Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many classes can I teach?
2. Who is my supervisor?
3. What is GroupWise?
4. How am I evaluated?
5. What is a class roster?
6. When are midterm and final grades due?
7. What is a "10th day" list and how is it used?
8. What is the midterm claim roster and how is it used?
9. What if my roster and students do not match?
10. What if a student is not attending class?
11. Can I publicly post students grades?
12. Is it all right to start class later or end class early?
13. Where do I locate the academic calendar?
14. What is the master syllabus? Or what goes into my syllabus?
15. Will I have library privileges?
16. Where do I park?
17. Can I be expected to have an office, a phone, and a computer?
18. Am I expected to hold office hours for students?
19. Am I expected to attend and/or may I attend department faculty meetings?
20. What professional development activities exist on campus for adjunct faculty?
21. How do I photocopy material for my class?
22. Is it OK to photocopy published articles for my students?
23. How do I determine what behaviors the college considers to be acceptable and unacceptable?
24. What do I do with problem students?
25. What if I want to take a field trip?
26. Do I have to give a midterm or a final exam and when?
27. What do I do about incompletes?
28. Can a student take a make-up exam and how can I arrange this?
29. What should be the attendance policy in my class?
30. Where do I find audio-visual equipment?
31. What is KCConnect?
32. What if I am sick and cannot teach?
33. What are the emergency procedures?

1. How many classes can I teach?

Adjunct faculty are allowed to teach up to 12 ECH (equated contact hours) per semester.

2. Who is my supervisor?

Your immediate supervisor is the chair or director of the division in which you work.

3. What is GroupWise?

GroupWise is the system that KCC uses to send and receive electronic messages (email). See your division chair or director for a schedule of training classes.

4. How am I evaluated?

Student evaluations are used to provide instructors with feedback from their students. The primary purpose of the evaluation is improvement in instruction. Division chairpersons/program directors, the dean of Instruction and the director of Adult and Community Education are responsible for evaluating their instructional personnel and reporting to the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services.

5. What is a class roster?

Instructors will receive class lists prior to the first day of class, after the tenth day of class, at midterm, and at the end of a semester or term. The 10th day list and each succeeding class list should be considered the official class list. Class lists are available via KCConnect, which can be accessed from KCC's web site at www.kcc.edu. See your division chair or program director for further information.

6. When are midterm and final grades due?

Midterm grades are due by noon on Friday of midterm week. Final grades are due by noon on Friday of the week of final exams. It is extremely important that these deadline dates be met for record keeping purposes and payroll check release.

7. What is a "10th day" list and how is it used?

The 10th day class list includes only officially enrolled students. If a student's name does not appear on the 10th day list and succeeding lists, the student is not officially enrolled. Such students are to be referred immediately to the Office of Admissions and Registration to clarify their status. Faculty members are to deny admission to class to any student who is not officially enrolled. Initial attendance of all students must be recorded at the start of the semester or term. Failure to provide attendance will cause financial problems for students and reimbursement issues for the college. Therefore, it is extremely important for instructors to document students who have not attended class at least once on the 10th day class list.

8. What is the midterm claim roster and how is it used?

The Illinois Community College Board requires colleges to verify enrollment of students at midterm via instructor certification of class lists. At KCC, a student shall be determined to be currently enrolled and actively pursuing completion of a course at midterm if there is a possibility that the student can complete all requirements for the course by the end of the semester or term in which enrolled. Each instructor must determine whether or not a student is currently enrolled and actively pursuing completion of his/her course. The instructor shall provide certification by signing the midterm claim roster. For record keeping purposes, it is extremely important that midterm claim rosters are signed by the set deadline date.

9. What if my roster and students do not match?

With the exception of late registering students, all discrepancies on the roster should be resolved immediately through the Office of Admissions and Registration, extension 8523.

10. What if a student is not attending class?

Regular attendance at scheduled class sessions is expected. Students are responsible for notifying their instructors if they are unable to attend any class session if this is required in the course syllabus. Permission to make up work missed because of absence may be granted at the instructor's discrepancy. For a complete detail of all academic regulations, refer to the code of Campus Affairs and Regulations section of the KCC catalog.

11. Can I publicly post students grades?

Student grades may not be posted with identifiable tracings to that student, i.e., social security number or their colleague identification number. Any and all records must be kept confidential and out of the public's view to include public or private offices. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and all amendments state that any unit of the college holding student records shall obtain the written consent of the student before disclosing from his/her educational records personally identifiable information. For a complete detail of all academic regulations, refer to the code of Campus Affairs and Regulations section 12.0 of the KCC catalog.

12. Is it all right to start class later or end class early?

All classes should start at the prescribed time, and for the duration of scheduled time; exceptions must be approved by your division chair/program director.

13. Where do I locate the academic calendar?

The academic calendar is found in the college catalog, the college mailer, and the college web site (http://www.kcc.edu).

14. What is the master syllabus? Or what goes into my syllabus?

KCC requires the use of a master syllabus. It is located on the college network at [o:\share\kcc\master syllabus].

15. Will I have library privileges?

Yes, the LRC (Learning Resource Center) allows access to 42,000 books on campus and 10 million books in Illinois with off-campus access to six major full text databases and journals. To arrange for an orientation or assistance with building topic and discipline specific assignments contact Donna Smith at 815-802-8402 or Barb Loudy 802-8404.

16. Where do I park?

Adjunct faculty, unless otherwise instructed, are to park in the parking lot located immediately south of the Technology building. A KCC parking sticker is required and can be obtained from the division chair or director and/or the office of human resources.

17. Can I expect to have an office, a phone, and a computer?

Adjunct faculty are provided a shared common office consisting of desk space, filing cabinet space, office supplies and the use of a phone and computer. Office/desk space is located in Room L338 and Room L378. All adjunct faculty are offered a virtual voicemail box and e-mail address assigned by the Information Technology Services department.

18. Am I expected to hold office hours for students?

With the exception of the regularly scheduled class time, student contact time or office hours are not expected of adjunct faculty.

19. Am I expected to attend and/or may I attend department faculty meetings?

Adjunct faculty are not expected to attend department meetings but are welcome to do so if they wish.

20. What professional development activities exist on campus for adjunct faculty?

21. How do I photocopy material for my class?

Printing: Tests and handouts requiring more than eight copies will be printed by the Media Department. They require dark, legible originals with at least a 1/2-inch margin on all sides. All jobs submitted to Media must have a Request for Printing/Binding Services form attached and completed in full. These forms may be obtained in the areas in which the copy machines are located. Once the work request form is completed and attached to originals, deposit jobs in the "TO PRINT" tray also located near the copy machines. All tests and handouts requiring simple collating and stapling will be completed within two full working days. Any books or other large jobs will be completed as soon as the workload permits. At peak times, i.e., beginning of a semester, midterm, and finals, Media cannot promise a 48-hour turn-around-time because of the massive increase in workload. Any jobs requiring colored ink other than black; 1,000 or more copies; or which may require graphic arts assistance will normally require a minimum of two weeks turnaround time. These requests should be submitted to the office of Marketing and Public Information.

Employees making print requests are responsible for any violation of copyright law.

Tests
There are three test cabinet locations:

• Room L355 (Third floor Administrative Assistant Center) - Accessible 8 a.m. -10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday
• Room V105 (Technology Office) - Accessible 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday
• Room L280 (Media Finishing Area) 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. This location is utilized by Media as a holding location between courier deliveries and by any faculty who choose to use this location by checking the appropriate box on the "Printing/binding Request" form.

All tests submitted for printing must have a Printing/Binding Request form attached and completed in full. These forms may be obtained in the Media Department, at the third floor copier location, at the science lab copier location, or any test cabinet location. Once the printing request form is completed and attached to the originals, it is to be deposited in the top drawer of any test cabinet. Once tests are completed, Media personnel will return the tests to the cabinet location designated on the printing request form and file them by instructor name in the bottom drawers of the cabinet.

Media personnel will pick-up requests and deliver finished requests to these satellite locations Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Faculty or Administrative Assistants may carry request to media or pick-up finished request from media for distribution to their test cabinet location. The Media department can complete tests requests within 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays or during peak times such as the beginning of the semester, midterm, and finals. Test printing specified for Saturday classes will be secured in a locked file box, housed in the media test file cabinet during weekday operations. On Friday afternoons the file box will be transported to the administrative assistant in the Corporate and Continuing Education office. Instructors can retrieve tests from 8:00 am to noon on Saturdays, as well as drop-off printing requests. Media will retrieve the box on Monday mornings.

22. Is it OK to photocopy published articles for my students?

The college does not condone the violation of copyright laws. You are asked to review the guidelines for copying to ensure you do not violate copyright law. You also may review these guidelines with the appropriate division chair-person/program director. If you plan to use copyrighted materials, it is your responsibility to obtain permission.

There are exceptions allowed for limited use of copyrighted materials in book, record, video and film reviews that are used for scholarly study. Multiple copies may be made by a teacher, not to exceed one copy per student in a course, if copying meets tests of brevity, spontaneity, and the "fair use" provision of the 1976 copyright law. These copies must include notes of copyright. The "fair use" provision is determined by four factors:

1. Purpose and character of law
2. Nature of work
3. Amount of work copied
4. Market effect

23. How do I determine what behaviors the college considers to be acceptable and unacceptable?

The Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations, Section 16.0 Code of Conduct, can be found in the KCC catalog or on the college website.

24. What do I do with problem students?

Problem students should be referred to the Dean of Student Services immediately after the problem has occurred without further disruption in the classroom. When a student is suspected of violating the Code of Conduct, the college personnel, excluding the student, should discuss the alleged violation and potential problem with all persons involved and submit a written copy of their discussions and recommendations to the Dean of Student Services. Avoid confrontations, if at all possible. Stay calm and keep your voice low - it is your job to defuse, not escalate a situation.

25. What if I want to take a field trip?

An instructor planning a field trip must submit a "Request for Field Trip" to the appropriate chair/program director, a written proposal stating objectives, class(es) involved, time and date of trip. The "Request for Field Trip" form is available on the college's network at [O:\Share\KCC] and in your division office. Requests must be submitted for approval at least two weeks prior to the proposed date of the trip. After the field trip is approved, the instructor sponsoring the trip will distribute the typewritten list of students going on the field trip to the Dean of Instruction. The list must be submitted one week prior to the date of the trip. Participating students must also complete "Student Release Forms", which can be found on the college's network at [O;Share\KCC] and in your division office. These forms are submitted to the Dean of Instruction. Students participating on a field trip are responsible for making up assignments missed in other courses.

26. Do I have to give a midterm or a final exam and when?

A mid-term grade will be given in all 16-week courses for the fall and spring semesters only and it is optional for courses of shorter duration. Mid-term grades are not permanently recorded by the college. It is a policy of KCC that all students are required to take a final exam. The division chair or director should be consulted on the administration of exams.

27. What do I do about incompletes?

An "I" (incomplete) will be granted upon the request of the student and approval of the instructor. A completed request for an incomplete grade (form available in the Office of Admissions & Registration) must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration prior to submission of the final grades. The course work must be completed by the date specified on the request; but is not to exceed six months from the ending date of the semester/term. If the work is not completed by the specified time, a grade of F will be recorded.

28. Can a student take a make-up exam and how can I arrange this?

The Testing Center (Rooms D218 and D227, ext. 8530) is available for students who need to "make up" quizzes or tests missed during their regularly scheduled class time. Cover sheets are required with all make-up tests. Cover sheets, make-up test guidelines, and testing center hours are all available on the college's computer network at [O:\Share\KCC\Testing Center] and in your division office.

29. What should be the attendance policy in my class?

Students are expected to attend class and are responsible for notifying the instructor if unable to attend. Permission to make up work and/or exams missed because of absences may be granted at the instructor's discretion. For complete details of all academic regulations, refer to the Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations section of the KCC catalog. Instructors involved in health careers clinical areas should refer to the division guidelines concerning absences.

30. Where do I find audio-visual equipment?

Televisions and VCRs must be reserved in advance and are stationed at various locations throughout the college. To reserve a television and VCR call the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at 802-8400.

31. What is KCConnect?

KCConnect allows students, staff, and the community access to KCC's information systems. It can be accessed from KCC's web site at www.kcc.edu. As an adjunct faculty member, you will have access to your class list(s), student profile's, stipends, pay advices, and submitting grades online. See your division chair or program director for further information.

32. What if I am sick and cannot teach?

Instructors are expected to start all classes punctually and to hold them for the full amount of scheduled time. Whenever it is necessary to be absent from one of the regularly scheduled class meetings, instructors are required to notify the appropriate division chairperson or program director in advance and discuss with him/her the necessary arrangements.

33. What are the emergency procedures?

Any part-time instructor present during an emergency situation may receive assistance by calling 802-8100, or Security at 802-8190.

Refer to the Emergency and Safety Procedures brochure provided by the department of Student Services.

Distress call--In an emergency where an explanation of the situation would be detrimental, such as in the case of a hostile visitor, the employee should report in the same manner as emergencies and use the phrase "code red" to signal that there is a situation which needs immediate attention. The employee should identify him or herself and give a location, if possible. In dangerous situations, such as when there is a weapon or a threat of destruction, the employee should call 9-911 first, and then call ext. 8100 or ext. 8170 if possible with the "code red."

*Phone numbers should be preceded with a 9 when calling from an office phone to a non-extension number.