Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Banner

Faculty Development Center
109 Bruce T. Halle Library
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
Email: aavp_fdc@emich.edu
Ph: 734.487.2530

Donate
Donations are made through the EMU Foundation by specifying:
01429 - Bruce K Nelson Faculty Friends Development Fund

Real Questions from New Faculty and Lecturers, 2010-2011



Logistics:

What about parking passes, where do I park, and what does it cost?

Parking is accessible with a hang tag that you must swipe through the gate monitor. Faculty and Lecturer hang tags are paid for by the department or school. In the envelope with your tag should be a campus parking map, which will come in handy.

The Parking Office will answer your questions about hang tags, and can help with parking solutions.

What is SeeUs?

SeeUs is a walking and driving escort service to improve security on campus.

How do I get an ID badge?

The Eagle OneCard is the required official University identification card. It is your pass for dining plans, building and event access and library privileges. You can have a card created on the spot at Eagle Card Services, 201 Pierce Hall (bring photo ID and your E-number).

Information Technology:

What online learning tools are available? How do I access my course shell? How do I get tech support?

EMU has a single Course Management System (for face-to-face, hybrid, and online classes). That system is called variously eCollege, eCompanion, or EMUOnline. You may see a demonstration course at their Demo Course site. You may also log into the system from your my.emich page – under EMU Quick Links look for “EMU-Online.”

Technical support for EMU-Online users is provided both locally and through the eCollege help desk. Call 888.538.0515 or E-mail helpdesk@emuonline.edu. To set up a new account or to migrate a class from a different system, Contact: Garrett Whitehead, eLearning Instructional Designer, Extended Programs and Educational Outreach (EPEO), 101 Boone Hall, gwhiteh2@emich.edu.

In addition, IT offers some course tools via the my.emich interface. IT instructional technologists will assist faculty using the my.emich interface using the "Faculty" tab to email a class, upload syllabus and other documents, submit grades, advise students, etc.

How do I get wireless printing from my laptop? How do I print from my personal computer in my building?

Wireless printing is enabled in the Halle building and Sill Hall. Go to the Division of Information Technology Labs Wireless Printing page, then log on to the labprint page with your emich uniquename and password, and selected the Web Print option.

Each College has an assigned tech staff person who can help with various building IT questions such as access to printers. Find your tech or get help with wireless printing by contacting the IT HelpDesk.


Human Resources:

How soon until we access benefits? When will we receive our first paycheck?

Most of your benefits apply as soon as you are hired. To see your hire date, log in to my.emich, click on the “Employee” tab, then under the main menu click the “Employee” link, and “Jobs Summary.” Under that menu you will also find benefits and deductions information, pay information, tax forms and leave balances.

For more information about benefits, contact the HR Benefits program by visiting the EMU - Benefits homepage.

For pay questions, start by contacting Academic Human Resources (AHR).

Faculty are paid bi-monthly, see the Payroll Department Calendar.

Where do we go for financial support?

Human Resources provides an array of resources to EMU employees such as help for the cost of gas, and the online Employee Assistance Program, LifeWorks, offers seminars, articles, tips and links to assist with health, emotional well-being, relationships and family, finance, legal questions, and similar topics.

The Benefits office can also help you with health care payment concerns, Flexible Spending Accounts and contacts for setting up various financial instruments.

For grants, consult the Office of Research Development (ORD)


Academic Affairs:

How do we get funding for research? What is the review process? What is the protocol for identifying external and internal funding resources?

For assistance seeking external funding, contact the Office of Research Development (ORD). For internal grants, new faculty should visit the Provost’s Internal Research page for helpful resources that support faculty research, creative, and scholarly endeavors. For institutional review (IRB) and compliance with ethical guidelines, consult the Office of Research Development. New faculty should note on this page the Provost's New Faculty Award. New faculty are also encouraged to consult with their mentors, the Office of Research Development, or the Faculty Development Center for consultation and help with writing proposals.

How long do I have to keep the records (like exams) of students after I finish teaching the course?

Information provided below is directly from the Provost's Office and Legal Affairs:

In terms of FoIA, the Legal Affairs office urges EMU employees to discard all documents that do NOT fall under the University Records Policy or FERPA – especially email.

It is wise (but not required) to keep grade books or grade records and some evidence of student work for several years – one person suggested 3 years was about right – in case there are retroactive requests for withdrawals or special treatment. In such cases, it’s good to have evidence of work throughout the term, so as to show when the student stopped coming to class or turning in assignments.

It is also wise (but not required) to keep the work of advanced students for whom you might like to write letters of recommendation. A rule of thumb might be 3-5 years, depending on the likelihood of the student needing your support for applications.

What is Gen Ed?

Gen Ed (General Education) is the core program of graduation requirements and learning outcomes set for all undergraduates as a foundation for their studies in a major discipline. Students have the choice of fulfilling the requirements of any catalog published from their start date to their graduation date. Thus you will find that there are some students on campus finishing their degrees under the “old Gen Ed” rules and some under the “new Gen Ed.” You can find out more by visiting the EMU: General Education homepage.

What is ECA?

The Early College Alliance (ECA) program immerses high school-aged students in a college learning environment. Selected students from local schools come to the EMU campus for their high school classes (taught by high school teachers), and are gradually and selectively streamed into regular EMU college classes.

What is Honors College?

The Honors College welcomes about 250 students each year into a community engaged in intellectually challenging scholarship, research, and service. Honors includes University Honors (Gen Ed) and Departmental Honors (within a major). Faculty may get involved by teaching an honors course, advising Honors students or participating in varions Honors College programs.


Student Concerns:

If you are concerned in a general way but not sure if referral is appropriate or not sure where to refer, contact the Student Intervention Team.

How do we learn about accommodations for students with learning disabilities or psychological needs?

The Disability Resource Center provides information for you and your students on accommodations. Also see Adam Myer's presentation slides for Accomodating Disabilities. For psychological needs, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers emergency and ongoing support, free of charge, for both students and staff at EMU.

If you sense that someone is in immediate danger, bring them to the CAPS office in the Snow Health Center or Call 911 from a landline. From a cell phone do not call 911 - call the Department of Public Safety (DPS), 734-487-1222.

How do we deal with situations where alcohol or drug abuse influences students’ academic performance?

If your student is having academic difficulties, the first step is to have a conversation with the student and then offer options including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), University Health Services (“Snow Health”), Disability Resource Center, Holman Success Center, and if appropriate, remind the student of the Student Conduct Code, which covers the entire student code and its judicial structure.

Doesn't each incoming student have an advisor?

Unfortunately, no. Given the large number of students entering EMU each year, it is impractical to assign a personal advisor to every one. Students living in first year housing have access to specially selected staff trained to advise and guide them as they adjust to college life. Find out more at the EMU Housing site. Once students have declared their major, contact their department to get an advisor within that department to help them plan for their academic career here at Eastern.

What do I do if my students need help with writing?

The University Writing Center (UWC), located in 115 Halle Library Building, offers both drop-in help and workshops. You can contact the UWC to arrange for a workshop tailored to your class assignments. The Academic Projects Center (APC), 116 Halle Library, offers drop-in support for library research, writing and computing basics. The International Student Resource Center, 200 Alexander, offers assistance for foreign language and ESL students. Students may also seek assistance at the Holman Success Center.

To explore methods to improve student writing in your own classes, faculty should consult the Writing Across the Curriculum Program or the First Year Writing Program.

What is the University policy on plagiarism? How do we handle potential cases of plagiarism? Are new students informed about what plagiarism is? How can we ensure that academic integrity and information literacy skills reach all students at EMU?

The Library's Integrating Sources site discusses how to handle an incident of suspected plagiarism and also points to the EMU Plagiarism Policy. Students are introduced to various genres of writing in their First Year Writing Program course and they are also encouraged to read the University Policies but there is no single information literacy course. In any case, information literacy and academic integrity cannot be relegated to a single course – they must be addressed in each and every EMU course, framed within the appropriate disciplinary context.

What are effective ways to dissuade student inappropriate use of computers or texting during class in huge classes? What are my rights? May I ban computers? May I ask students to leave?

Start by consulting with your colleagues and Department Head to determine what departmental or college conventions and policies may be in place. Most departments allow professors to ban texting and computer use during classes. Consider discussing your options with the Student Conduct and Community Standards office. It is also important to give your students fair warning and avoid discriminatory action by consulting the information for faculty on the Student Conduct and Community Standards page.

Where do I refer students who say they can’t afford books?

In general we hope that you give serious thought to the cost of books to students. While education must be the primary concern, it is thoughtful if you provide options for students to use older editions of textbooks or to share books in study teams. If a textbook must be used for a class, it is always helpful to have the library put a copy on reserve. The Financial Aid office may help with loans, grants, or other financial support for students. This office also offers an online tutorial on cash management. Students who are having difficulty managing their budget may have other issues as well, so see psychological needs, above.

What do I do if I am ill or my child is ill and I have a scheduled class? If I cannot hold class, do I make it up?

Faculty and Lecturer contracts provide for a certain number of paid leave days for illness or family illness. Please consult in advance with your Department Head, Personnel Committee and Union Steward for college and departmental policies regarding absences.


Faculty Development Center:

What is the FDC? How does the FDC actually support faculty? Who or where can faculty go to learn about new teaching projects?

The Faculty Development Center (FDC) is responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive program of support for all instructional personnel across a broad range of professional practice domains. We offer individual consultations, drop-in workshops and various semester- or year-long fellowships. For a complete list of events, jump to the Workshops, Events page.

What is the normal day of a faculty member?

There’s no such thing. The life of an EMU faculty member is a constant balancing project among the demands of teaching, service (committees, campus leadership, volunteerism), and research. Depending on your appointment and your department or school, you will be teaching as many as four classes, holding office hours, and attending faculty meetings. Some departments expect your presence on campus every day, while others are more flexible about working from home. Talk with your mentor, colleagues, and Department Head to get a feel for the accepted practice in your area.