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Faculty Handbook – Academic Responsibilities and Procedures

Teaching

The instruction of students is the first purpose of the University and the prime responsibility of every faculty member.

Faculty members must maintain professional competency. The University encourages all faculty and staff members to continue their formal education, where applicable, and to belong to the important learned and professional societies in their fields. Contributions to professional and other publications are not only encouraged, but are considered important to the maintenance of professional competency. Faculty members are expected to contribute their expertise to various university committees. Chairs and deans should make a special effort not to allow such work to consume an unreasonable amount of the faculty member’s time.

Faculty members are urged to accept invitations to events given by student organizations. The University encourages the involvement of the faculty in the out-of-class activities of students.

Student Perception of Teaching

Affirming that the instruction of students is the first purpose of the University and the prime responsibility of every faculty member, the University requires that all faculty members provide students in their classes with the opportunity to express their perception of teaching in accordance with established procedures. Such feedback provides useful information to the faculty member for the continued improvement of instruction. SPOT surveys of all classes taught by part-time and full-time faculty will occur each semester, unless the class is exempt from SPOT due to other university policies. Requests for SPOTs to be conducted outside of the normal course survey period and which are to be used for the evaluation of faculty job performance and continuation must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer.

Registration

Faculty and university staff members are expected to serve as needed during the periods of registration under the supervision of the dean or department head. It is imperative that this important process go as smoothly and rapidly as possible.

Class Scheduling

The compilation of class schedules in such a large university is necessarily complex and difficult.

Classes will be scheduled from 8 a.m. – throughout the day. So far as possible, classroom assignments and hours will be drawn up with every consideration for convenience and need, but the teacher’s assignment may be distributed throughout the available hours. Many factors, such as size of class, equipment needed, etc., must be considered. Consequently, any requests for changes should be carefully considered and discussed with the department chairman and dean. To avoid conflicts, all changes in the published schedule must be cleared by the Registrar’s Office.

Class Periods

All classes and laboratories should begin promptly at the scheduled hour and every effort should be made to close the periods on time.

Classes which run beyond the regular time and prevent students from reaching their next class have been a cause of complaint. Every effort must be made to avoid this situation.

Course Syllabus

Each course taught at Texas Christian University must distribute a syllabus to students that complies with the requirement of this policy. Each course syllabus should be given to students through the learning management system TCU Online (also referred to as D2L or Brightspace), paper or both, preferably on the first meeting of a course. The department chair or analogous supervisor should maintain a record of the syllabi for courses taught. Each syllabus must include links to approved Syllabus Policy Statements, which provide information about University, academic, state, and federal policies.

Each syllabus should also contain the following:

  1. Goals of the course
  2. A clear statement of course expectations – essentially, what students shall be expected to do in order to satisfactorily complete the course at different performance levels (generally speaking, what does it take to get an A, B, C,
  3. Statement of the faculty member’s policies on attendance and University excused absences and Federal excused absences; make-up work; missed exams and the like (see Attendance Expectations and Official Absences, below)
  4. Information concerning major projects or papers and when these assignments must be completed by the students
  5. If the course is a 50000/55000 course, provide distinct grading arrangements and extra assignment expectations for students receiving graduate credit
  6. Information about the number and dates of the exams
  7. Statement reflecting TCU policy regarding accommodations under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  8. Statement indicating how the instructor can be reached and how office hour requirements will be met.

Syllabus resources and support can be found at https://cte.tcu.edu/resources.
Updated 2023 by Faculty Affairs

Class Rosters

Departmental class rosters can be produced in each department. Faculty can also access class rosters on the Web. New rosters should be produced before the first day of class, at the end of the first week of classes, and periodically to inform faculty of changes that have taken place. In all instances, a careful check should be made as soon as possible to make sure that the students attending the class appear on the class roster. If a student is attending but the name is not on the roster, he or she should be instructed to contact the Office of the Registrar immediately. If a name is listed on the roster, and the student has not attended, contact the Office of the Registrar. If, after contact with the Office of the Registrar, a name continues to appear on the class roster and the student is not in attendance, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students. Students enrolled for the course for non-credit (or audit) are indicated by the symbol “AU” on the roll.

Office Hours

In addition to regular classroom and laboratory hours, all faculty members should be available for consultation at regularly scheduled office hours in person and online. This schedule should be arranged after consultation with dean or department head, and the office hours clearly posted for the aid of students.

University Communication

TCU makes every attempt to communicate in a timely and effective manner. The University utilizes U.S. mail, campus mail, telephone calls, and/or TCU-provided email to communicate official University business. Information communicated by TCU email (tcu.edu account) is considered an official communication from the University. In the event of an emergency, the University will communicate through the TCU Alert System. Most offices use TCU email exclusively to communicate important information; therefore, it is important to access the TCU email account regularly or forward that account to an email account that is accessed regularly. It is also imperative to keep address and telephone information current. These are maintained via the Employee Center of the TCU Portal.

Independent Study Protocol

Credit-bearing courses at TCU must be approved by the appropriate school or college curriculum committee and, as appropriate, the Undergraduate and/or Graduate Council. This is a critical dimension of faculty governance. On occasion, a credit-bearing course may be offered on an experimental basis to allow faculty to refine the course content and approach before submitting it for formal approval. In these cases, approval from the Academic Dean is required and may not be given for more than two semesters. Courses taught as Special Problems, Special Projects, Independent Study, or Directed Study may be offered without Curriculum Committee and Council approval if no more than three students are enrolled.

Audit Enrollment (Course Visitor)

Occasional visitation of classes by students is allowed with the consent of the instructor. Any extended attendance requires enrollment as an auditor. Auditors are admitted to classes on a space-available basis only. A non-refundable audit fee is charged. TCU Scholars are given the opportunity to audit one class (for which auditing is permitted) without fee within 12 months after notification of eligibility. TCU Scholars will be expected to follow established regulations for auditors. The following regulations are applicable:

  1. Certain classes — laboratory and clinical classes, Ranch Management classes, laboratory sections of lecture classes, activity and performance classes (e.g., various studio art courses, music performance courses, and ballet classes) — may not be audited.
  2. The only period during which students may register for an audit or change a credit class to audit is from the second day of late registration to the last day of late registration as published in the University calendar. It is recommended that prospective students consult the instructors of courses in which they are interested before they register. Students wishing to audit graduate courses must be admitted for graduate studies and have written approval of either the instructor of the course for which they wish to register or the Dean of the college in which the course is taught.
  3. Classroom recitation and participation may be restricted at the discretion of the instructor; no grade is assigned and no credit is awarded.
  4. If credit is desired, the student must register for and repeat the regular course after paying regular tuition.
  5. The auditor’s name will appear on the instructor’s class roster. In order for “AU” to appear on the student’s transcript, the instructor must certify at the end of the semester that the student has attended as an auditor by entering an AU. Auditors who are not approved by the instructor should have a final grade NAU recorded on the roster. Enrollments with NAU will be omitted from the student’s record.

Student Records

All permanent academic records of students are kept in the Registrar’s Office. No disciplinary actions are ever recorded on a transcript.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

TCU abides by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, a federal law which provides that the University will maintain confidentiality of student records. Faculty should be aware of the requirements of The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act as the University accords all the rights under the law to its students. No one outside the institution shall have access to, nor will the institution disclose, any information from students’ educational records without the written consent of the student except to personnel with a need to know within the institution, to officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students’ financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. Access the entire policy here.

Withdrawals from Classes

After a student has been duly enrolled in a class, he or she is considered to be officially in that class and responsible for a grade until he or she has formally dropped from the class or withdrawn from school. Merely discontinuing class attendance does not constitute a drop or withdrawal. A student who desires to drop a course or withdraw from the University should follow the established procedure originating in the Registrar’s Office. The date of withdrawal for purposes of tuition adjustment shall be the date of official withdrawal. The Registrar’s Office should be consulted for details concerning current university withdrawal policy.

Attendance Expectations and Official Absence Policy

Regular and punctual class attendance is essential, and no assigned work is summarily excused because of absence, no matter what the cause. Records of class attendance are the responsibility of the faculty, and every course’s syllabus should clearly state the instructor’s policy on class attendance and how attendance affects a student’s final evaluation in the course. Students who miss an instructional experience are expected to meet with faculty to discuss their absence as soon as possible.

Excused Absences Defined by TCU
When a student is absent to represent the University (as in athletics, chorus, band, national or state meetings of organizations represented at TCU), then an Official University Absence may be granted by the Dean of Students Office no later than one week prior to the date of the activity. Faculty/staff who wish to have an activity sanctioned for Official University Absence status, must submit the names of all students, including date and hours absent from campus, to the Campus Life Office no later than one week prior to the date of the activity. The Dean of Students Office reviews and approves the request as appropriate and notifies the student’s faculty by email. Faculty are required to permit students to make up work missed because of Official University Absences.

Excused Absences Defined by State or Federal Regulations
In accordance with Texas Education Code Section 51.911 Religious Holy Days, an institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day.  TCU’s policy for Religious Observances and Holidays states that students must notify faculty or staff during the first two weeks of the semester of their intention to be absent from class or the required event on their day(s) of religious observance.  A faculty member may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the absence.  For more details on this policy, please visit the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life’s webpage.
In accordance with Texas Education Code Section 51.9111 Excused Absence for Active Military Service, when a student is called into active military service, including travel associated with that service, an institution of higher education shall excuse the student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including exams. The student may not be penalized for the absence and shall be allowed to complete assignments and exams within a reasonable time after the absence. The Dean of Students can assist students with verifying the excused absence by collecting and storing appropriate documentation and then notifying the student’s professors. Faculty are encouraged to work with the student to help them satisfactorily complete assignments and exams within a reasonable time. If assignments and exams are not completed within a reasonable time, faculty may take appropriate action.

Absences Outside of Official Policies
Faculty retain all discretion for consideration of a student’s absence is the absence does not fall within Official University Absence or Federal/State Excused Absences. When a student misses class for any reason other than an Official University Absence, the student is expected to follow the instructor’s policy as stated in the course syllabus. The student should contact their instructor as soon as possible after they know the absence will occur or has occurred. If the Dean of Students Office is working with a student regarding an emergency or ongoing personal concerns affecting the student’s academic performance and/or attendance, the Dean of Students Office will notify the student’s faculty by email or telephone. The Dean’s office will collect the appropriate documentation to verify the nature of an absence. If the cause of the absence is a serious illness, catastrophic accident, or family emergency, each instructor should assist the student to make up any missed work. Time lost through such absences should not prejudice class standing. Faculty members should specify the appropriate time frame for making up missed work. If the cause of the absence is less compelling (choosing to miss class, oversleeping), instructors may or may not permit the student to make up missed work, and may or may not assess a penalty for class absence.

If any of the following conditions are true, the faculty member should contact the Dean of Students Office by filling out the brief form here or calling 817-257-7926:

  1. The faculty member is concerned for the student’s health or well-being, or thinks the student needs additional help.
  2. The student has had excessive absences in the class. (An instructor should not assume that continued absence from class indicates an official withdrawal unless confirmed by the Registrar.)
  3. The faculty member believes the student has been untruthful about the cause of his/her absence.

Disruptive Classroom Behavior and Lack of Academic Progress Policy

Disruptive behavior is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to conduct that substantially interferes with or obstructs the teaching or learning process. Civil expression of disagreement with the course instructor, during times when the instructor permits discussion, is not itself disruptive behavior and is not prohibited.

When any student, acting individually or in concert with others, obstructs or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt any teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary, or public service activity, or any other activity authorized to be discharged on behalf of the University or held on the University’s premises, the student may be asked to stop the disruptive behavior by an instructor or staff of the University. If the student continues, an instructor/staff member is authorized to tell the student to leave the area or classroom and, if the student will not leave, to call campus police.

The instructor/staff may immediately call campus police, without prior request to the student, if presented with an unsafe situation, threatening behavior, violence, or in other appropriate circumstances.

  1. Withdrawal of Student from Class or Other Educational Experience. When a student disrupts a class or other educational experience, acts in a threatening manner, is not making acceptable academic progress, or if the student’s behavior or lack of preparation is detrimental to the educational experience of others or could create an unsafe condition, or if the student is compromising the learning environment, the instructor may take action to withdraw the student from the class or educational experience. To do this, the instructor shall provide the student written notice of intent to withdraw the student from the class or educational experience, with an explanation of the instructor’s reason(s), and with a copy to the instructor’s department chair (or, when there is no department chair, to the associate dean of the instructor’s college or school). The notice should schedule a meeting with the student and the department chair (or, when there is no department chair, with the associate dean or dean of the instructor’s college or school) to occur within 7 days of the notice. The instructor may bar the student from the class or educational experience pending the result of the meeting, and the written notice should advise the student if there is such a bar. At the meeting, the student may have one advisor. Following the meeting, the instructor shall decide whether to withdraw the student from the class or educational experience. If a student is withdrawn, his or her grade will be recommended by the instructor to the dean of the instructor’s college or school as either a “Q” or an “F.” The student may appeal this decision within 7 days in writing to the academic dean or designee. During the student’s appeal, the student remains withdrawn from and is barred from attending the class. The dean’s decision may be appealed in writing to the Academic Appeals Committee within ten (10) academic days of the dean’s decision. The Academic Appeals Committee will follow the appeals procedures in the Academic Appeals Committee Policy which may be obtained in full from the chair of the committee or the Provost’s office.
  2. Denying Enrollment, Suspension, Expulsion, and Other Appropriate Action. When a student disrupts a class or other educational experience, acts in a threatening manner, is not making acceptable academic progress, or if the student’s behavior or lack of preparation is detrimental to the educational experience of others or could create an unsafe condition, or if the student is compromising the learning environment, or if the student has acted contrary to the professional or ethical standards of the University, a department thereof, or a particular field, an academic dean, or the dean’s designee, may additionally:
    • a. deny class enrollment to the student; or
    • b. suspend or expel the student from the University or from one or more of its programs;
    • c. take other appropriate action.

The student affected by such a decision by an academic dean, or the dean’s designee, may appeal in writing to the Academic Appeals Committee within ten (10) academic days of the dean’s decision. The Academic Appeals Committee will follow the appeals procedures in the Academic Appeals Committee Policy which may be obtained in full from the chair of the committee or the Provost’s office. The decision of the academic dean (or designee) remains in place during the pendency of the appeal. A student so suspended or expelled shall have a grade of “Q” or “F” recorded for each course in progress as determined appropriate by the academic dean. The transcript will not record suspension or expulsion.

  1. Non-students and Non-enrolled Students. Non-students and students not enrolled in class may be permanently removed by an instructor of the class, without formal review. Non-students who disrupt University activities may be removed from campus and banned from returning.
  2. Other. Although some disruptive behavior may be due to a mental or physical disorder, as it relates to violence, disruptive or threatening behavior, students with such disorders will be held to the same standards as others. Nothing in this policy limits a person including but not limited to an instructor, academic dean, associate dean, or department chair from referring a matter to the Office of the Dean of Students or pursuing disciplinary action against a student or person through a complaint filed in the Office of the Dean of Campus Life. This policy is not intended to limit any authorized University employee, staff member, official, vice chancellor, chancellor, members of the Board of Trustees, or a member of the Office of Dean of Students, from appropriately addressing behaviors covered by the policy.

Class “Walks”

The granting of “walks” or early dismissal of classes and laboratories is viewed as a grave breach of professional and academic integrity by the University. This is especially true on days preceding holidays. “Walks” will not be granted at any time unless circumstances beyond the control of the faculty member, such as sudden illness or emergency, should occur.

Grading

The University’s system of grading and a discussion of the grade-point system will be found in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog in the bachelor’s degree section under Definitions and Regulations, in the Graduate Studies Catalog under Academic Rating System, and in the Brite Divinity School Catalog under Grading and point system. All faculty members should familiarize themselves with this section, especially that area dealing with “I” grades and drops.

A “Q” grade is assigned for a course which is dropped with permission of the dean of the school or college of the student’s major (and dean of the school or college in which the course is offered, if different) in consultation with the instructor of the course when reasonably possible. The University’s course numbering system will also be found in the Catalog.

Grade Rosters

Faculty members are expected to report “Unsatisfactory Progress Reports” for students at mid-semester. A distinctive set of Web-based grade rosters is produced for unsatisfactory grades. At the end of each semester (or session), final Web-based class rosters for semester grade reporting are produced. For most classes, two separate rosters are produced, one for students who are graduating that semester and one for all other students. For students who are on the graduation grade roster, grades are due before 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday of exam week. (See final exam policy for guidance in giving finals to these students.) For all other student grades, the rosters must be submitted within 72 hours of the final exam. Information related to the deadlines, grades, and submission of the rosters will also be emailed. Grades will be available to students online at the end of each semester. At mid-semester, students are provided notices by email of the courses in which their progress has been reported as unsatisfactory.

Procedures for Grade Appeal

The following procedures are specified for filing a formal grade appeal. Appeals of program dismissals, sanctions for academic misconduct or other appeals of an academic nature shall follow analogous procedures beginning at the appropriate level. For example, the appeal of a program dismissal by an academic dean would begin with a discussion with the academic dean, followed directly by an appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee.

For the purposes of this policy, “academic dean” refers either to the dean of a college or to an associate dean of that same college designated by the dean to handle the relevant academic matters.

Preconditions for a Formal Grade Appeal: In the event a student questions the appropriateness of a grade assigned for a course or the results of another critical component of a degree requirement (e.g. oral exam, juried exhibition, thesis, etc.), the student must first discuss the matter with the faculty member(s). These discussions between the faculty member and student should be initiated by the student as soon as possible after the grade is assigned, but no later than six (6) academic days following the disclosure of the grade to the student. The faculty member is expected to respond within five (5) academic days of the initiation. If there is no response from the faculty member, the student may present the issue directly to the department chair. In the event that the faculty member(s) agrees to change the grade/decision, the normal process for changing a grade shall be followed. If the student wishes to appeal the faculty’s decision after these discussions, he or she must follow the formal grade appeals process outlined below.

NOTE: An academic day is defined as a school day on which TCU classes are meeting. Initiation of the discussion is any attempt to contact the faculty of record, or chair of examination committee in the case of a candidacy exam or thesis/dissertation defense, about the grade, including email or other written correspondence (recommended), personal meeting and telephone call or message.

Formal Grade Appeal:

  1. Appeal to the Department Chair or appropriate Administrator (see Dean’s Office for appropriate administrator). The student may appeal the faculty decision in writing to the department chair or appropriate administrator within fifteen (15) academic days of the first day of the next long semester if a satisfactory resolution is not reached in the initial discussion with the faculty. Exceptions to deadlines set forth herein for students in unusual circumstances (for example, studying abroad) may be granted in writing by the dean of the college/school in which the course (or critical component) was offered. An exception may also be granted by the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The department chair or appropriate administrator will become familiar with the facts of the case by communicating with the student and the faculty member(s). The parties have a right to meet with the chair without the other party present. The faculty member or examination committee chair will respond in writing to the department chair concerning the student’s appeal. At any point in the appeals process, the appealing student has the right to request and obtain copies of any materials relating to the student that have been shared with others to justify the grade or other issue under appeal. The department chair or appropriate administrator may either accept or deny the student’s appeal. The chair will notify the student and faculty member(s) of his/her decision in writing within ten (10) academic days of receiving the appeal. In the event that the department chair accepts the student’s appeal, and no further appeals occur, he/she will initiate a grade change through the dean of the college. EXCEPTIONS – If the department chair is involved in the appeal as the faculty member (or as one of the faculty members), the chair of the department advisory committee will assume the department chair’s role in the appeal process. If the department does not have a department advisory committee, the chair of the school/college advisory committee will assume the department chair’s role in the appeal process.
  1. Appeal to the Academic Dean. The chair’s position may be appealed in writing by the student or faculty member(s) to the appropriate dean within ten (10) academic days of the department chair’s decision. The dean will become familiar with the facts of the case by reading the prior appeal documents and by communicating with the student, faculty member(s) the department chair. The parties have the right to meet with the dean without the other party present. The academic dean will notify the student, faculty member(s) and the department chair of his/her decision in writing within ten (10) academic days of receiving the appeal. In the event the dean upholds the student’s appeal and no further appeals occur, the change of grade shall be reported by the dean to the registrar’s office. EXCEPTIONS – If the dean of the college/school is involved in the appeal as the faculty member, the appropriate associate dean will assume the dean’s role in the appeal process.
  1. Appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee. The dean’s decision may be appealed in writing by the student, the faculty member(s) or the department chair to the Academic Appeals Committee within ten (10) academic days of the dean’s decision. The Academic Appeals Committee will follow the appeals procedures in the Academic Appeals Committee Policy which may be obtained in full from the chair of the committee or the Provost’s office. The appeal by the student, the faculty member(s) or the department chair will be sent to the Academic Appeals Committee chair in writing. The material corresponding to the appeal should include a letter to the committee discussing the reason for the appeal and all pertinent documents that support the appeal. When the appeal is received, the committee chair will ask the appropriate dean for all written documents pertaining to the appeal. Once the committee chair receives the documents, he or she will convene a hearing panel and distribute the documents to the hearing panel members for review. During the review of the material, the chair may request other documents pertaining to the appeal. The chair will set a date for a hearing that will include the appropriate committee members, the student and the faculty member(s). The chair will request that the dean or a designee be present to represent the college or school. A hearing will take place at which time all parties will have an opportunity to discuss their case and committee members will ask questions to better understand the appeal. The committee will confer and come to a decision on whether to support the appeal or not. All parties will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision within ten (10) academic days of the hearing. In the event the committee upholds the student’s appeal and no further appeals occur, the chair will advise the appropriate dean to report the change of grade to the registrar’s office.
  1. Appeal to the Provost. The student, dean, faculty member(s) or the department chair may appeal the Academic Appeals Committee’s decision to the Provost of the University in writing within ten (10) academic days of the committee’s decision. All questions pertaining to the appeals policy and procedures should be addressed to the chair of the Academic Appeals Committee or the Provost’s office.

Final Evaluative Exercise Policy

Faculty members are to administer an appropriate final evaluative exercise in all classes. The form of the evaluative exercise may vary according to the course level, objective(s) and instructional methodology. Prior agreement with the appropriate next-level administrator is required before omitting a final exercise or scheduling a final evaluative exercise outside the published schedule.

The five-day periods for final examinations at the close of the fall and spring semester are published in the University Calendar. Final examinations for evening classes are conducted in regular classrooms during the week of final examinations. If necessary, the final examination for evening classes meeting twice a week may be scheduled for both of those nights. The schedule for final examinations is to be followed; no final examination may be given before the beginning of the final examination period (see exception for graduating students and prior agreement with appropriate next-level administrator noted above).

Rescheduling of Finals

There are three permissible reasons for rescheduling finals. In all cases, rescheduling arrangements must be made no later than one week prior to the last day of classes.

  1. Graduating seniors. Because grades for graduating students must be submitted to the Registrar at least 72 hours prior to Commencement, graduating students who have exams beginning at 3:00 p.m. or later on the Wednesday of Finals Week must reschedule to an earlier time. Study days and the Saturday prior to Finals Week are available for faculty to reschedule graduating students.
  2. Students with more than two finals in a 24-hour period. If the published final examination schedule would require a student to take more than two final examinations in a 24-hour period, the student can arrange to take one of the exams at another time. The student shall determine which final examination is to be rescheduled. The rescheduled exam shall be given at a time mutually agreeable to the student and the faculty member. A final exam may not be rescheduled so as to violate the 24-hour rule. Rescheduling arrangements must be made one week prior to the last day of classes. Unless the student is graduating, the exam must be taken during final examination week.
  3. Students for whom a final examination conflicts with a major religious holiday or custom. Students who, in the first two weeks of the semester, notified faculty or staff of their intention to be absent from class or event, as required in the TCU Religious Holiday Policy, may reschedule a final exam if it compromises their ability to fully celebrate a religious holiday. For example, students may reschedule late afternoon or evening examinations to that morning or at an alternate time so they are not being tested after fasting for many daylight hours. A final exam may not be rescheduled so as to violate the 24-hour rule.

End of Semester Study Period

The academic calendar provides for a study period between the last day of classes and the beginning of final examination week. This study period is intended to provide maximum, uninterrupted study time. No classes, laboratories, or examinations of any kind will be scheduled during this period (see exception for graduating students).

Teaching Materials Policy

Instructional materials authored, created, produced or supplied by the course instructor may be assigned to be purchased by students for a course taught by the author. If such materials are simply reproduced for class distribution, the cost charged to students may not exceed the cost of reproduction and distribution. If the instructor receives direct financial benefit, the instructor must disclose the financial benefit and the department chair or dean may ask for justification before rendering a decision about the appropriateness of the materials. The chair or dean must provide an explicit rationale if the instructional materials are judged inappropriate.

Instructional Equipment Policy

Equipment approved for purchase by the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the instructional setting will be inventoried and maintained through Information Technology. Requests and approvals for purchases will come to deans through department chairpersons and faculty. Equipment housed permanently in an academic building will be available for all classes taught in the building. Scheduling of the equipment will be handled by the department that initially requested the purchase of the equipment, and requests will be granted on a first-come/first-served basis. Individuals who use equipment in the instructional setting are expected to be trained adequately and are responsible for contacting Information Technology to obtain this training. The instructor is responsible for the safeguarding of the equipment, and his/her department may be held financially responsible if equipment is lost or damaged.

Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure Policy for Disclosure Requirements

This policy applies to academic programs leading to professional licensure and/or certification. This policy is written to comply with regulatory and accreditation requirements including the Higher Education Act and related regulations, Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. This policy describes the process for TCU to discharge its obligations under federal law and regulations, accreditation requirements, and the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement:

  1. to make a good faith effort to determine if its Professional Programs meet the educational prerequisites for Licensure for each state and territory in the United States; and
  2. to disclose to students enrolled in its Professional Programs whether its Professional Programs meet educational prerequisites for Licensure in the state or territory where the student engages in educational activities.

Access the entire Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure Policy here.

Distance Learning and Web-Enhanced Course Policy

This policy is reviewed and approved by the TCU Provost Council. TCU Distance Learning is any for-credit instruction provided to a TCU student outside the state of Texas. This includes internships, clinicals, practicums, video conferencing, online or any other delivery format. Distance Learning is centralized in the Koehler Center.

This policy covers:

  1. Standards for Online Courses
  2. Requirements for Teaching Online Courses
  3. Requirement for Online Courses
  4. Standards for Web-Component Course

Access the entire Distance Learning and Web-Enhanced Course Policy here.

Procedures for Ordering Textbooks and Course Packets.

Textbook orders can be placed using the Follett Discover link with the LMS allowing faculty to research and adopt course materials in one convenient place. Discover can be used to adopt textbooks, check format availability, non-course materials, order desk copies, and research new titles in addition to providing three years of prior book and course information. Please contact the Campus Store Textbook Department for more information on ordering or to request a copy of the departmental textbook list.

To best meet the needs of the student body, all textbook and course materials information must be made available to the TCU Campus Store and should not be released elsewhere. The TCU Campus Store will order and make available for sale any and all textbooks required for each course at TCU. The TCU Campus Store will make all textbook and course material information available through its website. In the event of delayed delivery for any required title being used for a course, the TCU Campus Store will be glad to take special orders in-store, by student request, for books not in stock. Every effort will be taken to secure the books and provide them in a timely manner.

NOTICE: The sale of textbooks and supplies directly to students by individuals employed at TCU or through departments is strictly prohibited.

Book and supply information is due for each class and instructor on the following dates: Due Date to TCU Campus Store
Upcoming spring semester October 15**
Upcoming summer semester March 18**
Upcoming fall semester April 15**

 

Outside Speakers

TCU welcomes the presentation and discussion of diverse points of view through speakers sponsored by recognized campus organizations.

There is no absolute right on the part of any organization to assemble and hear a speech at any particular time or place and under any and all circumstances. However, the fact that a speaker may be provocative or strike at prejudices and hold views contrary to those held on campus is not in itself a basis for the denial of the right of an organization to hear him or her.

No prior approval is needed for departmental or faculty invitations to speakers before classes or seminars or for guest speakers off campus. If there is a question concerning the wisdom of inviting a speaker by a student organization, it should be referred to the Provost & Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. If there is a question concerning the wisdom of inviting a speaker presented or sponsored by an academic department it should be referred through academic channels.

Disciplining Students

When discipline problems occur, every effort is made to deal with each case individually and to protect the interests of the student, as well as the interests of the University. Professional student affairs personnel attempt to assist individual students with any problem that might impede successful educational progress.

All members of the university community share responsibility for the way that it functions, and each student, staff and faculty member has not only the right but also the obligation to submit significant rules infractions to the appropriate university office.

A complete statement of TCU policy concerning student conduct can be found here: deanofstudents.tcu.edu/student-conduct.

 Student-Initiated Withdrawal Policy

The purpose of student-initiated withdrawal from courses is to enhance the learning opportunity in a program of study. On recognition that a student may lack the background needed for the mastery of course content, the subject matter in a course does not match student need or interest as anticipated, or that course requirements will limit effective appropriation of learning in a semester’s overall program of study, a student may officially withdraw from any course until five (5) academic days following the published date that mid-semester reports of unsatisfactory work are due to the Registrar. The date of withdrawal for all purposes, including tuition adjustment, shall be the date of official withdrawal.

There will be no withdrawals after this date during the fall and spring semesters, or a comparable period during a shorter session.

Any student who experiences unusual hardship may seek special consideration through a written petition to the dean of the college of his or her major. Petitions should, where possible, be documented with supporting statements from a doctor, counselor, or family member. That a student is doing unsatisfactory work in a course will not be taken as sufficient reason for special consideration. If, in the opinion of the dean, the request is justified, a grade of “Q” (dropped by the dean’s permission) may be assigned by the dean after consultation with (1) the instructor of the course, (2) the chair of the department, and (3) the dean of the college in which the course is offered. Any dean assigning a “Q” will notify the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Processions and Regalia

All faculty and those staff with advanced degrees and employed on at least a three-quarter time basis are expected to participate in academic processions held in conjunction with convocations, commencements, and other formal ceremonies. Reimbursement for one-half of the rental fee for academic regalia for commencements may be obtained through the Office of the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Information and policies on this page were transferred from the 2022 Faculty and Staff Handbook and then reviewed and approved by a special committee of the Faculty Senate in July 2023.