PART 1: FACULTY AVAILABILITY

1. During each academic semester, faculty will be available, physically or virtually, for meetings called with reasonable advance notice and for assignments by the department head or appropriate academic administrator. The academic semester begins on the faculty return date identified on the academic calendar and ends on the date final grades are due. Nine month faculty who do not accrue annual leave are relieved of this expectation during the academic breaks (e.g. Spring Break and Thanksgiving Holiday).
2. In the event of illness or other reasonable justification, faculty who will be unavailable for meetings or their office hours designated for students will as soon as reasonably possible, notify the department head or other academic administrator for alternate arrangements and/or student notifications to be made.
3. In the case of an occasional absence, the general practice is for another member of the department to substitute until the faculty member returns.  Faculty who will be absent from campus for more than 3 days due to illness or any other FMLA qualifying event must also notify the FMLA office. In cases where FMLA leave is approved, the department head or appropriate academic administrator will make arrangements for course coverage.

PART 2: FACULTY OFFICE HOURS FOR STUDENTS

1. Faculty members will facilitate meetings requested by students and will be available in person or virtually for their students during the entire academic semester, with the exception of the academic breaks for nine month faculty. The purpose of faculty office hours is to set aside time for students.  During this time, faculty will be present in their assigned office, if any, and prioritize students’ needs. Consistent with the requirements in ARP 4.45, faculty will not meet students at private off-campus locations to conduct academic or university business, even if requested by the student, except as a reasonable accommodation vetted through Student Accessibility Services or the Office of Institutional Equity and notice to the department head or appropriate academic administrator.
2. Each academic department or program establishes the number and nature (e.g. in person or virtual) of office hours appropriate to support students in its courses.
3. Once office hours are determined, they will be published in the course syllabi and in the academic department office or posted on their office door.