Department of Dance
Availability
According to the Faculty Handbook, the contract year for 9-month faculty extends from the beginning of the academic year to commencement. Nine month employees are expected to be available during those times, except during university vacation times. Full-time faculty members are expected to commit at least 40 hours per week to their University position. Individuals spending significantly more or less than this amount of time, after first doing an analysis of how time is being spent, should contact the Department Head. The work assignments for Graduate Teaching Assistants are expected to take 20 hours per week.
Faculty members are expected to fulfill all of their duties except when they must leave town for professional or compelling personal reasons. Research and service, along with teaching, are considered primary faculty responsibilities, but the nature of the research and service of some faculty members involves more travel than others. However, faculty should be mindful of the hardship imposed on colleagues as well as students when they are absent from their assigned duties, and try to reduce such hardships when possible.
Since professional engagements can be planned in advance, faculty should attempt to work around their classes whenever possible. In general, one should try to avoid missing more than one week's worth of classes in any course. On occasion more extensive absence may be necessary; and those anticipating extensive absence should make appropriate arrangements with the Department Head.
In all cases when faculty will be away from the campus for a full day or for several days while school is in session, a short letter (or email message) should be written stating the day and time of your departure and your return and describing the reason for your absence. In addition, you must make formal arrangements to cover your teaching responsibilities for those days and these arrangements must be approved by the Department Head. A copy of your letter should be posted on your office door and sent to all full-time faculty, the Department Head, and the Department secretary. This policy applies to full-time faculty, part-time faculty and teaching assistants.
When emergencies arise leading to your unexpected absence from campus, the Department secretary must be contacted so that signs can be posted on your office and classroom doors informing students of your absence. (See also class cancellations and substitutes.)