College of Arts and Sciences: APS Policy on Faculty Workload

Unit Policy

Title

College of Arts and Sciences: APS Policy on Faculty Workload

Introduction

Purpose

The main purpose of this document is to establish expectations and guidelines about the work of departmental faculty. This document is intended to make clear the research, teaching and service expectations of Applied Physical Sciences faculty so that the department contributes appropriately to the missions of the College of Arts & Sciences and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Scope

The policy applies to all full-time faculty in Applied Physical Sciences with multi-year appointments. This includes tenure/tenure track and term teaching and research faculty. This policy does not apply to adjunct faculty in the department.

Policy

Policy Statement

The general standards that govern the annual review for all faculty are (1) a demonstrated commitment to, and continuing achievement of, teaching excellence and (2) continuing service to the Department, the College, the University, public and governmental bodies, the community and broader public, and the academic profession more broadly. Tenure-track faculty must also show a demonstrated commitment to, and continuing achievement of, excellence in research and creative activity. The specific work and performance expectations vary across stages of a faculty member’s career.

Tenure-track faculty will generally allocate effort as 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service. Teaching-track faculty will generally allocate effort as 80% teaching and 20% service. Research-track faculty will generally allocate effort as 80% research and 20% service. Expectations for the types of activities that are of teaching, research, and service in the department are outlined below.

Teaching consists of classroom instruction and teaching-related activities, including course design and preparation; grading; supervision of independent reading courses; undergraduate student mentoring and advising; and graduate student advising and mentoring. Tenure-track faculty in the department typically teach two courses per academic year and teaching-track faculty in the department typically teach six courses per academic year. Faculty could teach fewer courses if the faculty member carries a significant service load (see variable workloads below).

Research and creative activity involve the work of discovering, disseminating, and applying knowledge and professional expertise. These activities may include (but are not limited to) working in laboratories, studios, clinical or community settings conducting empirical and/or theoretical research, engaging in development or translational work, and/or producing creative works. Toward that end, faculty write articles, books, monographs, and grant proposals, write patents, develop intellectual property, edit scholarly journals, prepare juried art exhibits, direct centers and institutes, or perform in plays, concerts, or musical recitals.

Service includes activities that advance the institution’s work and the institution’s role in supporting intellectual communities and the public. Faculty service work may include activities that enhance the scholarly life of the university or the discipline, improve the quality of life of society, or promote the general welfare of the institution, professional and academic societies, the state, the nation, the local or state community, or the global community. Faculty members may also be assigned administrative responsibilities within the department, College, and University. Examples of service activities include: serving on advisory boards, state boards, department committees, and entrepreneurial activities (e.g. starting a company, serving on a company board).

Faculty Workload Plan

Each faculty member must work with the chair to develop a mutually-agreed upon work plan. The plan should follow the guidance from the University by providing 1) an allocation of effort for teaching, research, and service; 2) specific efforts and outputs for teaching, research, and service; and 3) identification of how progress will be measured.

College faculty engage in three essential functions: teaching, research, and service. Table 1 outlines the standard distribution of effort across those three areas during the academic year not including the summer terms.

Table 1: Standard Distribution of Effort
Area Teaching-Track Faculty Research-Track Faculty (non-tenured) Tenure-Track/Tenured Faculty
Teaching 80% 0% 40%
Research/Scholarship 0% 80% 40%
Service 20% 20 20%

Variable workloads:

In rare cases, workloads may vary from the standards above with permission from the Dean’s Office. One example is an enhanced service load. Service to departments, the College, and University further the mission of the University and are critical to students, faculty, and staff. Table 2 provides some example distribution of effort for leadership roles.

Table 2: Distribution of effort for leadership roles
Area Department/Curriculum Chair DGS/DUS/Associate Chair/DL
Teaching 20% Dependent on specific leadership role, e.g. 30%
Research/Scholarship 20% Dependent on specific leadership role, e.g. 40%
Service 60% Dependent on specific leadership role, e.g. 30%

Related Requirements

External Regulations

The Department’s policies are subject to those set forth in the following University publications. The most recent edition of each document takes precedence.

Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Theo Dingemans, Chair, Applied Physical Sciences

Telephone: 919-843-4048

Email: tjdatunc@email.unc.edu

Additional Contact

Office: Dean's Office

Telephone: 919-962-1165

Email: artsandsciences@unc.edu

Print Article