Authority, Purpose and Academic Organization

1.11.1 Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs is the chief academic officer of the College and oversees all matters relating to academic and student affairs within the educational program. This officer works closely with other administrators to provide a broad and challenging curriculum that is consistent with the Mission Statement of the College and all policies that have been developed and approved to guide the development of the educational program. This officer reports to the President.

1.11.2 Dean, Academic Affairs
The College’s Division of Academic Affairs is administered by the Dean of Academic Affairs. This officer reports to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

1.11.3  Department Chairs
The individual responsible for directing an academic department shall be known as the “Chair.” Each department will have a Chair or acting Chair. A department Chair shares in the administration of the College, is responsible for representing views of the faculty to administrators, and for communicating administrative information to the department. Chairs are evaluated yearly by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs according to procedures and outcomes agreed upon between the Chair and the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

1. Method of Selection
   The Chair of a department is appointed by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs, with the concurrence of the President. When a vacancy occurs, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs, in consultation with the department members, will establish selection criteria and then determine whether an external or internal Chair will be sought.If an internal Chair is sought, all members of the department will nominate a candidate giving their reasons for nomination. These nominations will be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs. If an external Chair is sought, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs will form a search committee and the procedures described in the college’s recruitment policy and procedures.
2. Responsibilities
   The department Chair has all of the responsibilities of a faculty member. In addition, the following responsibilities apply to the role of the Chair:
   
   1. General Administrative Responsibilities – those pertaining to maintaining and improving the relationships of the department and the College community, such as:
      
      1. Develop and implement the department’s mission, goals, and student learning outcomes as they relate to the College mission and strategic plan.
      2. Report accomplishments and concerns to administration.
      3. Develop and evaluate department goals and objectives as they relate to College­wide goals and outcomes.
      4. Serve as liaison with various units of the College.
      5. Plan and conduct department meetings at least once a month and submit minutes of such meetings to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs.
   2. Business and Financial Responsibilities – those required for the financial management and conduct of the department, such as administering allotments for supplies and equipment, revising budgets, keeping records, and initiating and approving requests.
      1. Prepare and manage the budget.
      2. Offer general oversight for specialized teaching equipment.
      3. Work with the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, the Dean of Academic Affairs, and Finance Office in seeking outside funding.
      4. Approve all department expenditures.
   3. Personnel Oriented Responsibilities – those pertaining to the appointment, supervision, development, evaluation, or dismissal of any faculty person in the department.
      1. Assign faculty to teaching schedules, coordinating such schedules with the members of the department, the registrar, the other department Chairs, within the guidelines established by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
      2. Assist the Dean of Academic Affairs and registrar in determining section enrollment limits and course cancellations, if any.
      3. Support the professional development of the departmental faculty to maintain or improve their teaching abilities and professional competence.
      4. Carry out the evaluation of department members for purposes of salary increases, retention, and promotion.
      5. Assist with and review the proposals of departmental members for grants, travel requests, and sabbatical requests.
      6. Consult with the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs in regard to faculty workload.
      7. Share with administrators and department members the responsibility for full­time and adjunct faculty recruitment.
      8. Support collaboration within the department and across the College.
      9. Provide an on­going orientation for new faculty.
      10. Supervise adjunct faculty.
   4. Curriculum and Instruction Responsibilities – those relating directly to the planning and administration of curriculum and instruction including any revision, modification, adaptation, or development of teaching materials, or courses of study to:
      
      1. Ensure the academic quality of the department and its degree programs in collaboration with department colleagues.
      2. Participate in the Curriculum Committee.
      3. Where appropriate, support the formation of articulation agreements with other institutions.
      4. Prepare, with the assistance of the department, materials for the College Catalog and submit these materials to the Dean of Academic Affairs.
      5. Supervise and give critical, objective feedback regarding instructional practices, academic advising, scholarship, and community service.
      6. Initiate, plan, and develop new courses and programs to meet changing needs of the RMI.
      7. Where appropriate, coordinate accreditation activities and relationships with external agencies.
3. Term of Office and Removal of Chair
   The department Chair is normally selected in August, the beginning of the Academic Year, to serve a term of five years. The Chair may be reappointed if the department members so recommend and the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs concur.The department Chair can be relieved of administrative duties at any time during the term of appointment. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs can relieve the department Chair after consultation with the department and after the Chair has had the opportunity to respond concerning the specific issue.Being relieved of administrative duties does not affect the individual’s status as a faculty member. When a department Chair is to be absent for a period of one month or less, the Chair has the authority to appoint a substitute from within the department, with the authorization of the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs. When the absence is unforeseen or will be for more than a month, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs will appoint an acting Chair after consultation with the department.

1.11.4 Dean of Faculty
The Dean of Faculty is a collegial dean and generally speaking, is not an administrator, although he or she may accept temporary administrative duties in some instances and with the approval of the vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. As the Dean of Faculty, he or she reports to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. The Dean of Faculty teaches within a department of the College and reports as a regular faculty member to the Chairman of his or her department, unless a conflict of interest is present. In that case, the Dean of Faculty reports, in all matters, to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

The Dean of Faculty will attend and report to Faculty on all general meetings of the Board of Regents.

A primary duty of the Dean of Faculty is as Faculty Ombudsman.

1.11.4.1 The Faculty Ombudsman operates according to the principles of the International Ombudsman Association:

1. Independence: the Faculty Ombudsman is not an advocate for the administration or any individual faculty member.
2. Impartiality: the Faculty Ombudsman remains neutral in all interactions.
3. Confidentiality: interactions with the Faculty Ombudsman are confidential to the extent permitted by law. The Faculty Ombudsman’s notes and other records are not subject to open records requests, and only aggregate numerical data is reported.
4. Informality: interactions with the Faculty Ombudsman are informal wherein the Faculty Ombudsman listens to a person’s concerns and suggests various approaches to resolving the issues.
5. The Faculty Ombudsman reports anonymous, statistical data to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs annually.

1.11.5  The Faculty of the College

1.11.5.1 Definition of Faculty

The faculty of the College shall consist of four distinct groups: full-time faculty; part-time per course adjunct faculty; special appointment faculty and Administrators with faculty rank, including professional librarians. Specific contract types and other specific contractual rights and responsibilities shall accrue to each specific group as defined in this handbook. In particular, part-time per course adjunct faculty have limited rights and responsibilities; these are fully defined in this section.

1.11.5.2 Categories of Faculty

1. A Full­-Time Faculty Member
   • Ordinarily has full­time teaching duties or has teaching and other duties (e.g., research, academic administration, counseling) equivalent to a full­time teaching load; and
   • Fulfills the duties and responsibilities of a faculty member.
2. Adjunct Faculty
   An adjunct faculty member is a part­time temporary employee of the College who has been assigned the title of Adjunct Instructor. Part­Time Per Course Adjunct Faculty:
   • Usually have a teaching load of six (6) credit hours or less;
   • Usually have no other faculty duties;
   • Always receive a term contract;
   • Receive no benefits;
   • Do not accrue time towards sabbatical leave;
   • Are eligible to apply for a full­time position if they meet the criteria; and
   • Are expected to be available at least one and one half hours per week for each course taught to advise students regarding their work.
3. Affiliate Professor
   This is an honorary title which may be assigned to individuals who offer educational experience to the students of the College on a regular yet part­time basis pursuant to an affiliation agreement. Such individuals are not employees of the College and have no contractual arrangements withthe College, although they may receive an honorarium. Assignment of this title is made by the President after recommendation by the department Chair, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and the Dean of Academic Affairs.
4. Scholar in Residence
   The College may appoint distinguished artists, writers, poets, scholars, practitioners, and executives to the special faculty status of Scholar in Residence. Such appointments shall be full­time or part­time depending on the needs of the College. The appointments are term contracts.
5. Regents Professor
   The Regents Professorship is established by the Board of Regents in order to recognize individuals whose record of scholarly achievement and potential for truly exceptional service to the College and/or the RMI warrants appointment to this most prestigious position.Appointment to a Regents Professorship is made by the President upon the recommendation of the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of Academic Affairs. A modest monetary award, to be used for travel, research or publication costs, or personnel and equipment costs, accompanies the appointment. Criteria for appointment include:
   
   • National or international recognition for achievements in the arts, the sciences, or the professions.
   • Other criteria deemed appropriate by the President.

   Regents Professors may:

   • Participate in the advisement and/or instruction of students.
   • Present annually a public lecture or performance at the College.
   • Participate in other scholarly activities that will enhance some aspect of the College and some of its components. This may include such activities as curriculum development (formal or informal courses), faculty development, citizen outreach, or organizational enhancement.
6. Emeritus Faculty
   Emeritus Faculty is an honorary title given to individuals no longer employed by the college who have served no fewer than five years and whose contribution to the College has been extraordinary. The nomination process may be initiated through the Faculty Senate.

1.11.6 Duties and Responsibilities of the College Faculty

Faculty are the primary custodians of the teaching and learning process at the College of the Marshall Islands. They are joined by affiliate, adjunct, research faculty, librarians, student life and development professionals, tutors, mentors, and others. However, full­time, regular faculty are responsible for the awarding of academic credit and the quality and delivery of the general education, developmental education, certificate, and degree programs of the College. All programs and courses are developed by faculty and approved by the Curriculum and Assessment Committee, which is a standing committee of the Faculty Senate. Faculty assess the quality of programs through the Program Review process; a Program Review Report is required annually and a full Program Review every four years.

Faculty have a substantive voice in matters of educational programs and other aspects of College policy that relate to their areas of responsibility and expertise. Faculty are expected to ensure the academic integrity of educational programs, engage in continuing professional development to maintain and enhance their expertise, and contribute substantive service to the mission, vision, and purposes of the College.

1.11.7 Faculty Job Description

Every regular, full­time faculty member will be assigned to a department as part of his/her job description. The job description will summarize duties specific to the faculty member’s job. In addition to those specific duties there are job expectations common to all regular faculty. These include:

• Teaching and otherwise enabling students to acquire the knowledge and skills to achieve stated College, departmental, program, and course outcomes;
• Actively participating in the ongoing alignment and assessment of courses and programs in keeping with the institutional outcomes;
• Advising, guiding, and counseling students throughout the teaching and learning process;
• Demonstrating ongoing mastery of pedagogical skills and disciplinary knowledge appropriate to their position and engaging in professional development activities that enhance such expertise;
• Developing an annual performance plan in conjunction with the departmental outcomes and institutional mission;
• Providing services in support of ongoing advancement of the academic program, such as working within the department, working with the Dean of Academic Affairs, participating in Faculty Senate meetings, and serving on committees, as well as keeping records for grading, evaluating, and advising students;
• Providing services through active participation in campus activities and in support of the general mission of the College;
• Assisting in College development through services contributing to the good name and reputation of the College and the betterment of the larger community in which we reside;
• Carrying out other duties as may be specified in the individual job description developed for each faculty position;
• Attending monthly, departmental meetings; and
• Carrying out additional duties assigned at the direction of the Dean of Academic Affairs or Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

1.11.8 Recruitment and Evaluation of Adjunct Faculty

1. Recruitment of adjunct faculty
   Open advertisements will be placed prior to the commencement of each semester depending on the need to hire adjuncts. Through this recruitment process the college will maintain a pool of qualified adjuncts. The relevant Dean and Head of Department will recommend potential appointees for approval by the President or designee, via the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.Adjunct faculty on an alien work visa are responsible for seeking clearance with their employer and RMI Immigration.
2. Evaluation of Adjunct Faculty
   Executive Policy Statement
   Adjunct faculty shall be evaluated regularly to establish professional development needs and eligibility for future employment at the college. Evaluation shall focus primarily on teaching quality.
   
   Reason for the Executive Policy
   Ensuring the quality of teaching by adjunct faculty members ensures equitable, quality learning for students. Excellent teaching by adjunct faculty should be acknowledged and any deficiencies addressed. ACCJC standard III.A.8 requires in part that, “An institution with part time and adjunct faculty has employment policies and practices which provide for their orientation, oversight, evaluation, and professional development.”
   
   Statements of Elaboration of Executive Policy
   Regular Evaluation
   New adjunct faculty shall be evaluated every semester. Adjunct faculty who have received at least two satisfactory evaluations, and no evaluations below acceptable, in the last three years may be evaluated annually.

   Evaluation of Teaching
   Evaluation of Teaching must include at least one observation per class taught during the semester in which the adjunct faculty is being evaluated. The observation shall be performed by the department chair or designee. It may be supplemented by student evaluations of teaching or other methods.

   Other Criteria
   Adjunct faculty are expected to participate in adjunct orientation and outcomes assessment, use the learning management system, provide students with appropriate syllabi, and hold office hours.

   Responsible Officer
   The Human Resources Director ensures all evaluations are received and that re-hiring of adjuncts complies with this policy and its procedures.

   Key Offices to Contact Regarding the Policy and its Implementation
   Each department chair is responsible for conducting adjunct evaluation; associate deans and deans overseeing instructional areas ensure that it is conducted according to requirements. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs reviews the overall scores for any patterns of importance to the college as a whole and gives commendations.

   Procedures

1. Department chairs review each syllabus to ensure that it meets college and department standards before the start of each semester.
2. Department chairs arrange a time to observe, or for their designee to observe, each course taught by an adjunct faculty member. If the initial observation is unsatisfactory or raises concerns, they may arrange a second observation later in the semester to ensure improvement has taken place. Adjunct faculty may also request a second observation if they believe the first did not adequately demonstrate their teaching ability.
3. Department Chairs verify with the Learning Designer that each adjunct in the department has a Moodle shell for each course and has included at least one interactive activity in the Moodle shell. Moodle shells used by adjunct faculty shall be evaluated according to the standard CMI cycle and procedures.
4. If the department chair notices any performance issues during the semester, these are immediately discussed with the adjunct instructor.
5. 1-2 weeks prior to the conclusion of the semester in which they are being evaluated, each adjunct instructor shall complete an Adjunct Instructor Self Evaluation.
6. The department chair shall complete the Adjunct Instructor Evaluation no later than one week after the conclusion of the semester and submit it, together with all required documentation, to the adjunct instructor’s second supervisor, typically an associate dean or dean.
7. The overall performance of the adjunct instructor will be evaluated according to the following rubric.