Adjunct Faculty Online Handbook

Beginning of the Semester

THE ROLE OF INSTRUCTOR
ADJUNCT FACULTY

The Role of the Instructor: The instructor has a primary role in the implementation of the District's educational philosophy. As a result, the instructor occupies a position of trust in relation to both students and the community, and this freedom to teach must be exercised responsibly. The role of the instructor includes:

1. The presentation of issues and information openly, with fairness and clarity;
2. The discussion of arguments from various points of view, avoiding the imposing of personal opinions by the pressure of instructional authority;
3. Encouraging students to analyze issues impersonally, to think critically and to draw independent conclusions;
4. The duty to present in the classroom issues related to the course of study and to the general education program of the college.

Specific instructor responsibilities: Please read carefully the Special Employment Agreement Attachment which you will be asked to sign along with your contract. It lists the specific responsibilities of your position as adjunct faculty. A sample of this agreement can be found in the back of this handbook.

Absences: The Special Employment Agreement Attachment lists the following specific points regarding absence from class:

• If unable to attend class, the faculty member will be required to arrange for class assignments/instruction in consultation with the appropriate supervisor. You should call your Division Office or the Evening Office if you know of an impending absence.
• The instructor under contract is responsible for handling any financial compensation of a substitute, should a substitute be used.
• Under unusual and exceptional situations the college may be required to pay the substitute. In those situations the pay of the instructor under contract would be reduced by the amount of the substitute pay.
• In all cases where substitutes are used, the individual engaged is required to have the minimum teaching credentials for the subject area.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Be well-prepared for each class session.
2. Teach from an approved syllabus for each course.
3. Check your assigned mailboxes before each class.
4. Certify and submit final grade rolls in accordance with the deadlines and guidelines established by the registrar.
5. Maintain accurate grade books in accordance with the guidelines established, and file the grade books with the division office at the end of the semester.
6. Be familiar with the contents of handbooks, instructional resources and other items of information which may be distributed to faculty.
7. Enforce District and College policies and procedures, including provisions which prohibit the use of tobacco and the consumption of food and/or beverages in classrooms.
8. Encourage student success by providing students with information regarding