Adjunct Faculty Information

Adjunct Faculty Information | Getting Started | Working at DU

Benefits for Adjuncts | DU Policies | Contacts & Resources | Text Book Ordering

Adjunct Faculty Information on

The role of adjunct faculty

Official contact with the University

Preparing to teach

Support and student services

Resources for teaching and learning

What is the Role of Adjuncts at DU?

The principal role of adjuncts at DU is to teach students. Adjunct faculty are also expected to hold office hours as part of the teaching function.

The University calls upon adjuncts in some very specific instances. Adjuncts enrich the curriculum by teaching specialized courses in their particular areas of expertise. They are also used when staffing shortfalls exist, due to leave situations or when unanticipated additional courses or course sections are needed.

Teaching ability is a key criteria for adjunct selection, along with relevant degrees (Ph.D., Master's, or JD). Like appointed faculty, course evaluations are used to assess adjuncts' teaching.

Official Contact with the University

You were most likely hired by the department chair or program director in the College, Division, or School where you will teach. This person is your main "official" contact with DU.

The department chair or program director is the person you should ask if you have questions about University policies, curriculum, course content, or other questions regarding your role as an adjunct faculty member. You should inform this person if there are any safety issues, honor code violations, or other situations that hinder student learning and a collegial environment - either in the classroom, or elsewhere within the University.

Preparing to Teach

Each Division and College within the University has its own unique culture, and specific requirements of adjunct faculty may vary. Below is a list of questions that you may want to address to your Academic Program Director or Department Chair as you prepare to teach at DU.

Preparing for class...

Course content - Is there a guide for the content to be taught in the class? How much autonomy do I have with the content of the course?
Course materials - Is the text assigned or not? How do I obtain a desk copy of the text, download the electronic Instructor's Edition, coursepack, or other teaching materials?
Syllabus - Is there a guide for what I should include in the syllabus? Does someone from the department review the syllabus or not? Are there departmental standards or customary practices regarding student assessment and the nature or number of assignments? Regarding student attendance? How do I put my course syllabus online?

In the classroom...

Class roster - How do I obtain a class roster? What are the Drop/Add periods? Should I note or report attendance at certain times? What are the procedures for waitlisted students, students who wish to audit, students whose names are not on the class roster? Where will the class meet (and how will I know this)?
Grades, evaluation, and assessment - When are grades due, and what is the procedure for turning in grades? What is the procedure for administering course evaluations (student assessment of the course)? Who should I ask if I have questions about grading (e.g. policy for "Incomplete" grades) or about assessment?
Policies, procedures and practices - What are the policies, procedures, and practices that I should know? Is there a policy about inviting outside speakers to class? Regarding meeting off-campus or "field trips"? If I drive students in my own car, am I liable? Who should I (and the University "contact" person) talk to regarding these questions?
Class cancellation - What is the procedure if I need to cancel class? If the College or University decides to cancel classes (e.g. due to weather), how will I know this?
Student conduct - What if there are problems with student conduct in class? What should I do if there is a violation of the Honor Code? How do I handle a situation involving student conduct outside of class? What do I do if someone reports discrimination or sexual harassment? What are the limits and expectations regarding my responsibility in matters of student conduct?

Teaching aids...

Teaching materials - Where do I get chalk or dry-erase markers? Make photocopies? Scantron ("bubble") sheets for scannable test assessments? Other materials (tape, flipchart paper, markers, pens or pencils, overhead transparencies, etc.)?
Media equipment - How do I request media equipment (and how much advance notice is required)? Is there someone who can help me set up my laptop for presentations? Can I request a "smart" classroom for a particular class meeting (and how do I do this?)
Technology - How do I obtain and use a DU e-mail account? How do I configure my computer to access DU e-mail when not on campus? How do I configure my laptop for DU's wireless network?
Telephone and office space - Is there a telephone and/or office space available to me? Can I have a voicemail account (and how do I set this up)?

Other...

Academic and other support for students - How can I help students find academic support resources at DU? What if a student needs counseling support? What are the limits and expectations regarding my responsibiNovember 17, 2010rong>Emergencies - What should I do in case of an emergency? Where will I find the evacuation plan for the building(s) I am in? How do I handle a situation where someone is injured?

The answers to these questions - and to other questions that you may have - will depend on the practices and culture of the individual Division, College, or School that you are teaching in. Be sure to ask your department chair or program director well in advance if you have questions or plan something "out of the ordinary" in order to provide the truly excellent learning experience that DU promises our students.

Support and Student Services

Career Center, Student Services, the central career center on campus includes:

• Career counseling
• Job search preparation and search services

Some units at DU have their own career centers, including:

• Career Services, Graduate School of International Studies
• Center for Academic and Career Development:

• General advising
• Policies and procedures
• Domestic minority student advising
• International student advising

• Suitts Center for Career Placement (Daniels College of Business)

University Disability Services, includes:

• Learning Effectiveness Program (academic counseling, advising and tutors)
• Disability Services Program (accommodations)

Resources for Teaching and Learning

There are several offices and organizations that support teaching, learning and academic initiatives on campus. A partial list of these is included below. (See the "Contact and Resources" page for more information.)

Center for Teaching and Learning

• Faculty advisory board
• Educational technology support
• Workshops and seminars for faculty

Office of Assessment

• Faculty consultation regarding use of CATs (classroom assessment techniques)

Office of Institutional Research

• Course and teacher evaluations (including sample forms)
• Undergraduate student retention analysis and reports
• Customized scan-able forms for survey data collection and test administration
• Data analysis for survey projects

Center for Academic and Career Development