News You Can Use Office for Faculty Success Hurley Administration, Suite 135 Michael A. McPherson Associate Vice Provost for Faculty

Religious Holy Day Accommodation Students must be excused from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, to travel to and observe a religious holy day, and cannot be penalized for these absences. Students must be allowed to take an exam or complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. Encourage students to let you know at the beginning of semester if they will be absent.

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) An instructor may not legally use a student’s social security number or last four digits to post grades. Return assignments and post grades with an eye toward privacy. DO NOT discuss grades in the presence of other students (e.g. after-class discussion). You must not discuss a student’s grades with her/his parents unless student has signed a release.

Grade Appeals UNT policy allows student to talk to instructor. Student has 35 days from the date the grade is officially posted to appeal to the Chair. Save grades and assignments. Cooperate with department appeals committee.

Academic Dishonesty Possible sanctions: admonition, assignment of additional coursework, partial or no credit, or course failure. Accused students must be permitted to continue in a class pending final disposition of a case. Work with the Office for Academic Integrity.

Disability Accommodation Include department ADA policy on syllabus. Syllabus should inform students they must go through Office of Disability Accommodations (ODA) by a specific class day. Refer student to the ODA. ODA will verify student’s disability.

Contracts Only the President or his designee are authorized to sign contracts on behalf of UNT. Faculty members who sign contracts on UNT’s behalf without authorization may be personally liable for honoring the contract.

Standards of Conduct and Ethics Do not accept or solicit a gift, favor or service that: - might reasonably tend to influence decisions made in the discharge of your official duties. you know or should know is being offered with the intent to influence your official conduct. Do not use State credit cards for personal expenses. Do not solicit, accept, or agree to accept an honorarium in consideration for services you would not have been asked to provide but for your official position or duties.

Outside Employment Faculty members must formally request permission to engage in outside employment. (UNT Policy 1.2.2) Outside employment, interests and activities, including external development and marketing of intellectual property must not interfere or conflict with the employee’s position with the University.

Political Activity UNT faculty and staff have right to participate in political activities as private individuals, BUT Political activities must not conflict with official duties, create a conflict of interest, or interfere with operation of the university. Employees cannot: use university funds use resources (time, computers, paper, telephone, email, official position/title) Suggest that they represent UNT’s position

Foreign Travel When you’re traveling abroad on UNT business, you must fill out the UNT Travel Form. This allows UNT to Determine whether an export license is necessary Provide travel and insurance protection UNT has a Passport Office

Public Access to Course Information UNT is required by state law to make the syllabi of all lower and upper-division courses and all instructors’ CVs publically available Use the Faculty Information System A page has already been set up for you Access and edit it through my.unt.edu Your department has a go-to person to help you. You need to keep your FIS updated.

Public Information Act The Texas Public Information Act is one of the broadest open records laws in the country. It’s safest to presume information is open to the public – only info that is confidential by law can be withheld. The format (e.g., paper, sound recordings, videos, electronic items) doesn’t matter. Emails, notes on calendars, committee evaluations, etc. are open. Student records and grades and research with potential commercial value are not open.

Protection from Personal Liability Legal representation by Texas Attorney General State of Texas and UNT indemnifies faculty for liability resulting from decisions made and actions taken in fulfilling job responsibilities. Faculty have strong immunities from suit and liability. Liability for state law claims limited to $100,000.

Other Policies to Note Safety in Instructional Activities Reporting Sick Leave English Language Proficiency http://policy.unt.edu/

Questions? For further information, check with Your chair or your dean’s office The Office of General Counsel Gateway Center, 3rd Floor 940-565-2717