Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-2240

Modified Instructional Duties




The University of Texas at Austin

Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner: Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
July 6, 2005

 

 

  1. Policy Statement

 

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin to modify the classroom instructional responsibilities of faculty members and allow for equivalent academic service when certain personal circumstances prevent them from being able to perform their classroom teaching duties, and when such modifications are found to be in the best interest of the University's instructional programs.

 

  1. Scope

 

This policy applies to all members of the faculty who are appointed full-time on the instructional budget in a long-session semester.

 

  1. Definition

 

An Instructional Budget is the budgeted account(s) from which faculty salaries for the academic unit(s) are paid.

 

  1. Eligibility Requirements

 

Faculty members who may apply for modified instructional responsibilities are those who are a principal caregiver of a healthy pre-school child (or children), or who are required to care for or assist a member or members of their immediate family, who although not ill or disabled, needs the help and attention of the faculty member*.

 

  1. Application Requirements

 

The faculty member must submit a written request for a modification of instructional responsibilities to the appropriate department chair or the dean in non-departmentalized colleges/schools. When possible, the request should be submitted prior to the semester in which the modification is needed. The request must include the following information:

 

  1. A statement explaining the need for modified instructional responsibilities; and

 

  1. A proposal describing the work to be done in place of the applicant's normal classroom responsibilities. This work may involve significant scholarly research, new course development, curriculum development, or other work done in the best interest of the University's instructional program. The proposal must describe the work in detail, define a work product, and include a method for evaluation of the work by the department chair or dean during the semester.
 
  1. Application Review

 

The chair or dean to whom the written request for modification of instructional responsibilities is submitted shall review it to determine that:

 

  1. The faculty member is eligible to apply for modified instructional duties;

 

  1. The request contains a sufficiently detailed description of the work to be done in place of the applicant's normal classroom responsibilities, that it defines a work product, and that it states an adequate method for evaluation of the work by the department chair or dean during the semester;

 

  1. The proposal is in the best interest of the department's or the program's instructional program; and

 

  1. The full range of the department's or the program's instructional responsibilities can be met without additional resources during the period of modification.

 

Within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request, the chair or dean shall submit it and the results of his or her review, in writing, to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Upon final review, the Provost will communicate his or her written decision to the applicant and the appropriate dean and/or department chair. The decision of the Provost is final.

 

All teaching load modifications will be granted in compliance with the equivalencies set out in Series 31006, Academic Workload Requirements, of The University of Texas System Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations: Rule 31006.

 

  1. Period and Scope of Modification

 

Modifications to instructional duties shall be for the period of one long session semester (i.e., fall or spring). Faculty members whose requests for modified

instructional responsibilities are granted are not removed from the instructional budget and are expected to continue to fulfill all of their other duties as members of the faculty during the period of modification.

 

For Assistance: Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost at (512) 471-4363 or at its website: http://www.utexas.edu/provost/.

 

*This policy is not intended to apply to situations where use of sick leave is appropriate.

 

Source: Regents' Rules and Regulations Rule 31006.

 

Previously HOP 5.B.1