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Faculty Handbook
Preface
The Faculty Handbook is designed to provide information on the policies and procedures governing the operation of West Texas A&M University. The handbook is also designed to offer guidance in matters of concern to faculty and to improve communication throughout the University.
The policies and procedures contained in the handbook supersede those issued by West Texas A&M University in all previous publications, policy memoranda or statements, and administrative directives. In the event that contradictions occur between the requirements or privileges provided in the handbook and those provided in an employee’s letter of appointment, the provisions of the letter of appointment shall be followed.
The University’s Fiscal Regulation, the West Texas A&M University Catalog and the Code of Student Life also contain information on rules and regulations related to the operation and management of the University, and these publications are an official part of this handbook, though not reprinted here. Copies of these publications are on file in each departmental office, and faculty members should refer to them for additional information.
The System Policies and Regulations Manual (SPRM), promulgated and approved by The Texas AM University System, sets forth policies and procedures for The Texas A&M University System (visit www.tamus.edu). Therefore, in the event the West Texas A&M University Faculty Handbook either conflicts with or does not address a policy or procedure covered by The Texas A&M University Syste’s SPRM, then the SPRM shall control.
Orders adopted by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and published in the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Regents constitute the final authority on all matters related to the operation and management of the University. Copies of the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Regents are on file in Cornette Library and in the Office of the President.
Handbook Revisions Process
The Faculty Handbook Committee reviews all submissions for inclusion in the Faculty Handbook. After the committee’s review, its recommendations are sent to the Faculty Senate and the University president for review. The Faculty Senate will send its recommendations with approval signature of the Faculty Senate president to the University president for consideration. Any changes/edits/additions from the president will be sent back to the Faculty Senate for consideration. After final corrections are made, the proposal will be sent to the president for approval signature. The approved proposal will be sent to the Faculty Handbook Committee for inclusion in the Faculty Handbook and on the University website.
Definition—Faculty
A faculty member is defined as a person employed by West Texas A&M University whose duties as specified in his or her letter of appointment include teaching and/or research, and whose rank, as identified in the letter of appointment, is instructor, assistant professor, associate professor or professor.
Other University personnel with classroom teaching responsibilities (administrators whose letters of appointment do not specify teaching and/or research, part-time instructors, members of Preface the University coaching staff and any employee who does not have a letter of appointment) are required to follow policies and procedures contained in the handbook sections entitled “General Policies Affecting Faculty” and “Policies Relating to the Teaching Function” as applicable. Any grievance or other action brought by a University employee referenced in this paragraph shall be governed by policies and procedures of the University for non-faculty members.
West Texas A&M University
West Texas State Normal College was created by a legislative act signed into law March 31, 1909, and opened Sept. 20, 1910, in Canyon City. In 1917, the college became a degree-granting institution. Through the University’s more than 96 years, the institution’s name has changed to reflect its growth and expanding role in higher education. In 1923, it became West Texas State Teachers College. In 1932, the institution became the first teachers college in Texas to offer graduate instruction, and in 1949, the name was changed to West Texas State College. The college achieved university status in 1963, and by Acts 1989, 71st Legislature, 1st C.S., Chapter 9, § 1, effective Nov. 1, transferred governance and West Texas A&M University became a member of The Texas A&M University System on Sept. 1, 1990. In order to better reflect it’s A&M System affiliation, the name was changed from West Texas State University to West Texas A&M University on June 1, 1993. 03.01
West Texas A&M University is organized into five colleges and one school:
- College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering
- Department of Agricultural Sciences
- Department of Engineering and Computer Science
- Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
- College of Business
- Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
- Department of Computer Information Systems
- Department of Management, Marketing and General Business
- College of Education and Social Sciences
- Department of Education
- Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
- Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work
- Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities
- Department of Art, Theatre and Dance
- Department of Communication
- Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages
- Department of History and Geography
- Department of Music
- Office of General Majors
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Department of Communication Disorders
- Department of Nursing
- Department of Sports and Exercise Sciences
- Graduate School and Research
Mission Statement
West Texas A&M University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, is a student-centered, learning community dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular undergraduate and graduate programs. The University serves as the principal academic and cultural center of a multi-state region and is a significant catalyst for economic development by expanding the frontiers of knowledge through education, research and consultation. Its faculty and staff prepare students for leadership roles both in their chosen careers and as citizens of the nation and the world. West Texas A&M University is committed to providing a technology-rich education, constantly improving its academically challenging educational experience, and engaging students through effective teaching and practical experiences involving inquiry, discussion, research, creative activities, experiential learning and service. The University is committed to the intellectual, professional, and social growth of students by providing an education grounded in the liberal arts with opportunities to develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, an understanding of cultural diversity, a commitment to ethical behavior, an appreciation for the fine arts and humanities, and a desire for life-long learning.
Vision Statement
West Texas A&M University is a progressive university that provides a superior academic experience in an engaged, student-centered environment supported by a pioneering spirit that fosters critical thinking and social responsibility.
WTAMU seeks to be a first-choice institution—first choice for students, for faculty and staff, and for employers and graduate schools. When prospective students are thinking about pursuing a university education in a field in which WTAMU has a degree program, we want WTAMU to be their first choice. When a prospective faculty or staff member is thinking of a university in which to be employed, we want WTAMU to be their first choice. When an employer is looking for a graduate to hire, we want WTAMU to be their first choice. And when graduate schools come looking for graduate students, we want WTAMU to be their first choice.
Priorities of WTAMU
The University’s primary responsibility is to provide a student-centered, learning community dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular undergraduate and graduate programs, with primary emphasis placed on undergraduate education. Given the large number of first generation and minority students, emphasis is placed on providing an educational experience in which there is personalized attention given to students.
Instructional responsibilities are given a weight of between 50 and 80 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads. Recognizing that the existence of an effective student-centered learning environment entails extensive interaction of students with faculty outside of the classroom, advising/mentoring comprises between 10 and 20 percent of instructional responsibilities.
Scholarly research, that provides practical applications of theory through applied research, enhances the effectiveness of teaching and advances the bounds of knowledge, are valued and encouraged by the University. In terms of priorities, a goal is for the majority of our scholarly output to be applied scholarship, with the remainder being in rough balance between basic scholarship and instructional development. Regardless of type, the primary emphasis is on high-quality intellectual contributions. Scholarly research/creative activities are given a weight of between 10 and 40 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads.
As a service-oriented university, we have a commitment to assist in the economic development of the region. Service responsibilities are viewed as an integral part of the mission of the University and are given a weight of between 10 and 25 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads.
Recognizing a sizable proportion of our students are commuter and/or non-traditional students, the University offers a wide range of student support services for part-time and non-traditional students in addition to being a residential campus. While traditional course delivery systems are the predominate means of offering classes and programs, WTAMU is committed to offering online programs and online courses.
Student Centered Philosophy
The development of a student-centered philosophy is a dominant theme in both the strategic planning and curriculum assessment processes at West Texas A&M University. Since the student-centered approach permeates and influences all aspects of the University, it is essential that the philosophy is well-defined and understood by all members of the University community.
A student-centered university community is entirely committed to ensuring that students have opportunities to succeed in their academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, social, moral and civic endeavors, while they are enrolled as our students and throughout the remainder of their lives. All members of a student-centered university community assist students in achieving their individual academic and personal goals, while meeting the goals described in the university’s mission statement. The student-centered institution inspires students to develop the attitudes and skills that are essential to a rewarding life of learning, leadership and service.
West Texas A&M University exists first and foremost to provide a superb education to its students. Students and their development must be at the heart of all that we do. Furthermore, excellence in teaching is the sine qua non of our existence as an institution of higher education. In a student-centered environment, we are committed to the continuous improvement of our academic programs; we are committed to challenging students to excel; we are committed to providing students with timely feedback and assessment of their progress; we are committed to constantly adapting our pedagogy to provide a learning environment consistent with students’ learning styles; and we are committed to increasing students’ personal responsibility for learning by providing participatory learning opportunities. In a student-centered environment, our course schedules and classroom allocations are designed to best meet the needs of our students and maximize learning. Our student support services are accessible, inviting and structured to help students achieve their personal goals.
Although a student-centered university strives to promote student success, the relaxation or reduction of academic standards or expectations cannot be considered as being a contribution to success. Students must be held to high standards in the classroom, in performances, in exhibiting their work, on the athletic field or in any other arena of student endeavor. Expectations and goals are important aspects of the student-centered philosophy and must be encouraged campus-wide.
The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System was established Sept. 1, 1948, following a study and report made by a joint legislative committee the preceding year. After reviewing the report, the governing board appointed a committee on organization from its membership, secured an opinion from the attorney general on the legality of the new organization and adopted the organizational plan that created the A&M System.
The members of The Texas A&M University System are:
- Academic Institutions
- Prairie View A&M University
- Tarleton State University
- Texas A&M International University
- Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M University - Commerce
- Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
- Texas A&M University - Kingsville
- Texas A&M University - Texarkana
- West Texas A&M University
- Agencies
- Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
- Texas Cooperative Extension
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Texas Engineering Extension Service
- Texas Forest Service
- Texas Transportation Institute
- Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
- Health Science Center
- The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
- Baylor College of Dentistry