Auburn University at Montgomery
Policies and Procedures
Title: ________Policy on Faculty Office Hours___________________
Responsible Office: ______ Department Heads/Chairs and Deans________________
I.
PURPOSE
This policy outlines the office hour requirements for full and part-time faculty.
II.
POLICY
UNIVERSITY POLICY STATEMENT
Faculty office hours are an opportunity for student-faculty interaction outside of the classroom, as
well as for campus staff, faculty, administration, and individuals external to the campus to make
personal and direct contact. Therefore, faculty office hours shall be scheduled, synchronous, and
posted.
This policy applies to all part-time and full-time instructors.
I. Number of Office Hours
A. During any semester in which a faculty member is appointed full-time, he or she shall hold a
minimum of two (2) office hours per non-lab course taught. As such, a faculty member teaching 3
courses will be required to hold 6 office hours per week. Faculty members appointed part-time shall
hold office hours on a pro rata basis; however, a minimum of one (1) hour per week is required.
B. Typically office hours are held in the faculty member’s office at a time that is likely to be
accessible to the students. However, faculty members can make use of digital media (e.g., phone,
email, real time “chats” in Blackboard) to accommodate students who are unable to meet the
instructor during scheduled office hours or meet face to face.
C. Faculty members teaching a fully online course are required to meet the same two (2) office hours
per week requirement within the online environment.
D. Faculty members teaching a hybrid course(s) are required to meet the same two (2) office hours
per week requirement but can do so in a mix of in-person and online hours determined in
consultation with the department chair.
E. During summer, three (3) hours per week are required for teaching faculty, regardless of the
number of courses taught. The mix of in-person and online office hours will be determined by the
type of course taught.
F. When the campus final examination schedule is in effect, faculty office hours may be scheduled
“by appointment only.”
II. Posting of Office Hours
A. Office hours, including schedule, location, and contact information, shall be listed on the syllabus
for each course.
B. Department offices shall provide faculty with door cards for posting office hours outside of their
offices. Departments shall also post a listing of all faculty office hours in a public location near the
department office and/or on the department website.
C. Faculty shall provide office hours to the department office no later than the end of the first week
of instruction. Departments shall post the office hours by the end of the second week of instruction.
D. If office doors are not open during office hours, then a “please knock” sign should be placed on
the door.
III. Cancellation of Office Hours
Faculty shall notify their department office (e.g., by e-mail, phone, or in person) in the event that
they are unable to meet scheduled office hours. A notice shall be posted on the faculty member’s
door when office hours are cancelled. For online office hours that cannot be honored, a message shall
be sent via e-mail to all enrolled students and/or posted in BLACKBOARD.
Repeated failure to adhere to this policy is a breach of professional responsibility and shall be
reflected in annual evaluations.
IV. Exceptions
Any exceptions to this policy shall be subject to the approval of the department chair, after
consultation with the faculty member.
III.
EFFECTIVE DATE
TBA
IV.
APPLICABILITY
This policy is applicable to faculty (full and part-time), department heads, deans, and
administrators in the Office of the Provost.
V.
RESPONSIBILITY
Deans working with department heads/chairs will administer this policy.
VI.
DEFINITIONS
A part-time faculty member includes adjuncts and any other employee (including TA’s)
instructing students at less than full load.
VII.
PROCEDURES
Department heads/chairs will insure that faculty members post and honor the posted
office hours. Deans, working in consultation with Department heads/chairs will develop
an action plan for faculty members failing to meet the requirement.
VIII. SANCTIONS
Violations of this policy by AUM faculty will be handled in accordance with the
applicable faculty policies.
IX.
EXCLUSIONS
Any changes in this policy shall be in writing with signature approval from the
department head, dean and provost before requested changes become effective.
X.
INTERPRETATION
The Provost Office will interpret this policy as needed.
APPROVAL TO PROCEED: ______________________
APPENDICES
None
DATE: ___________