These bylaws are intended to explain procedures specific to the Biology department. They may supplement policies and procedures specified in the Contract, but in the case of conflict, the Contract takes precedence.
1. Definition of “voting member” in the department
A “voting member”, for purposes of the contract, is defined as any full-time faculty member in the biology department. Additional categories of people may be permitted to vote on departmental decisions if specified in relevant bylaws.
Approved September 28, 2021
2. Procedure for choosing contract and overload assignments for full-time faculty members
When teaching assignments are being selected by full-time faculty in the department, the following procedure shall be followed:
Step 1: In descending order of seniority, faculty members will select their preferred classes, including location, date, and time, to fill their contract load and up to 20% overload (i.e. up to 120% overload).
Step 2: Once all full-time faculty have selected assignments up to 120% overload, additional assignments up to 140% overload shall be selected by mutual discussion and agreement between the full-time faculty members. Factors to be considered include seniority, historical precedent, class specialization, and the possibility of sharing class assignments. In the event that no agreement can be reached as to the assignment of any specific class, the department chair will decide on the assignment, attempting when possible to consider the aforementioned factors.
Approved September 28, 2021
3. Procedure for determining prioritization of part-time faculty for specific class assignments
When making offers of class assignments to part-time faculty, the department will follow the language of the contract. Part-time faculty receive a priority number based on criteria set forth in the contract once they have taught for a certain number of semesters. Part-time faculty with higher priority numbers must be offered a section[1] in classes which they are qualified to teach before faculty with lower priority numbers. When considering prioritization of part-time faculty, a part-time faculty member shall be considered to have priority of assignment for a specific class only when the faculty member in question has been the instructor of record in a full-semester or fast-track offering of the class in consideration within the past five calendar years. Equivalent classes at other institutions shall count as qualifying for this purpose. The department chair may request student evaluations from other institutions before considering classes from those institutions as qualifying. In addition, classes with substantially similar material coverage shall count as qualifying for this purpose. A list of “equivalent” classes for this purpose shall be created and maintained by the department, and made publicly available.
All part-time faculty shall be considered qualified to teach Biology 100, 101, and 101L for this purpose, regardless of whether they have recently taught Biology 100, 101, or 101L.
[1] Which section is offered is at department discretion, based on the procedure in the faculty contract.
Approved September 28, 2021
4. Format of department meetings
Department meetings may take place in person or via teleconferencing or videoconferencing (using apps such as Zoom or Microsoft teams). Determination of quorum and votes taken during meetings held via remote conferencing shall follow the same procedures and be equally valid as in in-person meetings.
Approved September 28, 2021