The Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University is committed to providing the highest possible quality instruction to undergraduate and graduate

students. Adjunct faculty play a key role in fulfilling the instructional mission of the College, and are an important part of the University community. We value the expertise and experience of our adjunct faculty. This handbook addresses concerns of adjunct and clinical faculty members, including important pedagogical issues such as syllabus content, examination policies and student evaluation procedures. The handbook outlines University services and benefits available to adjunct and clinical faculty and provides information on administrative issues such as pay schedule and appointment procedures.

OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

Old Dominion University strives to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation or disability. These policies apply to the employment of adjunct faculty. The University Affirmative Action Plan is available from the Director of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action. In addition, the Old Dominion University Faculty Handbook outlines the general policies and procedures of the institution. Your departmental office can provide access to a copy of the Faculty Handbook. This Adjunct Faculty Handbook addresses issues of particular concern to those teaching on a part-time basis in the Darden College of Education.

DARDEN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The Darden College of Education is composed of the following departments: Early Childhood, Speech Language Pathology and Special Education; Educational Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Leadership and Counseling; Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Recreation; and Occupational and Technical Studies.

Mission

The Darden College of Education is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service through the use of innovative practices and technology. We are dedicated to preparing distinguished professionals in our comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs.

APPOINTMENT

Adjunct and clinical faculty are one of the most important resources of the Darden College of Education. Your efforts are highly valued by your department, and we want you to become part of the University’s collegial network. If you encounter problems, need advice, or have suggestions about your course, you should feel free to talk with your department chair. Communication among faculty is a distinguishing feature of university life. We invite you to become part of the dialogue.

Before an individual can teach on a part-time basis, he or she must be appointed as an adjunct or clinical faculty member. The normal term of appointment is one year. However, appointment as an adjunct or clinical faculty member does not guarantee employment at any time during the term of appointment. Rather, adjunct status is a necessary precondition to teach.

The University employs adjunct or clinical faculty members to teach when a full-time faculty member is not available for assignment to the course. No guarantee of employment is made until registration for the course has been completed. A part-time instructor will not be employed for a course canceled due to inadequate enrollment or for a course reassigned to a full-time faculty member.

After input from departmental faculty, the department chair recommends appointment of adjunct or clinical faculty to the dean. The dean approves or disapproves the appointment and reports the action to the provost. In the instance of appointment to a rank higher than instructor (adjunct assistant professor, adjunct associate professor, etc.), the chair recommends appointment to the dean. If the dean agrees, he or she recommends appointment to the provost, who approves or disapproves.

Criteria for academic rank of adjunct or clinical faculty are consistent with those for full-time faculty. Instructors typically lack the terminal degree. Assistant professors usually have the terminal degree but have not yet demonstrated significant accomplishment in research or creative activity. Associate professors hold the terminal degree and have demonstrated substantial accomplishment in research or creative activity. Professors are those with terminal degrees and national reputations for scholarship and/or creative activity and hold high level administrative or teaching positions in school districts or community agencies.

The following criteria apply for appointment to graduate instruction in the Darden College of Education:

Clinical Faculty Supervising Students in the field

1. A minimum of a master's degree that includes 18 credits in the discipline of the individual being supervised.

2. Written justification to support the individual's appointment for the particular course(s) being supervised.

3. A minimum of three years of successful work experience in the field.

4. A course or equivalent experience in effective ways to supervise or mentor potential teachers, counselors or other professionals

Graduate Instruction Level 1 (500/600 level courses)

Instructors teaching on this level should have a doctorate with a minimum of 18 credits in the appropriate discipline, evidence of effective teaching and contributions to the discipline.

Exceptions to the doctorate can be made and must include a written justification to support the individual's appointment. This individual must have a minimum of a master's degree, 18 credits in the appropriate discipline, demonstrate a history of successful experience in the field and one of the following:

1. One article in a refereed journal or other qualified refereed publication

over the past five years, or

2. Significant contributions to the professions over the past five years.

3. Evidence of effective teaching

Graduate Instruction Level 2 (700/800 level courses)

1. A doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline.

2. A successful experience in the field.

3. A minimum of two articles in refereed journals or other qualified refereed publications over the past three years, two articles in refereed journals or other qualified refereed publications over the past five years or evidence of significant contributions to the discipline/profession over the past five years.

4. Evidence of effective teaching