Faculty Handbook

This Faculty Handbook is a readily available reference to information for faculty compiled by the Office of the University Provost in collaboration with the Faculty Senate. The Handbook provides links to University Policies and guidelines from campus departments. Amendments or revisions to cited policies become effective when approved by the Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees or by the President. While every effort is made to keep this Web site current, it is possible that certain provisions may be superceded by revisions or amendments approved but not yet posted.

This Handbook is not intended to state contractual terms and does not constitute a contract between the faculty member and the University. Applicable law, Board of Trustees policy, and University policy define the obligations of the University. Faculty members should refer to University Policies for relevant official information.

The University Provost and the Faculty Senate share responsibility for the Faculty Handbook. Questions or suggestions for changes to the Faculty Handbook may be be sent to the University Provost or to the Faculty Senate.

The Handbook is reviewed and updated annually. Policy revision dates are included in the linked sites.

How to Use this Handbook

The Faculty Handbook is divided into the major categories below. Click on a category to find links to the appropriate MTSU documents and web pages. This page can be searched using the browser’s ” Edit – Find” feature. Enter a keyword to see the categories that contain links to that keyword. Clicking on the category takes you to a page containing the links. The same search process can be used on each category page to find a specific link.

MTSU Mission, Vision and Organization

• Mission Statement, Purpose, Vision, and Community Standards
• Board of Trustees
• Faculty Senate
• Chairs Council
• 2035 Strategic Plan 
• MTSU Organizational Charts
• University Standing Committees 
• A Brief History of MTSU

Academic Freedom and Responsibilities

Faculty academic freedom and responsibilities in the classroom, in research, in the community, ethics guidelines for faculty.

• Academic Freedom and Responsibility
• Ethics and Code of Conduct
• Ethics Guidelines for Faculty

Appointment, Tenure and Promotion Policies

• Faculty Definition, Roles, Responsibilities, and Appointment Types
• Tenure
• Promotion of Tenured and Tenurable Faculty
• Tenure and Promotion Policies by College and Department
• Tenure and Promotion Appeals Process
• English Proficiency – Faculty
• Appointment of Graduate Assistants
• Financial Exigency

Compensation and Retirement

• Compensation Reporting and Approvals 
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• Adjunct Faculty Compensation
• Faculty Compensation during Summer
• Faculty Compensation for Teaching Credit Courses as an Overload
• Longevity Pay
• Retirement
• Post-Retirement Service Program for Tenured Faculty
• Retirement Plans
• Emeritus Status
• Outside Employment, Extra Compensation, and Dual Services Agreement
• Exit Interview/Checkout Procedures for Terminating Regular Employees

Employee Tuition Assistance

• Educational Assistance: MTSU Employee Tuition Waiver
• Faculty and Staff Support for Educational Expenses
• Educational Assistance: Student Fee Discounts for Spouses and Dependent Children of MTSU Employees

Curriculum and Classroom Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Curriculum

• Academic Program Coordinators
• Online Course Development
• Online Course Types
• Curriculum Change Forms and Information
• University Bookstore/Textbooks, Course Materials, and Course Supplies
• General Education, True Blue Core
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Catalog
• Graduate Catalog
• Grades
• Credit Hour Unit Definition
• Open Educational Resources
• Student Academic Integrity
• Student Classroom Misconduct
• Tests and Examinations
• Course Outline/ Syllabus
• Drop / Add Deadlines
• Graduate Faculty Information
• Registration Information
• Students
• Safety-Related Policies and Procedures
• Textbook Ordering, Faculty–Adoptions can be emailed to the bookstore at store8348@bncollege.com or entered through the Adoptions and Insights Portal (AIP) link provided. This link is also available through the Faculty Pipeline page under Resources. Your sign-on is the same as your MTSU SSP.

Classroom

• Academic Alerts
• Academic/Instructional Continuity (Inclement Weather)
• Class Attendance
• Classrooms and Offices
• Use of Campus Property and Facilities Scheduling
• Employee Attendance during Inclement Weather
• Disability and Access Center
• FERPA
• Last Day of Attendance (LDA)
• Library Instruction
• Midterm Grade Reporting (Academic Alerts)
• Student Grade Appeals and Grade Appeal Form
• Supplies
• Technology Access Fee Fund Information and Forms
• Responding to Grief and Loss Guide
• Effective Management of Student Behavior
• Suggested Syllabus Statements pertaining to effective classroom accommodations, Lottery Scholarship, guests, animals and emergencies in classroom)

Related Information

• Online Teaching Resources
• Desire 2 Learn (D2L) Support
• International Education
• Academic Calendar
• MTSU Student Handbook
• EXL at MTSU
• University Writing Center
• American Democracy Project at MTSU
• University Honors College
• MT Engage

Faculty Development, Recognition and Information

• Faculty Development
• Leadership on Deck Institute
• Grants and Awards
• New Faculty Orientation
• Learning, Teaching and Innovative Technologies Center (LT&ITC)
• Faculty Senate
• Faculty Appointment to the MTSU Board of Trustees
• News and Media Relations
• Creative and Visual Services
• Post-Tenure Faculty Development Plan
• Annual Fall Faculty Meeting and University Convocation – All faculty are expected to participate in the Annual Fall Faculty meeting traditionally held the Thursday morning before the first day of classes for the fall semester and the University Convocation traditionally held the weekend before the first day of fall classes.
• Commencement / Graduation – Faculty members are selected by their department chairs and are expected to participate in commencement exercises which are held in May, August, and December. Faculty members provide their own academic regalia.
• Faculty Meetings – Faculty members are expected to attend all scheduled and called faculty meetings. The Annual Fall Faculty meeting and conferences in individual departments are held before the opening of the fall semester. It is important that every faculty member be present. In the event it is necessary to be absent from a meeting, arrangements should be made in the office of the department.

Finance-Related and Travel Policies and Procedures

• Contract Office
• Chrome River, Faculty Travel
• Membership and Subscriptions
• Travel
• Motor Pool Services
• Food and Beverages
• Fraud Awareness
• Purchasing and Contracts Policy
• Technology Access Fee Fund Information and Forms
• Budgetary Accounting Controls
• Cash Purchases and Petty Cash Funds
• Cash Receipts and Deposits
• Charitable Solicitations
• Naming Buildings and Facilities
• Disposal of Surplus Property

Hiring, Employment and Personnel Policies

• Employee Handbook
• General Personnel
• Hiring Forms and Documents
• Workload Guidelines
• Allocation of Faculty to Departments
• Types of Appointment
• Approval of Positions
• Curriculum Vitae and Transcripts
• Evaluation Procedures
• Notification of Resignation by Faculty
• Appeals and Appearances Before the Board
• Faculty ID Cards
• Employee Assistance Program
• Personnel Records
• Personnel Transactions
• Cases Heard Pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act
• Exit Interview/Checkout Procedures for Terminating Regular Employees
• Administrative, Professional, and Faculty Grievance or Complaint
• Holiday, Administrative, and Emergency Closings
• Inspecting and Copying Public Records Policy
• Human Resource Services
• Faculty Recruitment Guide and Forms
• Faculty Office Hours and On-Campus Obligations (General Personnel)
• Faculty Compensation for Teaching Credit Courses as an Overload
• Employee Compensation under Sponsored Projects 
• Leave Policies
• Sick Leave Bank, Faculty
• Workplace Violence Prevention

Part-time/ Adjunct Faculty Employment Policies

• View all
• Faculty Definition, Roles, Responsibilities, and Appointment Types
• Adjunct Faculty Compensation
• Qualifications/Application Procedures
• Recommendation of Candidates for Position
• Orientation, Supervision and Evaluation of part-time adjunct faculty
• Compensation
• Benefits
• Offices and Office Hours
• Limits On Course Load
• Faculty Absences
• Faculty Parking Permit Procedures
• Adjunct Information
• Keys
• Grades
• Syllabi
• Student Access
• Curriculum Vitae and Transcripts
• Adjunct Pay Criteria
• Evaluation Procedures

Research and Graduate Faculty Resources

• Institutional Review Board
• Intellectual Property
• Administration of Sponsored Projects
• Copyright and Patents/Intellectual Property
• Grants, Contracts and Other Agreements (Purchasing and Contracts Policy)
• Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
• Misconduct in Scholarly Activities and Research
• Conflict of Interest for Externally Funded Projects
• Animal Care and Use in Research and Testing
• Protection of Human Subjects in Research
• Oversight of Dual Use Research Concern
• Undergraduate Research Center
• Graduate Faculty Resources
• Appointment of Graduate Assistants

Other Useful Links

Cultural

• Theatre and Dance Series
• MTSU School of Music Concert Series
• Todd Art Gallery
• James E. Walker Library

Recreation and Health

• MTSU Campus Recreation Center
• Student Health Services
• MTSU Blue Raider Athletics
• Tickets to Athletics and Special Events

Related Information

• Child Care Services on the MTSU Campus
• Parking Services
• Campus Planning
• Dining Services
• Maps and Directions, Interactive Maps
• News and Media Relations
• Notary Public Services
• Post Office
• Privacy of Information Policy
• Drug Free Workplace Policy
• Alcoholic Beverages Policy
• Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
• Animals on University Property

Student Related Resources

• Open Educational Resources