Preamble

The University of Richmond Faculty Handbook is a guide to benefits, policies, requirements, and procedures that affect faculty employees. The focus of the Handbook is on the individual faculty member. Topics include:

For completeness the Handbook references a number of University policies that refer to all employees. An example is the Harassment and Discrimination Policy which applies to both faculty and staff members. Of course, faculty members are expected to comply with all such policies. For organization and faculty governance information please refer to A Guide to Faculty Governance. Information on school and university committees plus the academic structure and history of the institution may be found there.

Although not a formal contract, this Handbook is distributed to assist the University of Richmond faculty members in better understanding existing policies, practices, and requirements relating to their employment. The Board of Trustees may modify these policies, practices, and requirements. The information in this Handbook is intended to be accurate as of the date of publication. By vote of the Board of Trustees on May 9, 2003, the on-line version of the Handbook was affirmed as the most current version. The current Handbook organization was approved by vote of the Board of Trustees on March 5, 2004. The secure on-line version will remain identified as the current and applicable Faculty Handbook into the future.

Some topics in the Handbook require approval of the Board of Trustees in order to be modified (except for minor housekeeping changes approved by University Counsel). These are indicated by an appropriate paragraph inserted at the beginning of the section containing the topic. While the Board of Trustees has the authority to change all stated policies and procedures, it is expected that the tradition of shared governance under which the University has operated for decades would facilitate faculty input into changes. The Provost is charged with maintaining the current version of the Handbook and keeping an archival record of all changes, however minor, to those sections requiring Trustee approval to modify. The Provost works with the University Faculty Council and others to see that the Handbook accurately reflects current practices that impact faculty. Possible errors should be brought to the attention of the Provost's Office.

Although many of the policies and procedures specified in this document are similar to those recommended by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and other similar organizations, the University of Richmond declares that its policies and procedures are not necessarily bound by the interpretations given them by such external organizations.

Footnote

A reorganization of the Faculty Handbook was approved by the University Faculty on January 22, 2004 and subsequently by the Board of Trustees on March 5, 2004.