21 Apr An Example of Workload Policies Created by UIC Faculty
- UICUF has recommended faculty use shared governance to adopt workload policies protected by our contract ASAP.
- We’ve just received a copy of the newly approved workload policy for the English Department, which we hope can be used as a template for other academic units.
- Contact us at UICUnitedFaculty@gmail.com for assistance in requesting and/or creating policies through shared governance.
The current UIC United Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreements require that each academic unit have a written workload policy developed through shared governance practices. Given the uncertainty around many aspects of work due to Coronavirus, we are recommending faculty begin working on creating these policies as soon as possible. We wanted to share a quick example of one department at UIC, the English Department, which has finalized one such policy. You can view a copy of the English Department’s workload policy on our website. We’ve also reproduced this policy below for your convenience.
It is our hope that this policy can serve as a template that will help other faculty groups craft policies of their own or review policies they already have in place. If you need help initiating this process, or determining if your department already has a workload policy in place, you can reach out to us at UICUnitedFaculty@gmail.com or to your college’s union representative any time.
UIC English Department Policy on Workloads
Tenure Track Faculty:
The standard teaching load for tenure track faculty is two courses per semester (2-2). Tenure track faculty are expected to teach a range of courses across the curriculum, 100-500-level. Class size will vary, depending on the course and course level, with smaller seminars at the 400- and 500-level and larger classes for general education courses and English major core courses. In general, though not in all cases, classes that are larger than 25-30 students will be assigned a graduate TA.
In addition to teaching, tenure track faculty are expected to carry out a substantial course of research leading to publication and to perform substantial service for the department and university. Service expectations rise in accordance with rank, with Full Professors expected to take on the greatest service obligations and responsibilities.
Faculty taking on major administrative responsibilities will be granted comparable course release, unless otherwise negotiated.
Non-Tenure Track Faculty:
The standard teaching load for non-tenure track faculty is three courses/sections per semester (3-3). Class size will vary, depending on the course and course level, but, in general, courses/sections taught by non-tenure track faculty will not exceed 25 students. In general, though not in all cases, classes that are larger than 25-30 students will be assigned a graduate
In addition to teaching, lecturers; senior lecturers; and clinical faculty are expected to perform substantial service for the department and university. Service expectations rise in accordance with rank, with Senior Lecturers and Clinical Full Professors expected to take on the greatest service obligations and responsibilities.
Faculty taking on major administrative responsibilities will be granted comparable course release, unless otherwise negotiated.
***
We issue regular updates via email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and on our website. We encourage everyone to like and follow us on social media. If you want to contribute your story, pictures, video, or other content related to the activities of the union, email us at UICUnitedFaculty@gmail.com. With your support, we are making UIC an even better place to work and learn!
