6.9 Policy on Secondary Employment and Involvement
For the full-time members of the faculty, a position in the college is their primary vocational calling. Each faculty member is expected to exhibit, in addition to evidence of an informed and vibrant Christian faith, a commitment to effective teaching, advising, and professional scholarship. Faculty members are also strongly encouraged to serve various communities when such involvement arises naturally out of the faculty member's calling as a Christian teacher and scholar at Calvin College. Although one's position in the college does not make a claim on all of one's waking hours, a commitment to the above ideals does require persistent effort. Any outside activity, professional or personal, should not interfere with fulfilling well all responsibilities to the college.
It is in the light of this calling, therefore, that all opportunities for outside professional activities not directly entailed by one's position in the college ought to be evaluated. Effective teaching, professional scholarship, academic advising, and service to various communities are expected of us all, and no outside activity should interfere with excellent performance of those responsibilities. Faculty members are encouraged to have a professional plan which would provide a context for considering opportunities for outside activities.
This policy recognizes that outside activity may be done pro bono as well as for remuneration. Secondary professional pursuits should either enhance one's work at the college or serve the college as well as the beneficiary of the service rendered. Those outside activities which are clearly consistent and compatible with the ideals set forth above may be worthy of undertaking by faculty members. Such activities may include, for example, professional consultation, research collaboration, artistic performance and the like. These activities, however, should be undertaken only when it is certain that they will not reduce teaching effectiveness or impede professional growth and contributions. The question of judging whether the activity is consistent or compatible with the above ideals is separate from the question of remuneration; the criteria for acceptable secondary pursuits should apply regardless of whether remuneration is received.
Academic Year
The academic year is that time from September through May in which one has obligations for teaching, scholarship, advising and service that is associated with the rhythm of enrollment, classes, and exams, including preparation for those activities. During this time, the faculty are expected to be professionally engaged in the work of the college. (Times during the academic year when there are no classes are considered recesses from class but not vacations from work.)
Regardless of whether the outside professional activity is pro bono or remunerative work, such activity should not exceed ten percent of one's working time unless such activity is an integral part of one's professional work (preferably included in a professional plan) and approved by the department chair and academic dean. Then it should not exceed twenty percent of one's working time. Unless the college has a collaborative teaching relationship with another institution, teaching at another institution is discouraged. Each opportunity for a faculty member to teach at another institution must be approved in advance by the department chair and the academic dean, preferably in response to a formal request from an academic officer at the other institution.
While pro bono and remunerative work are both covered by this policy, remunerative work that involves a significant commitment of college resources requires approval by the Academic Dean. If a contract is involved in any secondary employment, special attention should be given to avoid potential conflicts between the obligations of the primary contract with the college and the secondary contract.
Volunteer work in the civic, church, and school communities that is not related to professional activity, while not expected of all faculty, is encouraged by the college. Such activities should be considered in the context of one's gifts and other responsibilities. The limits stated in the proceeding paragraphs are devoted to one's working time and do not apply to this nonprofessional volunteer work. Engagement in such volunteer work should not interfere with excellent performance in fulfillment of professional responsibilities.
The nature and extent of outside professional activity should be reported to the Provost as part of the annual report of publications, service, awards, and other professional accomplishments and service.
Summer
During three months of the summer, faculty members have freedom to establish their own schedule. This should include a renewing vacation. The summer should also include professional activities that promote effective teaching and engage the faculty member in research and scholarship. This can include doing research and scholarship, teaching development, consulting, professional service, or completing administrative assignments. Limited teaching is also acceptable. Normally, the college will not provide remuneration for more than the equivalent of teaching one four-week summer session. Faculty members are free to develop contracts with outside agencies or receive remuneration from grants for two months of the summer. In no case should planned summer activity be an excuse for not fulfilling the scholarship and professional activity expectations or preparation for teaching that is expected. Departments are expected to provide advising for summer orientation.
In the practical implementation of the principles expressed above, it is expected that faculty members will use their best judgment in all matters pertaining to secondary employment and outside activities. In some instances even acceptable activities, if they detract from excellent performance of one's primary responsibilities for teaching and scholarship, will have to be discouraged or curtailed. A faculty member who is uncertain about a secondary pursuit, which he or she is considering, is encouraged to discuss the matter with his or her department chair or the academic dean.
