Oakridge College Faculty Handbook

Overview

Faculty service is the work faculty do outside of direct classroom teaching to support the academic life of Oakridge College. This includes department work, student advising, research, committee service, academic events, faculty advising for student clubs or athletic teams, and other responsibilities that help the college function.

The Details

Faculty at Oakridge are expected to contribute to the college beyond their assigned courses.

Teaching is the central duty of faculty, but it is not the only duty. A college also depends on advising, research, department planning, student support, committee work, ceremonies, public lectures, academic projects, and participation in campus life.

Faculty service should be appropriate to the faculty member’s rank, appointment, department, and availability. Not every faculty member will perform the same service. Senior faculty are normally expected to carry more responsibility than junior faculty, adjunct faculty, or guest lecturers.

 Department Service

Department service is work that supports the faculty member’s department.

This may include:

•  Attending department meetings
• Helping plan courses
• Reviewing programs of study
• Supporting department events
• Advising students in the department
• Mentoring Teaching Assistants
• Helping new faculty understand department standards
• Assisting with student academic concerns
• Supporting department ceremonies, lectures, or demonstrations
• Helping maintain the quality and identity of the department

Department service is usually overseen by the Department Chair.

School and College Service

Faculty may also serve the wider School or college.

This may include:

•  Serving on committees
•  Supporting academic ceremonies
• Helping with orientation
• Participating in public lectures
• Assisting with recruitment events
• Supporting interdepartmental projects
• Helping review academic policies
• Serving on promotion or conduct review panels when eligible
• Advising the Dean or Department Chair on academic matters

School-level service is usually overseen by the Dean. College-level service may be overseen by the Vice President, President, or another approved college authority.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Research and scholarly activity are part of faculty service at Oakridge College.

Faculty are encouraged to remain active in their fields. Research may include formal scholarship, field study, laboratory work, archival work, artistic research, creative production, public presentations, or applied professional study.

At Oakridge, research should support the mission of the college. It should strengthen teaching, improve programs, contribute to the faculty member’s field, or serve the wider Briarmont community.

Research and scholarly activity may include:

• Writing articles, essays, papers, or reports
•  Conducting field research
• Carrying out laboratory work
• Preparing public lectures
• Creating artistic or performance work
• Studying archives or historical records
• Presenting research to students or colleagues
• Developing academic exhibits, demonstrations, or workshops
• Supporting student research
• Contributing to responsible public knowledge

Faculty research should follow college standards, department expectations, and any safety or approval procedures required for the work.

Research involving students, hazardous materials, sensitive records, medical issues, human subjects, or public risk should be reviewed by the Department Chair, Dean, or appropriate college authority before it begins.

Faculty Advising for Student Clubs and Organizations

Faculty may serve as advisors for approved student clubs, organizations, academic societies, or student activities.

A faculty advisor helps provide guidance, continuity, and connection to the college. The advisor does not replace student leadership unless college policy specifically gives them that authority.

A faculty advisor may:

• Help students understand college procedures
• Attend club or organization meetings when appropriate
• Support event planning
• Help connect the group to a department or School
• Encourage safe and responsible conduct
• Refer concerns to Student Affairs, the Department Chair, or Dean
• Help students keep the organization aligned with its approved purpose

A faculty advisor should not use a student club for personal control, favoritism, private loyalty, or unrelated faculty disputes.

Student clubs and organizations may still fall under Student Affairs or another campus office. Faculty advisors should respect that structure.

Faculty Advisors for Athletic Teams

Faculty may serve as academic or faculty advisors for athletic teams.

A faculty advisor for a sports team helps support the academic and college life of student athletes. This role is different from coaching unless the faculty member has also been appointed as a coach or athletic staff member.

A faculty advisor for an athletic team may:

• Encourage academic responsibility
• Help student athletes communicate with faculty
• Support team connection to the college
• Attend team events when appropriate
• Help students balance academic and athletic expectations
• Refer concerns to the proper athletic, academic, or student affairs authority

Faculty advisors for athletic teams should not interfere with coaching decisions unless they are officially assigned that role.

They should also avoid giving student athletes unfair academic advantage or special treatment.

Student Mentorship

Faculty service may include mentoring students.

Mentorship may involve:

• Helping students understand academic interests
• Encouraging responsible study habits
• Advising on future academic paths
• Supporting student research or creative work
• Helping students prepare for presentations or events
• Guiding students toward appropriate opportunities
• Referring students to the correct office when needed

Mentorship should remain professional. Faculty should keep clear boundaries and avoid relationships that create favoritism, pressure, or conflict of interest.

Committees and Review Panels

Faculty may be asked to serve on committees, review panels, or temporary working groups.

These may involve:

• Curriculum review
• Academic policy
• Faculty promotion
• Faculty conduct
• Student academic concerns
• Department planning
• Academic ceremonies
• Events or facilities
• Program development

Committee service should be treated as official college work. Faculty serving on committees should act with fairness, confidentiality, and respect for the purpose of the committee.

Faculty should disclose conflicts of interest before taking part in a review, vote, recommendation, or decision.

Public Lectures, Events, and Ceremonies

Faculty may support college life through public academic activity.

This may include:

• Public lectures
• Guest talks
• Academic workshops
• Demonstrations
• Performances
• Exhibits
• Department events
• Orientation events
• Graduation or recognition ceremonies
• Community-facing academic programs

Public academic activity should reflect the standards of Oakridge College. Faculty should prepare appropriately, communicate clearly, and represent the college with care.

Events that require space, scheduling, security, special equipment, or public notice should be approved through the proper college process.

Service and Faculty Rank

Service expectations may differ by rank.

Adjunct Faculty and Guest Lecturers usually have limited service expectations unless service is part of their appointment.

Instructors and Assistant Professors may be asked to take part in department work, student support, and selected events.

Associate Professors, Professors, and Tenured Professors are normally expected to carry greater service responsibilities, including mentorship, review work, program support, and leadership when appropriate.

Department Chairs and Deans carry formal service obligations as part of their leadership roles.

Service and Promotion

Faculty service may be considered in promotion review.

Strong service can show that a faculty member is reliable, engaged, and ready for greater responsibility. However, service alone does not guarantee promotion. Teaching, conduct, judgment, department need, and overall contribution also matter.

Service should be meaningful and consistent. A faculty member does not need to do everything, but they should contribute in ways appropriate to their rank and role.

Limits of Service

Faculty service should support the college. It should not become a way to avoid teaching duties, control students, bypass the academic hierarchy, or act outside an approved role.

Faculty should not take on service responsibilities they cannot reasonably perform.

If a faculty member is unsure whether an activity counts as appropriate service, they should ask the Department Chair or Dean.

General Rule

Faculty service keeps Oakridge active beyond the classroom.

Faculty serve the college when they support departments, advise students, conduct research, mentor others, participate in academic life, and help maintain the standards of Oakridge College.

Service should be useful, professional, and appropriate to the faculty member’s role.