PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Freedom

The faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees subscribe to the American Association of University Professors' 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure :

"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free expression."

"Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applied to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it duties correlative with rights."

"The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution."

"The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his/her subject, but he/she should be careful not to introduce into his/her teaching controversial matters which have no relation to his/her subject."

"Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of the appointment."

"The college or university teacher is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When he/she speaks or writes as a citizen, he/she should be free from institutional censorship and discipline, but his/her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, he/she should remember that the public judges his/her profession and his/her institution by his/her utterances. Hence he/she should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that he/she is not an institutional spokesman."

Faculty Role Models - Faculty serve as role models of the profession in which they teach. Because behavior and personal appearance are nonverbal lessons in the classroom, faculty are encouraged to dress and act in a manner appropriate for college classroom instruction. Your cooperation in not eating or drinking in classrooms is appreciated. The Riverside Community College Academic Senate has adopted a "Code of Ethics."

Classroom Learning Environment - Faculty members are responsible for establishing and maintaining a positive classroom learning environment and should be prepared to do the following:

• Focus student activity toward learning.
  
  
• Address such behaviors as chatter, inappropriate language, and discriminatory behaviors/language.
  
  
• Enforce the District policies regarding no smoking in College buildings and no eating or drinking in instructional areas.
  
  
• Leave the classroom ready to welcome another class. This involves erasing chalkboards, putting student chairs in order, turning off lights,
  and locking the door when appropriate.
  
  
• Notify the department chair about any problems with the classroom.

College Committees - Much of the important work of the District is performed by committees. The College community is firmly committed to the widest possible involvement of its members in the affairs of the institution. All full-time faculty members serve on committees as part of their contractual and professional obligations to the College. Prior to actual committee assignment, faculty designate their preferences, which are given every consideration and accommodated whenever possible. Please visit the committee webpage for more information.

Community Advisory Committees - Vocational programs have committees from specific professional and industrial fields to advise the District about the trends in the field, technological developments and opportunities, and the training and education that should be provided to prepare students for employment. This perspective is valuable and used by departments in curriculum development and revision as well as short- and long-range planning for programs. Full-time instructors are ex-officio members of committees. It is recommended that part-time instructors not serve as advisory committee members. Recommendations for membership, when vacancies occur, should be directed to the department chair for consideration.

Improvement of Instruction and Tenure Review - One of the most important professional responsibilities of regular faculty is participating on Improvement of Instruction (evaluation) and Tenure Review committees for their full-time colleagues and assisting in the evaluation of adjunct faculty members. It is through this thoughtful participation that the quality of instruction is continually improved. (See Article XI, RCC-CTA/NEA Agreement with the District for the complete process.)

Printed Documents - It is important that all faculty members be familiar with the following documents:( Contact the department office or the campus Dean of Instruction for copies.)

• Board Policy Manual - Contains official statements of District policies and related regulations.
  
  
• College Calendar - Answers questions about holidays and finals.
  
  
• College Catalog - Lists certificate patterns, and official course descriptions, and provides information on policies and procedures related to students.
  
  
• Faculty Contract - The agreement between the Riverside Community College Chapter, California Teachers' Association (CTA/NEA) and the Riverside
  
  
• Community College District contains information relating to conditions of employment.
  
  
• Schedule of Classes - Shows all classes offered in a given semester. Includes final examination schedule.
  
  
• Student Handbook - Further information on student policies and procedures.
  
  
• FLEX Schedule: Guidelines - Lists approved FLEX activities and provides guidelines.

Interaction with the Media - The Marketing Director is the liaison between the College and the media. Depending on the subject matter, the office of Marketing Director will refer calls from the media to those individuals who have responsibility for the area.

Faculty are encouraged to communicate potential newspaper articles or feature stories regarding students and/or personal achievements to the Marketing Department.

However, instructors should not use their position with the College when giving opinions in public forums, such as letters to the editor or public speeches. Use of the title may imply a District position, and only designated staff may state a District position.

If assistance is needed when dealing with the media, please contact the Marketing Department (ext.8857).

Safety - Employees must comply with all safety rules and regulations implemented as policy by the District for the purchase, storage, handling, use, and disposal of hazardous substances.

For more information, please visit the Academic Policies and Procedures page