Title
School of Nursing: Standard On Faculty Enrolled As Students
Unit Standard
Introduction
Purpose
To provide a standard for faculty who wish to enroll in a graduate or certificate program at any institution of higher education.
Scope of Applicability
For faculty considering furthering their education.
Standard
The following Guidelines apply to UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing (SON) faculty members who wish to enroll or are enrolled in a degree or certificate program, either at UNC-Chapel Hill or at another institution. Faculty members are required to consult with their division head before enrolling in a degree or certificate program.
Degree Programs
Degree Programs at Other Institutions or UNC-Chapel Hill Schools and Departments Other than the SON
According to the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School Handbook,
"Members of the General Faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill may not pursue a graduate degree at this institution except under the following conditions:
- The course of study and the conditions of employment are approved annually by The Graduate School; and
- The employing academic program chair(s) and dean must certify annually that the degree to be pursued is of demonstrable value to the institution."
The SON encourages its full- and part-time, permanent and temporary faculty members to pursue doctoral degrees at other institutions or, when relevant, other departments/schools within the University. In support of these endeavors, a division head may take into consideration the scheduling requests of a faculty member pursuing a doctoral degree. For example, at the request of the faculty member, the division head may consider decreasing the percent FTE time the faculty member is employed. The ability to accommodate such requests will be based on the needs of the school to fulfill its mission. However, faculty members must fulfill all components of the faculty role, even when enrolled in a degree program, and educational coursework is not counted toward workload for the SON.
Degree Programs at the SON
The SON recognizes that individuals occupying more than one role (faculty and student) in an organization at the same time may create actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Therefore, to prevent actual or perceived conflicts of interest, faculty members in the SON may not enroll in a degree-granting program within the SON. In accordance with University Human Relations policies, multi-year contract or tenure track faculty may request a one year educational leave of absence. If the educational program requires greater than one year, the faculty will be required to resign their faculty appointment and reapply for open positions once the degree is completed.
Certificate Programs
Certificate Programs at Other Institutions or UNC-Chapel Hill Schools and Departments Other than the SON
The SON encourages its full- and part-time, permanent and temporary faculty members to pursue Certificates at other institutions or, when relevant, other departments/schools within the University. In support of these endeavors, a division head may take into consideration the scheduling requests of a faculty member pursuing a certificate program whenever possible based on the ability of the school to meet its mission.
Certificate Programs at the SON
Faculty members may enroll as non-degree seeking students in certificate programs in the SON. However, to minimize actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise from the dual roles the faculty member will occupy, the following guidelines apply:
- An SON faculty member enrolled in a non-degree certificate program in the SON may not teach or advise students at the program level that sponsors the certificate program. In addition, a faculty member seeking a certificate in the SON may not teach specific undergraduate courses in which graduate students are enrolled. For example, a faculty member seeking a Post-Graduate Certificate cannot teach or advise students in the MSN program or RN-MSN program. They may teach courses/clinical at the ABSN or BSN levels.
- A SON faculty member enrolled in a non-degree certificate program in the SON may not hold administrative or coordinator (program or advanced practice area), appointments that relate to the program level that sponsors the certificate program.
- An SON faculty member enrolled in a non-degree certificate program in the SON may participate in BAC, but not in any other admissions committees. A SON faculty member enrolled in a non-degree Graduate Certificate program in the SON may not participate in discussions or decisions pertaining to student progression at the graduate level or Graduate Executive Committees.
- Faculty members enrolled in certificate programs cannot serve on APT or APR.
- Upon notification that a faculty member wishes to enroll in a non-degree certificate program, the faculty member's division head will meet with the faculty member, discuss and document the workload assignment, verify that the assignment meets these Guidelines, and then forward the workload document to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for review.
- The SON faculty member enrolling in a non-degree certificate program must sign a statement declaring that they have read and will adhere to these guidelines. This signed statement, along with the documented workload agreement will be placed in the faculty member's personnel file.
- Additional conditions may apply based on individual circumstance as discussed with the Associate Dean of their Division and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Resources
If you have questions regarding these Guidelines, please contact your division head.
Exceptions
N/A
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Peggy Wilmoth, Associate Dean Academic Affairs
Other Contacts
N/A
Important Dates
- Effective Date and title of Approver: 9/20/2010
Approved by:
Peggy Wilmoth
Executive Vice Dean/Associate Dean Academic Affairs