Policies

Teaching loads are determined by the respective dean in accordance with instructional needs. The range of full-time teaching loads for instructors depends upon the teaching area, number of preparations, student load, administrative duties, and other variables in accordance with the State Board of Community Colleges Code. A full teaching load is considered in the range of 16 to 21 credit hours or 18 to 22 contact hours per week each semester unless otherwise approved. Beyond the teaching load, a full-time faculty load includes office hours, committee work, student mentoring, and other duties as assigned.

Instructors

Teaching load:  The normal range of hours per semester is 16 to 21 credit hours or 18 to 22 contact hours. In situations where normally-required office hours are not applicable (for example, instructors whose full-time duty station is at Albemarle Correctional Institute), the teaching load shall be 22 to 30 contact hours.  Teaching loads are determined by the Dean and approved by the Associate Vice President.

Teaching overload:  An overload will be considered anything above the maximum contact hours listed above in one semester. In determining overload factors, credit hours will be counted for courses which include a seminar component.                                                                                                          

Dean/Program Head

Dean: up to 6 contact hours

Program Head: 15 to 18 contact hours

Number of preparations

 

In most cases, four different preparations shall be the maximum per semester; however, it is preferable to have no more than three. In determining the number of preparations, the total number of students an instructor is teaching may be considered. Programs with one or two instructors may necessitate more preparations.

 

Note: More than one section of the same course will not count as a different preparation.

Maximum overload allowance

Curriculum Faculty may teach up to a maximum of 2 courses or 6 credit hours over their current maximum teaching range, per semester.  This maximum includes courses taught in Curriculum, Continuing Education and College and Career Readiness.  Prior approval from the faculty member’s appropriate Associate Vice President is required prior to any overload contract. Approval of overloads must comply with the College’s Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy.  Customized Training Project instruction is in addition to these requirements and is determined by the Dean and approved by the Associate Vice President.

Exceptions to the maximum overload policy are discouraged but may be approved by the respective Associate Vice President or Supervising Vice President through the submission of a “Request to Exceed Maximum Number of Overload Courses” form.  Completed forms should be submitted to the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Approval must comply with the College’s Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy.

Staff may teach up to a maximum of 2 courses or 6 credit hours per semester outside of normal work hours. All course-related activity, except for communication with students, must occur outside of normal work hours.   This maximum includes courses taught in Curriculum, Continuing Education and College and Career Readiness.  Prior approval from the staff member’s appropriate VP, AVP, or Dean is required prior to any overload contract being issued.

A Secondary/Dual Employment Request Form is required for any employee teaching or working outside their regular Division.

Any exceptions to this policy require prior approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Excessive teaching assignments, committee assignments, outside employment, and other activities which would encroach upon the teaching effectiveness of any faculty member should be minimized. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to conduct research or to participate in community service activities.

Reduced Load

In the event an instructor’s teaching load falls below the workload minimum in one semester, additional appropriate College duties may be assigned as part of the load.

A faculty teaching load may also be adjusted by the college to take into consideration such factors as the use of instructional assistance, team teaching or the use of non-traditional instructional delivery systems. Additions to faculty workload including committee assignments, special assignments, curriculum development of a new program or a new course in a program, and/or the complete revision of an existing course or program shall be analyzed by the department head or program head. When the additional duties are deemed to be above and beyond what is normally expected of a faculty member, then a reduced teaching load or extra remuneration should be offered to the faculty member to compensate for the additional work.

 

Revisions: 04/12/2018 (policy); 03/06/2018 and 03/25/2019 (procedures)

References:    

SACSCOC Core Requirement 6.1, Full-time faculty

SACSCOC Standard 2.b, Program faculty

SACSCOC Standard 2.c, Program coordination

1C SBCCC 300.97(a)(2) Faculty