VISION

One university inspiring and empowering the creation of knowledge that changes the world.

MISSION

UAB serves students, patients, the community and the global need for discovery, knowledge dissemination, education, creativity and the application of groundbreaking solutions. We are a leader among comprehensive public urban research universities with academic medical centers.

FOREWORD

The provisions of the Faculty Handbook and Policies, known hereafter as the Faculty Handbook, apply to all faculty members, including those originally employed under the provisions of an earlier document, except in those unusual cases in which the application of a new provision will cause an arbitrary and unreasonable damage to, or loss of, any benefit to the faculty member.

Although this handbook intends to reflect current policies or rules of The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama, referred to or incorporated herein, users are cautioned that changes or additions to such policies, or rules may have become effective since the approval and publication of this material. In the event of such a conflict, the current statements of Board policy contained in the official minutes and manual of rules, bylaws, and guidelines shall prevail.

This Handbook is not the only document containing faculty-related and other policies of the University. Approved policies concerning UAB employees are also published in other handbooks and manuals such as the UAB Policies & Procedures Library and the You and UAB Handbook. Also, there may be older policies or recently approved policies which are not yet published in any manuals and which are not included in this document. This handbook should not be used as a sole indication of whether or not UAB has a policy covering a particular subject. If further clarification or information is needed concerning the existence of a specific policy, please contact the Office of the Provost.

Introduction

The Faculty Handbook of the University of Alabama at Birmingham is issued by the President of the University of Alabama at Birmingham under the laws of the state of Alabama and the regulations of The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama. Section 16-47-34 of The Code of Alabama 1975 states in part:

The board of trustees has the power to organize the university by appointing a corps of instructors, who shall be styled the faculty of the university and such other officers as the interest of the university may require; to remove such instructors or officers, and to fix their salaries or compensation and increase or reduce the same at their discretion; to institute, regulate, alter or modify the government of the university, as they may deem advisable; to prescribe courses of instruction, rates of tuition, price of board, and regulate the necessary expenses of students; and to confer such degrees as are usually conferred by similar institutions. They may delegate to the faculty of the university, or other officers, such powers and functions in the government of the students, and in the administration of the affairs of the university, as they may deem proper…

Further, the Board of Trustees Bylaws, Article 5, Section 3, indicates:

…the President shall perform duties and responsibilities including but not limited to the following: …4. Personnel administration including employment and termination, wage determination, and conditions of employment for faculty and other employees of the campus.

Additionally, the Board of Trustees Board Rule 108 states:

Although the policies contained herein are intended to reflect current rules and policies of the University, users are cautioned that changes or additions may have become effective since the publication of this material. In the event of such a conflict, current statements of Board policy contained in the Bylaws, Rules, official minutes, and other pronouncements of the Board or Chancellor, or superseding law, shall prevail.

The UAB Faculty Handbook will be reviewed, and revisions will be recommended to the President, by the UAB Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee of the Faculty Senate, after consultation with the faculty and appropriate faculty groups. Suggestions for changes to the Handbook should be directed to the Chair or members of the UAB Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee. The UAB Faculty Handbook shall be reviewed and updated as needed. The UAB Provost will inform the UAB Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee of any Board of Trustees rule changes that appear to be in conflict with the UAB Faculty Handbook.

This Handbook does not attempt to include all UAB policies. Employee policies which relate to faculty are contained in the Policies and Procedures Library and in the YOU and UAB Handbook. These UAB policies may be revised periodically, and changes to these policies may constitute a change to the UAB Faculty Handbook and Policies. It is the responsibility of the UAB Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee to review proposed Faculty Handbook and/or faculty policy changes and to make recommendations through the Faculty Senate to the President. It is the responsibility of the Vice Provost for Student and Faculty Success to ensure that changes in policy approved by the President will be transmitted to each dean, department/unit head and distributed to the faculty.