Faculty Selection and Qualifications
When a full-time faculty position becomes available, a personnel request form is forwarded to the Human Resources office, a search committee is appointed by the direct supervisor of the division/department, approved by the Vice-President of Instructional Services, and job advertisements are placed in appropriate publications. After the application deadline has passed, members of the search committee, which may include a student in a non-voting capacity, interview candidates for the position. The search committee, consisting of approximately 3-6 members, shall consist of the Vice-President of Instructional Services, Division Chair, faculty members and other distinctly qualified members of the discipline or field of study. Selection is made based on essential functions of the vacant position and the credentials of the applicant. The supervisor ( a.k.a.: search committee chair) along with the Search Committee recommends employment to the Vice-President of Instructional Services who reviews the recommendation and forwards it, as deemed appropriate, to the College President. The Director of Human Resources facilitates the process. Applicants shall furnish references as required by the Human Resources office, department head, or administrator. (See Appendix A; also Sect. C Employment Procedures)
The responsibility for locating part-time (adjunct) faculty and making recommendations to the President and Vice-President of Instructional Services concerning their appointment rests with the Division Chairs, Directors, and Coordinators. Part-time (adjunct) faculty do not have to be presented to the Board for approval.
Vernon College Faculty Credential and Qualification Guidelines
Vernon College recognizes the SACSCOC guidelines regarding “Faculty Credentials” as updated for the revised principles April 2018 which include the following statements:
When an institution defines faculty qualifications using faculty credentials, institutions should use the following as credential guidelines:
a. Faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline).
b. Faculty teaching associate degree courses designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline).
c. Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline, or associate’s degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline.
Vernon College recognizes that qualified, effective faculty members are essential to carrying out the goals of the mission of the institution and ensuring the quality and integrity of the academic programs of the institution. Vernon College's emphasis is on overall qualifications rather than simply academic credentials. Vernon College may emphasize qualifications other than those set forth in the SACSCOC suggested credentialing guidelines. Other qualifications may include, but are not limited to:
a. Graduate coursework in a closely related discipline
b. Professional licensure and accreditation
c. Related work experiences
d. Supervised teaching experiences as a graduate student
e. Statements regarding teaching qualifications from appropriate discipline specific professional organizations
f. Honors and awards
g. Continuous documented excellence in teaching
Vernon College will complete a Statement of Academic Credential and Qualifications Supplement form for each faculty member that does not specifically meet SACSCOC suggested credentialing guidelines by including information regarding qualification standards listed above. Additionally, faculty teaching in externally accredited programs must meet the requirements of the external accreditation body for faculty qualifications. It is the responsibility of the faculty (both full-time and adjunct) to provide the Human Resource office with current copies of official documentation (transcripts, licenses, etc.) of credentials and to ensure that all such documentation is maintained in a current status.