College of Nursing

General Information

 

Academic Year

The academic year begins mid-August and ends at the conclusion of spring graduation or mid-May, whichever is later. College, program and standing committee meetings may be scheduled the week prior to initiation of classes each semester. All full-time faculty members are expected to attend scheduled meetings.

College Faculty and Staff Files

A comprehensive file is maintained for all faculty and staff members in the Dean's Office; the official faculty file is retained in the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Faculty members may review their official files at any time by contacting the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

A current curriculum vita, following the approved College format, is to be submitted upon employment and will be retained in the Dean's Office. Official transcripts displaying successful completion of a graduate program of study in nursing, as well as transcripts showing the terminal degree held, are to be submitted to the Dean's office for inclusion in the College's faculty file.

Evidence of Licensure/Certification

All nursing faculty members are required to maintain current registered nurse licensure in Missouri. The license should be brought to the Assistant to the Dean for photocopying no later than May 1 each year licenses are renewed.

Recognition as an advanced practice nurse in Missouri requires current board certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist and recognition of such by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Evidence of both current certification and recognition by the State are to be provided to the Dean's office and maintained in the College's faculty personnel file. Faculty members are not to use professional credentials indicating advanced practice status without such evidence on file.

State Board of Nursing

Faculty members teaching in the baccalaureate program require approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Application forms are provided by the Assistant to the Dean and are to be completed and returned to the Dean's Office within one week of receipt.

Board of Nursing annual report surveys are conducted online in early fall and faculty members are expected to respond as requested by the Board of Nursing.

Office Hours

Faculty members are expected to establish and post standard times when students can anticipate availability for consultation. A minimum of two hours per week is expected as open faculty office hours. Faculty teaching online courses may choose to hold office hours online.

Faculty administrative assistants provide schedule forms each semester on which faculty members are asked to identify designated class times and office hours. The original is to be returned to the administrative assistant and a copy posted in a prominent place on the exterior of individual offices. Faculty members are also asked to post consultation availability on Blackboard.

Salary Guidelines

Initial tenured/tenure track (regular) faculty salaries are assigned by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and are based upon the recommendation of the College's Dean. Non tenure track full time and adjunct faculty salaries are determined by the Dean and are established using qualifications and experience, rank, market considerations and equity concerns. Appointments are for nine months unless otherwise stipulated.

Salary increases are based on merit and established by the Dean upon consultation with the associate deans and review of annual reports (see Faculty Evaluation). All returning faculty receive a letter identifying merit increase no later than August 10 each academic year.

Nontenure track faculty appointments are normally limited to one year. Senior non-tenure faculty members whose performance is particularly meritorious may be awarded a three year contract consistent with university policies. Those individuals invited to accept contracts for the following year are issued a preliminary Intent to Return Contract on or before March 31. Tenured/tenure track appointments are considered continuous unless notified to the contrary following the guidelines outlined in the University Faculty Handbook, Section 310.020, F.

Salaries are distributed through the University System on a monthly basis on the final working day each month. Direct deposit is the only means of distribution.

Summer teaching opportunities are available on a limited basis as outlined in the Summer teaching activities policy. Full-time faculty Summer salaries cannot exceed 20% of the faculty member's base salary as delineated in the University Faculty Handbook.

Educational Fees Reimbursement

Seventy-five (75) percent reimbursement of educational fees is available for full-time faculty and staff for approved course work completed at the University. Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants may be eligible for educational fee remission, based upon percentage of appointment. All activity fees are the responsibility of the individual. Forms for reimbursement may be obtained from the administrative assistants.

Faculty Practice/Consultation Activities

Some nontenure track faculty members are appointed in the Clinical Faculty category and have faculty practice responsibilities as part of their workloads. Those appointed in the Teaching Faculty nontenure track category may have faculty practice responsibilities, but it is not required. Currently, the College does not have a formal faculty practice plan, although individual faculty practice contracts as part of a faculty member's workload are encouraged. Assistance in securing such an arrangement can be obtained from the Dean's office. The College will facilitate faculty teaching and service responsibilities to enable availability for direct client practice as stipulated for continuation of certification and to maintain clinical teaching competence. Thjs is essential for advanced practice faculty members whose national board certifications and continued competence are vital for teaching activities.

Consultation of various types may be a very important part of a scholarly career and may be undertaken by faculty on a limited basis as long as it does not interfere with the faculty member's regular duties. Faculty should review the University of Missouri system policy in the Collected Rules prior to entering into consulting or outside employment contracts (here).

Faculty work outside of the usual workload cannot exceed 20% of the faculty member's base salary (see University of Missouri Collected Rules and Regulations and UMSL Faculty Handbook). Such activities are not to interfere with primary responsibilities as a University faculty member. Faculty practice and/or consultation is to be limited to no more than one day equivalent per week. Faculty members are to submit a written request for approval to the Dean and the Provost. Prior approval by the Dean and Provost are required before activities are initiated. Faculty should request such approval by completing the Potential for Conflict of Interest form available here. Individuals are to report consultation and/or practice activities to the Office of the Chancellor on an annual basis.

Communication

Master calendars for scheduling rooms managed by the College of Nursing (e.g., labs and the Living Room) are maintained in Outlook under Public Folders. A master calendar for college meetings and events is maintained in the College of Nursing Faculty/Staff site in MyGateway. All meetings and events are to be listed on the calendar. Information regarding meetings and events need to be given to the College's front desk secretary for entry. Information regarding guest speakers/visitors faculty are expecting should also be conveyed to the front desk secretary.

Leave of Absence

The University provides several types of leave for faculty members. Sabbatical, research, and development leaves all provide time for further development of scholarship or in the case of development leave, other forms of individual development. Sabbatical leaves are normally limited to tenured faculty with six or more years of continuous service to the University; nontenure track faculty may be considered in special circumstances. Both tenured/tenure track and nontenure track faculty may seek development leaves. Sabbatical leaves require written approval from the System President's Office. Faculty seeking any form of leave need to seek initial endorsement by the Dean; upon the Dean's endorsement, appropriate forms are available from the Dean's Secretary. See the University Faculty Handbook, Section 15, and the University of Missouri Collected Rules.

Vacation

Faculty members on nine month contracts are not eligible for vacation leave. Those on 12 month contracts may take up to 4 weeks vacation leave annually.

Severe Weather

Cancellation of classes due to inclement weather is the purview of the Chancellor. Faculty members are advised to refer to the designated radio and/or television stations in questionable weather situations. Faculty members are to activate call trees to notify students of any cancellations of class/clinical activities. Teaching and clinical faculty members are to notify appropriate personnel at affiliating agencies of any clinical cancellations in a timely manner.

Unresolved Faculty Concerns

Faculty concerns are to be handled through official channels in a timely manner. Efforts are to be made to settle issues within the College. Faculty members are to discuss concerns initially with the appropriate Associate Dean. If the concern continues, the faculty member should meet with the Dean if resolution is not reached. Continuation beyond the College level must follow the procedures outlined in the University Faculty Handbook, Section 6.

Departure from the College

In the event that a faculty member is not going to return in the subsequent semester/academic year all University property is to be returned as stipulated on the Departure Checklist. A formal letter of resignation stating the last date of employment is to be submitted to the Dean once it is known an individual is not returning to facilitate initiation of a formal search.