Navigating Grand Valley State University's Learning Contract Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide for Faculty
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) places a significant emphasis on structured academic processes to ensure effective teaching, robust student learning, and equitable evaluation. For faculty members, understanding the specific requirements related to course management, student interaction, and professional responsibilities is paramount. This article delves into the essential elements that constitute GVSU's learning contract requirements for faculty, drawing upon university policies and operational guidelines to provide a clear and actionable framework.
Faculty Responsibilities in Class Management and Continuity
Faculty members are fundamentally responsible for meeting all classes for which they are scheduled. This core responsibility extends to proactive planning for potential absences. In instances where absences can be anticipated, faculty must obtain approval from their Department Unit Head using the designated "Absence from Class" form. Following this approval, the faculty member bears the responsibility for arranging for substitutes or otherwise ensuring their teaching assignments are covered. This commitment to continuity is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the academic calendar and the student learning experience.
The university operates on a semester system, comprising fall and winter semesters, each a minimum of 15 weeks in length, inclusive of days dedicated to final examinations. A spring/summer session is also offered, spanning 12 weeks and structured into two distinct 6-week sessions. Certain courses may be scheduled for established "Part-of-Term" durations, necessitating careful attention to their specific timelines.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Instruction: Blackboard Ultra
Grand Valley State University provides "Blackboard Ultra," a highly customizable course management program designed to facilitate online interaction and resource sharing. This platform allows faculty to post documents and engage with students remotely, offering a user-friendly interface that many faculty members have found to be an effective instructional tool. Blackboard Ultra is accessible through most web browsers and can also be found by selecting the Bb icon on the Grand Valley homepage banner.
A course will appear on an instructor's Blackboard Ultra site once Human Resources and Records have processed the necessary paperwork assigning a professor to the class. If an instructor chooses not to utilize Blackboard Ultra, the course site can be set to "unavailable." GVSU Information Technology (IT) offers comprehensive training classes on the use of Blackboard. Faculty can obtain information about these training sessions through their Department Professional Support Staff (PSS).
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Procedural Adherence for Class Schedule and Enrollment
Any modifications to the instructor, time, or place of meeting for a scheduled class require the explicit approval of the Department Unit Head and the Dean of the College. Instructors are advised to download a copy of their preliminary class list from Blackboard Ultra or Banner. This list should be meticulously checked against students attending the class to confirm proper enrollment. Should difficulties arise in downloading the class list, guidance should be sought from the Department PSS. Final class lists become available for download after the seventh day of the semester. Importantly, students not registered for a class by the conclusion of the drop-add week should not be permitted to continue attending. Any queries regarding student enrollment can be addressed by the Department PSS, who can verify enrollment status on Banner. Students seeking closed class permits should be directed to the Department Unit Head.
The Role of Department Professional Support Staff (PSS)
Department Professional Support Staff (PSS) are integral to facilitating the instructional program. Directly supervised by the Department Unit Head, the PSS is primarily responsible for assignments related to departmental operations. To ensure clerical efficiency, it is imperative that all faculty members submit work requests to their Department PSS well in advance of the due date. Some academic units also benefit from student assistance, further streamlining departmental functions.
Upholding Student Privacy: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a critical federal law that governs the privacy of student education records. FERPA strictly prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student's education records without their written consent, with certain exceptions. This means faculty members are prevented from sharing information about their students with interested parties, including parents and spouses, without appropriate approvals. Each individual granted access to student data and information holds a position of trust and must preserve the security and confidentiality of the information they utilize. Adherence to all applicable Federal and State guidelines and University policies regarding data confidentiality, including FERPA, is mandatory. Individuals with authorized access to Grand Valley State University’s computer resources, information systems, records, or files are permitted to use the University’s data or files solely for the business of the University.
Student Feedback and Course Evaluation: LIFT
LIFT (Laker Impressions of Faculty Teaching) represents GVSU's university-wide system for collecting student feedback on courses and instructors. Typically, during the final two weeks of the semester, every CECI instructor undergoes an anonymous evaluation by their students.
Syllabus Requirements and Essential Course Information
Faculty members are encouraged to request a sample syllabus for the course they will be teaching from their unit's representative. Recommended statements to include in the syllabus encompass: Student with Disabilities, Plagiarism, Withdrawal Policy, Incomplete Policy, and Academic Dishonesty. It is the policy of each unit/department that every student receives a syllabus at the first regularly scheduled class meeting. The Department PSS will maintain an electronic copy of each syllabus on file.
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Emergency Preparedness and Communication
In situations where circumstances necessitate changes to the normal academic operations, such as inclement weather or other emergencies, the university outlines specific protocols. In most cases, the university will not cancel classes but will shift to remote status whenever feasible. Classes that cannot be delivered remotely will not be held. Staff will transition to remote work arrangements whenever possible. If a decision is made to cancel classes while classes are in session, faculty will be notified by staff or Campus Security. Faculty are urged to share with their students the designated tornado safety location information when reviewing their syllabus. The University has identified specific safety locations for sheltering the campus community during inclement weather. Green placards are displayed at these designated safety locations throughout campus. In the event of a tornado siren or GVSUAlert!, faculty should be prepared to guide students to these locations. The "All Protective Actions" document outlines procedures for various emergency situations.
Proctoring and Administering Examinations
Faculty members are responsible for proctoring all of their classroom examinations. When faculty anticipate an inability to be present for an exam, they must detail on their "Absence from Class" form the name of the faculty member who will proctor the exam. Affiliates, Visitors, and Part-Time faculty are eligible to serve as proctors. Ordinarily, Department PSS and graduate assistants are excluded from proctoring duties. Under no circumstances is an undergraduate student permitted to proctor an exam.
Similarly, faculty are responsible for administering all make-up examinations. Department PSS are not authorized to provide this service.
Culminating Course Experiences and Final Examinations
Instructors are expected to provide a culminating experience for each course. This can take various forms, such as the final exam, the submission of a take-home final with a discussion of correct answers, class presentations, or another appropriate class activity. This culminating experience should ideally occur at the time and location scheduled by the Registrar. Any deviations from this schedule require approval from the appropriate academic dean.
The final day of classes for the fall semester is December 16, 2023, and for the winter semester, it is April 27, 2024. Examination periods are typically scheduled based on the first lecture of the week for a given course. Courses that do not fit this standard schedule will have their examinations arranged by the instructor in consultation with the Dean's Office. Examinations will normally be conducted in the same rooms where lectures are delivered.
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Grade Submission and Reporting Procedures
Grades are to be entered using Banner, GVSU's comprehensive records system. Midterm grades are reported by the Registrar at the midterm point and again at the conclusion of the semester. Midterm grades are specifically reported for all freshmen, international students, and any undergraduate student not in good academic standing. Final grades, reported at the end of each academic term, become a part of the student's official record. Final grade reports are typically available on the Web within one week of the last day of the examination period, provided there are no interruptions due to university closures for holidays.
Credit/No Credit Options and Incomplete Grades
Undergraduate students have the option to elect certain undergraduate coursework on a credit/no credit basis. A maximum of 10 semester hours of major, minor, or cognate courses can be taken on a credit/no credit basis, but this requires the consent of the student’s major department. Furthermore, a maximum of 25 percent of a student’s total Grand Valley courses earned towards graduation requirements may be taken on a credit/no credit basis, with "Credit" defined as a grade of "C" or above.
An incomplete grade ("I") requires an incomplete grade form to be submitted to the Department Unit Head and the CECI Dean’s Office. Students are expected to complete the outstanding course requirements according to a specified schedule: for fall semester incompletes, completion is due by the end of the winter semester; for winter and spring/summer incompletes, completion is due by the end of the fall semester. Instructors are obligated to file a change of grade form or request an extension for an "I" grade at the end of each semester. Extensions for "I" grades may be granted by the instructor under exceptional circumstances, such as documented illness or military service.
Student Withdrawals from Courses
Students may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of "W" if a completed and signed drop form is presented to the Registrar by the end of the eighth week of the semester. Students who do not officially withdraw before this deadline must accept a grade other than "W," which will be determined by the instructor's assessment of their performance and any mitigating circumstances.
Guest Speaker Parking and University Policy
Should a faculty member decide to invite a guest speaker to campus, it is essential to be aware of parking regulations. Guest speakers will require an e-parking permit to park on any GVSU campus, or they may opt to use a metered parking spot and pay the associated fee. Failure to comply with parking regulations may result in a costly ticket.
Technical Assistance for Faculty
Faculty members encountering technical difficulties while teaching are encouraged to contact IT directly at 331-2101. It is most efficient to work directly with the IT Service Desk to resolve any technical issues. When contacting IT, faculty should provide their location (room number and campus) and a clear description of the problem.
Office Hours and Faculty Availability
Members of the faculty are expected to publish their office hours. For a standard teaching load, instructors should be accessible to students for a minimum of one hour per week for every three credits taught. This availability can be a combination of in-person office hours and online communication, including virtual office hours. Each instructor must maintain reasonable availability to meet with students in person. Office hours should be clearly stated on the syllabus and announced in class.
The Frederik Meijer Center for Teaching and Learning (FTLC)
The Frederik Meijer Center for Teaching and Learning (FTLC) serves as a catalyst for promoting a culture of teaching excellence at Grand Valley State University. It advocates for innovative teaching and student-centered pedagogies and partners with faculty to prepare students for meaningful contributions to their professions and societies. All resources offered by the FTLC are available to adjunct instructors.
Document Retention and Confidentiality
Examinations, tests, quizzes, term papers, and other assessments used to evaluate student knowledge are to be retained by the instructor or department for one complete academic year. Proper disposal of documents containing student names or G numbers must be done either by placing them in a designated West Michigan Shredding box, supplied by each academic department, or by manual shredding.
Faculty Evaluation and Performance Review
The primary responsibility of faculty is excellent teaching. Student course evaluations, colleague opinions, and evaluations by the Department Unit Head are utilized to assess teaching effectiveness. Faculty are expected to demonstrate at least effective teaching on annual reviews, and their duties and performance over the previous six years are considered in personnel decisions.
Human Subjects Research and Ethical Considerations
Faculty members contemplating the incorporation of any class assignment that involves human subjects research, including having students conduct surveys, must be aware that GVSU has strict guidelines for such activities. These guidelines are in place to ensure ethical research practices and protect the welfare of participants.
Student Support Services and Resources
Grand Valley State University offers a comprehensive array of student support services designed to aid students in their academic and personal development.
The CECI Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) provides advising to CECI students on graduation requirements, course scheduling, transfer equivalencies, internships, and scholarships. This office also offers registration services that complement web registration and handles course overrides for classes that are already full. The main office is located in 321C DeVos Center, and can be reached at (616) 331-6890.
The GVSU Career Center assists students with career counseling, helping them to identify and pursue suitable career paths. Career seminars and development courses are offered each semester.
The Counseling Center staff offers personal counseling to students facing challenges such as social adjustments, self-awareness, anxiety, depression, and general adjustment to college life.
Student Conduct is governed by the Student Code, a copy of which can be obtained by students or faculty through a provided link.
Students with Disabilities: If a student in the class has special needs due to a learning, physical, or other disability, faculty should contact Disability Support Resources (DSR) at (616) 331-2490.
Inclusion and Equity: Grand Valley State University is committed to being a national model for equity and inclusion in higher education. This commitment involves implementing and innovating evidence-based best practices, responding to regional and national trends, and contributing to discourse on the responsibility of higher education to provide equity and inclusion to all students, faculty, and staff.
Teaching Assignments and Faculty Workload
Teaching assignments are the responsibility of the Dean, who typically delegates this authority to the Department Unit Head. Assignments are generally made based on an instructor's competency and experience, as well as the department's need to offer major, cognate, and general education courses in a timely manner. It is important to note that course assignments are contingent upon adequate student enrollment across the College.
Textbook and Course Material Costs
Textbooks and related course materials remain essential for knowledge delivery. Recognizing the rising costs of these materials, the University aims to provide high-quality educational resources at the lowest possible cost to students. This involves minimizing textbook and course material expenses while upholding educational quality and academic freedom.
Faculty Responsibilities: Scholarship, Service, and Teaching
Faculty responsibilities at GVSU encompass teaching, scholarship, and service. Effective teachers are expected to possess deep disciplinary expertise and foster students' abilities to navigate complexity, diversity, and change. A strong emphasis is placed on promoting student learning, developing critical thinking skills, and supporting students in their academic endeavors. Faculty are encouraged to refine courses using feedback and reflection, learn from their experiences, and continuously improve their instruction. Scholarship, often including inquiry and expression, is a component of each faculty member’s workload. Service work is also a significant aspect of faculty responsibilities, contributing to the university and broader community. These duties and performance metrics are considered in renewal, tenure, promotion, and salary increment decisions.
Internship Requirements and Procedures
For students pursuing internships, a structured process is in place. Students are encouraged to form ideas for projects and contact organizations of interest. The ENS Community Engagement and Employment Resources page offers numerous leads and lists online sites for internship and job postings. Upon securing an internship, students must log into GVSU's Internship Management System to complete the Internship Agreement Form. Students may request 1-6 credits for their internship, with one credit hour equivalent to 50 hours of work. The "Description of Internship" field requires the identification of at least three key learning objectives agreed upon by the student and their site supervisor. Internships during the spring/summer session are for the duration of the full 12-week semester, as SIS does not offer a condensed 6-week internship course. Questions regarding the Internship Agreement Form should be directed to the Internship Coordinator prior to submission, as the form becomes inaccessible once submitted. After online submission, the form is reviewed by the site supervisor and the internship advisor. Approval does not automatically register the student in the course, as there is no formal class to attend for internships; learning occurs on the job.
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