate Athletics
   7. Faculty Handbook
   8. Faculty Gold Room Oversight
   9. Martin Luther King, Jr.
6. Academic Programs and Advising Committees
   1. Academic Standing
   2. International Programs
   3. Council on Teacher Education
   4. Health Professions Advisory Committee
   5. Interdisciplinary Study Committees
   6. Prelaw Advisory Committee
7. Other Organizations and Committees
   1. Honor Societies
   2. University Club
   3. Trinity University Women’s Club

(3)    FACULTY GOVERNANCE POLICY

1. The Academic Faculty
2. Academic Freedom
3. Academic Responsibility
4. Appointment, Reappointment, and Tenure of the Academic Faculty
   1. Faculty Ranks
   2. Categories of Appointment
   3. Appointment Procedures
   4. Probationary Appointments
   5. Evaluation of Probationary Faculty
   6. Notification of Non-Reappointment
   7. Criteria for Reappointment and Tenure
   8. Process for Tenure Decisions
   9. Appeal of Negative Decision
   10. Counting Academic Leave for Non-Terminal Faculty
   11. Terms of Contract
   12. Faculty Retirement
   13. Employment of Family Members
5. Termination of Tenured or Unexpired Appointments
   1. Adequate Cause
   2. Salary Provisions
   3. Dismissal Procedures for Gross Misconduct
6. Due Process
   1. Guidelines
   2. Dismissal Procedures
   3. Dismissal Procedures for Gross Misconduct
   4. Non-Reappointment of Non-Tenured Faculty and Punitive Conditions of Employment Cases
   5. Inadequate Consideration Cases
   6. Publicity
7. Financial Exigency
   1. Principles and Procedures
   2. Individual Selection and Individual Rights
8. Procedures for Imposition of Sanctions Other Than Dismissal
   1. Severe Sanctions
   2. Minor Sanctions
9. Grievance Procedures
   1. Grievance Committee
   2. Petition
   3. Procedures
10. Standards for Ranks and Promotion
    1. Faculty Ranks
    2. Faculty Promotions
11. Public Service and Political Activities for Members of the Academic Faculty
    1. Public Service
    2. Election to Public Office
    3. Appointment to Public Office
    4. Participation in Political Campaigns
12. Amendment Procedure

• Appendix: Summary of Timetable for Evaluating Probationary Faculty

(3B)    DOCUMENTATION FOR CANDIDATES FOR PROMOTION AND TENURE

1. Selection, Evaluation, and Retention of Academic Administrators
   1. Selection of the President
   2. Selection of Academic Administrators Other Than the President
   3. Evaluation of the Vice President for Faculty & Student Affairs, Associate Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Information Resources, and the University Librarian
   4. Evaluation of Chairs of Departments and Programs
   5. Other Academic Administrators who Hold Rank as Members of the Academic Faculty and/or who are Directly Involved with the Faculty in the Academic Life of the University
2. Curriculum and Academic Policy
   1. Departments
   2. Chairs
   3. Divisional Councils
   4. Vice President for Faculty & Student Affairs
3. Resource Development and Management Responsibility
4. Salary Recommendations
5. Faculty Recruitment
6. Bodies of Advice and Consent
7. Conflict Mediation
8. Implementation and Amendment

1. Search Committees—Composition
2. Search Committee Duties
3. University Distinguished Professorship Committee
4. Negotiation Procedures by the President
5. General Considerations
6. Implementation and Amendment

• Addendum: General Criteria for Trinity University Distinguished Professorships

1. Establishing or Filling a Vacant Position
2. Spouse/Partner Appointment Procedures
3. Faculty Records
4. Disposition of Faculty Evaluation Materials
5. Guidelines in the Appointment of Adjunct Faculty
6. Early Retirement Policy

1. Interim Agreement
2. Implementation
3. Amendment

(4)    FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

1. The Faculty Development Committee (FDC)
2. Purposes and Responsibilities
3. Categories of Awards
   1. Academic Leave Policy
   2. Summer Stipends Policy
   3. Individual Course Development Policy
   4. Special Project Grants Policy
4. Oversight Responsibilities
5. Implementation and Amendment

1. Overview
2. Proposal Submission and Announcement Procedures
3. Application Procedures for New Proposals
4. Preparation and Distribution of Proposals
5. Proposal Review Procedures
   1. Panel Procedures and Recommendations
   2. Executive Committee Recommendations
   3. Final Recommendations and Announcements
   4. Filing of Evaluation, Proposal, and Award Records
   5. Confidentiality
6. Procedures for NEH Application Review
7. Amendments

(4D)    FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS

(5)    RESEARCHER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Statement on Sponsored Projects for Research, Scholarly Work, and Public Service
2. Investigator Responsibilities
3. University Responsibilities
   1. To the Investigator
   2. To the Sponsoring Agency
4. Proposal Development
   1. Internal Review Procedures Prior to Submission of the Proposal
   2. What to Submit and When
   3. Internal Review Timetable
   4. Project Management
   5. Proposal Format for Private Foundations and Corporations
5. Administration of Sponsored Projects

(5C)    OPEN ACCESS POLICY

(5D)    USE OF HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH

(5E)    ANIMAL CARE

(5F)     SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT

1. Definition
2. Procedures
   1. Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Scientific Conduct
   2. Initiation of Inquiries
   3. Inquiry
   4. Investigation
   5. Appeal and Final Review
   6. Disposition
3. Conclusion

(5G)     CONSULTING POLICY

1. Principles and Guidelines
   1. Principles
   2. Guidelines
2. In-House Consulting
   1. Relief of Departmental Duties
   2. Extra Compensation
   3. Supplemental Employment Restrictions
   4. Summer Activity Regulations

(5H)    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS

1. Research Assistant
2. Research Participant

(6)    INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GUIDELINES

1. Expression
2. Campus Climate
3. Maintenance of Orderly Processes
4. Procedures for Adoption and Amendment to this Statement

1. Class Schedules
2. Class Periods
3. Class Rolls
4. Course Outlines
5. Faculty Instructional Load
6. Faculty Absence
7. Excused Absences from Class While Representing the University
8. Class Tours and Field Trips
9. Trinity University Study Tours
10. Food, Beverages, and Smoking in the Classroom
11. Dismissal from a Class and Student Attendance
12. Policy Regarding Disruption of Class
13. Examination Security
14. Final Examinations
15. Reading Days
16. Safety in the Classroom
17. Faculty Presence
    1. Faculty Office Hours
    2. Registration
    3. Convocations
18. On-Campus Sales of Instructional Materials to Students
19. Outside Speakers
    1. Faculty-Sponsored Classroom Lectures
    2. Faculty- or Department-Sponsored Lectures Open to the Public
    3. Lectures Sponsored by Off-Campus Organizations

1. Grade Scale
2. Mid-Semester Grades for Undergraduates
3. Grade Reports
4. Pass/Fail Option
5. Courses in Progress
6. Incomplete Grades
7. Non-Credit Grades
8. Withdrawal
9. Dismissal from a Course
10. Grade Change Policy

1. Violations of Academic Integrity
   1. Cheating
   2. Counterfeit Work
   3. Falsification of Academic Records
   4. Falsification of Data or Creation of False Data
   5. Plagiarism
   6. Theft
   7. Unauthorized Reuse of Work
2. Procedures
   1. Process
   2. Appeal
   3. Committee on Academic Integrity
   4. Classification of Penalties
   5. Publication of Annual Report of Academic Integrity Violations
3. Amendments

1. Introduction
2. Change of Advisor

(6E)     STUDENT RECORDS

1. Purpose
2. Definition
3. Availability of Records
4. Custody of Records
5. General Rules of Policy

(6G)    EXCEPTIONS TO ACADEMIC POLICIES

(6H)    STUDENT EVALUATION OF COURSES AND FACULTY

1. Purpose for Course Evaluations
2. Formative and Summative Uses of Course Evaluations
3. Guidelines for the Course Evaluation Instrument
4. Amendment

(6I)     NONSEXIST LANGUAGE, EFFECTIVE WRITING, AND ORAL COMMUNICATION

1. Resolution on Nonsexist Language
2. Resolution on Effective Writing
3. Resolution on Speaking

(6J)     GUIDELINES FOR COMMON CURRICULUM COURSES

1. Purpose of the Curriculum
   1. The First Year Seminar Program
   2. The Writing Workshop Program
   3. Four Options for Fulfilling These Requirements
   4. Foreign Language, Computer and Mathematics Skills
   5. Fitness Education
   6. The Senior Experience
   7. The Understandings
2. Retroactive Approval of Courses for Common Curriculum
3. Transfer Credit Policy and the Common Curriculum
4. First Year Seminar Guidelines
5. English 1302 “Writing Workshop”
6. Criteria for all Understandings Courses
7. The Common Curriculum Understandings
   1. Understanding Cultural Heritage
   2. Understanding the Arts and Literature
   3. Understanding Human Social Interaction
   4. Understanding Quantitative Reasoning
   5. Understanding Natural Science and Technology

1. The Pledge 

2. Violations 

3. Academic Honor Council

4. Miscellaneous Guidelines in Response to Frequently Asked Questions

5. Assessment Procedures 

6. Amendments 

(7)    ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

• Alcoholic Beverages on Campus
• Cash Overage/Shortage Procedures
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Emergency Preparedness Policy and Procedures
• Firearm Policy
• Handling and Accounting for Cash by University Personnel
• Hazardous Materials Management Program
• HIV/AIDS Guidelines
• Key Control and Issue Policy
• Medical Emergencies
• Microcomputer Insurance
• Petty Cash Management
• Receipt, Custody, and Disbursement of Monies
• Safety Policy Statement
• Security Policy Statement
• Sexual Assault Programs and Procedures
• Smoking Policy
• Staff Identification Card
• Travel Policy
• Use of Institutional Name or Logo (Trademark Policy Statement)

(7B)    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICIES

1. Acceptable Use Policy
2. Network Protection Policy
3. Password Policy
4. Recurring Mass Email Opt-Out Policy
5. Information Technology Security Policy
6. Information Security Incident Response Policy
7. Cell Phone Purchasing Policy
8. Administrator Access Policy
9. Student Computer Service Center Policy
10. Computing Lab Policy
11. Patch Management Policy
12. Web Privacy Statement
13. Virtual Private Network (VPN) Policy
14. Electronic Communication
15. World-Wide Web Policy

1. Definitions
2. General Principles
3. Scheduling Official University Events
4. Trinity-Sponsored Events
5. Non-Trinity Sponsored Events
6. Reservation of Special Facilities by an Individual

7. Financial Responsibility of Users

8. Housing
9. Implementation and Amendment

1. Administration and Coordination
   1. Program Management
   2. Responsibilities of the Office of Conferences and Special Programs
2. Procedures for Conferences and Fee-Supported Noncredit Activities

(7E)     BOOKSTORE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. Statement of Purpose
2. Operations
3. Administration
4. Policies
   1. Selling Policy
   2. Pricing
   3. Desk Copies
   4. Textbook Requisitions
   5. Check Cashing
   6. Special Orders
   7. UPS Services
   8. Office Supplies
   9. Bookstore Hours
   10. Faculty/Staff Authors
   11. Bookstore Services

(7F)     CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

1. Policy
2. Exceptions
3. Standard for Compliance
4. Reports and Investigation
5. Definitions

(8)    EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND BENEFITS

1. Faculty Employment
2. Contract Staff Employment
   1. Filling a Vacant or New Position
   2. Evaluation of Contract Staff
   3. Resignation/Termination of Contract Staff
   4. Due Process
3. Postdoctoral Staff Employment
4. Classified Staff Employment

(8B)    NON-DISCRIMINATION AND DIVERSITY POLICY

(8C)    ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

1. Anti-Harassment
2. Implementation and Amendment

(8D)    CODE OF CONDUCT

(8E)    EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

1. Tuition Remission Policy
   1. Employee Tuition Remission
   2. Dependent Tuition Remission
2. Tuition Exchange
3. Tuition Remission and Exchange Policy Summary
4. Conference and Special Programs Reduction

(8F)    INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS

1. Trinity University Flexible Benefits Plan (TFBP)
2. Other Benefits
   1. Retirement/Pension Plan and Social Security
   2. TIAA-CREF Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA)
   3. Unemployment Compensation
   4. Worker’s Compensation Insurance
   5. University Risk Insurance
3. Financial Services
   1. Automobile Insurance
   2. Homeowners and Tenants Insurance
   3. Check Cashing
   4. Credit Union
   5. Payroll Check Procedure
4. Cultural and Athletic Benefits
   1. Theater and Cultural Events
   2. Elizabeth Huth Coates Library
   3. Use of Recreational Facilities
   4. Bookstore Benefits
5. Special Benefits for Retired Faculty and Staff

(8G)     LEAVES AND SCHEDULED ABSENCES

1. Academic Leaves
2. Court Duty
3. Disability Leave
4. Family and Medical Leave

5. Funeral Leave

6. Parental Leave Policy for Academic Departmental Faculty

7. Parental Leave Policy for Faculty Who Accrue Sick or Vacation Time

8. Military Leave
9. Probationary Period and Leave
10. Short-Term Medical Leaves for Faculty
11. Sick Leave
12. Vacation Leave

(9)    APPENDIX

(9B)    OTHER HANDBOOKS, BULLETINS, AND PUBLICATIONS

(9C)   POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR PROMOTION AND
TENURE OF ACADEMIC FACULTY 

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This page was last modified on 10/20/11.  For further information, please call (210) 999-8201, or write to Office of Academic Affairs Trinity University One Trinity Place San Antonio, Texas  78212-7200