2.10. FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO TEACHING AND ADVISING

A university’s worth is determined in large measure by the quality of its teachers. The styles of good teaching vary almost as much as the many disciplines in a complex university. The size and academic level of the class, the personality of the teacher, the goals of the students, the kind of subject matter under investigation, the expectations of a profession or of the public—all affect the definition of what constitutes good teaching. UTC acknowledges and supports this variety. It supports as well the seriousness of the UTC faculty’s commitment to good teaching and recognizes the students’ legitimate expectations in this important aspect of UTC’s mission.

Good advising (as assigned) is an important aspect of many faculty roles. Indeed, good teaching, scholarly research and academic advising are mutually supporting aspects of faculty excellence. The serious UTC student is learning how to learn and also how to relate the several parts of the college experience (the classes, lectures, readings, discussions, labs and extra-classroom endeavors) to some emerging sense of a whole. Good advising is a crucial aspect of this search for unity and integrity in the many parts. To be good academic advisors, faculty must be knowledgeable about the curriculum and the students. All students are required to see their advisor at least once a semester to discuss the many choices and goals that need to be considered. Every student should know some faculty member well enough to ask for an informed, personal letter of reference or recommendation when the time comes for graduation. The faculty member has, in turn, much to learn from the advisee and from the careful inspection of curriculum that advising requires. A good advisor is better informed about the issues that face the faculty when it votes on curriculum and on admission and graduation requirements.

Course loads should be consistent with UTC and departmental policies. Advising students, as assigned, is considered to be an integral part of the teaching obligation, and instructors are expected to give assistance freely to students in their classes. In addition, faculty members are expected to provide competent counsel to students assigned for overall course planning.

All members of the faculty are expected to attend commencement exercises in support of student success and accomplishments and in accordance with college and departmental bylaws.