Title
School of Data Science and Society: Policy on Faculty Course Buyouts
Introduction
Purpose
This policy addresses the allowability, approval process, and standard rates for a faculty member to be released from teaching a course assigned by the School of Data Science and Society (SDSS).
Scope
This policy applies to all faculty associated with SDSS who have a standard instructional workload expectation from the School.
Policy
Policy Statement
Eligibility
Only faculty on a 9-month tenured/tenure-track or teaching track (regardless of service length) are eligible to buy out of a course assignment. Since 12-month tenured/tenure-track faculty have lighter teaching obligations (e.g., half-semester graduate course modules), they are expected to fulfill the required teaching responsibility. Other fixed-term faculty (i.e., professors of practice, research faculty, clinical faculty) may buy out of a course assignment if they maintain a standard course load as part of their appointment.
An eligible faculty member may only buy out of half of their standard course load per academic year.
Rates
The table below lists the percentage of salary and maximum amounts that the buyout funding source must cover per course for the various types of faculty. The funding source must also cover the associated fringe benefits.
| |
Percent of Salary |
Maximum Amount |
| 9-month Tenured/Tenure-track (2 courses per year standard) |
30% |
$45,000 |
| 12-month Tenured/Tenure-track |
N/A |
N/A |
| Teaching-track |
15% |
$22,500 |
| Other |
Varies |
Varies |
Process
Faculty must secure approval from the SDSS Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs (SDSS SADAFA) to buy out a course assignment. Requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than the first day of classes in the regular term (i.e., Fall or Spring semester) preceding the term of the buyout. If approved by the SDSS SADAFA, the faculty member should coordinate with the SDSS Finance and Operations team to verify the funding sources for the buyout. If funding is unavailable or becomes unavailable, the approval for the buyout is rescinded.
Related Resources
External Regulations and Consequences
Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Amarjit Budhiraja, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs
Telephone: 919-445-0806
Email: budhiraj@email.unc.edu
Other Contacts
Subject: Buyout rates and technical process
Name: Joe Daley, Associate Dean for Finance and Operations
Telephone: 919-445-0806
Email: jjdaley@unc.edu