/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Faculty-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Faculty-Handbook.json

Teaching Load and Overload

Most full-time faculty are hired for 12-month positions. Full -time faculty can be required to accept on-site summer assignments based on the summer schedule requirements. Other off-site work during the summer should be focused on research and planning for the fall semester and can be remote work.

Faculty teaching loads during the academic year shall include combinations of - distance learning, day, evening, and weekend classes - as the needs of the college require.

 

ADJUNCT FACULTY TEACHING LOAD -  hired on a per course basis.

• Part-time faculty
  o a maximum of 9 credit hours per semester
  
  

 

FULL-TIME FACULTY TEACHING LOAD - for associates degrees (AA, AS, AAS), and bachelor's degrees

• Full-time faculty
  o The equivalent of 30 credit hours per academic year (fall, spring and summer semesters)
  o Maximum of 15 credit hours per semester
  o Minimum of 12 credit hours per semester or with an individual plan from the Program Director
  o Full-time loads may include at least one evening class per year.
  o 3 credit hours Release - for academic administrative duties unless otherwise specified

Besides teaching, the full-time instructor's duties may include:

1. Attendance at division, assembly, community meetings and instructional workshops.

2. A minimum of five office hours per week will be posted on the office door and maintained as time available to students.

3. Participation on at least one academic committee.

4. Mandatory attendance at certain college functions including Convocation, Baccalaureate Invocation and Commendation, and Graduation.

5. Other duties may be requested

Schedules of class periods, registration assignments, and office hours are to be arranged so that the instructor renders service over the 175 days designated by the school calendar.

The instructional load may be adjusted by consultation with the Dean of the College each semester. If the number of credit hours assigned exceeds the maximum, the instructor will be compensated for overload pay (at the adjunct rate).

If the number of credit hours assigned is below the minimum, any of the following adjustments may be required:

1. More than one evening class may be scheduled.

2. Various administrative or quasi-administrative roles may be assigned.

3. An instructional load may be balanced by an additional load the following semester.

4. The instructor may teach a summer course (without additional compensation depending on previous semester adjustments).

Any arrangements that release faculty from full-time responsibilities must be approved by the Dean of the College.

 

 

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR TEACHING LOAD

• Maximum of 9 credit hours per semester (24 credit hours per academic year)
  o 3 credit hours - release for academic administrative duties unless otherwise specified

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF TEACHING LOAD

• Maximum of 6 credit hours per semester (12 credit hours per academic year) unless otherwise specified

 

FACULTY OVERLOAD

An instructor whose teaching load exceeds full-time as described above will be compensated according to the payment offered to adjunct instructors. Occasionally, other duties may be requested of an instructor by mutual agreement.