Microsoft Word - Faculty Manual 9-19-22.docx

2022 - 2023

FACULTY

MANUAL

Table of Contents

SECTION 1.0 OVERVIEW, MISSION, VISION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC PLAN ............................................................... 1

1.1

OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES ..................................................................................................................................... 1

1.3

ACCREDITATION ............................................................................................................................................................. 2

SECTION 2.0 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................................... 3

2.1

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2

PRESIDENT ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3

2.3

PRESIDENT’S

CABINET ................................................................................................................................................... 3

SECTION 3.0 ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ........................................................ 4

SECTION 4.0 GOVERNANCE SYSTEMOFTHE

UNIVERSITY

.................................................................................................. 5

4.1 COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ............................................................................................................... 5

4.2. FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY .................................................................................................................................... 7

4.3

FACULTY SENATE .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

4.4

COMMITTEES OF THE

FACULTY

................................................................................................................................... 13

4.5

OTHER COMMITTEES ON WHICH FACULTY SERVE ................................................................................................. 20

SECTION 5.0

FACULTYAPPOINTMENT,EVALUATION,PROMOTION,TENURE,ANDTERMINATION

......................................... 25

5.1

DEFINITION OF FACULTY

STATUS

.............................................................................................................................. 25

5.2

TYPES OF CONTRACTS ................................................................................................................................................. 25

5.3

SEARCH, APPOINTMENT, REAPPOINTMENT, AND

NONRENEWAL

........................................................................ 26

5.4

PERSONNEL

RECORDS ................................................................................................................................................. 28

5.5

EVALUATION OF FACULTY ......................................................................................................................................... 28

5.6

STUDENT EVALUATION OF TEACHING (SET) ........................................................................................................... 32

5.7

FACULTY PROFILE SYSTEM ......................................................................................................................................... 35

5.8.

PROMOTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 38

5.9.

TENURE ........................................................................................................................................................................... 42

5.10 TERMINATION OF TENURED FACULTY .................................................................................................................... 49

SECTION 6.0 FACULTYRIGHTSAND RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................................................................................

6.1

ACADEMIC

FREEDOM

.................................................................................................................................................... 52

6.2

ACADEMIC OBLIGATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 52

6.3

GENERAL ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................................. 52

6.4

APPOINTMENT

PROCEDURES

AND

RESPONSIBILITIES

CHAIR

ANACADEMIC

DEPARTMENT

.................. 54

6.5

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................................................................... 56

6.6

TEACHING AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 59

6.7

OUTSIDE CONSULTING ................................................................................................................................................ 59

6.8

GENERAL

LEAVE

............................................................................................................................................................ 60

6.9

PROFESSIONAL

SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................................. 60

6.10

FACULTY TUITION

REMISSION

................................................................................................................................... 60

6.11

FACULTY AWARDS ...................................................................................................................................................... 60

6.12

OTHER POLICIES .......................................................................................................................................................... 60

7.0

ACADEMIC POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PROGRAMS

............................................................................................ 60

7.1

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

SYSTEM

.................................................................................................................................. 61

7.2

UNDERGRADUATE GRADING AND COURSE POLICIES

............................................................................................. 64

7.2.1

UNDERGRADUATE GRADING SYSTEM

.................................................................................................................... 64

7.3. GRADUATE GRADING AND COURSE POLICIES ........................................................................................................ 68

7.4

ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC POLICIES

............................................................................................................................ 71

7.5

TUTORIALS AND DIRECTED STUDIES ........................................................................................................................ 73

7.6

POLICY

CONCERNING

PARTICIPATION

IN COMMENCEMENT

................................................................................ 73

7.7

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

................................................................................................................................................ 74

7.8

NEPOTISM AND CONSENSUAL REALTIONSHIPS ....................................................................................................... 75

SECTION 8.0 OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................ 76

8.1

HUMAN RESOURCE POLICIES ...................................................................................................................................... 76

8.2

CODE OF ETHICS ............................................................................................................................................................. 76

8.3

ETHICS COMPLAINT PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................................ 76

8.4

COMPUTING AND NETWORK POLICY ......................................................................................................................... 76

8.5

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK ............................................................................................................... 76

8.6

GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK ............................................................................................................................ 76

8.6

GRADE REPORTING AND ACCESSING SETS .............................................................................................................. 76

8.7

PHASED RETIREMENT PROGRAM FOR TENURED FACULTY ................................................................................. 76

Please note: This document is under review by the Senate Planning Committee and is subject to further

revisions.

SECTION 1.0 OVERVIEW, MISSION, VISION,

VALUES, AND STRATEGIC PLAN

1.1 OVERVIEW

For more than a century, Bentley University has been

education business-minded students to make a positive

difference in the world. Bentley’s history has been one

of steady evolution from a vocational, two-year,

certificate-granting institution, to a degree-granting

business college, to its current status as a global

business university offering undergraduate, master’s

level and PhD degrees. A private, non-profit university,

Bentley enrolls more than 4,000 undergraduate and

1,000 graduate students each year. Bentley University

is a non-profit institution incorporated under

Massachusetts law with over 4,000 undergraduates and

1,000 graduate students.

Bentley University is authorized by its charter to:

...conduct an institution of higher education to provide

instruction in business and liberal arts and sciences; to

prepare, publish and circulate publications in the

foregoing areas stipulated, but not for the purpose of

carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to

influence legislation; to grant to students properly

accredited and recommended by the faculty the degrees

of “Associate in Science,” “Bachelor of Science,”

“Bachelor of Arts,” “Master of Science in Taxation,”

and “Master of Science in Accounting,” and other

Masters degrees limited to business related disciplines,

“Doctor of Philosophy in Business” and “Doctor of

Philosophy in Accountancy...”

Bentley’s history is one of dynamism and innovation.

When Harry Bentley first set out to change business

education in 1917, he sought to immerse students in

the professional field of accountancy instead of

simply teaching the basic tools of bookkeeping.

Today, Bentley keeps that pioneering spirit alive by

providing students with the critical thinking and

practical skills to help them collaborate effectively,

communicate clearly and lead successful, rewarding

careers centered on the principle that making an

impact doesn’t just move business forward, it moves

society forward.

At Bentley, learning happens not just in the

classroom, but in all corners of campus. Through

numerous centers- including the W. Michael

Hoffman Center for Business Ethics, Bentley

Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center,

Valente Center for the Arts and Sciences, Gloria

Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business,

Badavas Center for Innovation in Teaching and

Learning and Pulsifer Career Development Center-

Faculty and though-leading experts share their

knowledge with the community focusing on key

areas of business and society.

Since first opening its doors, nine presidents have

guided Bentley through periods of evolution including the

relocation from Boston to the scenic Waltham campus; the

expansion of degree offerings and graduate programs, and

the growth of international education and enrollment

opportunities. In 2021 Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite became

Bentley’s ninth president, since arriving on campus, he has

led an ambitious strategic positioning effort to ensure the

institution’s long-term vitality, health and impact in a

disrupted higher education market.

1.2

MISSION, VISION

AND VALUES

Bentley’s Mission

Bentley University changes the world with a transformative

business education, integrated with arts and sciences that

inspires and prepares ethical leaders who will confront the

challenges

of today and shape the opportunities of tomorrow.

Our

Vision

•

Bentley University is known nationally and

internationally as a business-focused center of

learning that operates in an ethical and socially

engaged environment

•

It distinctively integrates business and arts and

sciences to produce graduates respected for their

professional and societal contributions throughout

their lives

•

Its identity is based upon promoting principled and

transformative enterprise through education and

impactful research, building on its historical strengths

in accountancy, business ethics and information

technology

•

Thanks to its achievements, Bentley is highly

sustainable in resources and scale, and an attractive

partner for global centers of teaching and research

excellence.

Bentley’s Values

Bentley University is a community of students, faculty

and staff who are committed to learning. To create the

best environment for learning to occur, we as a

community embrace these core values to guide our

conduct:

•

Caring. We practice understanding, compassion,

and kindness. We recognize the whole person and

their well-being, and we think beyond ourselves

and our immediate goals to consider the impact our

actions have on other people.

•

Collaboration. We welcome new perspectives as

we work with others toward a common goal. We

seek out opportunities for partnership and

teamwork, readily sharing our knowledge and

expertise with others.

•

Diversity. We are all different and that makes

our community stronger. We embrace and seek

to understand those with different beliefs,

backgrounds, and life experiences. We celebrate

those differences as opportunities to learn and

grow. We protect and affirm the right of all

people to be themselves.

•

Honesty. We act with honesty and integrity in our

academic, personal and professional affairs. We

are dedicated to ethical and transparent behavior,

and we hold ourselves accountable for our words

and actions.

•

Impact. We recognize our potential to make a

difference. We use the power of business and

innovation to positively impact individuals,

organizations, and the communities we serve at

home and abroad.

•

Learning. We are here to learn and develop. We are

passionate about knowledge and want to continue to

learn throughout our lives. We are eager and willing

to try new experiences and ways of thinking. We

appreciate that much of our learning will occur by

interacting with others, inside and outside of the

classroom.

•

Respect. We treat others as they would like to be

treated. We recognize the inherent dignity and

worth of all members of our community and strive

to better understand and appreciate everyone. We

are committed to keeping our community free of

vandalism, hate speech, violence and harassment.

1.2 ACCREDITATION

Undergraduate and graduate business programs at

Bentley University are accredited by the AACSB

International and the Association to Advance

Collegiate Schools of Business. The accreditation

indicates that Bentley University meets or exceeds

established standards as determined by periodic

AACSB peer group reviews. The AACSB quality

standards relate to curriculum, faculty resources,

admission, degree requirements, library and computer

facilities, financial resources and intellectual climate.

Bentley is also accredited by the New England

Commission of Higher Education, NECHE,

indicating that the school meets or exceeds

established standards, as determined by

periodic peer group review. As an accredited

university, Bentley is judged to have the

necessary resources and institutional integrity

to achieve its stated purpose through its

educational programs.

In spring 2012, Bentley University earned

accreditation from European Quality Improvement

System, EQUIS. EQUIS is the leading

international system of quality assessment,

improvement and accreditation of higher education

institutions in management and business

administration. EQUIS is managed by the

European Foundation for management

Development, EFMD, an international organization

based in Brussels, Belgium, with more than 50

members from academia, business, public service

and consultancy in 65 countries. EFD is recognized

globally as an accreditation body of quality in

management education. Institutions accredited by

EQU must demonstrate not only a high general

quality in all dimensions of their activities, but also

a high degree of internationalization.

SECTION

2.0

ADMINISTRATIVE

ORGANIZATION

2.1

BOARD

OF TRUSTEES

Ultimate authority of governing Bentley University is

vested in the Board of Trustees. The Board oversees all of

the properties, funds and activities of the University. The

Board delegates the authority to oversee the day to day

operations of the University to the President and officers,

employees and agents of the University. The Board

conducts much of its oversight through a variety of

committees. There are currently nine standing Committees

of the Board of Trustees: Academic Affairs, Audit,

Administration and Finance, Compensation and Benefits,

Enrollment, Investment, Student Affairs, Trustee Affairs

and University Advancement. There are also two sub-

committees, Physical Facilities (Administration and

Finance) and Cyber Security (Audit). Faculty

representatives are non-trustee members of the Academic

Affairs, Enrollment and Student Affairs and Physical

Facilities committees. There is also an Executive

Committee of

the Board than can act of behalf of the board in between

meetings of the board. The By-Laws and Charter Articles or

Organization can be found:

https://www.bentley.edu/about/board-of-trustees/bylaws

2.2 PRESIDENT

The Board appoints the president who is the Chief

Executive Office of the University and oversees the

business of the University. The president also is a

member of the Board of Trustees. In 2021, the Board

appointed Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite as the ninth

president of Bentley. Before joining Bentley, Dr.

Chrite served as the president of Bethune-Cookman

University and prior to that as dean of the University

of Denver’s Daniels College of Business and dean of

the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State

University. Dr. Chrite holds a PhD from the

University of Michigan, MS from the University of

Missoury-Columbia and BA from Michigan State

University.

2.3

PRESIDENT’S

CABINET

President Chrite oversees the cabinet who manage the

various operations of the University. Members of the

cabinet include University officers holding the following

positions:

•

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs

•

Vice President and Chief Human Resources

Officer Vice President for University

Advancement

•

Vice President forAdministration and Finance and

Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

•

Vice President for Marketing and

Communications

•

Vice President for Enrollment Manager

•

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

•

Vice President and Chief Diversity and

Inclusion Officer

•

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of

Students

•

Chief of Staff

•

Dean of Arts & Sciences

•

Dean of Business

SECTION

3.0

ACADEMIC

ADMINISTRATION

The administration of Bentley’s academic affairs

reflects and supports the university’s mission to provide

an integrated business and arts and sciences education at

both the undergraduate and graduate level.

3.1

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC

AFFAIRS

The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is

the chief academic officer of the university and is

responsible for the overall strategy, administration, and

management of its academic programs and services.

The provost is responsible for (a) the employment of

academic faculty members; (b) the teaching and

research activities of faculty members; (c) the budgeting

and allocation of resources; (d) academic program

planning, development and evaluation; (e) the

preparation and view of academic strategic plans,

insuring coordination with the institution’s overall

mission; and (f) the operations of all departments within

academic affairs.

Reporting directly to the provost are the dean of Arts and

Sciences; the dean of Business and the McCallum

Graduate School of Business; the Office of the Registrar;

Academic Technology, Library and Online Learning; the

Research Council; and the Wilder Professor and Teaching

Council.

Bentley’s distinctive, integrated character is reflected in the

structure of the academic administration. First, the provost and

the two deans constitute the Office of the Provost. Through

this office, the deans and the provost set the academic

strategic direction and priorities, assure that they are fully

aligned with university’s strategic plan, and supportive of the

strategic priorities of other university divisions. The direction

set within the Office of the Provost is administered by the

Deans’ Council, which also implements academic strategy.

3.1.2

DEANS’

COUNCIL

The Deans’ Council assures that the faculties of business and

arts and sciences work collaboratively. It is composed of the

dean and associate dean of Arts and Sciences, the dean and

associate dean of Business, the associate dean for Academic

Affairs, and the executive director of External Relations.

Under the provost’s direction, the Deans’ Council has

responsibility for; academic planning and goal setting;

faculty selection, retention, evaluation, support, and

development; and fiscal planning and execution. Programs

and centers that report into the Deans’ Council through its

members include, but are not limited to, the Honors

Program; Academic Advising; the Cronin Office of

International Education; Academic and Accreditation

Services; the Alliance for Ethics and Social Responsibility;

undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and Executive

Education. Each of these units is represented on the council.

Though the Deans’ Council has significant responsibility for

administering the Academic Affairs division, the academic

departments retain responsibility for undergraduate majors

and minors and specialist masters programs.

The chart below provides a graphic

representation of the Office of the Provost

and Deans’ Council.

3.1.3

DEAN of BUSINESS AND THE GRADUATE

SHOOL OF BUSINESS

The Dean of Business is responsible for

undergraduate, graduate, and executive

education curricula and co- and extra-

curricular business activities. The

business dean works with the provost, the

associate dean of business, the Associate

Provost, the nine business department

chairs, and business faculty members to

develop and implement academic

programs that balance academic rigor

with relevance to the business

community. The dean is responsible for

the financial operation of the business

departments, the Graduate School of

Business, executive education, business-

related learning and research centers, and

has ultimate responsibility for building,

maintaining and overseeing the budget

for these units.

3.1.4

DEAN

ARTS

ANDSCIENCES

The Dean of Arts and Sciences is responsible for

undergraduate and co-curricular arts and sciences

activities. The arts and sciences dean works with the

provost, associate dean of arts and sciences, the

associate dean for academic affairs, the eight arts and

sciences department chairs, and arts and sciences

faculty members, to develop and articulate a

distinctive role for the arts and sciences that

contributes fundamentally to undergraduate

education; to foster

curricular and co-curricular innovation at the

intersection of business and the arts and sciences; and

to significantly enhance the scholarly reputation of

the institution. The associate dean of Arts and

Sciences and the arts and sciences department chairs

report directly to the arts and sciences dean.

SECTION 4.0 GOVERNANCE SYSTEM OF

THE UNIVERSITY

The unique development of the university, in many

ways, is the result of a close working relationship

among students, faculty, administrators, and the

Board of Trustees. This collegiality has been present

throughout the history of the university and is

actively supported by the President and the Board of

Trustees.

4.1

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF

TRUSTEES

a) At the present time, there are 12 Standing

Committees of the Board of Trustees. The Board

may establish other committees as it deems

necessary. The current committees are:

• Academic Affairs Committee

• Audit Committee

• Administration and Finance Committee

• Compensation and Benefits Committee

• University Advancement Committee

• Investment Committee

• Enrollment Management Committee

• Student Affairs Committee

• Trustee Affairs and Governance Committee

• Executive Committee

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• IT/Cybersecurity (subcommittee of Audit)

b) The Standing Committees of the Board shall have

the powers and duties set forth in these By-Laws

and such other powers and duties as the Board may

delegate to them. Each Standing Committee shall

establish and maintain a Charter setting out the

Standing Committees responsibilities. They shall

exercise their powers and perform their duties

subject to the direction and approval of the Board.

They may make recommendations to the Board for

the establishment of new policies or any changes in

existing policies, but without decision-making

authority except pursuant to specific delegation by

the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee.

Only duty-appointed Trustee members of each

Standing Committee shall have voting privileges

with the exception of the outside advisory members

of the Investment Committee who shall be allowed

to vote. The Chair and Vice Chair of the Board

shall be members of each Standing Committee and

shall have voting privileges. Each Standing

Committee shall meet at such times and places and

upon such notice as it may determine, and shall

decide whether written minutes are necessary and

desirable and how they should be distributed to the

trustees. A majority of the Trustee members of a

Standing Committee shall be a quorum for the

transaction of business. Details of the

membership, powers, and duties of each

committee are below:

•

Academic Affairs Committee: The Academic

Affairs Committee shall be composed of not fewer

than five Trustees, and not fewer than four faculty

members. Ex-officio members are comprised of the

Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, the

academic deans and the Chair of the Faculty Senate.

The Academic Affairs Committee shall consider and

advise the Board of Trustees on current matters and

future planning relating to academic programs,

faculty appointments requiring action of the Board

of Trustees, emeritus appointments and relations

with other educational institutions. The Committee

shall also serve as the liaison with the faculty with

respect to academic affairs. The Academic Affairs

Committee shall have such other powers and duties

as may be delegated to it by the Board of Trustees

from time to

time.

•

Audit Committee: The Audit Committee shall be

composed of not fewer than five Trustees and as

ex-officio members the Vice President for

Administration and Finance, the Treasurer, the

Executive Director of Financial Operations and

the internal and external auditor. The Audit

Committee shall periodically appraise the

financial control and accounting systems of the

University and recommend any changes that it

deems appropriate or necessary; maintain an

ongoing analysis and review operating

statements and internal audit reports; recommend

annually the appointment of individual auditors

and submit them to the Board of Trustees with

recommendations for action; review the

proposed scope of any internal audits; annually

review and approve the audited financial

statements of the University; annually review

and approve the Management Letter provided by

the independent auditors; review relationships

among management and independent auditors;

and make recommendations to the Board of

Trustees with respect to each; review the

responses to the annual conflict of interest

disclosures; review the annual Form 990 filing;

and review management’s actions relative to

financial operations and control risks.

•

Administration and Finance Committee: The

Administration and Finance Committee shall

be composed of not fewer than five Trustees

and as ex-officio members the Vice President

for Administration and Finance, the Treasurer,

the Executive Director of Financial

Operations, and the Vice President for

Academic Affairs/Provost. The Committee of

Administration and Finance shall review the

annual budget and recommend its approval or

modification. Such review is to be made, with

recommendations submitted, prior to

compensation commitments to faculty and

administrative staff applicable to the following

academic year, The final budget for the

succeeding fiscal year shall be presented to the

Administration and Finance Committee and

the Board of Trustees for approval before the

fiscal year begins. The Committee shall be

kept informed of, consider proposals for, and

make recommendations with regard to the

general business affairs and financial

organization and operation of the University.

The Committee shall report its findings and

recommendations to the Board of Trustees or

the Executive Committee. The Committees

shall consider proposals for, and make

recommendations with respect to the location

of all buildings, facilities and related

appurtenances such as utilities, roads and

parking areas; care of the improvements of

grounds and major renovation work;

commissioning of project architects and engineers, and

approval of proposed contractors for construction and

other projects. The Committee shall have the authority to

accept and approve all new construction on behalf of the

University, but shall not incur any expense not previously

authorized by the Board of Trustees or the Executive

Committee. The Committee shall report its findings and

recommendations to the Board of Trustees or Executive

Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee

to review the long-range technology strategy of the

University and plans for the Information Services

Division, review the status of the division’s operations

and services, and make recommendations regarding major

technology capital projects and expenditures and such

other responsibilities as fall within the purview of the

Vice President of Administration and Finance. The

Administration and Finance Committee shall have other

such powers and duties as may delegated to it by the

Board of Trustees from time to time.

• Compensation and Benefits Committee: The

Compensation and Benefits Committee shall

be composed of not fewer than five Trustees.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee

shall review and recommend to the Board

executive compensation, assuring that such

compensation is reasonable. The Committee

shall also review institution-wide employee

retirement, pension, health and other benefit

plans; to be advised of and monitor the options

available to employees in retirement and

pension plans; and be assured that employees

receive adequate education and advice

regarding the options offered them.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

will consist of not fewer than five duly elected

trustees in addition to the Chair and Vice

Chair of the Board and the President of the

University who are ex-officio voting

members. The Vice President and Chief

Diversity and Inclusion Officer or their

designee will be staff to the Diversity, Equity

and Inclusion Committee. The Diversity,

Equity, and Inclusion Committee is to ensure

continuing Board and institutional progress

towards: (i) the diversity, equity, and inclusion

objectives of the University’s strategic plan;

(ii) the integration of diversity, equity, and

inclusion values in Board decision-making;

and (iii) the creation of a more diverse,

equitable, and inclusive campus culture and

climate for students, staff and faculty.

• University Advancement Committee:

The University Advancement Committee shall be

composed of not fewer than five Trustees and the Vice

President for University Advancement ex-officio. The

University Advancement Committee shall consider

proposals for, and make recommendations with respect to,

and assist the President in, the financial development,

fund-raising, and alumni affairs of the University, and

carry out other projects and assignments as directed by the

Board. In consultation with the Administration

and Finance Committee, the University

Advancement Committee shall make

recommendations for naming facilities and

parts of facilities. The University

Advancement Committee shall have such other

powers and duties as may be delegated to it by

the Board of Trustees from time to time.

•

Investment Committee: The Investment

Committee shall be composed of not fewer

than five Trustees and as ex-officio members

the Vice President for Administration and

Finance and the Treasurer and such outside

advisory members as the Board shall

determine. The Investment Committee shall,

subject to the general direction and control of

the Board of Trustees, manage the investments

of the University; retain the services of

professional consultants if in the Investment

Committee’s judgement should be desirable;

submit a report at each Board and

Executive Committee meeting on the

performance of the University’s endowment and

deposited funds, designate such banks or trust

companies in which the funds of the University

shall in the name of the University from time to

time be deposited or invested; keep the

Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees

informed on investment policy and of major

changes made or recommended in such policy.

The Investment Committee shall have such other

powers and duties as may be delegated to it by

the Board of Trustees from time to time.

•

Enrollment Management Committee: The

Enrollment Management Committee shall be

composed of not fewer than five Trustees, not

fewer than two faculty, and as ex-officio member

the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

The Committee shall consider and approve the

University’s current strategy and long-term

planning for recruitment, admission and pricing

strategies; and financial aid. The Enrollment

Management Committee shall have other such

powers and duties as may be delegated to it from

time to time.

•

Executive Committee: The Executive

Committee of the Board of Trustees shall be

composed of the President, the Chair of the

Board of Trustees, the Vice Chair of the Board

of Trustee, and the Chairs of the Academic

Affairs Committee, Audit Committee and

Committee on Administration and Finance as

well as three at-large members designated by the

Chair. The members of the Executive

Committee shall be elected to one-year terms at

each Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees.

•

IT/ Cybersecurity (subcommittee

of Audit): The IT/Cybersecurity

Committee will be comprised of no

fewer than three trustees chosen in

accordance with the Bentley

University By-Laws. In addition, the Chair and

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, the Audit

Committee Chair, and the President shall be ex

officio members with voting powers. The Vice

President and Chief Information Officer shall be

responsible for providing support for the

Committee’s work. The Participation of at least

half the number of members with voting powers

shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of

business. The IT/Cybersecurity Committee will

assist the Board of Trustees in meeting its

fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the

University’s information technology (IT) and

cybersecurity programs and risks. The

Committee has the authority to review and

provide oversight on matters related to the

University’s IT strategy, operations, policies,

and controls, including but not limited to IT

strategy and projects, risk management, IT and

cybersecurity and internal IT controls.

•

Student Affairs Committee: The Student Affairs

Committee shall be composed of not fewer than five

Trustees, not fewer than two faculty members and students

and as ex- officio member the Vice President for Student

Affairs. The Student Affairs Committee shall consider

proposals for, and make recommendations with respect to

all non- academic matters affecting

student life and shall serve as the evaluation and planning

agency for Student Affairs and such related departments as

Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, and

Counseling. The Committee shall also serve as the principal

Trustee liaison with student government. The Student

Affairs Committee shall have such other powers and duties

as may be delegated to it by the Board of Trustees from time

to time.

•

Trustee Affairs and Governance Committee: The

Trustee Affairs and Governance Committee shall be

composed of not fewer than five Trustees, and the General

Counsel of the

University shall serve as ex-officio. It shall be the duty of the

Trustee Affairs and Governance Committee to oversee the

governance process for the Board. The Committee shall

search out and secure qualified candidates for the position of

Trustee who are persons of high integrity and good moral

character, interested in furthering and advancing higher

education generally and the purposes of the University and in

providing the required leadership and guidance. The

Committee shall also be responsible for orienting,

developing, motivating and assessing the performance of

Trustees and shall make recommendations for nominations

for additional terms. The Committee shall also make

recommendations to the Board regarding the election of

officers of the University. The President shall recommend

candidates for Honorary Degrees to the Committee. The

Committee will recommend candidates for Honorary

Degrees to the full Board. Normally, these recommendations

shall be made in time for consideration at the winter board

meeting.

The Committee shall review the University

By-Laws and recommend revisions to the full

Board. The Trustee Affairs and Governance

Committee shall have such other powers and

duties as may be delegated to it by

the Board of Trustees from time to

time. The Secretary shall keep the

Trustee Affairs and Governance

Committee currently informed of

the vacancies occurring on the

Board, and shall inform the Board

of Trustees of the Trustee Affairs

and Governance Committee’s

recommendations at least fifteen

days prior to the meeting at which

the election of new Trustees is to

take place.

c) Faculty are eligible to be on the

Academic Affairs Committee (4)

Enrollment Management (2) Physical

Facilities Subcommittee of the

Administration and Finance

Committee (2) and the Student Affairs

Committee (2). Students are eligible to

be on the Physical Facilities

Subcommittee of the Administration

and Finance Committee and the

Student Affairs Committee.

4.2

FACULTY OF

THEUNIVERSITY

4.2.1 PREROGATIVES

Subject to the By-Laws of the Board

of Trustees, the faculty participates in

the formulation of academic policies

and practices relative to faculty

appointments, promotion and tenure

recommendations, admission,

academic programs, student

achievement, curriculum, academic

standards, the evaluation of the

instructional program, and the

establishment of degree requirements,

as well as the certification of students

for graduation.

4.2.2 MEMBERSHIP

1. General Faculty

The General Faculty of Bentley

University consists of the following

and those approved under Sections

4.2.2.6 and 4.2.2.7:

•

President

•

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs

•

Vice President for

Finance and Chief

Administrative Officer

•

Vice President of Student Affairs

•

Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans of

the

university

•

Full-time faculty and adjunct (part-time)

faculty holding the following academic ranks:

– Professor

– Associate Professor

– Assistant Professor

– Senior Lecturer

– Lecturer

•

Director of the Library and Academic Technology

•

Full-time library professionals holding

appropriate graduate degrees

•

Director of Athletics

•

Director of Counseling

•

Registrar and Assistant Registrars

2. Full-Time Faculty

a) The full-time faculty consists of those individuals

holding a full-time teaching appointment and

contract in one of the academic departments. These

appointments may be at the rank of Lecturer, Senior

Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor,

or Professor.

b) Visiting Professors are classified according to the

rank of Lecturer and above.

c) Full-time faculty are expected to teach, advise students,

engage in scholarly activity, and contribute to the

governance of the university through participation on

committees and various other bodies.

3. Faculty Holding Multiple Appointments Faculty members

may hold appointments in more than one academic

department.

a) Joint Appointments

Some tenured faculty may hold joint

appointments, if they regularly teach or have

an extended record of scholarship in more than

one department. Faculty members holding joint

appointments are entitled to all the rights and

responsibilities, including voting, in all

departments in which they hold an

appointment.

Faculty members may not apply for a joint appointment

until they have successfully achieved tenure in a single

department.

Therefore, tenure- track faculty members are not

eligible for joint appointments.

Faculty members holding joint appointments are

considered to have tenure and rank in both departments.

For external reporting purposes, faculty members are

included in the initial department in which they received

tenure.

Faculty members holding joint appointments are

eligible to serve on university-wide committees

and task forces that include faculty

representation, but only as a representative of

their primary department. The department that

they may represent will be noted in their annual

contract and will be their primary department in

Human Resources. Faculty serving on such

committees and task forces while holding a joint

appointment may not change their primary

department during their term of office.

b) Secondary Appointments

A full-time faculty member may hold a secondary

appointment in another department. Faculty

members holding secondary appointments may

participate in all activities of the

second department except voting.

A faculty member holding a

secondary appointment is not

considered to have tenure in the

secondary department. Tenure-track

faculty are eligible for secondary

appointments.

Faculty members holding secondary

appointments are eligible to serve on

university-wide committees or task

forces that include faculty

representation, but only as members

of their primary department.

4. Adjunct (Part-Time) Faculty

Adjunct (part-time) faculty members

are hired on a course-by-course basis.

Such faculty members teach one or

two courses per semester.

5. Emeriti Faculty

At the time a full-time faculty member

retires from Bentley University in good

standing, the tenured members of a

department may petition, with

supporting evidence, the Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs

and appropriate Dean to recommend

that the President request the Board of

Trustees to add emeritus to the faculty

member’s title at current rank to

recognize service as a faculty member

at Bentley University. In the absence of

exceptional factors, the retiree must

have been at the university for at least

fifteen years.

6. Roster of Faculty

The Office of Human Resources shall maintain a

list of all faculty members at Bentley

University. This list shall identify the status

(full-time or adjunct), type of contract (tenured,

tenure-track, non-tenure-track, or visiting),

academic rank, and primary departmental

affiliation.

7. Request for General Faculty Status

Any person desiring General Faculty status, who is

not listed in Section 4.2.2.1 may request inclusion in

the General Faculty by presenting appropriate

credentials to the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, indicating whether voting

privileges are sought. If the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs agrees with the

petition, the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs shall forward the request to the

Faculty Senate for approval. Upon approval by both

the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

and the Faculty Senate, General Faculty status shall be conferred

for as long as the petitioner remains in the position held at the

time of the request.

4.2.3

GENERAL

FACULTY

MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the General Faculty are held during the

academic year. The dates of faculty meetings shall be

published at the beginning of the academic year.

2. Special Meetings

a) Special meetings of the General Faculty may

be called by the President or the Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs or by the

Faculty Senate with three business days

written notice.

b) Upon the written request of 20 percent of the

full-time faculty or 10 percent of the General

Faculty (as defined in Section 4.2.2.1), the

Faculty Senate shall also call a special

meeting of the General Faculty with three

business days written notice.

c) Meetings of only full-time faculty maybe called

by the Faculty Senate with three business days

written notice.

3. Notice

The Chair of the Faculty Senate, or designee, shall notify in

writing the General Faculty of the time and place of all meetings.

The Chair, or designee, shall also publish the agenda in advance,

assure that minutes of faculty meetings are taken, make minutes

available to the Faculty, and ensure that a permanent file of

agendas and minutes are kept.

4. Presiding Officer

The Chair of the Faculty Senate presides at all meetings of the

Faculty. In the Chair’s absence, the Vice Chair presides. Rules

of Order

a) All meetings shall be conducted according to

Robert’s Rules of Order in all cases where

they are applicable and are not

inconsistent with other provisions of

Section 4.0 of the Faculty Manual.

b) A parliamentarian for the faculty shall

be appointed by the Chair of the

Faculty Senate at the first faculty

meeting of the academic year.

5. Attendance

Attendance at faculty meetings is expected of all

full- time faculty members. The Secretary, or

designee, shall keep a record of attendance.

6. Voting

The following members of the General Faculty shall

have the right to vote:

•

President

•

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs

•

Vice President of Student Affairs

•

Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans

in Academic Affairs

•

Full-time faculty holding the

following academic ranks:

– Professor

– Associate Professor

– Assistant Professor

– Senior Lecturer

– Lecturer

•

Executive Director of

Academic Technology,

Library, and Online Learning

•

Full-time library

professionals holding

appropriate graduate

degrees

7. Quorum

A quorum of 50 percent plus 1 of all voting

members is required to conduct business at General

Faculty meetings.

8. Proxies

There is no provision for proxy voting.

9. Confidentiality

Discussions and actions taken at meetings of the

faculty, or of its committees, that are

confidential shall be communicated to students,

staff, and the public only by the President, the

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs, or the Secretary of the General Faculty

after the administration and the Faculty Senate

have agreed to release such information.

10. New Business

A two-thirds vote of those present and voting is

required to carry any item of new business that

has not appeared on the agenda of a meeting.

11. Amendments to the Faculty Manual

Changes in and amendments to the Faculty Manual

are divided into two categories:

a) Category I: Substantive

additions, deletions, or

amendments, recommended by

either the Faculty or

Administration. Such changes

require approval by the Senate

and Faculty and, in certain cases,

by the Board of Trustees.

b) Category II: Editorial changes

and insertion of provisions

already approved by the Faculty.

Such changes require Faculty

Senate approval and shall be

reported to the Faculty at the next

General Faculty meeting.

Amendments to Sections 4.2, 4.3, 5.0, and 6.5.1 of

this manual shall require prior written notice to the

General Faculty of the content of the amendments, in

motion form, and a two-thirds vote of the Faculty

present and voting at the meeting at which any such

amendment is considered.

Any amendments to Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 5.0, 6.1,

6.2 are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees who have

the right, acting alone, to amend the referenced sections at any

time.

4.3

FACULTY

SENATE

The Faculty Senate comprises 31 members, 29 voting

and 2 nonvoting; it receives the reports of Standing

Committees and acts on their recommendations; it

represents and acts for the General Faculty in all matters

of faculty governance except those which concern

changes in the governance structure itself, changes in the

rules governing promotion and tenure, and major

curricular changes (as defined in Section 4.4.9

Curriculum Implementation Committee Category I), all

of which must be submitted to the General Faculty.

Other matters may be placed before the General Faculty

for final action following the procedures described

below.

4.3.1

SENATE

MEMBERSHIP

1. The FacultySenate shall have 29 voting members:

•

President of Bentley University

•

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs

•

Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

•

Associate Provost for Research and Faculty

•

Director of Accreditation and Assurance of

Learning

•

Dean of Business

•

Dean of Arts and Sciences

•

Registrar

•

Director of Undergraduate Admissions

•

Exec Director of the Pulsifer Career

Development Center

One member from the Professional Staff defined in

Section 4.2.3.7

One member from the adjunct faculty, who is an active

member of the faculty, chosen by the adjunct faculty

without regard to department. The adjunct faculty member

would not be asked to serve on a Senate committee

•

Twenty-three members of the full-time faculty

holding academic rank chosen in the following

manner:

– One Senator elected from and by each

academic

– department

– The remaining Senators to a total of 23 elected

at-large.

2. The Faculty Senate shall have two 2 non- voting

members:

•

One undergraduate student appointed by

the Academic Affairs Board of the

Student Government Association.

•

One graduate student appointed by the

Graduate Student Association

4.3.2 ELIGIBILITY

1. Any member of the full-time faculty who holds

academic rank may serve as either a

Departmental or At-Large Senator.

2. No department may hold more than

one at- large seat.

3. Senators are not eligible for election

to any other Special or Standing

Committees of the Faculty or

committees of the Board of Trustees.

4. The Nominations Committee, a

subcommittee of the Faculty Senate,

shall resolve any question of eligibility

for the Senate.

4.3.3. TERM

Senators shall serve a term of three (3) years

and may be reelected. Academic departments

shall expeditiously fill any vacated

Departmental seat. Senators may be recalled

by their constituencies.

4.3.4 ELECTION

1. At-Large Senators shall be elected electronically

prior to the last General Faculty meeting of the fall

semester of the academic year preceding their

terms as Senators.

Elections to the Promotion & Tenure

Committee shall also be conducted

electronically with the results made known at

least one week prior to the election for faculty

Senators.

2. The Nominations Committee, a subcommittee of

the Faculty Senate, shall prepare a slate of

candidates from open nominations and, if

necessary, via an emailed primary ballot.

3. The Nominations Committee shall oversee the

elections and be responsible for soliciting

nominations from the faculty. In all instances,

voting will be confidential and restricted to

one vote per eligible faculty member for each

position of the ballot.

4. Departmental Senators, the Professional Staff

Senator, and the Adjunct Senator shall be

elected by their constituents as soon as possible

after the results of the At-Large Senate election

are made known. The Nominations Committee,

a subcommittee of the Faculty Senate, shall

inform each academic department during the

semester prior to the expiration of the term of a

Departmental Senator. Such election will take

place prior to the course scheduling for the

subsequent fall semester. The results of these

elections will then be communicated to the

Chair of the Faculty Senate.

5. Senators are not eligible for election to any

other Special or Standing Committee of the

Faculty or committees of the Board of Trustees.

Following the final General Faculty meeting for

the academic year, prior to which the results of

the elections to Faculty Standing and Board of

Trustees Committees will be made known, the

Planning Committee shall meet to prepare a

slate of Senators to be assigned to the Standing

Committees of the Faculty and committees of the Board of

Trustees. In selecting Senators to recommend for the

committee assignments, the Planning Committee shall be

sensitive to both continuity and balance (e.g., departmental,

junior and senior faculty, and gender representation).

6. Newly elected Senators officially take office on July 1,

during the spring semester after their election, they shall

meet with continuing Senators for the purpose of electing

the officers of the Faculty Senate and others who shall

constitute the Planning Committee for the next academic

year.

7. If an At-Large seat on the Senate is vacated before the term of

office expires, following Nominations Committee procedures, an

eligible faculty member, generally the person receiving the next

highest number of votes in the last election will be appointed to

complete that academic year. Should the vacancy be for more than

the remainder of that academic year, the Nominations Committee

will conduct an election of a faculty member to complete the

remainder of the unexpired term. The election results will be made

known prior to the last General Faculty meeting of the year.

4.3.5

DUTIES OF

THE

FACULTY SENATE

The Faculty Senate is responsible to the General Faculty

and shall report its agenda, activities, and actions on a

timely basis, through notices and at General Faculty

meetings. It shall act on its decisions and those of the

General Faculty through appropriate governance channels

and has the following specific duties and authority:

1. To represent the Faculty in all matters of

concern to the Faculty.

2. To discharge all governance activities of the Faculty

as its representative body, except for matters noted

in item 12 below.

3. To bring before the General Faculty for final

resolution issues that concern changes in the

fundamental structure of the governance system,

changes in procedures relating to promotion and

tenure, and Category I curricular changes.

4. To recommend to the President and/or Trustees, on

behalf of the Faculty, changes in policy, procedure,

practices, organizational structure, or other matters

of concern to the Faculty.

5. To react to the President and/or Trustees, on behalf

of the Faculty, on changes or proposed changes in

policy, procedure, practice, organizational structure,

or other matters of concern to the Faculty.

6. To call for and act on the reports of Standing

Committees of the Faculty and other committees of

the Faculty.

7. To adjudicate the concerns of Standing and other

committees as to charge, procedures, and jurisdiction.

8. To fill temporary vacancies on Special and Standing

Committees of the Faculty or Committees of the

Board of Trustees according to the procedures of the

Nominations Committee.

9. To appoint faculty members to non-elective

committees, administrative committees, and other

groups that seek faculty representation.

10. To establish Standing Committees,

subcommittees, ad hoc committees, and task forces

as necessary.

11. To study matters referred to it by the General

Faculty, the administration, and/or the

Board of Trustees.

12. To approve changes to the Faculty

Manual, except where such changes are

the prerogative of the General Faculty,

and to report changes

to the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs and President and to

the Academic Affairs Committee of

the Board of Trustees.

13. To serve as a hearing body in cases of faculty

grievances where no other grievance procedure

exists.

14. To appoint members of the Faculty Advisory

Board.

4.3.6

DUTIES

FACULTY

SENATORS

1. Senators are responsible for promoting the

welfare of Bentley University by representing

the faculty in matters of governance. They

should beprepared to present to the Senate the

concerns of their departments and of other

groups of faculty about which they have

knowledge. Senators are to keep their

colleagues apprised of matters that arise in the

Senate.

2. Each elected faculty member of the Senate shall

sit on one and only one of the following: a

Standing Committee of the Faculty, a Board of

Trustees Committee on which faculty serve, or

the Planning Committee of the Senate for a term

of one year. At least two elected faculty

members of the Senate sit on each Standing

Committee of the Faculty; at least one sits on

each Board of Trustees Committee on which

faculty serve.

3. During May the newly elected Senators and

continuing Senators shall convene to consider the

recommendations of the Nominations Committee

for committee assignments for Senators .Duties

of Officers

4. Duties of Officers

a) The Faculty Senate shall

annually elect a Chair, Vice

Chair, and Secretary. The

officers shall serve a term of

one year commencing July 1

and may be reelected. The

Chair may serve no more than

three consecutive terms.

b) The Chair of the Faculty

Senate shall preside at

meetings of the Faculty

Senate and General

Faculty. The Chair

represents the Faculty

Senate on the Graduate

Council, the PhD

Council, the Academic

Affairs Committee of the

Board of Trustees, the

President’s Cabinet, and

such other committees and groups as

may require such representation. The

Chair of the Senate presides at

meetings of the Planning Committee.

The Chair shall keep the General

Faculty informed in a timely

manner of actions taken by the

Faculty Senate.

c) The Vice Chair of the Faculty

Senate shall assist the Chair of the

Faculty Senate and fulfill the duties

of the Chair when the Chair for any

reason is unable to do so.

d) The Secretary of the Faculty Senate

shall keep minutes of Faculty Senate

and General Faculty meetings, keep

records of attendance at these meetings,

issue notices of meetings and meeting

agendas to Senators and the General

Faculty, distribute the approved

minutes of these meetings to the

General Faculty, and serve as Editor of

the Faculty Manual.

e) These officers, along with one other

Senator elected by the Senate and

the immediate past Chair of the

Senate (whether an elected Senator

or not), constitute the Planning

Committee. The Planning

Committee sets agendas for Faculty

Senate and General Faculty

meetings, and guides the attention of

the Faculty Senate to long-range

concerns and immediate agenda

items.

4.3.7

PROCEDURAL

MATTERS

1. The Senate shall meet regularly. Meetings are open

to the General Faculty. Notices of meetings and the

agenda shall be made available to the General

Faculty. The Senate may vote to meet in executive

session under extraordinary circumstances. Special

meetings may be called as needed.

2. A quorum 50 percent plus one of the

voting membership of the Senate is

required to conduct business.

3. Meetings of the Faculty Senate shall be

conducted according to Robert’s Rules of

Order in all cases where they are

applicable and are not inconsistent with

other provisions of this Section 4.3.

4. The Senate may, by a vote of 40 percent

of those present and voting, submit any

question of governance to the General

Faculty for final consideration.

5. A petition presented to the Faculty Senate

bearing the names of ten percent of the

full-time faculty shall move an issue to the

General Faculty for final consideration.

4.3.8

NOMINATIONS

COMMITTEE

The Nominations Committee, a

subcommittee of the Faculty Senate,

nominates faculty members for election

or appointment to most committees that

have faculty as members, the exceptions

to these being the Graduate Council, the

PhD Council, the Research Council and

ex officio positions.

The Nominations Committee determines

the eligibility of faculty for each vacancy

and conducts the elections of faculty to

the Special and Standing Committees of

the Faculty and committees of the Board

of Trustees.

The goal of the Nominations Committee is to

ensure that faculty members are:

a) Fully aware of openings on

various universitycommittees

b) Have full opportunity to

volunteer for committee

membership. At all times the

Committee shall be guided by

the principle of equity and

fairness to all faculty members.

The Nominations Committee is composed of six

voting members of the full- time faculty with

representation from the various ranks and

disciplines. Four members are elected from the

full- time faculty and at least two members are

appointed from the Senate by the Faculty Senate

during its last meeting of the academic year. The

term on the Nominations Committee for an

elected member is three years while Senators are

appointed annually. Terms shall be staggered.

Vacancies on the Nominations Committee shall

be filled at the next regular meeting of the

Faculty Senate following notice of a vacancy.

The Nominations Committee shall annually

survey the faculty to determine present

committee activity and future preferences.

Nominations shall be based on this information,

as well as the criteria that each committee shall

be composed of a broad representation of faculty

and from a broad representation of the

departments of Business and the departments of

the Arts and Sciences. For curricular purposes,

the following classification of the Academic

Departments has been adopted:

BUSINESS ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accountancy English and Media Studies

Computer Information History

Systems Global Studies

Economics Mathematical Sciences

Finance Modern Languages

Information Design & Natural and Applied

Sciences Corporate

Communication

Information & Philosophy

Process Management Sociology

Law, Taxation &

Financial Planning

Management Marketing

Specific operating guidelines of the

Nominations Committee shall be maintained

by the Secretary of the Faculty Senate and be

available to all faculty members.

Theprocedure for filling vacancies on Special

and Standing Committees of the Faculty and

committees of the Board of Trustees is as

follows:

a) When a vacancy occurs on a Special or Standing

Committee for any reason, the Chair of the

Senate shall be notified by the Chair of the

committee.

b) The Nominations Committee shall usually

nominate as the replacement the next eligible

person receiving the next highest number of

votes at the last election.

c) The nomination shall be approved by the

Faculty Senate by a majority vote of the voting

members present at its next meeting.

d) The newly appointed member shall serve on the

committee for the remainder of the unexpired

term.

e) A vacancy that occurs near the end of the

academic year may, if the Senate so chooses

be filled by election at the time when regular

elections to Special Committees, Standing

Committees, and Board of Trustees are

conducted.

The Nominations Committee shall be

responsible for maintaining the membership of

the Faculty Advisory Board which shall

consist of ten (10) or more members of the

General Faculty appointed by the Nominations

Committee, subject to ratification by the

Senate, to serve as an available pool of faculty

to provide requested participation on

university non-faculty and ad hoc committees.

4.4

COMMITTEES OF

THEFACULTY

4.4.1

STATEMENT ON SERVICE ON FACULTY

COMMITTEES

Active participation on faculty committees is

recognized as a normal and necessary part of a

full-time faculty member’s contractual obligation

to render service to Bentley University. It is also

recognized that excellence in the performance of

the faculty is necessary if Bentley University is to

fulfill its mission and maintain its quality.

Meritorious service on university committees

contributes to that excellence and shall be

encouraged through positive consideration

in matters of promotion, tenure, and merit

increases.

There are two types of Faculty Committees:

Special

Committees and Standing Committees.

4.4.2.1

SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF

THE FACULTY

1. Special committees are permanent committees of

the faculty, which because of their functions and

specific reporting procedures are considered to

be outside the Standing Committee structure.

Such committees do not report to the Faculty

Senate in the normal course of conducting their

business; however, they are responsible to the

Faculty Senate and the General Faculty for

carrying out their charges; they may appeal to the

Senate for clarification or change in their charges

and procedures; they may bring reports to the

Faculty Senate and the General Faculty as

necessary; and they may be called upon to report

to the Faculty Senate in special circumstances as

outlined in the charge to each committee.

2. No more than one member of any academic

department may hold an elected seat on a Special

Committee and no faculty member may be

elected to serve on more than two Special or

Standing Committees of the Faculty.

3. Members of the Faculty Senate may not hold an

elected seat on another Special or Standing

Committee of the Faculty.

4. The Nominations Committee is responsible for

filling vacancies on Special Committees.

4.4.2.2

FACULTY

AFFAIRSCOMMITTEE

The major concern of the Faculty Affairs Committee

(FAC) is to encourage the study and implementation of

innovative methods for faculty development. When

appropriate, this includes reviewing university policies

and objectives that affect the faculty and making

recommendations as needed.

1. Membership and eligibility

The Faculty Affairs Committee consists of five (5)

members of the faculty with election limited as follows

• At least one member must be from departments of

the Arts & Sciences

• At least one member must be from departments of

Business

• At least one member must be either a Lecturer or

Senior Lecturer

• At least one member must be from the part-time

faculty

• At least one tenured member

• Dean of Arts and Sciences and Dean of Business,

ex officio

2. Term

The term of service on the Committee is three (3) years.

3. Duties

a) Gathers, reviews, and approves disbursement of Faculty

Development Funds and

b) Attends to any issue that affects faculty development as a

whole.

4. Procedural Matters

a) A Chair and a Secretary are elected annually by the

committee from the elected members. The Chair shall be a

tenured member

b) A majority vote of a quorum (3) of the committee is

needed for all decisions.

Notes:

• 3(a) changes “recommends” to “approves”

disbursement of funds consistent with operating changes

made by the Provost Office to push approval of these funds

to the faculty level.

• When discussing the new structure, it was the intent of

the current FAC that the committee be chaired by a tenured

faculty member. Consistent with this thinking, the Chair of

the Sabbatical Committee (below) should be a Full.

4.4.X

SABBATICAL

COMMITTEE

The major concern of the Sabbatical Committee (SC) is to

gather, review, and recommend sabbatical requests to the

Administration. When appropriate, this includes reviewing

university policies and objectives that affect the sabbatical

process and making recommendations as needed.

1. Membership and eligibility

The Sabbatical Committee consists of five (5) tenured

members of the full-time faculty with election limited as

follows

• All members must have taken at least one sabbatical

• At least two members must be from departments of the Arts

& Sciences

• At least two members must be from departments of

Business

• At least one Full Professor

• Dean of Arts and Sciences and Dean of Business and

McCallum Graduate School, ex officio

2. Term

The term of service on the Committee is three (3) years.

3. Duties

a) Gathers, reviews, and recommends sabbatical requests to

the Administration.

b) Attends to any issue that affects the sabbatical process.

4. Procedural Matters

a) A Chair and a Secretary are elected

annually by the committee from the elected

members. The Chair shall be a Full Professor

b) A majority vote of a quorum (3) of the

committee is needed for all decisions.

4.4.4

PROMOTION AND TENURE COMMITTEE

The Promotion and Tenure Committee (P&T)

reviews all applications for promotion and/or tenure,

and after consideration presents the names of all

applicants for promotion and/or tenure, together with

the Committee’s recommendations, to the Board of

Trustees through the Offices of the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs andPresident.

1. Membership and Eligibility

The Promotion and Tenure Committee consists of

seven (7) tenured members of the full-time faculty

with election limited as follows:

• At least three members shall

be from the departments of

Business and at least three

members elected from the

departments of Arts and

Sciences

• No department may be

represented bymore than one

member on the Committee+

• No member may be serving

on the Faculty Senate

• At least three seats must

be held by Full Professors

2. Term

The term of office shall be three years. A member

may serve any number of terms, but there must be a

break in service of at least two years between terms

3. Election

a) Members are elected

electronically each year by the

full-time members of the faculty

prior to the last General Faculty

meeting of the fall semester

preceding their terms of office.

The Nominations Committee shall

plan the details of the election and

supervise the electronic

distribution and processing of all

ballots. A primary election, if

necessary, shall be conducted by

mail prior to the election.

b) If a vacancy should arise, the

Nominations Committee shall, if

necessary, conduct a primary by

email, and the election to fill the

unexpired term shall be conducted

as timing dictates.

c) In all instances, voting will be

confidential and restricted to one

vote per eligible faculty member for

each position on the ballot.

4. Duties

a) to receive and review all applications

for promotion and/or tenure and, after

consideration,

b) to make recommendations on all applicants for

promotion and/or tenure to the Board of

Trustees of the university through the Offices

of the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs and President.

5. Procedural Matters

a) This Committee, because of the confidential nature

of its deliberations, does not report to the Faculty

except as provided in Section 5.9.8.4.

b) A member of the P&T Committee seeking

promotion must be granted a leave of absence from

the committee for that year. See Section 3b above

for filling the vacancy.

c) A member of the P&T Committee shall be absent

during discussion of and voting on a candidate

from a member’s own academic department.

d) P&T Committee members holding joint

appointments shall be absent during discussion of

and voting on a candidate from any department in

which they area member.

e) P&T Committee members holding a secondary

appointment shall be absent during discussion of

and voting on a candidate only from their primary

department.

See Sections 5.8 and 5.9 for detailed procedures.

4.4.5

TEACHING AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

COMMITTEE

The Teaching and Scholarly Activities Committee (TSAC)

is responsible for: recommending winners of the Bentley

University Scholar of the Year Award; recommending

winners of the Gregory H. Adamian Award for Teaching

Excellence; selecting winners of Bentley University Awards

for Innovation in Teaching; recommending to the

appropriate Dean those faculty deserving of special

monetary awards established by the Board of Trustees;

handling other teaching-related matters as may

appropriately come before the Committee, and dealing with

other matters related to research and scholarly activities as

may appropriately come before the Committee.

1. Membership

•

at least three tenured faculty members;

•

at least three full-time faculty members elected from

business departments.

•

at least three full-time faculty members elected from arts

and sciences departments.

•

one Wilder Teaching Professor

•

student representative for discussions deemed appropriate

by the Committee

2. Eligibility

No academic department shall be represented by more than

one member on the Committee.

3. Term

The term of service on the Committee shall be three

(3) years.

4.4.6

STANDING

COMMITTEES

THE

FACULTY

1. Membership

a) Except where noted, at least two Senators,

appointed by the Senate, sit on each

Standing Committee for a renewable term of

one year. At-large members are elected for

renewable three year terms by the Faculty

prior to the final General Faculty meeting of

the academic year. No faculty member may

serve on more than two of the Special and

Standing Committees of the Faculty. No

more than one member of any department

may hold an elected seat on a Standing

Committee.

b) When a vacancy occurs on a Standing

Committee for any reason, the Chair of the

Faculty Senate shall be notified by the

Chair of the Standing Committee. The

Nominations Committee of the Faculty

Senate is responsible for identifying a

replacement.

2. Ex officio Members and Voting

a) The President of Bentley University and

Provost and Vice President for

AcademicAffairs are ex officio

members of all Standing Committees of

the Faculty.

b) Ex officio members of Standing Committees

do not have the right to vote.

c) Ex officio members may designate a

representative to attend committee meetings.

3. Procedures

a) A Chair and a Secretary are elected annually

by the Committee and may be re- elected.

b) Each Standing Committee shall establish its

own policies and operating procedures,

subject to review and approval by the

Faculty Senate.

c) Each Standing Committee may, when it

deems it reasonable and efficient,

establish subcommittees to deal with

specific areas and concerns of the

committee and meet as a committee of

the whole only when necessary for

administrative purposes or when it

deems issues to be of unusual import.

While any such structures remain within

the control of the Committee, the

Committee shall report to the Senate the

subcommittees formed and the

membership thereof, to be made

available to the Faculty.

d) All Standing Committees shall report

tothe Faculty Senate and, in some

instances, to the General Faculty by

way of the Faculty Senate.

4. Agenda, Minutes, and Records

a) Notices of meetings and agendas of Standing

Committees shall be sent to committee members

and the Secretary of the Faculty Senate in advance and

made available to the general faculty.

b) Minutes shall be kept at each meeting of a standing

committee and sent to the Secretary of Faculty Senate

prior to the next meeting of that committee. A complete

record of actions taken and recommendations made

shall be kept in a permanent file at the Office of the

Faculty Senate and made available to any member of

the General Faculty who wishes to consult them.

4.4.7

ACADEMIC

STANDARDS

COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Dean of Arts and Sciences, ex officio

•

Dean of Business , ex officio

•

Registrar, exofficio

•

Associate Provost for Undergraduate

Education, ex officio

•

Two Senators appointed by the Faculty

Senate

•

Four faculty members elected by the

General Faculty

•

One student appointed by the Academic

Affairs Board of the Student Government

Association

The elected members may be of any academic

rank, but not more than one member of this

committee will be of the rank of Lecturer or Senior

Lecturer. The student member shall not have the

right to vote.

1. Duties

a) To recommend university policies in such areas as

graduation requirements, probation, academic

warnings, quality point requirements, attendance

requirements, examination policies and practices,

grading systems, and the evaluation of student

performance.

b) To evaluate policies and procedures relative to the

academic standards of the university and, where

appropriate, to propose new policies and

procedures.

c) The Committee shall elect a member of the

Academic Standards committee to serve on the

Academic Performance Committee for a term set

by this committee but not to exceed the elected

term on the Academic Standards Committee.

4.4.8

THE CURRICULUM

COMMITTEES

There are two committees charged with overseeing the

Bentley undergraduate curriculum, the Curriculum

Implementation Committee and the Curriculum Policy

Committee. Each committee shall be elected separately by

the faculty, with additional members appointed to each by

the Faculty Senate as specified below. Each committee shall

report independently to the Senate, and its decisions will not

be subject to review by the other.

4.4.9

CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

COMMITTEE

The Curriculum Implementation Committee is

charged with assuring that the strategic curricular

goals of the university, as shaped by the Curriculum

Policy Committee and articulated in the Faculty

Manual, be maintained, and with reviewing curricular

initiatives proposed by any of the several

instructional units of the institution.

1. Membership

•

Dean of Arts and Sciences, ex officio

•

Dean of Business, exofficio

•

Two Senators appointed by the Faculty

Senate

•

Three faculty members elected by the

General Faculty

•

Associate Provost for Undergraduate

Education, ex officio

•

Registrar, ex officio

•

Director of Undergraduate Admissions,

ex officio

•

Director of Accreditation and Assurance

of Learning, ex officio

•

One student appointed by the Academic

Affairs Board of the Undergraduate

Student Government Association. The

student member shall have no vote.

Curriculum Implementation Committee,

Faculty Senate, and General Faculty:

•

New programs, that is, new degree programs, new

majors, and new minors

•

Major revisions of existing programs. New

concentrations within a major (including new LSMs)

shall be considered major revisions

B. Category II: Approval by both Curriculum

Implementation Committee and Faculty

Senate:

•

All new permanent courses

•

Deletion of existing programs(majors, minors, or

concentrations)

•

Deletion of courses in existing programs that affect

programs of other departments

•

Prerequisite changes and/or modifications of course

requirements that affect programs of other

departments

C. Category III: Approval by

Curriculum Implementation

Committee only:

•

Faculty-led short term courses to be offered abroad

under the auspices of the Office of International

Education

•

Minor revisions to requirements within a major, minor

or concentration that do not affect programs of other

departments. Senate Planning Committee, in

•

2. Duties

At least two faculty members

from departments of Business

and at least two from

departments of the Arts and

Sciences.

conjunction with CIC, will use its discretion in

differentiating major and minor revisions (category II

vs. category III).

•

Substantial revisions to the content of existing courses.

•

Reactivation of courses after five or more years of

a) To consider curriculum recommendations

of the academic departments.

b) To establish and advise each department

and appropriate university committees of

operational guidelines and deadlines for

submission of curriculum proposals or

changes to the Committee.

c) To ensure that the university catalogue be

truly representative of decisions made by

the Departments, the Curriculum

Implementation Committee, and the

Faculty.

d) To perform such other duties as normally

pertain to curriculum implementation

matters.

e) To receive information and provide advice or

comment on any programs which are proposed

for discontinuance. It is expected that such a

proposal will be brought to the Committee by the

Provost or appropriate Dean.

3. Curriculum approval

A. Category I: Approval required by

inactivity (see 7.4.7).

D. Category IV: Decided upon by Department with

notice to the Curriculum Implementation

Committee

•

Routine operational issues, such as changes

to individual course titles, numbers, and

prerequisites; minor course description or

content changes; deletions from the catalogue

of courses not offered over time; additions or

deletions to elective courses within

programs (provided this does not affect

other departments).

•

Experimental courses, which shall be defined as

courses with specific content that may not be

repeated for credit. Experimental course numbers

(XX 198/199, 298/299, 398/399) should be used

to explore curriculum development for an

intended long-term, permanent course offering. A

course description and draft syllabus must be

submitted to CIC each time before the course

may be listed by the registrar for the upcoming

semester’s schedule. The description should

indicate the curricular requirements fulfilled by

this course (Business or Arts & Science elective;

Diversity, International, or

Communication Intensive; major, minor, and/or

LSM requirement or elective). Experimental

courses may be offered twice with notice provided

to the CIC each time the course is offered. To be

offered a third time they much be approved as

permanent courses (Category II).

•

The specific topic of a Selected or Special

Topics course or Seminar offered in a given

semester. A course description and draft

syllabus must be submitted to CIC each time

a Selected or Special Topics course or

seminar is offered before it may be listed in

the upcoming semester’s schedule. The

description should indicate the curricular

requirements fulfilled by this course

(Business or Arts & Science elective;

Diversity, International, Communication

Intensive; major, minor, and/or LSM

requirement or elective). Any particular

topic under these rubrics may be offered

twice with notice to the CIC. To be offered

a third time, it must be approved as a

permanent course (Category II).

4. Reporting

a) Any approved Category I or

Category II change shall be

reported promptly to the Senate

Planning Committee. A final

report of all Curriculum

Implementation Committee

business should be submitted to

the Faculty Senate at the end

of each semester.

b) The last scheduled meeting of

the Curriculum Implementation

Committee in any semester will

occur no later than three weeks

prior to the final meeting of the

Faculty Senate in that semester.

Meetings after that date shall

occur only at the request of the

Planning Committee of the

FacultySenate.

5. Deadlines

Deadlines for submitting course and other relevant

registration information are available in the

Registrar’s office. Course modifications or additions

may be published in the undergraduate day course

scheduling booklets prior to Faculty approval, but

they must be acted upon before registration for the

following semester. However, no proposed

curriculum change can be presented in any university

Admissions activities, university catalogue, or other

university publication intended for the general public,

prior to its approval at the level of the Governance

System indicated by its Category. Information about

new courses or programs should be made available to

the Administration prior to their submission to the

Curriculum Implementation Committee.

4.4.10

CURRICULUM POLICY

COMMITTEE The curriculum serves as the

primary instrument for achieving the Bentley

mission. The Curriculum Policy Committee is

responsible for ensuring that individual courses

make up parts of a coherent whole, and that the

curriculum as a whole reflects an awareness of the

best contemporary ideas and practices in higher

education, as well as sensitivity to real world

conditions that Bentley graduates will face.

1. Membership

• Dean of Arts and Sciences, ex officio

• Dean of Business, ex officio

• Two senators appointed by the Faculty

Senate

• Three faculty members elected by the

General Faculty

• Associate Provost for Undergraduate

Education, ex officio

• Registrar, ex officio

• Director of Undergraduate Admissions, ex

officio

• Director of Accreditation and Assurance of

Learning, ex officio

• Exec Director of Corporate Relations and

Career Services, ex officio

• At least two faculty members from

departments of Business and at least two

from departments of the Arts &Sciences.

2. Duties

a) To conduct continuing studies of existing and proposed

curricula.

b) To solicit faculty opinion on curriculum matters.

c) To assist departments in curriculum development,

suggesting ideas and direction, ensuring proper

differentiation and integration of offerings, and serving

as mediator.

d) To focus attention on the future direction, the feasibility,

and the appropriateness of academic programs.

e) To recommend, annually, curriculum requirements to

the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,

and to the Faculty.

f) To develop and regularly review criteria for designating

courses as Business or Arts &Sciences

g) To perform such other duties as normally

pertain to curriculum policy matters.

h) To receive information and provide advice or

comment on any programs which are proposed

for discontinuance. It is expected that such a

proposal will be brought to the Committee by

the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs or the appropriate Dean.

3. Reporting

The Curriculum Policy Committee will

report to the Faculty Senate annually on

2. Duties

matters of the curriculum, including

recommendations for Faculty Senate consideration.

4.4.11

FACULTY

EVALUATION

PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Three faculty members elected by the

General Faculty

– One must be untenured;

– At least one must be from a

Business Department; and

– At least one must be from an

Arts and Sciences Department

•

Associate Provost for Research and

Faculty ex officio

•

Dean of Business, ex officio

•

Dean of Arts and Sciences ex officio

•

Two Senators appointed by the Faculty

Senate

2. Duties

a) Consider and approve any

modifications or alterations to

the evaluation procedures when

proposed by a department to

satisfy special needs

b) Review the working of

evaluation procedures and

consider improvements and

amendments

c) Generate and/or approve

standardized documents

necessary to the proper

functioning of the evaluation

procedures.

4.4.12

SALARY AND

BENEFITS COMMITTEE

The Salary and Benefits Committee is not

intended in any way to be, nor to appear to

be, an agency for negotiation of salary or

benefits for the Faculty as a whole or for any

individual faculty member. The Committee is

not authorized nor intended to be, in any

respect, a body to hear, act upon, or consider

any grievance on the part of any faculty

member or members.

1. Membership

•

Three Senators appointed by the

Faculty Senate

•

Three faculty members elected by the

General Faculty

At least two faculty members from

departments of Business departments and at

least two from of the Arts & Sciences.

a) To establish and maintain an awareness

of the current salary conditions at

Bentley University and, in general, at

other institutions of higher education.

b) To determine periodically the extent to

which inflation has eroded the

purchasing power of the dollar in

general, and particularly in the

geographical area in which Bentley

exists.

c) To maintain an awareness of the

benefits that are available to the faculty

of Bentley University.

d) To search continually for ways to

improve such benefits in a manner

consistent with the best interests of

the university.

e) To keep the Bentley University

faculty apprised of all the above

through periodic reports to the

Faculty Senate.

f) To periodically recommend to the faculty

through the Faculty Senate improvements

in salary andbenefits.

g) To serve as a conduit through which

faculty concerns related to salaries and

benefits may be communicated to the

Administration and the Board of

Trustees, and through which the

responses of these groups may be

communicated back to the Faculty

through the Faculty Senate.

h) To establish and review, jointly

with the administration, a set of

salary and benefits objectives as

well as a comprehensive faculty

compensation plan.

i) To establish a schedule of activities,

agreed upon by the administration,

reflecting the major tasks of both

parties during the academic year.

4.5

OTHER COMMITTEES ON WHICH

FACULTY SERVE

4.5.1

GRADUATE

SCHOOL

4.5.1.1

GRADUATE

COUNCIL

Academic issues in graduate education are the

concern of the Graduate Council.

1. Membership

•

Dean of Business and the

McCallum Graduate School

of Business, Chair

•

MBA Director

•

Chairs of the departments

involved in graduate program

delivery (including at least one

faculty member from Arts and

Sciences)

•

Chair of the Faculty Senate

•

A graduate student selected by the

Graduate Student Association

•

Other such members as deemed necessary.

•

Ex officio members of the Graduate Council

Dean of Arts andSciences

Director of Marketing Programs

Assistant Dean/Director of Graduate

Student and

Academic Services

Director of Graduate Admissions

All academic Associate Deans.

revision, or

discontinuation, and

b. To review and approve or

recommend to Graduate Council

changes to existing courses and

programs as well as new courses and

programs proposed by academic

departments.

2. Duties

a) The Graduate Council

formulates academic policies,

monitors adherence to

standards, and advises the Dean

on new programs and other

developments in the McCallum

Graduate School.

b) All curriculum changes (Category I and

II as defined in Section 4.4.9)

approved by the Graduate Council are

promptly reported to the Faculty

Senate, who will act on all such

recommendations by approving or

disapproving them.

c) At the request of the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs,

Graduate Council recommendations

may be brought to the General Faculty

for final resolution.

d) The Graduate Council is responsible for

nominating and electing members of the

other Graduate Committees defined

below.

4.5.1.2

GRADUAT

CURRICULUM

COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Associate Dean of Business, Chair

•

Two representative department

chairs,

•

Two representatives of faculty

teaching graduate level courses

•

The MBA Program Director

•

One other Academic Program

Director

•

Registrar, ex officio

•

Assistant Dean/Director of

Graduate Student and Academic

Services, ex officio

1. Duties

a) The purpose of the Graduate

Curriculum Committee is two- fold:

To take a strategic view of the

entire Graduate School curriculum,

suggesting areas of development,

a) All course and program

changes as well as new

programs and courses are

reviewed first by Graduate

Curriculum Committee

and then sent to Graduate

Council. Categories I and

II curriculum changes

follow the procedure

specified in Section 4.4.9.

4.5.1.3

GRADUATE

ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE

COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Chaired by the Assistant

Dean/Director of

Graduate Student and

Academic Services

•

Faculty selected by the

Graduate Council

•

A representative of the

Office of Registrar ex

officio.

2. Duties

a) The purpose of

the Graduate

Academic

Performance

Committee is

two-fold:

a. To consider cases

of students whose

records make them

liable for dismissal

b. To consider

new academic

performance

policies or

changes to

existing

policies (e.g.,

grading

policies).

b) When reviewing student cases,

the Committee considers cases

on the basis of audits done by

the Registrar’s office.

Interviewing students, where

necessary, the Committee

determines whether and under

what conditions a student may

continue studies at Bentley.

c) The Committee Chair

confirms in writing the

Committee’s decisions to the student. Any

policy changes or new academic policies are

forwarded to the Graduate Council for

approval, as well as Faculty Senate.

4.5.1.4

GRADUATE ACADEMIC

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Chaired by the Associate Dean of Business

•

Academic Program Directors of each of the

Graduate degree programs

•

Ex officio members are representatives from

– Graduate Admissions

– Graduate Marketing Programs

– Graduate Student and Academic Services.

2. Duties

To provide a forum for academic program directors to

develop shared processes and policies for recruiting,

screening, advising, and placing students. The

committee does not have an official policy role, but

brings concerns and issues to Graduate Council for

consideration.

4.5.2

PH.D.

PROGRAM

The PhD Program is part of the McCallum Graduate

School of Business. However, it operates independently

of the Graduate Council and its committees that oversee

the MBA and specialist masters’ degree portfolio.

4.5.2.1

PHD

COUNCIL

Academic issues within the program will be

under the purview of a PhD Council. The

PhD Council will formulate academic

policies and curriculum, monitor adherence

to standards, and inform the Provost and

Vice-President of Academic Affairs of

developments in the PhD program. The PhD

Council will promptly report all curricular

decisions and major policy decisions to the

Faculty Senate. Major curricular and policy

decisions will further require Senate

approval.

1. Membership

•

Director of the PhD Program

(recommended by the PhD

Council and appointed by, and

reporting to, the Dean of

Business, in consultation with

the Dean of Arts and Sciences,

for a four year term with

possible two year extensions)

•

Associate Director of the PhD Program

•

Dean of Business and the

McCallum Graduate

School ex officio

•

Dean of Arts and Sciences exofficio

•

Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs ex

officio

•

Chair of the Faculty Senate ex officio

•

Seven other members, each of

whom serve for a term of four

years, drawn from a list of

faculty who meet the following

criteria:

1) Have had teaching/supervisory

involvement in Bentley’s PhD Program

or in a PhD program from a different

accredited institution that, in the case of

business faculty, includes AACSB or

EQUIS

2) and are actively engaged in scholarly

research commensurate with teaching at the

PhD level.

The seven members are selected through the following

process:

– Three faculty members

elected by the General

Faculty

– Three faculty members selected

by the Dean Business and the

McCallum Graduate School of

Business in a manner that ensures

there are at least two accountancy

and two business representatives

– One faculty member selected by

the Dean of Arts and Science

– One PhD (Accountancy) student and one PhD

(Business) student selected by the PhD students

in a formal ballot organized within the first two

months of the beginning of each academic year

to serve as their Council representatives. The

student representatives are not regular

members of the Council, but perform the role

of providing input to the PhD Council and the

PhD Director on student views and concerns.

4.5.2.2

COMMITTEES

THE

PHD

COUNCIL

The five working committees of the PhD Council

are all chaired by the Director of the PhD

Program. They include (a) the PhD Academic

Admissions Committee,

(b) the PhD Academic Performance Committee,

Assessment Committee, and (e) the PhD

Placement Committee. Each committee makes

recommendations to the Council on matters related

to its charge, with final decisions being made by

the voting members of the PhD Council. The PhD

Council is responsible for assigning members to

the working committees. Outside of the Director of

the PhD Program, PhD Council members cannot

serve on more than two of the four committees and

they may not simultaneously serve on the PhD

Academic Performance Standards and the PhD

Curriculum Committees.

4.5.2.3

PHD

ADMISSIONS

COMMITTEE

The Admissions Committee includes the Director

of the PhD Program and all seven faculty members

on the PhD Council. It has four major functions:

1. To review and approve the criteria for admission to

the program (including financial aid), to monitor

and change as needed the admissions process itself

(e.g., acceptable tests, changes to the application

form).

2. To review applications and determine if

candidates are suitably qualified.

3. To determine whether there is a faculty supervisor

willing and able to take on an applicant who is suitably

qualified (in doing this they will work closely

with departmental designees).

4. To make recommendations about

accepting/rejecting applicants to the PhD

program to the PhDCouncil.

4.5.2.4

PHD ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE

The Academic Performance Committee

is chaired by the PhD Director and

includes three faculty members from the

PhD Council. The committee considers

the cases of students whose records

make them liable for dismissal.

Interviewing the students where

necessary, the committee considers

whether and under what conditions a

student may continue studies at Bentley

and makes recommendations to the PhD

Council based on this evaluation. The

PhD Director confirms in writing the

Council’s decisions to the student. The

committee also considers and suggests

revisions to academic performance

policies or changes to existing policies,

e.g., grading policies. Any policy

changes or new academic policies are

forwarded to the PhD council for

approval, as well as to the Faculty

Senate.

4.5.2.5

PHD

CURRICULUM

COMMITTEE

The Curriculum Committee is chaired

by the PhD Director and includes three

faculty members selected from the PhD

Council. The Curriculum Committee

has two purposes:

1. To take a strategic view of the entire

PhD curriculum, suggesting areas of

development, revision, or

discontinuation, and

2. To review and approve or recommend

to PhD Council changes to existing

courses as well as new courses

proposed by academic departments. All

course and curricular changes are first

reviewed by PhD Curriculum

Committee and then sent to PhD

Council for its consideration and

approval. PhD Council will

immediately forward all approved

curricular changes to Faculty Senate, as

specified in 4.5.2.1.

4.5.2.6

PHD

ASSESSMENT

COMMITTEE

The Assessment Committee is chaired by

the PhD Director and includes three faculty

members from the PhD Council along with the

Director of Bentley’s Assurance of Learning

Program, as an ex officio and non-voting member.

The Committee is charged with designing,

facilitating and reviewing assessment of the

governance, program and student learning

outcomes of the PhD program. The Committee

makes recommendations to the PhD Council as

necessary based on its findings.

4.5.2.7

PHD

PLACEMENT

COMMITTEE

The Placement Committee is chaired by the PhD Director

and includes the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the Dean of

Business, the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs and all PhD supervisors. The Committee facilitates

the all-important student placement once students begin to

look for jobs. The purpose of the Committee is to provide a

support and vetting service for our doctoral candidates.

Each student will be required to prepare an information file

that will be vetted by this committee; the committee will

provide administrative support to our students to ensure that

these files contain information that looks as professional as

possible. The PhD program office will prepare an initial list

of items that should be included in the file.

4.5.3

COMMITTEES

THE

PHD

COUNCIL

4.5.3.1

FACULTY REPRESENTATION ON

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OFTRUSTEES

Faculty representation on committees of the Board

of Trustees is as follows:

a) Academic Affairs Committee: Chair of the Faculty

Senate, one Senator, and not fewer than three

elected faculty members (at least one from the

business departments and at least one from the arts

and sciences departments).

b) Physical Facilities Committee: Not fewer than two

faculty members, one of whom shall be a Faculty

Senator and one elected faculty member.

c) Student Affairs Committee: Not fewer than three

faculty members (one of whom shall be a Faculty

Senator and one elected faculty member and one

member chosen from and by the Student Affairs

Committee of the faculty)

d) Faculty representatives are elected by the

faculty at the final General Faculty meeting of

the academic year and normally serve a term

of two years.

e) Faculty representatives who are unable to attend

a scheduled meeting of a committee are

requested to notify the office of the Faculty

Senate with an agenda and other meeting

materials as early as possible. The Chair of the

Faculty Senate shall then contact an appropriate

person to substitute.

4.5.3.2

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

COUNCIL

The Academic Integrity Council: consists of

at least five faculty volunteers selected by

the Nominations Committee, as well as a

graduate student and an undergraduate

student designated annually by their

respective student government associations.

The Academic Integrity Council reviews the

state of academic integrity in the Bentley

community; advises the Director of

Academic Integrity on the process and

procedures of the Academic Integrity

System; and recommends Faculty Manual

revisions as appropriate. A faculty member

of the council serves as Chair when an

Academic Integrity Hearing is required.

4.5.3.3

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

COMMITTEE

The Undergraduate Academic Performance

Committee members will review the cases of

all undergraduate students who have serious

academic deficiencies. The Academic

Performance Committee meets after grades

are posted fromthe fall semester and spring

semester.

1. Voting Membership

•

Three faculty members

– One a member of and

chosen by the Academic

Standards Committee

– Two nominated by the

Nominations Committee

and confirmed by the

Faculty Senate with one

member selected from the

Arts and Sciences faculty

and one member selected

from the Business faculty.

•

Two representatives from the Office of

Academic Services appointed by the

Associate Dean of Academic Services

•

One representative from the professional staff

of the Office of Student Affairs appointed by

the Vice President of Student Affairs

•

The UniversityRegistrar or designee

The term of the faculty member from the

Academic Standards Committee shall be

decided by the Academic Standards

Committee but shall not exceed the

member’s tenure on the Committee. The

term of the other faculty members shall be

two years.

2. Ex-Officio Members

•

Associate Dean of AcademicServices,

Facilitator

3. Invited Guests

•

University Ombudsman or designee

•

Additional Representative from the

professional staff of the Office of

Student Affairs appointed by the Vice

President of Student Affairs

The Committee will assign one or more of the following

sanctions for students reviewed at the Academic

Performance Committee meeting:

•

Reduced course load

•

Enrollment in specific courses

•

Additional Probationary semesters

•

Mandatory participation in the

Seminar for Academic Success

course

•

Suspension for one academic year

•

Permanent academic dismissal

from the University

•

Other actions, including no sanctions,

deemed appropriate by the Academic

Performance Committee voting

members

4.5.3.4

CALENDAR

COMMITTEE

1. Membership

•

Registrar, Chair

•

Representatives of all constituencies of the

university

– Includes two members of the Faculty

nominated by the Nominations Committee

and confirmed by the Faculty Senate for

staggered terms of two years.

2. Duties

Preparing the academic calendar for each academic year.

4.5.3.5

JUDICIAL

BOARD

The Judicial Board is the highest ranking judicial

body in the Bentley University judicial

system. It is, for the most part, a disciplinary

body which reviews serious cases of violation

and is the only body that has the authority to

recommend disciplinary suspension or

expulsion. The Judicial Board is responsible

for determining the validity of the complaints

brought against the student and for

recommending an appropriate action to be

taken by the Office of Student Affairs.

1. Membership

•

Chair (appointed by the President)

•

Two faculty

•

Two students

Detailed information on the Judicial System

may be found in the current copy of the

Student Handbook.

4.5.3.6

ADVISORY

COUNCILS

Advisory Councils may be appointed from

time to time by the President, the

Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, the Deans, or the

Faculty Senate to deal with specific

matters and issues affecting the

Institution which do not come under the

jurisdiction of the Standing Committees

of the Faculty.

4.5.3.7

HOC

COMMITTEES

Ad Hoc committees may be appointed from

time to time by the President, the

Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, the Deans, or the

Faculty Senate to deal with specific

matters and issues affecting the

Institution which do not come under the

jurisdiction of the Standing Committees

of the Faculty.

SECTION 5.0 FACULTY APPOINTMENT,

EVALUATION, PROMOTION, TENURE, AND

TERMINATION

5.1

DEFINITION

FACULTYSTATUS

5.1.1

FULL-TIME

FACULTY

1. The full-time faculty consists of those

individuals holding a full-time teaching

appointment and contract in one of the

academic departments. These appointments

may be at the rank of Lecturer, Senior

Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate

Professor, or Professor.

2. Full-time faculty, at the rank of Lecturer or

higher, are expected to teach, to advise

students, to engage in scholarly activity, and

to contribute to the governance of the

university through participation on

committees and various other bodies.

Lecturers/Senior Lecturers are primarily

teachers and although scholarly activity and

institutional service will be valued,

evaluation will be based primarily on

teaching performance.

3. Full-time faculty members are expected to

teach in the Undergraduate, Graduate,

and/or Doctoral programs, either day or evening,

as the needs of the department and university may

require.

5.1.1.1

FULL-TIME

VISITING

FACULTY

Visiting Professors are classified according to the

rank of Lecturer or higher.

5.1.1.2

ADJUNCT (PART-TIME) FACULTY

Adjunct (part-time) faculty members are hired on a

course-by-course basis. Such faculty members

teach one or two courses per semester.

5.1.1.3

EMERITI

FACULTY

1. At the time a full-time faculty member retires from

Bentley University in good standing, the tenured

members of a department may petition, with

supporting evidence, the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs and appropriate Dean to

recommend that the President request the Board of

Trustees to add emeritus to the faculty member’s

title at current rank to recognize service as a faculty

member at Bentley University. In the absence of

exceptional factors, the retiree must have been at the

university for at least fifteen years.

2. The university will include all Professors Emeriti in

official listings of its faculty members. Such listings

will allow the Professors Emeriti to receive university

publications and notification of educational, cultural,

and social events. Professors Emeriti will continue to

enjoy faculty library and

5.1.2

GENERALFACULTY

The General Faculty includes the full- and part-

time faculty members, as well as various

administrators, librarians, registrars, student affairs

personnel, directors of academic learning centers,

and others holding faculty rank or status. See

Section 4.2.2 for a list of the General Faculty.

5.1.3

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR

APPOINTMENT TO RANK

a) Lecturer

To be appointed to the rank of Lecturer an individual

must hold at least a master’s degree or equivalent.

b) Senior Lecturer

To be appointed to the rank of Senior Lecturer an

individual must hold at least a master’s degree or

equivalent.

c) Assistant Professor

Appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor is made if

the individual holds terminal qualifications or can

demonstrate proximate completion of the doctorate. Such

appointment should also be consistent with the criteria for

promotion to Assistant Professor in Section 5.8.4.

d) Associate Professor and Professor Appointment to the

ranks of Associate Professor and Professor requires the

holding of a terminal

degree and consideration of the candidate’s fitness for a

long term association with the university. Such

individuals must have also demonstrated

accomplishment in teaching, scholarship and

professional achievement, and service, such that they

would normally qualify for promotion at Bentley

University to these ranks. (See Section 5.8.4).

5.2

TYPES

OF CONTRACTS

All faculty members of Bentley University shall

have the academic freedom enjoyed by tenured

members regardless of the type of contract. See

Section 6.0 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities.

Information on contracts is also covered in Section

5.3

Search, Appointment, Reappointment, and

Nonrenewal and Section 5.9 Tenure.

5.2.1

FULL-TIME

CONTRACTS

All full-time contracts or appointments are of three

kinds: (1.) tenured; (2.) tenure-track, and (3.) non-

tenure-track. Appointments to the rank of Lecturer,

Senior Lecturer, or Distinguished Lecturer are non-

tenure-track. See Section 5.5 for descriptions of

typical teaching loads, faculty job responsibilities,

and faculty profiles.

1. Tenured

Appointments with tenure are made to persons who have

had six years of continuous full-time faculty teaching

service. Service as a member of the teaching faculty of

another accredited institution of higher education may be

deemed equivalent to service at Bentley University up to a

maximum of three years of such service. At the discretion

of the Board of Trustees, appointments may be made with

tenure without regard to length of service. See Section 5.9

Tenure.

2. Tenure-track

a) A faculty member may be granted a series

of one- year contracts, which could lead to

tenure at Bentley University. The total

period of continuous full-time teaching at

Bentley University shall not exceed seven

years of full-time service. The seven years

of full-time service will not include more

than three years of prior service credit at the

rank of instructor or higher at other

accredited institutions. Service in a non-

tenure-track position at Bentley University

may count toward tenure at the discretion of

faculty member.

b) In exceptional circumstances, such as

appointment of an external candidate as a

non-tenured chair of an academic

department, term contracts of three to five

years may be used as warranted by

circumstances.

c) During the entire period, not to exceed

seven years of continuous full-time teaching

at Bentley University, the member’s overall

contribution to the university will be evaluated

annually based upon appraisals by students,

colleagues, and academic administrative officers,

in accordance with the procedures in Section 5.5

Evaluation of Faculty.

3. Non-tenure-track

a) Persons who are not offered a tenure-track position

at initial appointment may receive a non-tenure-

track appointment. Lecturer appointments expire

annually. Senior Lecturers receive a three-year

contract. In extraordinary circumstances, a

department may recommend to the appropriate

Dean and Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs that a Lecturer receive a multi-

year contract. No notice of termination other

than that contained in the appointment letter or

contract will be given.

b) An individual may hold the position of Lecturer

for a maximum of five years. If a department

wishes to keep that individual for more than five

years of continuous full-time service, they must

submit a formal request for promotion to Senior

Lecturer to the appropriate Dean and Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs. (Specific

requirements for the request are listed in

Section 5.8.4).

c) After completion of a minimum of five years in

the role of Senior Lecturer an individual is

eligible to apply for the rank of Distinguished

Lecturer. Specific criteria and requirements for

the request are listed in Section 5.8.4.2.

d) No appointments to the rank of Lecturer or Senior

Lecturer, or Distinguished Lecturer may be made

with tenure, but any individual in that rank has

the option of applying for a tenure-track position

should one become available. If hired in a tenure-

track position, that individual would have the

option of using or not using their prior years of

service at Bentley to count toward tenure. Under

no circumstances may a tenure-track faculty

member who has applied for and been denied

tenure at the university, apply for a Lecturer or

Senior Lecturer position, unless there is at least a

one-year break in service.

5.2.2

PART-TIME

CONTRACTS

Adjunct (part-time) faculty members are appointed

on a course-by-course basis and such contracts are

not cumulative toward tenure. Should a part-time

faculty member be appointed to the full-time

faculty, only full-time contractual periods are

considered for tenure purposes.

5.3

SEARCH, APPOINTMENT, REAPPOINTMENT, AND

NONRENEWAL

5.3.1

PROCEDURES

1. To attract the best-qualified faculty to the university, academic

departments and search committees are expected to advertise

widely for positionswithin the appropriate professional area

and at all times adhere to the spirit of equal opportunity

and nondiscriminatory policies.

2. Approval for new positions and replacementsfor

existing positions must be obtained from the

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs prior to initiating a formal search. A

recruitmentplan is required for all full- time

faculty searches. The process for developing

the plan and for managing the search is

available on the Office of Human

Resources website.

3. Ways in which positions might be advertised include

public newspapers, The Chronicle of Higher Education,

academic journals, newsletters, placement directories, or

other communications of professional associations, the

listing of positions at professional meetings, letters to

schools graduating qualified individuals, letters to

colleges, universities, or businesses, formal and informal

contacts, and any others deemed appropriate. The

advertising channels will be selected after taking into

account the effectivepracticalreach and the cost in both

time and money.

5.3.2

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES — FULL-

TIME FACULTY

1. Initial Appointment

a) Acting on the recommendation of the tenured

members of the department, the Chair of the

Academic Department shall submit to the

appropriate Dean and Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs, in writing, the names and

credentials of persons to be considered for initial

full-time appointment.

b) For candidates seeking multiple appointments

(see 4.2.2.3):

•

For candidates eligible for a joint

appointment, the Chair and tenured members

of each involved department will participate

in the recruitment process.

•

Candidates will not be eligible to seek a

secondary appointment as part of the initial

appointment. After they have an initial

appointment and one year’s service in a

primary department, they may apply to be

considered for a secondary appointment in

another department.

c) All appointments are made by authority of the

Board of Trustees upon recommendation by the

President, advised by the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs. The Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs will give

written notice of appointment, which will include

explicit statements as to the nature and duration of

the appointment, the salary, collateral benefits, any

qualifying conditions, and, if a tenure-track

appointment, a statement that no prior service

credit is awarded except as may be set forth in a

separate agreement signed by the appointee and the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

before September 1 of the initial academic year of

the appointment and filed with the notice and

acceptance of appointment.

d) At the discretion of the appropriate

Dean and Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, an appointee in a tenure-

track position may be awarded credit for

tenure consideration up to three years of prior

full-time faculty service at any other

accredited institution or institution of higher

education, but an appointee may elect to be

awarded a lesser number of years of credit for

such service. The number of years, if any, of

such credit that is awarded shall be set forth in

an agreement as outlined in the item above.

e) The number of years of prior service credit

awarded to an appointee shall be reported by the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

in writing to all Department Chairs and to the

Chair of the Promotion and Tenure Committee. In

those cases where the Department proposes an

appointment with tenure and/or Professor rank, the

Department will forward the candidacy (with

sufficient written evidence to support the proposal)

to The Promotion and Tenure Committee for its

advice before submitting the proposal to the Provost

and Vice President for Academic Affairs and

appropriate Dean. The advice of the P & T

Committee shall be made part of the Department’s

proposal to the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs and appropriate Dean. Similarly,

the P & T Committee’s advice will be sought in

cases in which current Bentley University

administrators are proposed for academic appointment

with tenure and/or Professor rank.

2. Joint and Secondary Appointments for

Current Faculty

a) Joint Appointments

For current faculty members seeking a new joint

appointment, the Chairs of the prospective

departments, acting upon a recommendation prepared

by the tenured members of those departments and the

Chair and tenured members of the current

department, shall submit to the appropriate Dean(s)

and the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs the names of persons to be considered for

joint appointments.

b) Secondary Appointments

For current faculty members seeking a new

secondary appointment, the Chair of the

prospective department, acting upon a

recommendation prepared by the tenured members

of that department, shall submit to the appropriate

Dean and the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs the names of persons to be

considered for secondary appointments.

3. Reappointment

a) Notice of the terms and conditions of reappointment shall in

all cases be given no later than May 1.

b) Joint Appointments

Tenured faculty members holding joint appointments

will be reappointed to all involved departments.

However, the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs may rescind an appointment at the

request of the faculty member holding a joint

appointment.

c) Secondary Appointments

Faculty members, tenured or tenure-track, holding a

secondary appointmentin anotherdepartmentare only

considered for reappointment in their primary

department. The secondary department is presumed

to continue. However, the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs may rescind the secondary

appointment at the request of the faculty member

holding the secondary appointment or upon receiving

written recommendation from the chair of any involved

department. Tenured faculty members holding

secondary appointments who wish to change the

designation of which department is primary and

which is secondary must obtain the approval of the

appropriate Dean and the tenured members of all

departments involved. If such approval is obtained, a

Tenure Transfer must be completed.

4. Nonrenewal of Appointment

a) Written notice that a tenure-track appointment is not

to be renewed shall be given in accordance with the

following standards:

•

Not later than May 1 of the first academic year of

service, if the appointment is to be terminated at the

end of that year.

•

Not later than December 15 of the second academic

year of service, if the appointment is to be terminated

at the end of that year.

•

At least twelve months before the expiration of an

appointment after two or more years at Bentley

University.

b) Non-tenure-track appointments normally

expire annually, but, in extraordinary

circumstances, a department may

recommend to the appropriate Dean and

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs that an individual receive a multi-

year contract. No notice of nonrenewal other

than that contained in the appointment letter

or contract will be given.

c) It is institutional policy not to provide

probationary faculty members with a written

statement of reasons for non-reappointment.

d) The decision not to reappoint should not be

confused with “dismissal with cause.” Non-

reappointment does not necessarily reflect

adversely on the faculty member. The long-

range educational objectives and standards of

an institution, full staffing at the tenure level

theindividual’sprincipalcompetence or specialty, and

fiscal considerations are some of the reasons why it is

often either imprudent or impossible to renew

appointments.

5.3.3

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES –

ADJUNCT (PART-TIME) FACULTY

1. Recommendations for adjunct faculty

appointments shall be made in writing by the

Chair of the Academic Department to the

appropriate Dean and Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs.

2. Each recommendation must be supported by

acceptable academic credentials, degree

transcripts, and professional references.

3. Generally, adjunct faculty members are appointed

at the Assistant Professor level. Written notice of

appointment will specify the salary, specific course

assignment(s), and any qualifying conditions. Such

appointments are for specific course(s) and are

never for longer than a single term.

5.4

PERSONNEL

RECORDS

5.4.1

OFFICIAL

PERSONNELFILE

The official personnel files for all faculty members

are maintained by the university. These files are

initiated with a copy of the signed letter of

appointment and shall contain all official records

henceforth until termination. A faculty member’s files

shall be available to the faculty member, the Chair of

the Academic Department, the President and

academic administrative officers of the university,

members of committees of the university or of the

Board of Trustees who in the performance of their

duties require access to these files and to no others,

except as required by law or court order.

5.5

EVALUATION OF FACULTY

All full-time faculty members are evaluated

annually for salary increase recommendations and

developmental purposes. In addition, faculty

members are evaluated for purposes of tenure and

promotion.

1. Evaluation of faculty at Bentley University

ultimately depends upon the collective judgment of

one’s peers. Such judgment must be flexible

enough to appreciate the wide diversity of

contributions that various faculty members can

bring to Bentley.

2. Typical teaching loads for full-time tenured and tenure-track

faculty members are two to six courses per academic year as

part of the commitment to and expectation of performance

in the areas of teaching effectiveness, scholarly activity and

institutional service. The particular teaching load will be

determined on a year to

year basis depending on departmental and university

needs and expectations of performance. Teaching

loads that are higher or lower than this range would

only be undertaken through arrangements that require

the mutual consent of the faculty member and the

university.

3. Non-tenure-track full-time faculty members have a

typical teaching load of eight courses per academic

year. A lower teaching load may be assigned to

faculty who agree to assume other major

responsibilities in service or scholarly endeavors. A

lower teaching load would only be undertaken with

the mutual consent of the faculty member and the

university.

The following sections describe the criteria for

evaluation, the methods of information gathering and

reporting, various evaluation procedures and the faculty

profiles structure providing a set of options to individual

faculty members in choosing a set of activities that

foster career goals as well as the objectives of the

department and the university.

5.5.1

CRITERIA

FOREVALUATION

1. The three primary criteria to be observed in

evaluating faculty are:

a) Teaching Effectiveness

Teaching effectiveness must be clearly demonstrated

for a faculty member to earn retention, tenure,

promotion, and merit increases. It must be viewed as

a baseline: a standard that must be achieved for all

levels of faculty advancement.

Teaching effectiveness, therefore, must receive

primary attention during the evaluation process.

b) Scholarly Activity

Continuing scholarly activity is considered to be

vital. This dimension of performance is to be

encouraged and given substantial weight in any

faculty evaluation.

c) Institutional Service

Continuing institutional service is also considered to

be vital. It is to be encouraged and given substantial

weight in any faculty evaluation.

Institutional service may include both internal and

external professional service activities.

2. Teaching, scholarly activity, and

institutional service are required of all full-

time faculty members. Recognizing that at

different times faculty members will want to

focus their energies and attention in

different directions, individual faculty

members have flexibility in the extent to

which they emphasize each of the three

areas consistent with the needs of the

department and the university. The

definitions of these three areas — teaching,

scholarly activity and institutional service — must

not be overly narrow and rigid and they must be

departmentally based to accommodate unique

aspects of each discipline.

There are four profiles from which a tenured or

tenure- track faculty member can choose:

a) Standard Profile: Places equal emphasis on teaching,

scholarly activity, and institutional service. Teaching

Profile: Emphasizes teaching.

b) Scholarly Activity Profile: Emphasizes

scholarly activity.

c) Institutional Service Profile:

Emphasizes institutional service.

3. Individual tenured or tenure-track faculty members

have the responsibility for proposing their profile

for a given academic year depending on their

short-term needs, long-term objectives and other

considerations such as external market influences.

The Department Chair is responsible for

coordinating with the individual faculty member to

insure that his/her profile contributes appropriately

to departmental needs. The Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs and Deans have

the responsibility for accommodating faculty

profiles and department plans with the overall

mission of the Bentley University and the strategic

plan for Academic Affairs.

4. All evaluation processes (promotion, tenure, merit

raise, other awards) should evaluate a tenured or

tenure-track faculty member in relation to his or

her evaluation profile. Rewards for meritorious

performance are achievable through any profile.

5. The four-profile structure applies to tenured and

tenure-track faculty members and not to non-

tenure- track faculty members. In reference to the

Profile Guidelines, at least Level I performance

would be expected in all three areas from non-

tenure-track faculty members. For tenure-track

faculty, service performance may vary based on

career level and experience.

5.5.2

PROCEDURE FOR

THE

PROFILE DECISION

1. The philosophy of the university is to encourage a diversity

of profiles and to ensure that all profiles are valued equally.

It is the responsibility of department chairs to arrange with

each faculty member a profile that balances the needs and

strengths of the faculty member with the needs of the

department and the strategic plan of the university.

2. Each full-time faculty member meets with the Department

Chair to assess the faculty member’s past year’s activities

and to discuss his/her plans and pro- file. The profile

decision, as much as possible, should be the choice of the

faculty person, with guidance and advising from the Chair

about special departmental needs, the best route for tenure,

and the need for a balance of profiles within the

department and across the institution. Should

unanticipated problems or significant opportunities

arise during the year, with the Chair’s concurrence,

the faculty member may revise his or her profile

choice.

3. Mutual understanding between Department Chairs and

faculty members is essential under this procedure.

Ongoing feedback is important to individual faculty

members, and Department Chairs are encouraged to

provide such feedback, at least informally,

throughout the academic year. Conversely, individual

faculty members are encouraged to update the chair

regarding their plans and progress. Such open and

ongoing mutual communication is particularly

important to new and tenure-track faculty members.

4. If there is disagreement between the faculty member

and the Department Chair, the issue will be referred

to the appropriate Dean for resolution.

5. The Chair and the appropriate Dean will review the

distribution of profiles in the department.

6. Records of profile requests and agreements will be

maintained in each academic department.

5.5.3

REFERENCE

GROUPS

In evaluating the performance of faculty, the reference

groups will include colleagues in the Department, the

university, and the relevant discipline(s).

5.5.4

SOURCES

INFORMATION

Every full-time faculty member will submit an annual

activity report that covers teaching, scholarly activity,

and service. The evaluation process must include this

report and the following sources of information:

a) Teaching Effectiveness

Each full-time faculty member will enumerate and

describe teaching activities during the prior calendar

year.

b) Scholarly Activity

Each full-time faculty member will enumerate and

describe scholarly activities during the prior calendar

year.

c) Institutional Service

Each full-time faculty member will enumerate and

describe internal and external service activities that

are beneficial to Bentley, performed during the prior

calendar year.

5.5.5

EVALUATION PROCEDURES –

TENURED FACULTY

5.5.5.1

TENURED

FACULTY

1. The Department Chair will prepare an

annual written evaluation of the

performance of each tenured faculty

member based upon SETs, reports of

classroom visits (if requested by the faculty

member or the Department Chair) and other

aspects of teaching (such as pedagogy, grading

practices, problems encountered), scholarship

(such as manuscripts submitted, works-in-

progress, on-going research activity, etc.) and

service. The Department Chair will send a copy

to the tenured faculty member. Either the faculty

member or the Department Chair may request a

meeting to discuss the evaluation.

2. The tenured faculty member may prepare a written

response to the evaluation and submit the response

to the Department Chair. The evaluation and any

response become a part of the personnel files of

the department.

3. If the faculty member is currently serving as a

Department Chair, the appropriate Dean will

conduct the evaluation process.

4. Faculty members holding joint appointments are

evaluated under the normal process by both

Department Chairs.

5. Faculty members holding secondary appointments

are evaluated by the Department Chair of their

primary department, with input from the

Department Chair of the secondary department.

5.5.5.2

TRUSTEE

AND

NAMED PROFESSORS

1. A Term Review Process will apply to all Trustee

Professors and Named Professors whose terms of

reference extend beyond a particular department.

2. Although the reviewprocess will be the same for all,

the criteria for evaluation will depend on the terms of

the professor’s contract, performance expectations,

and teaching load. If the assigned terms of reference

are unclear or circumstances have changed since

appointment or prior renewal, the candidate will

submit a statement proposing amended evaluation

criteria to be approved by the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs and appropriate Dean,

in sufficient time prior to the review process itself.

3. Renewal of the Trustee/Named Professorship will

be considered in the spring semester of the year

preceding the end of the term of appointment.

4. The process of the renewal review will be

as follows:

a) The Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs will convene a Special Review Committee

comprised of the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, the Dean of Arts & Sciences,

and the Dean of Business & the McCallum

Graduate School.

b) Prior to the initial meeting of the Special Review

Committee, the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs will contact the professor’s department chair to seek

written input. Such input will address specific

contributions to the department. The department P

& T Committee will consider the candidate’s

contributions and submit a confidential written

report (or reports should there be no consensus) to

the Special Review Committee. The Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs will ask the

professor to submit copies of annual reviews for

the period of the professorship, a current

curriculum vita, a brief statement discussing

performance as it relates to the expectations in the

original contract or amended evaluation criteria,

and the names of five potential referees (at least

three of whom should be external) who may be

contacted by the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs for further input into the review

process.

c) The Special Review Committee will consider

written input from the Trustee/Named Professor’s

department and the documentation submitted by the

professor, as well as references from at least three

referees. While a list of candidate referees are to be

submitted by the professor, the actual references shall

be sought by the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs.

Before making a final decision on renewal, the Special

Review Committee shall seek further information as

necessary, and shall consult independently with the

President and any other individual whose view might

be pertinent to the case.

6. The final decision of the Special Review Committee

will be conveyed to the professor in person. Any change

in the professor’s terms of reference for a further term

that is being considered should be discussed at this time.

The content and outcome of the decision and discussion

should be conveyed in writing to the professor shortly

thereafter by the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, and subsequently confirmed in

writing by the professor.

7. Annual performance evaluation of Trustee/Named

Professors will be completed by the Provost and/or

appropriate Dean in consultation with department

chairs, and reviewed by the Dean as part of the annual

review process for all tenured and tenure-track

faculty.

Indicative Timeline for Review Process

Prior to Trustee/Named Professor’s terms

Spring Semester of appointment are confirmed by

the appropriate Dean.

By April 1 Professor submits materials to

the Special Review Committee

(i.e., Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs and deans),

and

Department Chair

By May 1 Department Chair submits

written input to the Special

Review Committee

By May 1 References on behalf of the

professor are sought by Provost and

Vice President for Academic

Affairs

By June 1 Special Review Committee

meets and decides whether

further information is required

By June 10 Special Review Committee seeks

additional information as

necessary, and consults with the

President

By July 1 Final decision made by the Special

Review Committee and

communicated to the professor in

person

By end July Formal decision, and any revised

terms of reference, are made in

writing to the candidate by the

Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs, and confirmed

by the professor.

5.5.6

EVALUATION PROCEDURE: TENURE-TRACK

FACULTY

1. Each tenure-track faculty member will be

evaluated each year by a tenured principal

evaluator, the Department Chair, and the other

full-time tenured faculty in the department.

2. Each year the Department Chair will assign each

tenure-track faculty member a principal evaluator

selected from the full-time tenured members of

the department. If requested by either party, the

Department Chair may assign a different principal

evaluator from among the tenured members of the

department.

3. The principal evaluator will discuss with the tenure-

track faculty member the SETs, reports of classroom

visits and other aspects of teaching (such as pedagogy,

grading practices, problems encountered), scholarship

(such as manuscripts submitted, works-in-progress,

ongoing research activity, etc.) and service. Efforts

made to improve performance will also be discussed.

The principal evaluator will draft an evaluation

report to be discussed by the Department Chair and

the tenured members of the department.

4. A written evaluation of the total performance of the

tenure-track faculty member will be prepared based

upon the collective judgment of the Department Chair

and the tenured faculty. A copy of the evaluation,

signed by the Department Chair, will be provided to the

tenure-track faculty member. The faculty member will

sign the evaluation to indicate that it has been received.

Signing the evaluation shall not be interpreted as

agreement with the evaluation.

5. The Department Chair will then discuss the evaluation

with the tenure-track faculty member.

6. The tenure-track faculty member may prepare a

written response to the evaluation and submit the

response to the Department Chair and, if so desired, a

copy may be sent to the appropriate Dean. The

evaluation and any response will become part of the

personnel files of the department.

7. Tenure-track faculty members holding a secondary

appointment are only evaluated by the members of

their primary department.

5.5.7

EVALUATION PROCEDURE: FULL-TIME NON-

TENURE- TRACK FACULTY

1. Each full-time non-tenure-track faculty member will

be evaluated annually by the Department Chair and

the full-time tenured members of the department.

2. The Department Chair will review the teaching

performances and Activity Reports of the full-time

non-tenure-track faculty. The Department Chair will

then review the total performance of the faculty

member with the tenured members of the

department.

3. On the behalf of the tenured members, the Department

Chair will prepare a written evaluation of the faculty

member and will provide copies to the tenured

members and the faculty member. The Department

Chair will discuss the evaluation with the faculty

member and the faculty member will sign the

evaluation to indicate that it has been seen and

discussed with the Department Chair. Signing the

evaluation shall not be interpreted as agreement with

the evaluation.

4. The faculty member may prepare a written response to

the evaluation and submit the response to the

Department Chair and, if so desired, a copy may be

sent to the Dean. The evaluation and response become

part of the personnel files of the department

5.5.8

CLASSROOM

VISITS

1. Tenured Faculty

Either the faculty member or the Department Chair

may request classroom visits. If classroom visits occur,

the procedure outlined below must be followed.

2. Tenure-Track Faculty

All tenure-track faculty members will be visited twice

each academic year. These two required visits must be

conducted by, where possible, two different tenured

faculty evaluators chosen by the Department Chair. A

single follow-up visit will be arranged if requested by

the tenure-track faculty member, the Department

Chair, or an evaluator. Further visits beyond three in

an academic year can be arranged by mutual

agreement. Classroom visits will follow the procedure

outlined below.

3. Full-time Non-tenure-track Faculty

Full-tine Lecturers will be visited at least once a year.

Full-time Senior Lecturers will be visited at least once

every three years.

4. Procedure for Conducting Classroom Visits

a) The date and time of each visit will be agreed upon

by both the faculty member and the visitor.

b) Prior to the visit, the faculty member and the visitor

will meet to discuss the pedagogy and objectives for

the class.

c) Within three weeks following the visit, a draft

report will be prepared and discussed with the

faculty member being evaluated.

d) Within four weeks following the visit, a final

report will be prepared. The faculty member being

evaluated will sign the report to indicate that the

report has been seen and discussed.

e) The report will be sent to the Department Chair

with a copy to the faculty member being

evaluated.

f) The faculty member being evaluated may prepare a

written response to the report and send copies to the

visitor and to the Department Chair. A copy of the

report and any response will become part of the

personnel files of the department.

5.6

STUDENT EVALUATION

TEACHING (SET)

5.6.1

SET

DESCRIPTION

Since its founding, Bentley University has taken pride in

the quality of its teaching. Student evaluation of teaching

has been a formal activity at Bentley since 1978.

In the spring of 2010, Bentley University replaced its

course evaluation instrument and changed to online

administration. This new instrument was designed based

on extensive analysis of the research on student learning

and evaluation of teaching. The new survey is designed

to elicit students’ evaluations of the faculty member

only. The first four questions ask students to evaluate

the faculty member’s facilitation of learning (i.e., the

extent to which the faculty member has effectively

communicated the course material, whatever it is, to

students). The second four questions ask students to

evaluate the faculty member’s interaction with students

(i.e., the extent to which the faculty member has

actively engaged students in the learning process). The

last four questions ask for open-ended input to the

faculty member.

5.6.2

SET

OBJECTIVES

The overall purpose of the SET system is to promote

teaching excellence by providing timely student

feedback.

The SET process of a standardized instrument and

associated reports provides:

•

One input to the faculty evaluation process

•

Timely feedback to faculty members to aid

in their development

•

A quality learning experience for students

by fostering teaching excellence

•

A method for students to comment

anonymously on instructional quality

•

A means for students to judge

instructional caliber for selecting

courses and sections

•

Information for academic departments

on facultymembers

5.6.3

ADMINISTRATIVE

RESPONSIBILITIES

The SET data collection and access websites are under

the administrative control of the Registrar and Academic

Technology Center. SETs are administered in every

course, every term except those with fewer than 5

students. The Registrar and ATC provide for the

administration of the online SET questionnaire,

management of the SET database, creation of the SET

reports, and oversight of secure online access to the

reports by active faculty, staff, and students only.

The faculty and student procedures and reports are

developed by the Faculty Evaluation Procedures

Committee (FEPC) in consultation with the Registrar

and approved by the Faculty Senate. The procedures

are emailed to faculty and students every term by the

Registrar and are available on the SET data collection

website. The SET questionnaire is the responsibility of

the FEPC with the approval of the Faculty Senate.

Ultimately, the Faculty Evaluation Procedure Committee, the

Academic Technology Center and the Faculty Senate are

responsible for overseeing the SET data and it uses.

5.6.4

SET

INTERPRETATION

To think of the SET ratings as an overall indicator of

teaching performance is a misrepresentation of their role.

SETs are only one component of the faculty evaluation

system at Bentley University. The SET’s value is that it

shows trends and patterns of students’ perceptions of

teaching over time. Student evaluations of faculty

members on SETs should be just one part of the overall

evaluation of faculty members. Peer evaluations of

teaching (i.e., evaluations of the faculty member’s

teaching by other faculty members) and teaching

portfolio (e.g., syllabi, assignments, examinations, etc.)

analyses are also important.

It is important that SET data be used with caution. No

single term’s report should be taken as indicating the

teaching quality of any faculty member. There is no

single question that can be understood as an “overall”

student evaluation of the faculty member. Small

differences between ratings may not be meaningful. It is

also important to analyze both the mean and the median

scores. If there are outlying individual scores, the median

may better reflect performance.

The survey instrument is not designed to elicit students’

evaluations of the course as a whole, and in particular, the

course’s content or subject matter. Should departments or

deans wish to evaluate a course as whole, including its

content, they must use different means.

5.6.5

SET

DATA

ACCESS

1. Faculty Rights

Bentley University affirms the principles of

academic freedom, legitimate scholarly inquiry, and

the fair treatment of individuals. The Bentley

community shares the responsibility for

safeguarding these principles and balancing the

competing needs of its constituencies.

Evaluation Questions 1 through 8: Dissemination of

the responses to questions 1 through 8 will only be by

two types of standard reports (see Section 5.6.5.2). All

access beyond the standard reports must comply with

request procedures detailed in Section 5.6.5.3.

Questions 9 through 12: These 4 questions provide

open-ended feedback to faculty members. Colleagues,

evaluators, department chairs, deans, or administrators

are not to violate the intent of these questions by

requesting to review them. However, faculty members

may at their sole discretion include the unedited print

out of questions 9 through 12 for any course in

material shared with others, including the faculty

member’s activity report.

2. Standard Reports

Dissemination of the responses to questions 1 through

8 to the Bentley community will only be through two

types of standard reports: Section Reports and Cross-

University Summary Reports. Access to responses to

questions 1 through 8 (along with course section in

formation) may also be provided to individual faculty

members via other authenticated websites.

Standard reports are produced separately for each

administered term. There are two types of standard

reports: Section Reports and Cross-University

Summary Reports. Reports are available to current

students, faculty, and staff through an authenticated

website designed and maintained by Bentley staff.

Section Reports: The Section Reports are available for

all surveyed sections (sections with fewer than 5

students will not be surveyed so that individual

students are protected) by faculty member, by course,

and by department. Access will be via secure online

access. On the top of the Section Report are the faculty

member’s Name, Course, Section, Enrollment, and

Number of Responses.

Section Reports will show for each question: the

number of responses for each scale point, the mean of

all responses, the median of all responses, the mean of

all responses of the last three years for this faculty

member in this course, and the mean of all responses

for all sections of this course. The median score adjusts

for outlying individual scores on each question. The 8

questions are in two groups because these are the way

students evaluate teaching. So the same information

will also be shown for the sum of questions 1 through 4

and questions 5 through8.

There will never be the sum of all 8 questions in any

report in any forum since research is clear that the

average of all questions is meaningless so the average

of all 8 questions must not be used to evaluate faculty

members.

Cross-University Summary Reports: will be available

only to current faculty, academic administration,

staff, and students through secure online access. The

five standard Cross-University Reports are:

•

Summary by Faculty Member Characteristics

•

Summaryby Department

•

Summary by Question 1 through 8 with

statistical data

•

Listing of all sections for each Department, and

•

Listing of all sections for all multi-section courses.

The summary reports will show for each question: the

number of responses for each scale point, the mean of

all responses, the median of all responses, the mean of

all responses of the last three years for this faculty

member in this course, and the mean of all responses

for all sections of this course. The same information

will also be shown for the sum of questions 1 through

4 and for the sum of questions 5 through 8. The sum

of all 8 questions will never be shown or used.

3. Request Procedure for Additional Standard

Reports and Custom Reports

a) Procedure

•

Requests for additional standard reports and

custom, one-time reports will be made to the

Faculty Evaluation Procedures Committee

(FEPC). Requests must cover the issues listed

in the next section.

•

FEPC will meet with the Registrar or designees,

who jointly make a determination based on the

guidelines below within 60 working days of the

request.

•

The Registrar has sole discretion to determine

if the request places too high a burden on the

university’s computer time, staff, and/or

financial resources.

•

No requestor will have direct access to any

raw SET data.

•

No printed output will be provided.

•

No request will be granted should the request be

deemed to violate student or faculty anonymity.

•

No request will be granted should the request be

deemed to violate the integrity of the database, i.e.

cause it to be modified.

b) Report Request Content

Requests for reports will be evaluated based on the

following information provided in a SET report

request.

•

Describe the objectives and use of the results

and how these are consistent with the

objectives of the SETs per Section 5.6.2.

•

Describe the potential benefit resulting from

this request.

•

List the specific data elements required, the

time period that the analysis covers, and

explain the methodology to be used.

•

Discuss the appropriateness of the

methodology, measures, statistics and their

interpretation relative to the stated goals of the

request and the SETs.

•

Describe the burden on the university’s

computer time, staff, and/or financial

resources.

c) Appeal of Report Request Denials

•

If the requestor wishes to appeal, that person must

notify the Senate Planning Committee in writing.

•

The Senate Planning Committee in making

decisions on appeals may consult with the

FEPC, the Registrar, the requestor(s), and any

others it deems appropriate.

•

If the Senate Planning Committee denies the

request, it notifies the requestor and the

FEPC with an explanation.

•

If the requestor is a faculty member and wishes to

appeal, the Grievance Procedure (Section 5.6.5.4)

will be followed.

•

If the request is approved, the request is

forwarded to the FEPC and to the Registrar

to implement.

4. Grievance Procedure for SET Report Requests

a) The grievance procedure is available to:

•

Faculty requestors who feel the disapproval of

a SET report request was unjustified, and to

•

Faculty members who feel that granting the

request would have or has had detrimental effects

on them, or on a group of persons or entity for

which they have administrative responsibility,

e.g.,Department Chair on behalf of a

department.

Grievances arising from SET

report requests may be

initiated only after the Senate Planning Committee

has made its determination.

c) The Faculty Manual provides for the Senate to

serve as a hearing body to adjudicate the rights and

responsibilities of faculty members when no other

hearing body or grievance procedure exists. The first

step in the SET report request grievance procedure is

a petition to the Faculty Senate.

d) If the Senate declines to act, the grievance process

ends.

may be the facilitator and not necessarily a primary

actor. Examples are: efforts to bring speakers and

other resources to campus, or generating outside (e.g.

industry) support for a department or other functional

area.

c) For tenure-track faculty, performance

expectations related to teaching scholarship, and

service may vary based on career level and

experience.

2. Profile Description

The choice of profiles does not necessarily proscribe

a teaching load.

a) STANDARD. In reference to the Profile

Guidelines, this profile entails at least Level II

activities in teaching, scholarly activity, and

service.

b) TEACHING. In reference to the Profile

Guidelines, this profile entails Level III activities

for teaching, and at least Level I activities for

scholarly activity and service.

c) SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY. In reference to the

Profile Guidelines, this profile entails Level III

activities for scholarly

activity, and at least Level I

activities for teaching and institutional service.

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE. In reference to the

Profile Guidelines, this profile entails Level III

activities for institutional service, and at

least Level

I activities for teaching and scholarly activity.

Profile Teaching Scholarly Service Level

e) If the Senate agrees to hear the grievance, it does

so using its own rules and procedures.

5.7

FACULTY

PROFILE

SYSTEM

5.7.1.

PROFILE

GUIDELINES

AND

DESCRIPTION

Profile Guidelines

a) Types of activities that fall under each of the three

evaluation categories are listed below. The listed

criteria are intended to be illustrative and to

emphasize an evolution of activities. While both the

quality and quantity of activity will be assessed, the

quality of activity will be weighed more than

quantity. It is recognized thatsome departments may,

of necessity, interpret these activities somewhat

differently.

b) The lists are not intended to be all-inclusive; that is,

they do not exhaust all activities that could be

performed, nor should they be viewed as a checklist.

Some activities may transcend two or even all three

categories,suchas research on teaching methodology.

In addition, outreach activities to the academic,

business or professional communities that further the

mission of the university are also worthy of merit.

These include endeavorsin which the faculty

member

Standard

Teaching

III

Scholarly

Activity

III

Institutional

Service

III

Non-tenure-track

5.7.3. TEACHING

5.7.2.

PREAMBLE TO PROFILE EXPECTATIONS

The three levels in a given column are cumulative, i.e.,

achievement in Level II or Level III assumes that

appropriate lower level activities in that column are

performed. Each activity listed is an example of

activities that would be consistent with and satisfy the

general expectation for that level. These examples

should not be used as an exhaustive list nor should it be

interpreted that all listed activities are required. These

items are intended as examples of activities that would

be appropriate at these higher levels.

5.7.2.1.

PROFILE

EXPECTATIONS

Level I specifies baseline activities required of all

tenured and tenure-track full-time faculty members.

Non- tenure-track full-time faculty members are required

to achieve at least Level I performance in teaching and

service. Distinguished Lecturer are required to achieve

Level III performance in teaching. In addition, non-

tenure-track full-time faculty members are expected to

remain current in their field of expertise. For full

descriptions of the basic obligations of all faculty

“accepting a contract,” please see Section 6.0 Faculty

Rights and Responsibilities

Levels II and III should be interpreted, except where

noted otherwise, as listing illustrative activities

appropriate at these higher levels. In choosing a profile

level, and in evaluating achievement of activities for the

chosen level, faculty members and evaluators should

take into account expectations appropriate for a given

faculty member’s career stage (e.g., tenure-track faculty

and tenured faculty members new to the profile as

opposed to faculty members with more time spent in a

profile).

Level I Teaching Baseline Expectations

General

Expectations

Activities

Level I Teaching is expected

of all full-time faculty

members. As a baseline, the

bulleted activities to the right

should not be seen as

exhaustive. In the spirit of

achieving a high level of

teaching effectiveness, faculty

members are encouraged to

perform activities beyond

those listed, as appropriate.

Please refer to the Faculty

Manual, sections 6..2 Academic

Responsibilities, and 6.3.1

Instructional Responsibilities

for further specifications of

contractual obligations related

to Level I teaching.

Level I Teaching

Baseline Activity:

Demonstrates a high level of

teaching effectiveness by, for

example:

•

Communicates effectively in

the classroom

•

Keeps course materials

current

•

Requires an appropriate

level of content and rigor

•

Provides students with

helpful and timely feedback

in and out of the classroom

to facilitate learning

•

Works

improve

teaching

Baseline Activity: Manages

teaching responsibilities

professionally by, for example:

•

Handles administrative

tasks as required

•

Is responsive to

curricular expectations

•

Performs

student

mentoring

Level II Teaching Baseline Expectations

General

Expectations

Activities

Level II teaching emphasizes

development activities, both

inside and outside the class-

room.

The list to the right builds

upon the baseline expectations

of Level I. This list should be

seen as illustrative only and

not as exhaustive. It should

not be used as a checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

Level II Teaching

•

Participates in formal

teaching development

activities either internally or

externally

•

Dedicates significant effort

to developing students’

critical thinking and

communication skills

•

Performs significant student

advising such as participating

in First Year Seminar and/ or

other in-depth advising

activities. Coordinates multi-

section course(s)

•

Teaches a variety of courses,

including new preparations

•

Contributes to the

development of new

programs or extensive

revision of existing programs

•

Develops new courses,

course materials, and/or

approaches for existing

courses

•

Facilitates student learning

and development through

significant interaction with

students outside the class-

room by, for example: –

Participates actively in

student academic activities

(intercollegiate competitions,

internal case competitions,

debates, etc.)

–

Directs

student

research

–

Invests significant

extra time on behalf of

students (help sessions,

laboratory hours, etc.)

Level III Teaching Baseline Expectations

General

Expectations

Activities

Level III teaching empha-

sizes leadership activities,

both inside and outside the

classroom.

The list to the right builds upon

the expectations of Levels I and

II. Beyond the expectation that

faculty members in Level III

teaching demonstrate

consistently the highest level of

teaching effectiveness, this list

should be seen as illustrative

only and not as exhaustive. It

should not be used as a

checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those listed,

as appropriate.

Level III Teaching

•

Demonstrates consistently a

truly distinguished level of

teaching effectiveness as

recognized by students and

colleagues

•

Develops and uses a variety

of approaches to study

systematically the

effectiveness of learning

units, methods, assignments,

etc., as well as the course as

a whole

•

Serves in a leadership capacity

in a number of different

teaching activities by, for

example:

–

Develops curricula/pro-

grams.

–

Disseminates ideas and

understanding of the

practice of excellent

teaching both internally

and externally.

–

Promotes teaching

excellence among faculty

members through

collaboration, consulting,

or advising.

-Participates in student

academic and/or extra-

curricular life to an extent

recognized as exceptional by

students and peers alike.

5.7.4 SCHOLARSHIP

Level I Scholarship Baseline Expectations

General

Expectations

Activities

Level I Scholarship is

expected of all full-time

faculty members of all

tenured and tenure-track

faculty members. As a

baseline, the bulleted

activities to the right should

not be seen as exhaustive. In

the spirit of achieving Level I

scholarship, faculty members

are encouraged to perform

activities beyond those listed,

as appropriate. Non-tenure-

track full-time faculty

members, while not required

to meet all Level I

scholarship criteria, are

expected to remain current in

their field of expertise.

Please refer to the Faculty

Manual, sections 6.2

Academic Responsibilities

and 6.3.1 Research and

Professional Activities for

further specifications of

contractual obligations

related to Level I scholarship

Level I Scholarship

Baseline Activities: Keeps

current with

academic/professional

developments in one’s

field(s) of expertise by, for

example:

•

Undertakes individual or

collaborative work/research/

study

•

Participates in academic

or professional

meetings, conferences,

seminars, workshops,

etc.

Demonstrates knowledge and

expertise to peers by presenting

or publishing quality work in

one’s field(s), for example,

internal/external academic or

professional meetings,

conferences, seminars,

workshops, internal/ external

newsletters, web sites,

proceedings, journals, etc.

Level III Scholarship

Guidelines

General

Expectations

Activities

Level III scholarship

emphasizes leadership

through the dissemination of

scholarly work at a truly

distinguished level,

appropriate to a faculty

member’s career stage or

length of time in the

scholarly profile.

The list to the right builds upon

the

expectations

Levels

and

II. Beyond the expectation that

tenure-track faculty members in

Level III scholarship publish

their research in appropriate

venues, this list should be seen

as illustrative only and not as

exhaustive. It should not be

used as a checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

Level III Scholarship

As appropriate to their career

stage (e.g., tenure-track

faculty/ faculty new to the

scholarlyprofile vs. established

scholars), a Level III scholar:

•

Establishes or maintains a

program of scholarly

activity validated externally

through publishing in

selective and/or influential

journals, conference

proceedings, books, etc.

•

Receives recognition

for one’s scholarly

activity through, for

example:

–

Grants, fellowships, or

other external funding

Awards from respected

bodies

–

Citations in scholarly

journals

–

Citations in respected

media as an academic

expert

•

Shows internal and external

leadership in scholarship by,

for example:

–

Collaborates with col-

leagues to increase

research output

–

Assumes high-profile role

such as editing a journal,

giving a key note address,

chairing a

conference/section/

division

Level II Scholarship

Guidelines

General

Expectations

Activities

Level II scholarship emphasizes

the dissemination of scholarly

work.

The list to the right builds

upon the baseline expectations

of Level I. Beyond the

expectation that tenure-track

faculty members in Level II

scholarship publish their

research in appropriate venues,

this list should be seen as

illustrative only and not as

exhaustive. It should not be

used as a checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

•

Publishes

scholarship:

–

Research in peer-

reviewed academic

literature

–

Articles in appropriate peer-

reviewed and/or other

practitioner and/or general

interest publications

–

Books, book chapters,

cases, reports, monographs,

etc.

•

Presents at regional,

national, or international

peer-reviewed

conferences

•

Regularly reviews/referees

submissions to journals and

conferences

•

Applies for, and occasion-

ally, receives internal and/or

external grants

5.7.5 SERVICE

Level I Service Baseline Expectations

General

Expectations

Activities

Level I Service is expected of

all full-time faculty members.

As a baseline, the bulleted

activities to the right should not

be seen as exhaustive. Faculty

members are encouraged to

perform activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

Please refer to the Faculty

Manual,

sections

6.2,

and

h. Academic Responsibilities,

and 6.3.1 Institutional Service

for further specifications of

contractual obligations related

to Level I Service.

Level I Service

Baseline Activities: Participates

in Bentley activities by, for

example:

•

Participates in

department and full

faculty meetings

•

Serves on departmental or

university committees/task

forces

•

Participates in special

events and programs (e.g.,

open houses, Breakfast by

Moonlight, advising nights,

career fairs, orientation,

diversity or ally workshops,

etc.)

Level II Service Guidelines

General

Expectations

Activities

Level II service emphasizes

significant involvement in

service activities.

The list to the right builds

upon the baseline

expectations of Level I. This

list should be seen as

illustrative only and not as

exhaustive. It should not be

used as a checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

Level II Service

Internal

•

Chairs a departmental or

university

committee/task force

•

Contributes

significantly to

departmental and

university

committees/task

forces

•

Serves as secondary

supervisor to a PhD

candidate

•

Advises a class or

student

organization

•

Serves as a program

director

•

Participates significantly

in university

development roles by

supporting administrative

offices, such as

admissions, alumni

affairs, development,

media relations, student

affairs, etc.

External

•

Serves in a significant

capacity in a

professional or academic

organization

•

Serves on the

editorial board of a

journal

•

Contributes to a

conference in a

leadership role by, for

example:

–

Organizes an

important local

conference

–

Serves on the

organizing committee

– Acts as a track chair

•

Serves the external

academic community by,

for example: – Reviews

grant applications (e.g.,

for NSF, NIH)

–

Acts as an outside

reviewer for theses,

dissertations, tenure

and/or promotion cases

•

Serves the larger

community in a way that

5.8

PROMOTION

5.8.1.

PROCEDURES IN THE CASE OF

A PRESIDENTIALVACANCY

In the case of a vacancy of the Presidency, regarding

promotion and tenure, the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs shall act in accordance with the

Faculty Manual as President only, not as Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs.

5.8.2.

CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION

The following are considered when a faculty member

applies for promotion to rank. The same criteria may

apply at the time of initial appointment, These criteria

are not listed in order of importance, nor are they to be

applied rigidly; rather, they serve as guidelines to assure

that only persons of superior teaching ability and

scholarly achievement will be attracted to and retained

by Bentley University.

5.8.3.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

FOR PROMOTION

Each faculty member is expected to (a) demonstrate

knowledge in a particular field and to communicate this

knowledge effectively in the classroom; (b) present

some concrete evidence of creative scholarship or

professional achievement involving recognition outside

of the university; (c) contribute to the total program of

the university by participating on faculty committees,

serving as an adviser to students, or taking part in such

extramural activities as may serve the best interests of

the university; and (d) exhibit those personal

characteristics that promote good faculty-

student, faculty- administration, and

interfaculty relationships.

5.8.4.

SPECIFIC

REQUIREMENTS

FOR

PROMOTION

1. Senior Lecturer

a) If, after five years of continuous, full-time

service, a department wishes to retain an

individual holding the rank of Lecturer, a formal

request must be made to the appropriate Dean.

This request must be based upon a formal vote

of the tenured members of the department and

include documentation detailing the exceptional

characteristics of the individual and justifying

why they warrant the opportunity for extended

service. If the application is approved by the

Dean, the individual’s title will be changed to

Senior Lecturer at the beginning of the sixth year.

This promotion in rank is accompanied by a salary

increase of up to 7.5% of base salary. Persons with the

rank of Senior Lecturer may be rehired for as

many years as the university wishes, with the

understanding that the rank is untenurable. The

university may, at the end of any contract

period, choose not to renew the appointment.

b) Under exceptional circumstances, an individual

may be hired at the rank of Senior Lecturer.

This procedure requires departmental

justification and approval by the appropriate

Dean and Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs.

2. Distinguished Lecturer

a) After completing five years in the role of Senior Lecturer

an individual is eligible to apply for the rank of

Distinguished Lecturer. The granting of Distinguished

Lecturer status will not be an automatic rite of passage.

Rather, the candidate will be required to apply. That

application must have the support of the department and

the applicant must demonstrate distinction. In the Senior

Lecturer rank. An individual’s application for promotion

to this rank will be assessed based on the following

criteria:

•

Consistently demonstrates a truly distinguished level

of teaching effectiveness as recognized by students

and colleagues.

•

Participates in formal teaching development

activities, both internally and externally.

•

Maintains currency in the field through professional

development activities, consulting, or research in

their field.

•

Serves in a leadership capacity in different teaching

activities (e.g., collaborate with colleagues;

disseminate ideas (internal and external); engage in

curriculum/program development activities).

•

Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive pedagogy.

•

Teaches a variety of courses and readily engages in

preparation of new, forward-looking courses.

•

Utilizes a variety of pedagogical approaches,

including the integration of emerging technologies in

course development as appropriate.

Level III Service Guidelines

General

Expectations

Activities

Level III service emphasizes

leadership

service

activities.

The list to the right builds

upon the expectations of

Levels I and II. This list

should be seen as illustrative

only and not as exhaustive. It

should not be used as a

checklist.

Faculty members are

encouraged to perform

activities beyond those

listed, as appropriate.

Level III Service

Internal

•

Chairs the Senate or a

significant cross-campus

initiative

•

Chairs a

department

•

Serves as the director of a

Center or university-wide

program

•

Serves as an

Academic Associate

Dean

•

Serves as primary

supervisor to PhD candidate

External

•

Organizes a significant

conference

•

Serves as a chair, president,

and/or executive director of

a professional or academic

organization

•

Enhances Bentley as an engaged university

citizen through effective service, student

mentoring, and contributing to a collegial,

collaborative environment.

Procedures for Applications for Promotion to

Distinguished Lecturer

1. The Candidate will request that a secure, private

digital repository be created for electronic

submission of application. A faculty member

considering applying for promotion to

Distinguished Lecturer is advised to first discuss

the possibility with the Department Chair before

an application submitted.

2. A faculty member applying for promotion to

Distinguished Lecturer may do so in any year

following the completion of five years as a

Senior Lecturer, but the application must be

presented to the Department Chair electronically

not later than October 17 of the calendar year.

Application materials must include:

•

Annual Reviews

•

Teaching Statement

•

Teaching Portfolio: including sample

syllabi, sample assessment prompts and

student work, classroom evaluations, and

student evaluations of teaching. The

applicant may also provide additional,

relevant material that demonstrates their

excellence as a teacher.

•

Service statement

•

DE&I statement

3. The candidate’s department shall evaluate the

candidate on the basis of the criteria set forth

above. This evaluation shall be made by all the

tenured faculty and Distinguished Lecturers in

the department. Based upon such evaluation, the

Department Chair shall prepare a department

recommendation letter stating whether the

candidate shall be considered for promotion to

Distinguished Lecturer.

4. The departmental recommendation shall include

a general description of the materials (both

written and oral) which were considered in

reaching its recommendation. A copy of the

departmental recommendation shall be delivered

to the candidate by November 17. By December

1 the departmental recommendation and the

application shall be submitted to the Promotion

and Tenure Committee, the appropriate Dean,

and to the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs for assessment based on the

criteria set forth in 5.8.4.2(a).

5. The Promotion and Tenure Committee shall

share its recommendation with the appropriate

Dean and the Provost by March 1 for final

review.

6. By April 1, the Provost shall notify the candidate

and the department chair on the final

determination.

7. After a failed application, a candidate must wait a

minimum of two years to reapply for promotion to

Distinguished Lecturer.

8. An individual promoted to Distinguished Lecturer will

receive a salary increase of up to 7.5% of base pay.

3. Assistant Professor

a) Promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor

should normally be made only if the candidate

has a master’s degree; has made plans for the

proximate completion of the doctorate or an

equivalent terminal degree (the candidate’s

department, the Promotion & Tenure

Committee, the appropriate Dean and Provost

and Vice President for Academic Affairs shall

jointly determine what constitutes an equivalent

to the terminal degree); has two to six years of

total teaching experience at Bentley University

or another accredited institution in the faculty

member’s field of expertise or a related field, or

has an equivalent amount of related practical

experience; and has demonstrated effectiveness

as a teacher. However, recognizing that

exceptional cases may exist, the P&T

Committee, in its discretion, may consider any

applications for promotion to the rank of

Assistant Professor.

4. Associate Professor

Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor

should be made only upon evidence that the

candidate has demonstrated academic

achievement to an appropriate degree, defined as

having met the performance described in the

Profile Guidelines of the candidate’s profile(s),

during a period of at least three years at the

preceding rank, as a member either of the

Bentley University faculty or of another accredited

institution. Normally, promotion to this rank should be made

with due regard to the faculty member’s fitness for a long-

term association with the university.

Moreover, while promotion to this rank shall not be

considered an automatic process achievable through the

accumulation of academic degrees or professional

certificates, the university will expect that applicants

possess a terminal degree, or its equivalent. However, the

possibility of exceptional cases arising is recognized; thus,

the P&T Committee, in its discretion, may consider any

application.

5. Professor

Promotion to the rank of Professor should be made only

upon evidence that the candidate has demonstrated

academic achievement to a distinguished degree, defined

as having consistently met the requirements of the

profile(s) during the candidate’s time in the preceding rank

and performing at a distinguished level in one’s profile

over a period of at least 3 years as a member either of

Bentley university faculty or of another accredited

institution.

Normally, promotion to this rank should be made with due

regard to the faculty member’s fitness for a long-term

association with the university. Moreover, while

promotion to this rank shall not be considered an

automatic process achievable through the

accumulation of academic degrees or professional

certificates, the university will expect that the

applicants possess a terminal degree or its

equivalent. However, the possibility of exceptional

cases arising is recognized; thus, the Promotion &

Tenure Committee, in its discretion, may consider

any application.

Normally, candidates for promotion to Professor

will have taught at least three years since having

been granted tenure and/or promotion to

Associate Professor at Bentley University or of

another accredited institution. After a failed

application, candidates must wait a minimum of

two years to reapply for promotion to Professor.

6. Faculty Holding Multiple

Appointments Joint

Appointments:

Faculty members holding joint appointments may

seek promotion in all departments in which the

faculty member holds academic rank. The formal

recommendation for promotion of faculty members

holding joint appointments will be prepared by the

faculty member’s Evaluation Committee from each

department and the procedure will follow the steps

in 5.8.5.

Faculty members holding joint appointments shall not

hold different academic ranks in different

departments. Should one department support the

faculty member’s application for promotion, while

another department does not, the faculty member

may withdraw the promotion application, relinquish

the joint appointment in the non- supporting

department or pursue the normal application

process. This does not imply that the faculty

member can no longer teach in the non- supporting

department, but the individual will no longer hold

academic rank in that department.

Secondary Appointments:

Faculty members holding secondary

appointment are considered for promotion only

in their primary departments.

5.8.5.

PROCEDURES

FOR

PROMOTION

1. Candidates applying for promotion shall

follow the procedures and timeline

outlined for tenure applications in

5.9.4.5 and 5.9.5.

2. To provide a more complete assessment

of the candidate’s department shall

solicit an independent assessment on the

candidate’s scholarship from qualified

professionals in appropriate fields

outside Bentley, as prescribed for

tenure cases in section

5.9.7. If the candidate is being

considered for promotion under a Service

or Teaching profile, then the external

reviewers may be asked to evaluate

external contributions in the areas of

services or teaching as appropriate.

3. The full-time members of the candidate’s

department who are above the candidate’s present

rank shall prepare a written recommendation on

applications for promotion. The recommendation

shall summarize the evidence supporting the

recommendation together with an appraisal of the

candidate’s teaching effectiveness, scholarly

activity, and institutional service, and the

standards used to judge the candidate’s

performance. A copy of this departmental

recommendation shall be delivered to the

candidate. The departmental recommendation

shall summarize the evidence supporting the

recommendation together with an appraisal of the

candidate’s teaching effectiveness, scholarly

activity, and institutional service, and the

standards used to judge the candidate’s

performance. The chair of the departmental

review committee shall upload the departmental

recommendation and all of the supporting

materials, including the outside review of

scholarly material as prescribed for tenure cases

in section 5.9.7, to the candidate’s electronic for

review by the Promotion & Tenure Committee,

the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs, and the appropriate Dean.

4. If the candidate’s department has fewer than two

members of higher rank than the candidate, the

primary responsibility for soliciting evaluations,

professional opinions, and other materials bearing

upon the candidate’s merits shall be assigned to a

special evaluation committee of three to five full-

time faculty appointed by the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs in consultation

with the Chair of

the candidate’s academic department. This

committee shall include the Department Chair, all

faculty of higher rank in the candidate’s department,

and faculty of higher rank from related departments.

With the concurrence of the Chair and the

candidate, the appropriate Dean may appoint a

minority of special evaluation committee members

from outside Bentley University, paying due regard

to rank and tenure in those faculty members’ home

institutions. The Chair of the candidate’s department

shall convene and chair such special committee. If

the Chair of the candidate’s department is not of

higher rank than the candidate, or is applying for

promotion at the same time, (s)he shall not chair

the special committee or have the right to vote.

5. The Promotion & Tenure Committee may solicit

information from any officer of the administration or

colleague of the candidate.

6. Members of the Promotion & Tenure Committee shall not

participate in discussions or voting concerning a

candidate from the member’s department, but shall

provide information about such a candidate when

requested by the Chair or presiding officer of the

Promotion & Tenure Committee.

7. The

procedures

the

P&T

Committee

and

the

Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees

shall be the same for promotion and/or tenure.

See Sections 5.9.8 and 5.9.9.

8. Candidates for promotion shall have the same rights

of notice and appeal as those specified for

candidates for tenure. See Sections 5.9.8.5 and

5.9.8.6. The candidate shall receive written notice in

accordance with the same timetable for similar

notifications regarding tenure. See Section 5.9.11

Timetable.

The written notification to the candidate of a

recommendation against promotion should include:

a) A general description of the materials (both

written and oral) that were considered by the P&T

Committee in reaching its recommendation; b) If

applicable, a description of the consideration

accorded to additional materials or statements

submitted by the candidate in support of

allegation(s) that the departmental evaluation was

inadequate or violated academic freedom or the

procedures specified in this section of the Faculty

Manual; and c) The reasons for a negative

recommendation by the committee.

9. The candidate may withdraw an application up

to the point at which the Department is

required to send its recommendation to the

P&T Committee, September 30.

5.9.

TENURE

5.9.1.

PROCEDURES IN THE CASE

OF APRESIDENTIALVACANCY

In the case of a vacancy of the Presidency,

regarding promotion and tenure, the Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs shall act in

accordance with the faculty manual as President

only, not as Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs.

5.9.2.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

ADOPTED BY TRUSTEES

1. The Trustees of Bentley University generally sub-

scribe to the 1940 Statement of Principles on

Academic Freedom and Tenure, including the

Interpretive Comments developed during 1969 by

representatives of the American Association of

University Professors and the Association of

American Colleges and Universities. The

Trustees also generally subscribe to the

provisions set forth in the 1968 Recommended

Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom

and Tenure. In keeping there with, the Trustees

adopt the following general principles to be

applied by those making recommendations for

appointment with tenure to faculty positions and

to be followed by the Trustees in making or

approving such appointments.

2. To be appointed with tenure, a person

must demonstrate accomplishment and a

capacity for continued service with

distinction, and for growth, development and

adaptation as knowledge, in general and in the

field, increases and as higher education

changes.

3. Once tenured, faculty members may seek a joint

appointment. The Chairs of the prospective

departments, acting upon a recommendation prepared

by the tenured members of those departments and the

Chair and tenured members of the current department,

shall submit to the appropriate Dean(s) and the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs the

names of the persons to be considered for joint

appointments. Faculty members holding joint

appointments are considered to have tenure and rank in

both departments.

5.9.3.

CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENTS WITH

TENURE

Subject to and in expansion of the general principles above,

the following criteria shall be followed in evaluating

candidates for tenure.

1. Length of Service

a) Normally, tenure will not be conferred until the

candidate has completed six years of continuous full- time

teaching service. For tenure purposes, full- time teaching

service means teaching in both semesters of an academic

year. In cases where the initial appointment begins with the

spring semester, such time does not count towards the years

of continuous full-time teaching service. However, in

exceptional cases, an application may be considered without

regard to the individual’s length of service.

b) Continuous full-time teaching service shall not be deemed to

be interrupted by absence on leave if such leave (a) has been

approved under rules of general application including but not

limited to, those in Sections 6.8; (b) has been approved under

the University’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

policy; or (c) has been approved in writing in advance for any

other reason by the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs or an approved designee. A period of absence on

approved leave of twelve weeks or more shall not be counted

toward the six-year period of required service but will extend

the six-year period by one year if the faculty member chooses

to use the extension. Each academic year during which an

approved leave of twelve weeks or more has been granted

will add one year to the maximum number of years of

teaching service allowed for tenure eligibility that is specified

in Section 5.9.4.3. However, in the normal course, the total of

any such extensions will be no longer than two years. In

extraordinary circumstances, the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs or an approved designee may consider

additional extensions.

2. Terminal Degree

Tenure shall not be achieved automatically through the

accumulation of academic degrees or professional certificates.

However, applicants are expected to possess either a terminal

degree or its equivalent. The definition of an equivalent in any

field or discipline shall be determined jointly by the given

academic department, the Promotion & Tenure Committee,

and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and

appropriate Dean. The possibility of exceptional cases arising

is recognized; thus an application may be considered

without regard to the degree possessed by the

applicant. Teaching Effectiveness Appropriate

standards include, but are not limited to:

a) Administrative Areas -

Responsibility in meeting classes;

fairness and appropriateness in

examination and grading;

development and use of course

syllabi; choice and use of

meaningful materials, and more.

b) Individual Areas - Enthusiasm for

classroom and other teaching;

development of techniques for

communication; improved

performance in areas noted in

previous annual evaluations as

requiring special attention; etc.

c) Student Relationships - Evaluations will

encompass student counseling activities

as well as student appraisals of faculty

performance.

3. Scholarly Activity

Such matters as working papers,

conference papers, refereed and non-

refereed publications, books, cam- pus

colloquia participation, panels at

professional conferences, lectures

delivered, grants or fellowships awarded, or

any other item of a scholarly nature shall be

included.

4. Institutional Service

Such matters as effective participation on

university committees and participation in

activities of the University shall be

included. In addition, consultant- ships or

community activities that bring favorable

attention to Bentley University and any

other activities that support or strengthen

Bentley University may be included.

Where feasible, an appraisal of such work

by appropriate persons, not members of

the individual’s department, shall be

included.

5.9.4.

PROCEDURES FOR TENURE

1. The candidate will request that a secure,

private digital repository be created for

electronic submission of the application.

A faculty member considering applying

for tenure is advised to discuss the

possibility with the Department Chair and

perhaps with other tenured members of the

department before an application is

submitted.

2. A faculty member applying for

tenure may do so in any year, but the

application for tenure must be

presented to the Department Chair

electronically not later than August

20 of the calendar year in which the

individual completes the fifth year of

full-time faculty teaching service at Bentley,

or any previously determined equivalent

thereof. As specified in Section 5.9.3.1(b),

the five year maximum period may be

extended based on an approved leave. If a

faculty member fails to submit a timely

application for tenure by August 20 of the

calendar year in which the individual

completes the fifth year of full-time faculty

teaching service at Bentley, or any previously

determined equivalent thereof, the faculty

member will not be eligible to make further

application at any later date.

3. If a faculty member applies for tenure prior to the

completion of the fifth year of full-time teaching service

at Bentley University, or any previously determined

equivalent thereof, and is denied tenure, the faculty

member will be ineligible to reapply for tenure at any later

date. The faculty member may, however, seek

reconsideration of the tenure application in the year

following the denial in accordance with Section 5.9.10.

4. The University will follow the normal procedure of giving

a terminal appointment if a faculty member fails to apply

for tenure in a timely manner, as set forth above, or, if after

making application, is denied tenure.

5. The set of materials that should be submitted by the

candidate and accompany the application is listed below.

The candidate has the right to provide additional

materials at their discretion.

a) Up-to-date Curriculum Vita, including a

bibliography of all publications and a clear

specification of the nature of the review

process.

b) Profile History and Annual Reviews

c) Evidence of TeachingEffectiveness

•

All evaluations of faculty members at Bentley, such

as classroom visits (as referenced in Section 5.5.6).

•

Results of Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETs) based

on 5-point scale prior to Spring 2010 and based on a 6-

point scale from Spring 2010 semester and beyond.

Excluded are the results and comments on the blue

Development Forms prior to Spring 2010 and questions

number 9-12 from Spring 2010 forward, as these are

meant for faculty development and not evaluation

•

Syllabi, examinations, grade distributions, and

selected assignments from all courses taught during

the last two years.

d) Evidence of Scholarly Activity

•

Published articles and monographs should be

included with all copies of the application. A

copy of full-length books and unpublished

work of the candidate not included in the

application should be submitted to the Chair of

the Promotion and Tenure Committee, the

appropriate Academic Dean, and the Provost

and Vice President for Academic Affairs, one

copy to each.

•

Other examples of scholarly activities, such as

lectures delivered or grants awarded, should be

summarized and included in all copies of the

application.

e) Summary of Research Support Provided by Bentley

University:

•

This section includes release time,

graduate assistants, summer grants,

and other sources of research

support.

f) Evidence of Institutional Service:

•

Activities should be

summarized in the

application, along with any

supporting appraisals or other

material.

g) If internal letters are included in the

application, they should be treated as

confidential. They should be submitted to

the Department P&T Committee, rather

than the candidate, and be added to the

candidate’s digital repository by the

Department.

5.9.5.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

PROCEDURES FOR TENURE

1. Electronic applications must be

completed by August 20. Candidates

must notify the chair of the Department

Evaluation Committee by August 20 that

their application has been submitted. The

chair of the Department Evaluation

Committee is responsible for

determining the status of the application

on August 20. Only materials not created

by the candidate that did not exist prior

to August 20 may be added to the

application after that date. Such additions

must be submitted by the candidate to the

Department Evaluation Committee chair

if received by September 30 and to the

P&T Committee chair if received after

September 30.

2. The candidate may withdraw an

application up to the point at which the

Department is required to send its

recommendation to the P&T

Committee, September 30.

5.9.6.

DEPARTMENTAL

PROCEDURES FOR TENURE

1. The candidate’s department shall evaluate

the candidate on the basis of the criteria set

forth in the Faculty Manual. This

evaluation shall be made by an Evaluation

Committee composed of all tenured full-

time faculty members in the department

together with the Department Chair. The

Department Chair or a tenured member

may serve as the Chair of the Evaluation

Committee. The Department Chair, if non-

tenured, shall participate in all discussion

and meetings but shall not have the right to

vote. This evaluation shall take into

account the candidate’s application and

supporting documents and such additional

pertinent information as may appear reasonable.

2. In a department having fewer than two

tenured members, the primary responsibility

for soliciting evaluations, professional

opinions, and other materials bearing upon

the candidate’s merits shall be assigned to a

special Evaluation Committee of three to

five tenured faculty appointed by the

appropriate Dean in consultation with the

Chair of the candidate’s department. This

committee shall include the Chair of the

candidate’s department, all tenured faculty

members in the candidate’s department, and

tenured faculty from related departments.

With the concurrence of the Chair and the

candidate, the appropriate Dean may

appoint a minority of special evaluation

committee members from outside Bentley

University, paying due regard to rank and

tenure in those faculty members’ home

institutions. The Chair of the candidate’s

department shall convene and chair such

special committee. If the Chair of the

candidate’s department is not tenured,

(s)he shall not chair the special committee

or have the right to vote.

3. Based upon such evaluation, the Evaluation Committee

shall prepare a departmental recommendation letter stating

whether the candidate shall be considered for appointment

with tenure and if it is the unanimous recommendation of

the tenured members.

4. The departmental recommendation shall include a

general description of the materials (both written and

oral) which were considered by the Evaluation

Committee in reaching its recommendation. See below

for additional information about the departmental

recommendation.

5. A copy of the departmental recommendation (with any

identifying information about external reviewers redacted)

shall be delivered to the candidate by September 23. By

September 30, (a) the departmental recommendation and (b)

the application and all supporting materials shall then be

submitted electronically by the Chair of the academic

department for review by the P&T Committee, the

appropriate Dean, and the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs.

6. The departmental recommendation shall summarize the

evidence supporting the recommendation of the majority of

the tenured members for or against appointment with tenure

together with an appraisal of the candidate’s teaching

effectiveness, scholarly activity, and institutional service.

In addition, the recommendation shall explain the standards

used to judge the candidate’s performance. In the case of

recommendation for appointment with tenure, departmental

recommendation shall further show how the candidate’s

specific skills and abilities (a) support the short- and long-

range goals of the department and the university and (b)

add strength to the department in each area — teaching,

scholarship, and service--given the present and anticipated

needs of the department and the university.

7. Any minority view shall be in writing, signed

by the tenured members holding such a view

and attached to the departmental

recommendation.

Objection to Departmental Recommendation

1. If the candidate alleges that inadequate

consideration was afforded at the

department level, or that the decision was

based significantly on considerations

violating academic freedom and/or the

procedures specified in Section 5 of the

Faculty Manual, the candidate may submit

to the Promotion & Tenure Committee

(with copies to the appropriate Dean, the

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs, and the Chair of the Department’s

Evaluation Committee) a written statement

which numerates:

a) Materials that the candidate believes

should have been considered by the

department but were not so

considered, and/or

b) The areas in which the candidate

believes the department inadequately

considered materials submitted by the

candidate, and/or

c) The areas in which the candidate

believes the department violated

academic freedom and/or the

procedures specified in this section of

the Faculty Manual.

The objection to the departmental

recommendation together with the written

statement described above must be

submitted by the candidate to all parties

listed by October 10. Such statement will

be received and considered by the P&T

Committee as part of the candidate’s

application.

5.9.7 MANDATORY OUTSIDE

REVIEW OF SCHOLARLY

MATERIAL OF TENURE-TRACK

FACULTY

1. To provide a more complete assessment of

the candidate’s contributions to his or her

discipline, the candidate’s department shall

solicit an independent assessment on the

candidate’s scholarship from tenured

faculty members or other qualified

professionals in appropriate fields from

outside the Bentley community. These

assessments will be included in the tenure

application submitted to the department by

August20.

2. The procedures for such outside review

shall consist of the following:

a) Four outside reviewers will be requested

to provide an evaluation. The candidate will

submit five names for consideration as outside

reviewers, and up to five people who they wish

not to be contacted; the Department Evaluation

Committee will independently submit five

names for consideration as reviewers. Members

of the candidate’s dissertation committee and

persons who have co-authored scholarly work

with the candidate are not eligible reviewers.

Two names from each of the

lists of recommended reviewers will be chosen by the

Department Evaluation Committee.

b) The letter will be sent to the reviewers no later than three

months before the candidate’s tenure application is due.

The letter will contain a description of Bentley’s

standards for scholarly contribution, along with an

explanation of the department’s expectations for the

amount and quality of scholarly work necessary for

successful tenure applications. In addition, the letter will

contain a statement that the reviewer’s comments will be

kept confidential, and will not be shared with the

candidate. The body of the letter will be made known to

the candidate no later than six months before the

candidate’s tenure application is due.

c) The letters will be returned to the department chair and

will be considered in the department’s evaluation of

the candidate’s application for tenure. The letters will

be uploaded to a secure, private digital repository

where they can also be reviewed by the Promotion &

Tenure Committee, as well as the relevant Dean and

the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Reviewer’s letters received after August 20 will not be

a part of the evaluation process, and will be destroyed.

d) While the outside review letters are in the department’s

possession, it is the department’s responsibility to ensure

that they remain confidential. When the letters are

forwarded to the promotion and tenure committee, it is

the committee’s responsibility to maintain

confidentiality. As a part of the evaluation process, the

letters will be read by appropriate university officers,

such as the Dean of the candidate’s department and the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In

tenure cases that require the involvement of the President,

the President will also read the letters. After the tenure

decision is made, the letters will be kept for one year by

the promotion and tenure committee. They will then be

destroyed.

e) Although the letters are confidential, a summary of the

contents of the letters will be made available to the

candidate by the candidate’s department at the

candidate’s request. The summary will contain no

information that identifies the reviewers. The candidate

must request the summary from the chair of the

departmental review committee no later than August 20,

and the chair of the departmental review committee must

send the summary to the candidate no later than

September 23.

f) If one or more of the reviewers selected

decline the review, additional names will be

selected from the submitted lists by the

department chair. If a reviewer who

declines is from the candidate’s list,

another name will be selected from

that list. If a reviewer who declines is

from the department’s list, another

name will be selected from that list.

In the event that two reviewers

cannot be found from each list, the

department or candidate will submit

additional names as appropriate.

5.9.8. PROMOTION & TENURE

COMMITTEE PROCEDURES

FORTENURE

1. The Promotion & Tenure (P&T)

Committee, the appropriate Dean, and

the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs may seek additional

evidence concerning the merit of the

candidate, including, but not limited to,

evaluations and professional opinions

from peers and institutions other than

Bentley. Copies of any such information

received shall be provided to the

department and to the candidate. The

department and the candidate shall have

the opportunity to respond.

2. The P&T Committee may, in any event,

interview the candidate and carry on any

inquiry it may deem appropriate to

enable it to form a judgment regarding

the candidate’s merit.

3. The P&T Committee, the appropriate

Academic Dean, and the Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs

shall exchange, subject to legal

constraints, such information as may be

obtained in addition to the departmental

recommendation and supporting

materials. The appropriate Academic

Dean and the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs acting jointly, and

the P&T Committee shall, however,

separately develop proposals for

recommendations regarding the candidate

4. The candidate and Department Chair

shall be advised in writing by

November 10 of the proposed

recommendation of the P&T

Committee.

5. In the event of a recommendation against

appointment with tenure, the candidate

shall thereupon have the right of further

consideration provided under Section

5.9.12 Appeals Procedure, and if the

candidate decides to seek such further

consideration the candidate shall so

advise the Faculty Senate Chair and P&T

Committee Chair inwriting by November 20.

6. The written notification to the candidate of a

recommendation against appointment with

tenure should include:

a) A general description of the materials (both written and

oral) that were considered by the P&T Committee in

reaching its recommendation;

b) If applicable, a description of the consideration accorded

to additional materials or statements submitted by the

candidate in support of allegation(s) that the departmental

evaluation was inadequate or violated academic freedom

or the procedures specified in this section of the Faculty

Manual; and

c) The reasons for a negative recommendation by the

committee.

7. Proposed Recommendation in Disagreement with

Department Recommendation

In the event that the proposed recommendation of the P&T

Committee does not agree with the recommendation of the

department, the Department’s Evaluation Committee shall

have the opportunity to meet with the appropriate Academic

Dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs for the purpose of discussing the candidate’s

qualifications. Any meeting shall precede the January 15th

meeting of the P&T Committee with the appropriate

Academic Dean and the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs required in Items 8 and 9 immediately

following.

8. Common Recommendation

The appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs acting jointly, shall meet by

January 15 with the P&T Committee for the purpose of

formulating a common recommendation with respect to the

candidate. If a common recommendation is reached, the P&T

Committee advises the candidate in writing by January 25 and

the recommendation shall be submitted by the President to the

Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

9. No Common Recommendation

If the appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs acting jointly, and the P&T

Committee shall not reach a common recommendation on the

candidate, they shall meet by January 22 with the President

who shall determine whether to support the recommendation

of the P&T Committee (as may be modified under Section

5.9.12 Appeals Procedures) or the recommendation of the

appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs acti.ng jointly. The

President’s position shall become the recommendation

submitted by the President to the Executive Committee of the

Board of Trustees, and the candidate shall be advised of this

position in writing by January 25.

10. Each academic year the P&T Committee shall

inform the Faculty Senate of its

recommendations.

5.9.9 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD

OF TRUSTEES ACTION

1. The Executive Committee shall act upon (a) the

common recommendation of the

appropriate Academic Dean and the

Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs acting jointly, and the P&T

Committee or (b) upon the

recommendation of the President.

Neither the Executive Committee nor the

Board of Trustees shall be obliged to

receive any further oral or written

presentation by any person or committee

in deciding whether to appoint the

candidate with tenure.

2. The action of the Board of Trustees shall

be final, subject only to a judicial

determination that such action infringes

rights of the individual afforded by statute

or guaranteed by the Constitution of the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the

United States of America.

3. The Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs shall notify the

candidate in writing of the action of the

Board of Trustees thereon.

5.9.10

RECONSIDERATI

ON OF APPLICATION

Reconsideration by the P&T Committee of

a tenure application during the candidate’s

terminal appointment year is not possible

unless clearly different circumstances

apply from those presented a year earlier.

In this regard, the candidate and the

candidate’s department will be the vehicles

for presenting this new evidence. The act of

reconsideration will not prejudice the

timely notice of terminal appointment

which the candidate has received earlier. A

candidate seeking reconsideration during

the year following the decision by the

university not to grant tenure is required to

follow the timetable set forth in Section

5.9.11.

5.9.11 TIMETABLE

The following schedule sets forth the

dates by which the steps recited in the

foregoing paragraphs are to be

accomplished (when a particular function

falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday,

that function shall be accomplished on

the next regular business day): August 20

- Immediately following the fifth year of

full-time teaching service, the candidate’s

application for tenure is made available

to the candidate’s department.

September 23 - The departmental

recommendation is delivered to the

candidate in writing.

September 30 - The departmental written

recommendation and application package is

made available to the P&T Committee, the

appropriate Academic Dean, and the Provost

and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

October 10 - The P&T Committee exchanges information

with the appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost and the

Vice President for Academic Affairs acting jointly.

November 10 - The P&T Committee forwards its writ- ten

recommendation to all candidates and to Chairs of the

Academic Departments.

November 20 - In the event of a negative recommendation by

the P&T Committee, the candidate informs the Faculty Senate

Chair and P&T Committee Chair in writing if the candidate

intends to appeal.

December 18 - The written finding of the Appeals Committee

is forwarded to the candidate.

January 15 - The appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost

and the Vice President for Academic Affairs acting jointly,

meet with the P&T Committee for the purpose of formulating

a common recommendation with respect to the candidate.

January 22 - If a common recommendation is not reached by

January 15, the appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost

and Vice President for Academic Affairs acting jointly, and

the P&T Committee shall meet with the President whose

position shall become the recommendation submitted by the

President to the Executive Committee of the Board of

Trustee.

January 25 - The P&T Committee advises candidate in writing

of results of the January 15 and 22 meetings.

The Provost shall make the candidate’s personal statement

and a one-page executive summary prepared by the Provost

regarding a candidate’s case available to the Board in

anticipation of their meeting. The summary shall not be made

available to the candidate in advance of the Board meeting,

but will become part of the permanent record available after

the Board has taken action.

February Action by the Board of Trustees Following the

February meeting of the Board of Trustees or the next

business day, the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs notifies candidate of the action taken by the Board of

Trustees.

APPEALS

PROCEDURE

1. A candidate who has received notification of a

negative recommendation or a tie vote by the

P&T Committee, and who asserts that the

procedures specified in the Faculty Manual

and/ or academic freedom were violated may

by November 20 submit a written request to

the Chair of the Faculty Senate for a

hearing before an Appeals Committee. The

written request shall specify in what

respects such procedures and/or

academic freedom have been

violated and what redress is sought.

The hearing shall take place by

December 10.

2. The Chair of the Faculty Senate will

convene the Appeals Committee to

consist of

5.9.12

MAINTENANCE

OF RECORDS

The Provost’s Office shall be responsible for maintaining

copies of each candidate’s application and supporting

materials for promotion or tenure for a period of not less

than seven years.

5.10

TERMINATION

TENURED FACULTY

5.10.1 RESIGNATION

a) A tenured representative of the Faculty

members

planning

resign

not

Faculty Senate, who shall serve reappointment should file written notice of that fact with

as Committee Chair.

b) Two tenured members of the

full-time teaching faculty.

c) The Chair of the Faculty Senate will

notify the Chair of the Candidate’s

Department and the P&T

Committee that an Appeals

Committee is being convened.

3. None of the three faculty members

shall be a member of either the P&T

Committee or the appellant’s

department, and the three shall be

chosen by lot. The Appeals

Committee shall confine its

deliberations to questions of alleged

violations of academic freedom and/or

fair procedures.

4. All factual material upon which the

recommendation of the P&T

Committee was made will be

available to the Appeals Committee

and to the candidate for review. The

burden of proof to correct errors of

fact will rest with the candidate.

5. A review of the evidence and

decision of the Appeals Committee

will proceed expeditiously. Written

findings will be forwarded to the

candidate within seven days of the

hearing.

6. A decision of the Appeals Committee

favorable to the candidate shall require

two of the three votes in the

Committee. In finding for the

candidate, the Appeals Committee

may recommend such action as, but

not limited to, the following:

a) Resubmission of application for

tenure to the P&T Committee.

b) A one-year extension of present

contract so that application can be

duly processed.

c) Correction of personnel files.

d) Forwarding of its recommendation together

with that of P&T and the Administration to

the Executive Committee of the Board of

Trustees.

e) Any or all of the above.

6. An appeal of decision of the Appeals Committee will

not be entertained. The act of bringing an appeal

will not be prejudicial to any person or cause.

the appropriate Dean as early as possible.

5.10.2 RETIREMENT

The university’s normal retirement age for faculty

members is 65. A faculty member, however, may

choose to retire prior to or after age 65. Faculty

members contemplating retirement should make

an appointment with Human Resources to obtain

information about the retirement procedures.

5.10.3

RELEASE

TENURED FACULTY

1. In terminating the services of a faculty member,

Bentley University will observe the procedures

stipulated in the 1940 Statement of Principles on

Academic Freedom and Tenure, which set forth

the minimum essentials for the adjudication of

termination situations. Bentley University also

follows the supplementary guidelines set forth in

the 1968 Recommended Institutional Regulations

on Academic Freedom and Tenure.

2. Once a faculty member has been granted

tenure, services may be terminated by the

Board of Trustees only (a) for just cause,, (b)f

under extraordinary circumstances because of

financial exigencies or because major

curricular changes require the elimination of

departments or divisions of the university.

5.10.3.1

TERMINATION

FOR

JUST

CAUSE

Just cause includes, but is not limited to, one or more of

the following:

•

Incompetent or inefficient service

•

Neglect of academic duties

•

Gross insubordination

•

Physical or mental incapacity or

•

Conduct unbecoming a member of the

faculty or prejudicial to the welfare of

the university.

Just cause for a dismissal will be related,

directly and substantially, to the fitness

of the faculty member in a professional

capacity as a teacher or researcher.

Dismissal will not be used to restrain

faculty members in their exercise of

academic freedom or other rights of

American citizens.

1. Preliminary Proceedings

Dismissal of a tenured faculty member will

be preceded by:

a) Discussions between the faculty

member and appropriate

administrative officers looking

toward a mutual settlement.

b) Informal inquiry by an ad hoc

Conciliation Committee

composed of three members

of the Promotion and

Tenure Committee, which may,

failing to effect an adjustment,

determine whether dismissal

proceedings should be

undertaken, with- out its opinion

being binding upon the

President.

c) A statement of charges, framed

with reasonable particularity, by

the President or his delegate.

2. Grievance Committee Procedures

a) Dismissal will be preceded by a

statement of reasons, and the

individual concerned will have

the right to be heard initially by

an ad hoc Grievance Committee,

composed of at least five tenured

members of the Faculty Senate.

Members will remove themselves

from the case, either at the request

of a party or on their own

initiative, if they deem themselves

disqualified for bias or interest.

Each party will have a maximum

of two challenges without stated

cause.

b) Service of notice of hearing with

specific charges in writing will be

made at least 20 days prior to the

hearing. The faculty member may

waive a hearing or may respond to

the charges in writing at any time

before the hearing. If the faculty

member waives a hearing but

denies the charges or asserts that

the charges do not support a

finding of just cause, the Grievance

Committee will evaluate all

available evidence and rest its

recommendation upon the

evidence in the record.

c) The Grievance Committee, in

consultation with the President

and the faculty member, will

decide if the hearing should be

public or private.

d) During the proceedings, the faculty

member will be permitted to have

an academic advisor and counsel of

his own choice.

e) At the request of either party or the Grievance

Committee, a representative of a responsible

educational association shall be permitted to

attend the proceedings as an observer.

f) A verbatim record of the hearing or hearings will be

taken,

and a printed copy will be made available to the

faculty member without cost, upon request.

g) The burden of proof that just cause exists rests with

the institution and shall be satisfied only by clear and

convincing evidence in the hearing record.

h) The Grievance Committee will grant adjournments to enable

either party to investigate evidence against which a valid

claim of surprise is made.

i) The faculty member may obtain necessary witnesses and

documentary or other evidence. The administration of the

institution will, insofar as it is possible for it to do so, secure

the cooperation of such witnesses and make available

necessary documents and other evidence within its control.

j) The faculty member and the administration will have the right

to confront and cross-examine all witnesses. Where the

witness cannot or will not appear, but the Grievance

Committee determines that the interest of justice requires

admission of a statement, the Grievance Committee will

identify the witness, disclose the statement, and, if

possible, provide for interrogatories.

k) In the hearing of charges of incompetence, the

testimony shall include that of qualified faculty

members from this or other institutions of higher

education.

l) Termination of a tenured appointment for physical or mental

incapacity will be based upon clear and convincing medical

evidence. If the faculty member so requests, such evidence

shall be reviewed by the Promotion and Tenure Committee

before a final decision is made by the Board of Trustees on

the recommendation of the President.

m) The Grievance Committee will not be bound by strict rules of

legal evidence and may admit any evidence which is of

probative value in determining the issues involved. Every

possible effort will be made to obtain the most reliable

evidence available.

n) The findings of fact and the decision will be based solely

on the hearing record.

o) In the case of a private hearing (except for necessary

announcements, covering the time of the hearing and similar

matters), public statements and publicity about the case by

either the faculty member or administrative officers will be

avoided so far as possible until the proceedings have been

completed, up through consideration by the Board of

Trustees. The President and the faculty member will be

notified of the decision in writing and will be given a copy of

the record of the hearing.

p) If the Grievance Committee concludes that just

cause for dismissal has not been established by the

evidence in the record, it will so report to the

President. If the President rejects the report, he or

she will state reasons for doing so, in writing, to the

Grievance Committee and to the faculty member,

and provide an opportunity for response before

transmitting the case to the Board of Trustees. If

the Grievance Committee concludes that just

cause for a dismissal has been established but that

an academic penalty less than dismissal would be

more appropriate, it will so recommend, with

supporting reasons.

3. Review by the Board of Trustees

If dismissal or other penalty is recommended, the

President will transmit to the Board of Trustees the

record of the case. The Board’s review will be based

on the record of the Grievance Committee

hearing, and it will provide opportunity at

the hearing for argument, oral or written or

both, by the principals or by their

representatives. The decision of the

Grievance Committee will either be

sustained, negated, or the proceeding

returned to the Grievance Committee with

specific objections. The Grievance

Committee will, when appropriate,

reconsider, taking into account the stated

objections and receiving new evidence if

necessary. The Board will make a final

decision only after study of the Grievance

Committee’s reconsideration

The action by the Board of Trustees

terminating the appointment of a faculty

member shall be final, subject only to a

judicial determination that such action

infringes rights of the individual afforded

by statute or guaranteed by the

Constitution of The Commonwealth of

Massachusetts or of the United States of

America.

4. Suspension

Until a decision on termination of an

appointment has become final because no

appeal has been taken or may be taken

under this Section 5.0, the faculty member

will be suspended, or assigned to other

duties in lieu of suspension, only if

immediate harm to self, others or property

is deemed by the President, after

consultation with the Promotion and

Tenure Committee, to be threatened by

continuance.

Suspension is appropriate only pending a

hearing; a suspension which is intended to

be final is a dismissal, and will be dealt

with as such. Salary will continue during

the period of suspension.

5. Terminal Salary

A faculty member whose appointment is terminated

for just cause shall continue to receive salary for the

academic year in which such termination takes effect

and for one additional academic year, or longer, as

the Board of Trustees may determine. Continuation of

salary for any period of time shall, however, be in the

discretion of the Board of Trustees in the case of

termination for cause

determined by the Board of Trustees to be of

seriousness equivalent to the commission of a crime

constituting a felony, or commission of any form of

academic or intellectual fraud.

5.10.3.2 TERMINATION FOR FINANCIAL

EXIGENCY OR DISCONTINUANCE OF A

PROGRAM OR DEPARTMENT OFINSTRUCTION

a. Where termination of appointment is based upon

financial exigency, or bona fide discontinuance of a program

or department of instruction, faculty members shall be able to

have the issues reviewed by the faculty or by a faculty ad hoc

Grievance Committee, appointed by the Faculty Senate, with

ultimate review of all controversial issues by the Board of

Trustees. If a program or department of instruction, the

faculty member concerned will be given notice as soon as

possible, and never less than twelve months’ notice, or in

lieu thereof, will be given severance salary for twelve

months.

b. Before terminating an appointment because of the

abandonment of a program or department of instruction, the

institution will make every effort to place affected faculty

members in other suitable positions. If an appointment is

terminated before the end of the period of appointment

because of financial exigency or because of the

discontinuance of a program of instruction, the released

faculty member’s position will not be filled by a replacement

within a period of two years from the date of termination

unless the released faculty member has been offered

reappointment and a reasonable time within which to accept

or decline.

6.0

FACULTY

RIGHTS

AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Faculty members should also refer to the Office of Human

Resources area of the Bentley University website for

information about other important aspects of employee rights

and responsibilities including policies related to ethics, non-

discrimination, tuition remission policies, retirement,

information privacy and computer and network use.

6.1

ACADEMIC

FREEDOM

The Trustees of Bentley University generally subscribe

to the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic

Freedom and Tenure, including the Interpretive

Comments developed in 1969 by representatives of the

American Association of University Professors and the

Association of American Colleges and Universities.

The Trustees also generally subscribe to the

provisions set forth in the 1968 Recommended

Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom and

Tenure.

According to these pronouncements, each

member of the faculty, whether tenured or

not, is assured of the following:

a) Full freedom in research and in the

publication of the results, subject to the

adequate performance of other academic

duties, providing that research for

pecuniary return is based upon an

understanding with the authorities of the

university.

b) Full freedom to teach and discuss

anything pertinent to the subject being

taught. However, faculty members should

refrain from introducing into their

teaching controversial matters unrelated to

the subject being taught.

c) Full freedom to act and speak in the

capacity of a citizen without institutional

censorship or discipline. As members of a

profession and a university faculty,

faculty members should remember that

the public may judge their profession and

their institution by their utterances and

their conduct. Hence they should strive to

be accurate, to exercise appropriate

restraint, to show respect for the opinions

of others, and to indicate that they are not

an institutional spokesperson.

d) A sufficient degree of economic security

to make the teaching profession

attractive.

6.2

ACADEMIC

OBLIGATIONS

In accordance with these guidelines,

which have been endorsed since 1940

by all major associations concerned

with the standards of American higher

education, a faculty member in accepting

a contract assumes the following

obligations:

a) To fulfill classroom and laboratory

assignments with professional skill

and efficiency by preparing

thoroughly, by meeting classes

promptly, and by conducting classes

for the full allotted time.

b) To prepare, submit, proctor,

and grade examinations

according to administrative

requirements.

c) To keep records (attendance, grades,

etc.) in accordance with

administrative requirements.

d) To be present at all faculty meetings,

meetings of departments and

committees, and Commencement,

unless excused.

e) To serve on departmental,

academic, or administrative

committees that consider matters

relating to academic procedures and

educational policy.

f) To be interested in the academic progress and

the personal welfare of students and advisees

and to confer with them frequently in and out

of the classroom.

g) To serve as an organization adviser, recognizing

that student activities, when properly conceived

and directed, can enrich and contribute to the

academic program.

h) To take part in those extramural activities —

academic, professional, or community — that

would promote the public welfare, advance the

profession, enhance the academic stature of the

faculty, or contribute to the prestige of the

university.

i) To continue scholarly and professional

development through such means as public

lectures, research, and/ or publishing.

j) To respect and support colleagues in instruction

and in administration by avoiding adverse

criticism in discussions with students or persons

not members of the university.

6.3

GENERAL

ACADEMIC

RESPONSIBILITIES

6.3.1 INSTRUCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional responsibilities include teaching, working

with students in classes taught by the faculty member,

planning courses to meet total engagement hour

requirements, and developing courses offered by the

department or other university programs. (Section 5 of

the Faculty Manual details expectations related to

teaching not discussed below).

1. Responsibility to meet classes

a) Faculty members must meet classes in accordance with the

university schedule.

b) No course shall be terminated earlier than the final

examination date listed in the calendar, and faculty must

ensure that students continue to be actively engaged

through this designated examination date.

c) Deviations from the above are not permitted, except upon

approval of the Department Chair, who must inform the

appropriate Dean of such deviations.

d) In the rare instances when the faculty member fails to appear

within fifteen minutes of the scheduled time, the students are

permitted to leave and the class shall be considered dismissed

for that period.

2. Responsibility to plan for total student engagement hours

a) Student engagement is defined as any student

activity inside or outside of the classroom working

on the course content, preparing for class, or taking

tests. To support the engagement of students with

course material through the full length of the course,

faculty members must be available to

students until the end of the block

scheduled for that course’s final exam.

b) One credit hour is defined as not less than

3 hours of student engagement per week

for a full semester class or the equivalent

for class structures of other lengths. There

is no requirement for a specific amount of

in class time or ratio of in class time to

outside of class time. The guideline,

however, is a ratio of 1 hour of in class

time to 2 hours of out of class time.

Faculty members are required to plan

every course to meet or exceed the credit

hour requirements for the credit hours

designated for the course in the course

catalog.

3. Course Requirements

At the first meeting of each course, the

faculty member should announce the

requirements of the course, including

such matters as the number, date, time,

and duration of examinations, frequency

of quizzes, term papers, assignments,

and how each will enter into the

determination of the course grade. This

information should be given to the

students in printed form during the first

week of classes.

4. Office Hours

Each member of the teaching faculty is

expected to schedule fixed office hours.

A weekly ratio of one office hour for

every three hours of class time is the

accepted standard. Each faculty member

should announce the schedule of office

hours to the students early in each term.

5. Class Attendance Policy

a) Policies regarding absences from scheduled

classes are generally determined by the

faculty member of the classes in which

they occur. However, class meetings

have been established in accordance

with a carefully conceived plan of

instruction; regular attendance is,

therefore, essential to adequate

accomplishment in any course.

Attendance records should be maintained,

with each faculty member deciding on the

method. The Office of Academic Services

should be notified whenever a student has

missed two consecutive weeks.

1. No-Show Policy

During the first two weeks of classes

faculty members should carefully check

attendance and identify on the class lists

those students who do not attend the class,

as well as those attending whose names do

not appear on the class list. These class

lists should be returned to the Office of

the Registrar, according to announced deadlines.

2. Absences

a) Should a faculty member become sick or some

other unforeseen emergency arise that would prevent

meeting class, an attempt should be made to have

classes met by a colleague, if possible, or other

assignments given to students. The Department

Chair must be notified and may be able to help in

arranging for a substitute, providing an assignment

to students, or canceling the class. In the event the

Chair cannot be contacted, the appropriate Dean

should be informed.

b) A request for a planned absence (national

meetings, etc.) must be accompanied by a

statement indicating alternative arrangements

for meeting classes and other obligations to the

university. This request must be approved by

the Department Chair in advance.

3. Tests and Examinations

a. In-Term Examinations: In-term, in-class

examinations, that is, all exams other than final exams

are to be administered during a regularly scheduled

class period.

b. Final Course Work and Examinations

•

The final work required for any course,

whether in the form of an exam, a project, a

presentation, a paper, or other assignment,

cannot be due earlier than the block scheduled

for that course’s final exam. Final work must

therefore be administered in accordance with

the prepared block schedule during the final

examination block as scheduled by the Office

of the Registrar.

•

Faculty members may not arrange final

examinations, or due dates for other final course

assignments, at other times without prior

approval of the Department Chair, who must

inform the appropriate Dean of such

deviations.

•

If a student has three final examinations as per the

exam schedule, scheduled on the same day, the

student has the option to work with all three

faculty members to find one to reschedule. If no

faculty agrees to an alternative agreeable to the

student, then the middle examination must be

rescheduled. Students must request rescheduling at

least two weeks prior to the scheduled final

examination time.

•

Proctoring: All examinations are to be proctored

by faculty members or specially- assigned

personnel pre-approved by the Department Chair.

•

Re-examinations: No re-examination or

conditionalexamination is to be given in any

course.

•

Make-Up Examinations: A student who is

absent from a regular examination may

take a make-up examination in that

course only with the approval of the

faculty member. Such approval is given

only when, in the opinion of the faculty

member, the student was unavoidably

absent from the regular examination for

a valid and sufficient reason, such as

serious illness or death in the immediate

family. If possible, the student should

notify the faculty member prior to the

regular examination.

•

Return of Examinations: Examinations

that are not returned to the students must

be preserved until Reading Day of the

following fall or spring semester for a

long enough period to accommodate the

grade dispute process, in which a student

has one month after grades are posted to

initiate the grade dispute process. (See

Section 7 Procedure for Resolution of

Course Grade Dispute).

6.3.2

RESEARCH AND

PROFESSIONAL

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of faculty members in

this area are to advance the forefront of

knowledge in their areas of expertise and

expand the communication of knowledge

to professionals and practitioners in these

areas. All activities of faculty members in

this area should be reflected on the Annual

Activity Report submitted to the

department. (See Section 5 of the Faculty

Manual for more information on scholarly

and professional expectations).

6.3.3

INSTITUTIONAL

SERVICE

RESPONSIBILITIES

Active participation on committees of the

university is recognized as a normal and

necessary part of full-time faculty

members’ contractual obligations to

render service to Bentley University. It is

also recognized that excellence in the

performance of service member is

necessary if Bentley University is to fulfill

its mission and maintain its quality.

Meritorious service on committees and

participation in non-academic activities

contribute to that excellence and will be

encouraged through positive

consideration in matters of promotion,

tenure, and merit salary increase. (See

Section 5 of the Faculty Manual for

more information on institutional

service expectations).

6.3.4

ACADEMIC

ADVISING

Academic Advising of students is considered very

important. The goals of the Academic Advising System

are to help students:

a) Make sound, informed choices about academic

programs and courses.

b) Identify and clarify individual needs, and help

match personnel and resources to meet those

needs.

c) Understand the relationship between specialized

training for work and broad-based education for

life.

d) Understand the relationship between academic

studies and the preparation for a career.

More information about the ways in which

faculty can become involved in Academic

Advising is available from the Deans,

Department Chairs, and the Office of Academic

Services.

6.3.5

PROFESSIONAL

ETHICS

Faculty members are expected to adhere to the

ethical standards adopted by their respective

professional associations, as well as to those of

the academic community. Intentionally

representing the work of other faculty members

or of students as one’s own, the falsification of

research results, and the falsification of academic

credentials are among the most serious violations

of this policy. Violation of this policy may result

in disciplinary action by the University up to and

including termination.

6.4

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAIR OF AN

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

6.4.1.1

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES FOR

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

1. The initial appointment as Chair of an academic

department is for a term of three years.

2. During the second year of the term, the Dean to

whom the department reports will communicate

with the tenured members of the department to

plan for the transition to a new Chair or the

reappointment of the incumbent.

3. Chairs may succeed themselves if circumstances

warrant. The usual period of reappointment will

be two years with the possibility of shorter or

longer periods in exceptional circumstances.

4. Chairs should be tenured.

5. Chairs should be an Associate Professor or

Professor.

6. Chairs should be terminally qualified as defined

for promotion and tenure purposes.

7. Chairs appointed from outside of

Bentley University ordinarily are not

appointed with tenure.

8. All full-time faculty members in the

department have a voice in the

appointment of a Chair though the tenured

faculty members have the ultimate

responsibility to recommend a candidate to

the Dean. If the full-time members desire,

they may petition the Dean to allow part-time

faculty a vote.

9. Recommendations are forwarded by the

department, in writing, to the Dean.

10. Chairs are appointed by the Dean following

his/her confirmation that the appointment has

the support of the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs.

6.4.2

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

1. Department Chair Responsibilities to the

Faculty:

a) Define,withtheacademicadministration,the

various missions of the department.

Recruit, select, and

recommend new faculty, with

the assistance of the Dean and the Provost and

Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Evaluate facultyperformance, annually and in a

timely fashion, under the faculty evaluation

system of the University.

d) Make meritsalary recommendations.

Overseethe departmentalpromotion and tenure

process.

Encourage faculty participation on appropriate

University committees and bodies, and with

external groups.

g) Work with the department members in ensure

that theyplace appropriateemphasis on teaching

and pedagogical issues

With the approval of the Dean and Provost and

VicePresidentfor AcademicAffairs,manage the

faculty resources for the most effective course

coverage and maximum research and service

productivity.

i) Review and make recommendations on

applicationsforassignedtime,fundingawards,

and sabbaticals.

Encourage facultyparticipation in presenting

papers and other professional activities at

regional and national meetings.

k) Promoteresearchand faculty publications.

l) Work with the Director of the Cronin

InternationalCenter,asappropriate, tooffer

programs that enhance the international

dimensions of the faculty.

Inform the faculty of departmental and University

plans.

Create an environment conducive to good teaching

and research and high morale among both full-

and part-time faculty.

o) Ensureaffirmative action.

p) Encourage faculty to represent the

department as members of the University

community and to work cooperatively with

faculty from other departments on joint

and interdisciplinary projects.

2. Department Chair Responsibilities to the

Curriculum and Instruction:

a) Schedule classes insuring the optimum

mix of faculty for undergraduate and

graduate.

b) Monitor and provide for timely revision

of existing curriculum.

c) Stimulate the development of new and

innovative programs for the University’s

current and emerging constituencies.

d) Manage the department’s various

programs (day, evening, graduate,

honor, internship, and international).

3. Department Chair Responsibilities to the

Students:

a) Support the recruitment of students to Bentley

University.

Work with Pulsifer Career Center and prospective

employers for appropriate student placement.

c) Provide for and oversee the departmental advising

system within the context of the University-wide

system.

d) Advise students and resolve student problems

with faculty.

e) Foster the development of disciplinary-based

student clubs.

f) Encourage student participation in special

programs, such as international, honors,

interdisciplinary and internships.

4. Department Chair Responsibilities to the

Academic Department:

a) Within the context of the strategic planning

process, work with faculty to develop

departmental goals and plans.

b) Communicate department plans and needs to the

Dean and other appropriate parties involved with

long-range planning.

c) Implement approved plans and goals.

d) Conduct meetings of the department.

e) Establish and staff departmental committees.

f) Prepare and manage departmental budget.

g) Apply for grants and other external funding by

working with the appropriate University

representatives.

h) Review and recommend departmental travel.

i) Supervise departmental staff.

j) Process forms, requisitions and departmental

correspondence.

k) Prepare annual and other reports for the

department.

l) Represent the department to Bentley, communityand

professional bodies.

6.5

FACULTY

DEVELOPMENT

6.5.1 SABBATICALS

6.5.1.1

INTRODUCTION

Sabbaticals enable members of the full-time

faculty to undertake research, exploratory

investigations, writing, advanced study, or other

creative endeavors that will enhance their

professional competence and their capacity for

distinguished service to the university as a

teacher/scholar. The sabbatical is the second stage

of a three-stage process consisting of:

a) Preparatory investigations and planning to

maximize the benefits of taking a sabbatical.

b) The actual sabbatical.

c) Activities that report and share the results of a

sabbatical with the greater university

community.

The university recognizes the important

contribution that sabbaticals make in sustaining

the creativity and productivity of teacher/scholars.

It expects all sabbatical projects to relate to the

faculty member’s profile and to reflect the mission

of the university and the academic department,

high professional quality, and potential

significance that will justify university support.

The university recognizes the need to reintegrate

an administrator into teaching after a long term of

administration. Granting such administrative

sabbaticals is the prerogative of the Board of

Trustees and is beyond the purview of this section.

6.5.1.2

ELIGIBILITY

First Sabbatical:

Faculty members must serve for 6 full academic

years of fulltime teaching in order to be eligible

for a first sabbatical. Faculty may, but are not

required to, apply for a first sabbatical to occur as

early as the 7

year of full time teaching at

Bentley. The request for a 7

year sabbatical must

occur during the fifth year. The application is

evaluated during the sixth year and, if approved,

the faculty member may then take the sabbatical

during the seventh year. Faculty members must be

tenured in order to take a sabbatical. Since a first

sabbatical is on the same clock as the typical

tenure review clock, tenure-track faculty members

may apply for sabbatical on this clock, but any

approval of their sabbatical will require that the

faculty member is tenured when they take the

sabbatical in the seventh year. Duration and

compensation of first sabbatical: Faculty

will receive full compensation for a one-

semester sabbatical or three-quarters

compensation for a one year sabbatical taken

under the terms of this section.

Subsequent sabbaticals:

Year counts are made only in full academic

years. Consequently, the year in which the

faculty member takes a sabbatical counts in

its entirety as the "sabbatical year,"

regardless of whether the sabbatical was one

semester (regardless of whether Fall or

Spring), or full- year. Given this, faculty

have two options for subsequent sabbaticals

a. THREE-YEAR OPTION FOR

SUBSEQUENT ONE-SEMESTER

SABBATICAL: Faculty members may

request a one-semester sabbatical

following a prior Bentley sabbatical, but

there must be an interval of at least three

full academic years of fulltime teaching

service following the prior sabbatical.

Faculty submit the request for a one-

semester sabbatical after two academic

years of full- time service following any

previous sabbatical. The application is

evaluated during the third academic year

of full-time service since the previous

sabbatical, and the sabbatical is taken

during the fourth year. A faculty

member granted a sabbatical under this

section will receive three-quarters

compensation for a one semester

sabbatical.

b. SIX YEAR OPTION FOR SUBSEQUENT

FULL- YEAR SABBATICAL: Faculty members

may request a full-year sabbatical following a

prior Bentley sabbatical, but there must be an

interval of at least six full academic years of

fulltime teaching service following the prior

sabbatical year. The request for this sabbatical

must occur during the fifth academic year

following the prior sabbatical year. It is evaluated

during the sixth academic year, and if approved

the faculty member may then take the sabbatical

during the seventh year. A faculty member

granted a full year sabbatical will receive three-

quarters compensation.

1. Tenured faculty members of any rank are

eligible to request a sabbatical after five full

years of full- time service at the university or

after having completed five years of full-time

service following a previous sabbatical. The

application is evaluated during the sixth year of

full-time service and the sabbatical is taken during

the seventh year.

2. Tenured faculty members of any rank may, after

their initial sabbatical, request a one semester

sabbatical after two years of full-time service

following any previous sabbatical. The application

is evaluated during the third year of full-time

service since the previous sabbatical, and the

sabbatical is taken during the fourth year.

6.5.1.3

DURATION

AND

COMPENSATION

A faculty member granted a sabbatical under

Section

6.5.1.2 (1) receives full compensation for a one-

semester sabbatical or three-quarters

compensation for a one year sabbatical. A faculty

member granted a sabbatical under Section 6.5.1.2

(2) receives three- quarters compensation for a one

semester sabbatical. A faculty member on a

sabbatical retains all fringe benefits during the

sabbatical period.

6.5.1.4

OBLIGATION TO RETURN

Following a sabbatical, a faculty member is

required to remain at the university for at least two

years.

6.5.1.5

APPLICATION

FOR SABBATICAL

1. A sabbatical is a matter of privilege granted to

eligible faculty members upon successful

application. Not later than July 1 of the calendar

year in which an individual becomes eligible for a

sabbatical (Section 6.5.1.2), a faculty member

shall submit a sabbatical application form along

with appropriate supporting materials, as specified

in the application form, to the Chairs of all

academic departments in which the faculty

member holds an academic appointment, and to

the Chair of the Sabbatical Committee (SC). The

Sabbatical Committee Chair will notify the

applicant of the receipt of the application.

2. The application must be evaluated in writing by

two members of the applicant’s academic

department: 1) a tenured faculty member chosen

by the applicant and 2) a tenured faculty member

chosen by the Chair of the applicant’s academic

department. In case the applicant’s academic

department does not have two tenured faculty

members other than the applicant, a tenured

member of another department may be chosen.

For applicants with joint or secondary

appointments, here and throughout this

section, the “applicant’s academic

department” refers to the department of the

applicant’s initial or primary (Section

4.2.1.3) appointment.

The content of the review letters must be kept

confidential at all times.

If the applicant is the Chair of his or her

academic department, the applicant will

choose the two reviewers, but the Associate

Provost, at the request of the department

Chair, must request and collect the letters.

For all other applicants, the Chair of the

academic department must request and

collect the review letters.

3. The Chairs of all academic departments

in which the faculty member holds an

academic appointment must prepare a

statement of impact concerning:

•

The relationship of the project

to the profile (Section 5.7) of

the faculty member.

•

The administrative impact of

the applicant’s proposed

sabbatical leave.

•

The ranking of the application

in relation to any and all other

sabbatical applications under

consideration from the same

department, if applicable.

4. Not later than July 31, the Chair of the applicant’s

department (or, if the applicant is the department

Chair, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs)

must collect and submit

a) the sabbatical application form and

all supporting materials previously

submitted by the applicant (see1);

b) the two departmental review letters (see

2);

c) the statement(s) of impact from the

Chair(s) of the academic department(s)

where the applicant holds an

appointment (see 3)

to the Chair of the Sabbatical Committee and one

copy each to the appropriate Dean and to the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

5. Upon receiving the complete application

(consisting of the application form, supporting

materials, Chair’s impact statement(s) and two

review letters), the Sabbatical Committee Chair

will notify the applicant and the applicant’s department

Chair that the application is complete.

6. The Sabbatical Committee will review the

application to formulate its recommendations

(here and throughout this section the term

recommendation is used to refer to a positive or a

negative recommendation) and will formally

notify each applicant and the applicant’s

department Chair of its recommendation prior to

the Sabbatical Committee’s meeting with

members of the academic administration (see 7).

The Sabbatical Committee will provide

unsuccessful applicants with a brief explanation of

the main factors contributing to its negative

recommendation. Applicants may withdraw their

sabbatical application at any point by writing to

the Sabbatical Committee Chair, who will notify

the academic administration about the withdrawal.

7. The Sabbatical Committee will meet with the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

and the Deans to present its recommendations and

exchange views on the applications at least two

weeks prior to the fall meeting of the Board of

Trustees. After the meeting with Sabbatical

Committee, the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs will formally notify each

applicant and the Chair of the Sabbatical

Committee of the academic administration’s

recommendation regarding the sabbatical

application.

The academic administration will provide each

applicant receiving a negative recommendation

with a brief explanation of the main factors

contributing to its decision within one week after

the meeting with the Sabbatical Committee.

8. The Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs will positively recommend to the President

and the Board of Trustees, at its fall meeting,

those applications that have received the positive

recommendation of both the Sabbatical

Committee and the academic administration. The

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

will transmit to the Board of Trustees the written

Sabbatical Committee recommendations of those

applications that are positively recommended to

the Board of Trustees.

9. Following the fall meeting of the Board of

Trustees, the Provost and Vice President for

Academic Affairs will report the Board of

Trustees’ decision on the sabbatical application to

the faculty applicant, the Sabbatical Committee

and the applicant’s department Chair.

10. Faculty members planning to apply for a

sabbatical should attend an informational

meeting held during the spring semester to

familiarize themselves with the process, the

application form, the type of projects likely

to gain approval and other expectations. A

copy of the current philosophy and

guidelines is available from the Chair of the

Sabbatical Committee.

11. The Sabbatical Committee will maintain and

disseminate anonymized statics on sabbatical

applications and awards, updated annually by the

end of May.

6.5.1.6

OTHER

COMPENSATION

A faculty member who is granted a sabbatical

may not receive compensation for service to

another institution or organization, except under

circumstances agreed upon by the recipient and

the University as discussed below. A sabbatical

recipient may, however, accept scholarships,

fellowships, or grants-in-aid. A faculty member

granted a full-year sabbatical (compensated by

the university at the rate of 75% of the regular

AY salary) who wishes to be compensated at a

higher rate may seek support from external

sources for up to 25% of the AY salary in order

to bring the compensation to a maximum of

100% for the entire year. (Other kinds of

sabbatical-related expenses, such as travel or

supplies also may be sought from external

sources.)

Faculty granted a full-year sabbatical also have

the option of seeking up to 75% of salary from

external sources for replacing the funds the

college has budgeted for the sabbatical salary. In

a similar vein, faculty on a one-semester

sabbatical leave (compensated at the rate of

100%) can seek external support of up to 100%

of salary for replacement funds. These

replacement funds will be used by the university

to support the faculty member's salary.

As an incentive for individuals to seek such

funds, the University will open an account,

equal to half the salary replacement funds

received, to be used to support scholarly and

professional activities of the faculty member.

These activities need not be related to the

sabbatical project nor do the funds have to

be spent during the sabbatical period.

Expenses charged to this account must be

approved by the Office of Academic and External

Relations. Should the faculty member leave

Bentley University College before the funds are

spent, the balance reverts back to the College.

In one example of a sabbatical support

arrangement, Professor Tonka takes a full-year

sabbatical. She receives a grant from an external

source which includes

$30,000, the equivalent of half of her AY salary.

Professor Tonka wishes to be compensated

at 100% of her AY salary, so she adds $15,000

(=25% AY salary) of grant funds to the 75%

salary received from the College, to bring her total

compensation to 100%. The College uses the

remaining $15,000 granted for salary by the

external source as replacement funds, also

establishing a $7,500 account in Professor Tonka's

name to fund various scholarly activities.

In a second example, Professor Bennett also

receives an external grant with $30,000 for

salary support during his one-semester

sabbatical leave. Because one-semester

sabbatical leaves are compensated at 100% and

$30,000 is equivalent to his entire salary for the

semester, the College uses all of the $30,000 to

pay for his salary. It also sets up an account with

$15,000 in it for him to spend on his scholarly

interests.

6.5.1.7

REPORTING

Three months after the completion of the sabbatical,

the faculty member is obliged to report in writing

the results of the sabbatical to the Chair of the

Sabbatical Committee and to the Department

Chair. The Sabbatical Committee will forward

copies of the report to the appropriate Dean and

the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs.

6.5.1.8

SHARING

RESULTS

The recipient should also arrange a suitable means

(e.g., colloquium, workshop, or lecture) to share

the results of the sabbatical work with the Bentley

community.

6.5.2

FACULTY

DEVELOPMENTGRANTS

1. Funds are available to support faculty

development/ growth/enrichment activities, which

include, but are not limited to:

a) expenses of information gathering or travel for

special research or teaching projects

b) unusual library, document reproduction, and

computer search expenses

c) library cards when documents needed are not

available elsewhere

d) colloquia, workshops, conferences on

current developments in higher education

(curricular innovation, integration among

disciplines, or utilization of electronic

learning techniques).

The Faculty Affairs Committee (FAC) acts

upon applications on an ongoing basis and

makes its recommendations to the

appropriate Dean.

More information about and detailed

guidelines for applying for Faculty

Development grants are available from the

Chair of the FAC.

6.5.3

OTHER

SUPPORT

Other support, such a summer grants and seed funding for

scholarship, may be available and is administered by the

department Chairs, Deans, and Provost.

6. 6 TEACHING AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Members of the full-time faculty may teach at other

institutions only with the written approval of the

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,

requested through the Department Chair. Such

approval must necessarily recognize the desirability

of maintaining a reasonable teaching load. Teaching

must not compete with existing university activities.

Examples of non-compliance include, but are not

limited to:

•

Teaching a competitive credit course

at another institution.

•

Teaching a competitive non-credit course to a

specific market already served by Bentley

University.

6.7

OUTSIDE

CONSULTING

1. It is the policy of the university that members of

the full-time faculty may engage in consulting, or

professional practice, on a limited basis (one day

a week or the equivalent). Such activities must be

arranged so as not to interfere with the faithful

discharge of the faculty member’s principal

teaching, advising, and service responsibilities at

Bentley University. It is desirable to discuss such

opportunities in advance with the Department

Chair whenever possible.

2. The university encourages faculty members to

consult as a part of faculty development and

institution building. Consulting provides the

opportunity to test concepts and theories and

allows the development of contacts leading to the

gathering of data for further research. Consulting

also provides visible proof of the quality of

faculty and programs of the university to the outside

community.

3. This encouragement is provided subject to the

following conditions:

a) Priority is given to one’s students and the scholarly and

service responsibilities to Bentley University. Evidence

of non-compliance would include, but not be limited

to:

•

Commitment of more than an average of one

day a week during the fall and spring

semesters

•

Failure to attend classes, office hours, department

or committee meetings

•

Imposition of constraints on scheduling at the

University, including classes and department or

committee meetings.

b) Consulting must not compete with existing

university activities. An example of non-

compliance would include, but not be limited to

providing consulting advice to one of the

University’s competitors for a fee.

c) The Universitymust not be subject to any liabilityas

a result of such consulting. Evidence of non-

compliance would include, but not be limitedto:

•

Using the University name in advertising or

announcements in any way that suggests that

Bentley University is a principal or party

•

Use of University stationery, facilities, students,

or staff in any way that suggests that Bentley

University is a principal or party.

d) Prior approval is given in writing for the use of

university facilities or personnel in consulting

activities

e) Expenses incurred by the university in support of

consulting be reimbursed in a timely manner

f) The Department Chair must be kept aware of such

commitments each semester, and such

commitments must be reported yearly as part of

the faculty Annual Activity Report.

4. Exceptions to and interpretation of the policy are

the prerogative of the Provost and Vice President

for Academic Affairs.

6.8

GENERAL

LEAVE

1. Full-time faculty members may request leave

without compensation if they have an opportunity

a) make a significant contribution to human welfare

or knowledge through professional service with

governmental or non-profit agencies

b) engage in teaching or research under foundation

or government grants

c) accept appointments as visiting members of

university or university faculties

d) complete their academic studies

e) engage in other activities found to be

beneficial to the individual and university by

the Provost and Vice President for Academic

Affairs.

2. Such leave is without compensation and is

normally granted for one academic year

only. Leave for longer periods or renewal of

leave for an additional year is granted only if

special circumstances justify it.

3. Fringe benefits will remain in force during

such general leaves, provided the employee

arranges to underwrite the entire annual

premium cost.

6.9

PROFESSIONAL

SUPPORT

1. Conferences

a) Funds are available to enable faculty

members to present their work at meetings

of learned and professional societies. Travel

expenses, reasonable in amount and proper

in nature, incurred by university personnel in

connection with such activities, are

reimbursable if:

•

Application is made on theTravel Authorization Form

•

The request for travel funds bears the endorsement of

the Department Chair and the appropriate Dean

•

Expenses are accounted for in accordance with

institutional guidelines.

b) Faculty members may attend conferences during the

academic year if:

•

There is no interference with normal classroom

meetings

2. Arrangements to cover classes have been made with

the prior approval of the Department Chair.

Membership in Professional Societies

a) In keeping with its policy of encouraging faculty

participation in the work of professional societies, the

university will reimburse a full-time faculty member

50% of the cost up to $250 for a reasonable number

of memberships in associations related to a member’s

principal field.

b) The university also seeks to encourage attendance at

local meetings of professional associations by

reimbursing full-time faculty members who attend for

whatever registration and meal expenses they incur.

6.10

FACULTY TUITION REMISSION

More information on the Tuition Remission Policy

can be found in the Policies and Procedures area of

the Human Resources website.

6.11

FACULTY

AWARDS

Faculty are eligible for awards based on excellence in

teaching and scholarship such as the Gregory H.

Adamian Award for Teaching Excellence and, the Bentley

University Scholar of the Year Award. These awards are

administered by the Teaching and Scholarly Activities

Committee (TSAC).

6.12

OTHER

POLICIES

Faculty are expected to adhere to Bentley policies that

include, but are not limited to, the Code of Ethics for

Faculty and Staff, the Equal Opportunity and

Nondiscrimination Policy, and the Computing and Network

Policy outlined in the Bentley website. In addition, faculty

are expected to follow university guidelines for “fair use”

of copyrighted material and the Course Reserve Copyright

Policy.

SECTION 7.0 ACADEMIC POLICIES, PROCEDURES,

AND PROGRAMS

The Bentley Honor Code is an expression of the

principle that all members of the community are

expected to maintain academic integrity in their

own work. Faculty and students alike are

obligated to take appropriate action when they

suspect academic dishonesty has occurred.

7.1.1

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY SYSTEM

STRUCTURE

A. Academic Integrity Council: consists of at least

five faculty volunteers selected by the

NominationsCommittee, as well as a graduate

student and an undergraduate student designated

annually by theirrespective student government

associations. The Academic Integrity Council

reviews the state of academic integrity in the

Bentley community; advises the Director of

Academic Integrity on the

process and procedures of the Academic Integrity

System; and recommends Faculty Manual

revisions as appropriate. A faculty member of the

council serves as Chair when an Academic

Integrity Hearing, hereafter a Hearing, is required.

B. Director of Academic Integrity (the Director):

is appointed by the Provost; works with academic

departments and the student organizations to

implement proactive education and prevention

related to issues of academic integrity; reports to

the Deans Council; oversees the academic

integrity process to insure its adherence to the

spirit and letter of Bentley’s Academic Integrity

System; and, consults frequently with faculty,

students, and the Academic Integrity Council.

When necessary, the Director organizes Hearings

and stores Academic Integrity Incident Reports

(the only official record), hereafter Reports. In the

event of an integrity case filed by the Director, the

Provost appoints a temporary Director. The

Director is also responsible for insuring that

all faculty members new to Bentley are

familiar with the Honor Code and Academic

Integrity System.

7.1.2 FACULTY AND STUDENT

RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS IN THE

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY SYSTEM

A. Faculty Responsibilities and Rights

All faculty members are responsible for

promoting academic integrity by managing

their classes, assignments, and examinations

so as to reduce temptation and opportunity

for plagiarism and cheating. Faculty are

required to clearly define the expectations

and procedures for academic work, either as

part of the individual assignment or in the

syllabus or other document that presents

coursework guidelines. These include, for

example, overall classroom assessment

procedures; examination protocols; and

guidelines for citing sources in written work,

for collaborating and/or receiving outside

assistance on homework and other

assignments.

Each faculty member is expected to abide by the

principles and procedures established in Bentley’s

Academic Integrity System. A faculty member who

believes an academic integrity violation has occurred

must file a Report. Staff members who become aware

of a possible violation must notify the Director. No

sanction can be imposed on a student without a

Report first being filed with the Director.

The faculty member who alleges an academic

integrity violation is entitled to ask the Director for

additional resources to support the investigation of the

violation and may question relevant students about an

alleged violation.

B. Student Responsibilities and Rights

Each student is expected to become familiar with and

at all times adhere to the Bentley Honor Code and

Academic Integrity System, including standards and

expectations set out in each course syllabus,

assignment, and/or examination concerning

collaboration, methods of research and data

collection, and other practices.

Students are also expected to uphold the Academic

Integrity System. Therefore a student who is aware of

a possible violation of the standards established in the

Academic Integrity System is expected to report the

suspected violation to a faculty member or the

Director. A student who is suspected of committing a

violation must respond promptly and honestly when

informed of a suspected academic integrity violation and

must provide information that may aid in the investigation

of an alleged violation.

A student charged with an academic integrity violation is

entitled to ask the Director for a list of student support

services and will be allowed to respond to an alleged

violation before the faculty submits the Report to the

Director.

C. Role of Observers

If a member of the Bentley community believes

that s/he has observed behavior related to a faculty

member’s class that violates academic integrity, it

is the observer’s responsibility to bring the matter

to the faculty member’s attention. If the observer

is not satisfied with the faculty member’s

response, the observer has the right to bring the

matter directly to the Director’s attention for

possible action. The Director will consult with the

faculty member and investigate the incident to

determine whether or not a Hearing is warranted.

The Director may arrange a Hearing, with or

without the faculty member’s explicit consent, if

there is sufficient evidence to suggest a violation

may have occurred.

D. Incidents Outside the Normal Purview of

Course Instructors

When an incident is brought to the Director’s

attention that falls outside the normal purview of

an individual instructor, involves students in

multiple classes, or classes taken in previous

semesters, the Director may impanel a Hearing to

adjudicate it. In such instances, the Director may

appoint another faculty or staff member to provide

the student(s) with counsel regarding the case.

7.1.3

VIOLATION LEVELS DEFINED AND

RECOMMENDED SANCTIONS

Violations are categorized as either Level I or

Level II

based on severity. The level of an alleged

violation determines the appropriate steps in the

academic integrity process and recommended

sanctions.

A. Levels Defined

A Level I violation is a minor infraction, generally

confined to student work within an individual

course, including but not limited to 1) failing to

apply appropriate conventions for citing and

documenting sources; 2) giving assistance to

or receiving assistance from another student

or any other person on an assignment or

exam when such collaboration is prohibited;

or 3) accessing prohibited materials during

an examination.

Any violation not categorized as Level I is a

Level II violation. Level II violations are

serious breaches of academic integrity. They

include, but are not limited to, the following

examples:

i. committing any violation such as those listed

under Level I that pertain to more than a

small portion of the course grade;

ii. submitting the same work or major portions

thereof to satisfy the requirements of more

than one course without written permission

from each faculty member (including Honors

and Capstone requirements);

iii. using illicit means of acquiring data,

fabricating evidence, falsifying data, or

fabricating sources;

iv. collaborating to exchange information during an

examination or engaging in any action during an

exam prohibited by the instructor, such as copying

another student’s work, utilizing prohibited materials

(e.g. books, notes, calculators, cell phones, or other

electronic devices), helping other students to copy

another student’s work on an examination;

v. altering a graded assignment or examination and

asking for it to be re-graded;

vi. stealing and/or distributing an examination;

vii. purchasing or otherwise illicitly acquiring and

submitting a paper or any other course materials as

your own work;

viii. creating a paper or other course materials for sale

and/or distribution;

ix. reproducing or distributing university course

materials without instructor permission;

x. stealing another student’s work;

xi. intentionally impeding an investigation of an

academic integrity incident or giving false witness in

a Hearing;

xii. engaging in actions designed to hinder the academic

success of another student or students, for example,

by impeding access to course materials, hiding or

removing library resources;

xiii. using improper means to access computer files;

xiv. forging or falsifying a grade, transcript or diploma.

Any alleged violation involving a student who at

the time has an earlier Report on file or under

investigation must go to a Hearing.

B. Recommended Sanctions

Level I sanctions may include, but are not limited to: 1) a

make-up assignment at a more difficult level than the

original; 2) failure or other reduced grade on the

examination or assignment.

Level II sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

1) any sanctions for Level I violations; 2) course grade of

F; 3) course grade of F being permanently calculated into

the Grade Point Average; 4) exclusion from activities such

as study abroad, honors societies and programs, and varsity

athletics; 5) suspension from Bentley University; 6)

expulsion from Bentley University.

7.1.4

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY INCIDENT REPORTS

AND CONSEQUENCES

The relevant faculty member should meet with the

student(s) to discuss an alleged violation. If the faculty

member still suspects that a violation has occurred, a

Report must be filed promptly.

In the case of an alleged Level I or Level II

violation, if the student(s) does not agree that

a violation has taken place, the Director will

schedule a Hearing.

In the case of an alleged Level I or Level II

violation, if the student(s) agrees the incident is a

violation of academic integrity, the faculty

member shall propose a sanction(s) in consultation

with the director.

a) For a Level I violation, if the student agrees to the

proposed sanction(s), both the faculty member and

the student sign the Report and it is forwarded to

the Director. The faculty member implements the

proposed sanction(s) only after the report has

become the official record in the office of the

Director. In this instance, no Hearing is required.

If, however, new information becomes available,

the Director will schedule a Hearing.

b) For a Level II violation, if the student agrees to a

proposed sanction(s) of lowering an assignment or

grade for that course, both the faculty member and

the student sign the Report and it is forwarded to

the Director. No hearing is required but the faculty

member implements the

proposed sanction only after the Academic

Integrity Council reviews and approves the

sanction. Proposed sanction(s) that are more

severe require a Hearing.

c) For Level I and Level II violations, if the faculty

member and student cannot agree upon a

sanction(s), the Report is sent to the Director who

will schedule a Hearing. The student(s) is not, in

this instance, required to sign the Report.

Regardless of level, second violations must go to a

Hearing.

Regardless of level or prior agreement, the

Director has the authority to call a Hearing

with the agreement of the student to resolve

the incident in the interest of academic

integrity.

If a Hearing determines that the allegations

were unfounded, the Report is destroyed.

At a Hearing, only the current Report and

related information will be disclosed when

determining whether the student is

responsible for the violation. Once a Hearing

has found a student to be responsible for a

violation, the Director will disclose prior

Report(s), if any, to the Hearing members

before sanctions are determined. Only

records filed with the Director are

actionable.

Within the university, the existence and

contents of all Reports are confidential and

will be maintained by the Director for seven

years.

7.1.5

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY HEARING

A Hearing is convened by the Director. The Hearing

members review evidence of an academic integrity

incident, decides if a violation has occurred, and sets

sanctions with consideration given to the faculty

member’s proposed sanction.

A. Student and Faculty Rights: When a Hearing is

convened, both faculty and students are entitled to:

1) a fair Hearing in a reasonable amount of time;

2) ample notice of the Hearing, a summary of the

violation to be discussed, and an explanation of the

Hearing process; 3) access to the Director to prepare

for the Hearing; 4) the presence of witnesses accepted

by the Director to give pertinent testimony;

5) the opportunity to hear all testimony presented in

the Hearing, and to respond to all testimony presented

in the Hearing; 6) the opportunity to speak on one’s

behalf; 7) the presence of one person, who is not an

attorney, to provide support; 8) written notice, within

a reasonable amount of time, of the Hearing’s

findings and any sanctions; and 9) notification of

appeal decisions, if any.

B. The Hearing: A Hearing requires five voting members:

three full-time faculty members, of whom at least one is

tenured, and at least one is a member of the Academic

Integrity Council. The Director solicits students from

graduate and undergraduate student government. Student

members are either graduate or undergraduate,

corresponding with the student(s) subject to the incident

review. One faculty member serves as Chair of the

Hearing. The Director attends all Hearings in a neutral

supporting role and is not a voting member of the Hearing.

The Hearing membership hears evidence, determines the

presence or absence of an academic integrity violation, and

sanctions a student, where appropriate.

C. Scheduling: The Director reserves the right to schedule

Hearings in a way that accommodates extenuating

circumstances and minimizes the impact on academic

schedules of all involved parties.

D. Sanctions for Special Circumstances: Sanctions

may involve restrictions on or disqualification

from participation in University programs or

extra- curricular activities only with a Hearing.

When such a sanction is imposed, the Director

may disclose only those sanction restrictions

involving that program or activity to the relevant

campus official.

E. Sanctions Involving Grades and Graduation:

The timing of the filing of Reports may result in

investigation procedures that cannot be concluded

before grade reporting or degree auditing for

graduation. In the case of incidents that may

reasonably be expected to affect a course grade,

the faculty member of the course will post a grade

of Incomplete, pending the completion of the

academic integrity investigation. In the event that

this Incomplete affects a graduation requirement,

the student shall remain otherwise eligible to

“walk at graduation.” The right of an Honors

Program student to walk with the Honors Program

cohort at graduation is governed by Honors

Program guidelines. The awarding of the degree

and final transcript must await the result of the

investigation. In cases where the incident cannot

be addressed prior to grade reporting or prior to

awarding the degree and final transcript, relevant

sanctions may be applied retroactively, including

transcript modification and/or rescinding the

degree, as determined by a Hearing.

F. Appeals: A student may appeal the outcome of a

Hearing only when: 1) new material or

4.0

95-100

3.7

A-

90-94

3.3

B+

87-89

3.0

83-86

2.7

B-

80-82

information

unavailable at the time of the Hearing

becomes available or 2) evidence is provided

that fair process has not been followed.

a) An appeal of Hearing decisions must be

submitted in writing to the Provost and must

explain in detail the reason for the appeal. It

must be submitted no later than five (5)

working days from the date of the written

notification from the Director informing the

student of the Hearing outcome. The student

will be notified within a reasonable time

whether the appeal will be granted.

Sanctions determined by a Hearing will

stand until decision on the appeal is made.

b) The Provost’s decision as to whether an

appeal will be granted is final. If the appeal

is denied, the sanction is implemented and

the academic integrity process ends. The

student cannot appeal the Provost’s

decision.

c) If an appeal is granted, then the Provost will

either determine an appropriate sanction or

refer the case to a new Hearing. If the case is

to be heard again, the student will be notified

within a reasonable time as to the date and

time of the Hearing.

d) The Provost, or a designee, will inform the

Director of the outcome of any student

appeal.

e) The Director will notify other college officials as

necessary.

7.2

UNDERGRADUATE GRADING AND COURSE

POLICIES

7.2.1

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADING

SYSTEM

a. Grading Scale

The university uses a grading system for all credit

courses that is based on an A equal to 4.0 quality

points and that allows plus and minus grades to be

given. The numerical grade is given at the end of the

term according to the following scale:

Numerical Alphabetical Numerical

Grade Equivalent Equivalent

b. Letter Grades

There is no change of any grade after one year from its

original submission unless approval is granted from the

Office for Academic Services.

P – Pass earns no quality points in computing the quality

point average. Faculty members submit a numerical grade

via MyBentley, which is then converted by the Registrar’s

Office.

F - Failure earns no quality points in the computing of the

quality point average. When a student receives an F grade,

it remains on the transcript and is used in computing the

GPA until the course is repeated in accordance with

Section 7.2.3. Course Repeat Policy.

I - Incomplete is a temporary designation issues at the

discretion of the instructor. It denotes that required work

for the course has not been completed by the student.

Incomplete is an optional designation and instructors may

issue a grade based on work already completed. See

Section 7.2.2 for Incomplete Grade Policy.

NR - Faculty Member Has Not Reported Grade is

recorded by the Registrar when the faculty

member fails to submit a grade for a student. The

NR grade reference will be changed to the true

grade whenever it is officially received from the

faculty member. The NR grade is not included in

the computation of the semester or cumulative

average. An NR grade prohibits the student from

taking a course for which the NR-graded course is

a prerequisite.

S - Satisfactory given in non-credit courses and in

the one credit First Year Seminar (FS111) and in

the Career Development Introduction (CDI 101)

and Career Development Internship (CDI 102) for

passing work

U - Unsatisfactory given in non-credit courses and

in the one credit First Year Seminar (FS111) and

in the Career Development Introduction (CDI

101) and Career Development Internship (CDI

102) for work below passing.

W - Withdrawal signifies that a student has

withdrawn

from a course during the period beginning with

the third week of classes and continuing through

two-thirds of the semester. Credit is not received

for the course, and the course is not considered in

computing the quality point average.

2.3

C+

77-79

2.0

73-76

1.7

C-

70-72

1.3

D+

67-69

1.0

63-66

0.7

D-

60-62

0.0

Below 60

C-

(1.7) or better

Above 70

AU - Audit must be declared before the end

of the third week of classes with the

requirements for the retention of such status

to be spelled out by the individual faculty

member to the student. If the requirements

are not fulfilled, the AU can be changed to a

W. After the first three weeks, AU status

cannot be changed to a credit status. A

student is permitted to audit any course

being offered by the university, provided he

or she obtains the permission of his or her

adviser and the faculty member. Students

may take the examinations for the course,

but receive no credit for them. Transcripts

contain a memorandum entry when a course

is audited.

c. Pass/Fail Policy

Students may opt for pass/fail grades as

follows:

•

A student must be a

Sophomore, Junior or a Senior

(class codes 3-8)

•

A student is limited to three

credits or one pass/fail during

their academic career. A student

will be permitted to take a 4-

credit Natural and Applied

Sciences course pass/fail only if

it is fulfilling an Arts and

Sciences or Unrestrictive

Elective requirement.

•

The course must be used as a

Business Elective, Arts and

Sciences Elective or an

Unrestrictive Elective. Students

are not allowed to use this

•

Pass/Fail grades may be applied to courses in a

minor. Certain Bachelor of Arts majors are not able

to use the Pass/Fail option for a Business Minor.

Students are advised to confer with Academic

option toward their General

Education, Business Core or Major

requirements.

Grading Scale for Pass/Fail courses:

•

Faculty will submit numeric grades which will be

converted by the Registrar’s Office at the

conclusion of the grading period.

•

The Registrar’s Office will convert a submitted

grade to a ‘P’, ‘D’, or ‘F.’A ‘P’ will be issued for

numeric grades greater than or equal to 1.7. A ‘P’

will not be calculated into a student’s cumulative

or term GPA. A ‘D’ will be issued for numeric

grades between a .7 and a 1.3. A ‘D’ will be

calculated into a student’s term and cumulative

GPA as a 1.0.

•

An ‘F’ will be calculated into a student’s term and

cumulative GPA as a 0.0.

Procedure for Declaring a Pass/Fail:

•

Students must complete and sign a pass/ fail

declaration form and submit it to the Office of the

Registrar. Forms are available at the Office of the

Registrar, the Office of Academic Services and

online. The form must be received prior to the end of

the drop/add period. The decision is irrevocable.

d. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Course Grade

1. Student academic performance is officially recorded

in grades and in quality points. Quality points are

obtained by multiplying the course grade by the

number of semester hours of credits the course carries

and dividing the total quality points earned by the total

semester hours of course credits taken. Example:

Course Grade Semester Hrs Quality Points

3.7 3 11.1

2.7 3 8.1

2.0 3 6.0

F 3 0.0

Totals 12 25.2

Services if there are questions.

•

The Pass/Fail option may not be used for Honors

courses, courses taken in the Bentley Study Abroad

Program, short-term programs, directed studies,

tutorials and ID 120/121 courses.

•

Masters candidate students may not use the Pass/Fail

grading option for pre-program foundation and

foundation courses or courses for advanced standing.

•

An academic department may request that a particular

course be excluded from the Pass/Fail option.

Exclusion requests must be submitted to the Registrar

along with course offering for each upcoming

semester. Exclusions will be noted with “Not eligible

for P/F” along with course prerequisites on the on-line

course listings and in the registration booklet.

•

Note that this exclusion must apply to every section of

a particular course. Total quality points (25.2) / 12 =

2.1 GPA

The student is required to earn a minimum passing

grade of 0.7 (D-) in each course and, in addition, to

meet a quality point average that calls for a higher

level of achievement. Quality points permit the

unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances at the

end of the semester.

•

A student must have consistently demonstrated

passing academic work prior to the request for an

incomplete.

•

Incompletes are not automatically granted for

students who miss large amounts of class due to

illness or personal circumstances. Instructors must

not issue an incomplete due to lack of class

attendance and/or lack of completed work. An

incomplete grade should not be issued in the

following situations:

The student needs to attend and repeat

most of the course.

o The student stopped attending class.

o To allow the student the opportunity to

complete additional work or improve

upon previously completed requirements

after the semester has ended.

•

A faculty member’s failure to complete

grading by the deadline is not a permissible reason

to issue an incomplete. When a grade designation

is required, the faculty member, Registrar, and

department chair

student to offset or average out minimum passing

grades and grades slightly in excess of passing in

some courses by achieving higher grades in other

Number of Bentley

Courses Passed

Total Repeats or

Substitutions

Allowed

courses.

e. GPA Requirements

1. Freshmen whose overall cumulative GPA is less than

1.9, and Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors whose

overall cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, will be

placed on academic probation. See Section 7.2.4 for

the academic probation policy.

2. Members of varsity athletic teams must attain an

average required under NCAA rules to participate in

the inter-collegiate athletic program.

3. An overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a major and

minor (when applicable) GPA of 2.0 is required for

graduation.

7.2.2

UNDERGRADUATE INCOMPLETE GRADE

POLICY

As a general rule, all coursework must be completed

by the end of the semester in which the course is

offered. An incomplete grade is a temporary

designation issued when required work, which can be

made up, is not completed by the end of the semester.

Eligibility for an Incomplete Grade

•

An incomplete grade may be granted to a

student at the discretion of the faculty

member, as an accommodation for

1–10 1

11–20 2

21–30 3

31–40 4

will coordinate such designation. An

incomplete grade issued in the fall or winter

term must be completed no later than March 30

of the subsequent spring semester. An

incomplete grade issued in the spring or

summer term must be completed no laterthan

November 15 of the subsequent fall

semester.Faculty members have the discretion

to require outstanding coursework to be

submitted earlier than the deadlines stated

above. It is the student’s responsibility to work

with the faculty member to clear the

incomplete grade.

An incomplete grade not completed within

the required period will automatically

convert to an ‘F’. A faculty member may, at

his or her discretion, extend the completion

deadline for a student by notifying the

Registrar’s Office in writing. A faculty

member cannot extend the deadline beyond

one year of the issuance of the incomplete

grade without permission from the

Associate Dean for Academic Services.

When issuing an incomplete grade, a faculty member

is expected to adhere to the following practices:

•

Discuss the remaining course requirements with the

student prior to the completion of the semester. If a

student does not or cannot contact the faculty member

prior to the end of the semester, an “F” is the

appropriate grade; if warranted, this grade can be

changed to an “I” at a later date.

•

Follow-up with the student in writing (e-mail, letter,

faculty designed form, etc.) detailing the outstanding

requirements, the deadline for the completion of the

work and any additional information pertinent to the

completion of the course. In order to avoid issues

concerning the nature and scope of the outstanding

requirements, the faculty member should keep a copy

of the communication detailing the work necessary to

complete the course requirements and retain this

communication consistent with the Faculty Manual,

section 7.2.2, GradeRecords.

These guidelines are not designed to cover every

circumstance. Faculty members are encouraged to

seek guidance from their department chair, Associate

Dean for Academic Services, or the Registrar when

questions arise.

When assigning an incomplete grade via MyBentley,

the reasons for the incomplete grade must be given.

This is accomplished by a page that will appear when

an incomplete grade is entered.

7.2.3

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE REPEAT

POLICIES

Repeating a Previously Passed Course

The university’s policy on repeating courses is geared to

help students meet the cumulative average(s) needed to

graduate. Students can repeat passed courses to raise

those averages to satisfy their graduation requirement

with certain restrictions and written approval of the

major’s Department Chair.

Repeating Major Passed Courses

Major cumulative GPA must be below 2.0, and the

course grade must be below 2.0.

Repeating Non Major Passed Courses

All undergraduate students: Overall cumulative GPA

must be below 2.0 and course grade must be below 2.0.

Guidelines for Course Repeats

1. Students must obtain authorization from the

Registrar and the Department Chair in which they

are majoring, within the first three weeks of the

term.

2. Students can repeat (or substitute for) a maximum

of two times after the original attempt. This

includes grades of F, W and AU.

3. Substitutions must be declared with the Registrar

before the end of the third week of the semester.

4. Required courses and electives that are passed with

grades of less than 2.0 may be repeated in

accordance with the table below and the above

conditions (1-3).

5. Beginning in the spring of 2012 students who earn

grades that are passing but below 2.0 in MA 123

and/or GB 112 may choose to retake the course(s)to

better prepare for the subsequent course in the

sequence(s).

6. Students who opt to repeat MA 123 and/or GB 112:

•

May do so only once, and must do so in

the following semester

•

May not enroll concurrently in the

subsequent course(s)

•

Will have the earlier grade(s) replaced

by the new grade in calculating the

student’s GPA, even if the new grade is

lower than the original grade. The

original grade(s) will remain on the

student’s transcript but will not

calculate into the GPA.

Retaking MA 123 and/or GB 112 under this policy

is not subject to and does not count towards the

“Total Repeats or Substitutions Allowed” numbers

indicated above.

Repeating a Failed Course

Students can repeat a maximum of six different

failed courses. Failures exceeding these numbers

result in permanent dismissal from Bentley. (An F

in a repeated course does not count toward the

total number of different failed courses.) Required

courses that are failed can be repeated; no

substitutions are allowed. Elective courses

(restricted and unrestricted) that are failed can be

repeated or substituted for by another course.

Students can repeat or substitute for a course a

maximum of two times after the original attempt.

This includes grades of F, W and AU.

# of Bentley Courses

Passed

Total Repeats or

Substitutions Allowed

1-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

Additional Course Repeat Policy

Information

1. All grades are retained on students’ permanent

record.

2. Only the last grade received for a repeated or

substituted course is used in compiling graduation

credits and computing the quality point average

with proper authorization.

3. If a course taken at Bentley is repeated at another

accredited college or university, the original grade

is no longer considered in computing the Bentley

grade point average, provided transfer credit is

awarded.

4. Students who wish to substitute one course for

another must declare their intention to do so before

the end of the third week of the semester with the

Registrar.

5. A student returning to Bentley to complete an

associate’s or bachelor’s degree after a five-year

hiatus may have the option of retaking for a new

grade previously passed courses that are seven or

more years old. Only his or her repeated grade

and credit would be calculated into the GPA.

6. Bentley graduates who subsequently return to

pursue post baccalaureate credit may retake a

course that was previously passed for the

undergraduate degree. The new course, credit and

grade would appear on a distinct post-

baccalaureate transcript and would not impact the

student’s undergraduate transcript.

7.2.4

ACADEMIC

PROBATION

The academic performance committee monitors

overall academic performance and accumulated

failures. Any student who’s overall or term GPA is

below 2.0 or who has excessive failures may be

subject to academic warning, academic probation,

suspension, dismissal or any other restriction the

committee deems appropriate Freshmen whose

overall cumulative GPA is less than 1.9, Sophomores,

Juniors and Seniors whose overall cumulative GPA is

less than 2.0, will be placed on academic probation.

1. A student on academic probation who raises the

cumulative GPA during the next semester to the

required level will be returned to good standing. A

student who fails to do this, but does achieve the

minimum quality point requirement for his/her class

will be permitted to continue on probation for an

additional semester.

2. A student on probation, whether academic or

disciplinary, is advised strongly to review non-

academic commitments and to withdraw from those

activities that are not essential to university life.

Members of varsity athletic teams must attain an

average required under NCAA rules to participate in

the inter-collegiate athletic program.

3. A student who does not achieve the required

cumulative average at the end of this second

probationary-level semester will be subject to

review by the Academic Performance

Committee.

4. The Academic Performance Committee will take

appropriate action depending on individual

records and situations. Such actions include

reducing the student's course load, requiring

various counseling activities, requiring attendance

in the Study Skills Course, suspension and,

ultimately, dismissal from the university.

5. Students subject to such action will be contacted

individually and must follow the directions of the

Academic Performance Committee. The

university can take no responsibility for students

who act contrary to the Committee's decisions.

6. See the Academic Advising Handbook and the

Student Handbook for further details on the

academic probation and academic performance

standards and policies.

7.3.

GRADUATE GRADING AND COURSE

POLICIES

7.3.1

GRADUATE

GRADING

SYSTEM

a. Grading Scale

Graduate students are graded on the same scale as

undergraduates from 4.0 down through the grade

of 2.3. Any student below a 2.3 must be given an

F in the course.

Grade Equivalent Numerical

Equivalent4.0 A 95-100

3.7 A- 90-94

3.3 B+ 87-89

3.0 B 83-86

2.7 B- 80-82

2.3 C+ 77-79

0.0 F Below 77

P N/A Equivalent to a 2.7 or better

IG N/A Incomplete

b. Letter Grades

F – Fail When a student receives an F grade in an

elective or concentration course, the F grade

remains on the transcript and is computed in the

cumulative quality point average. In order to

remove the failed course from computation in the

cumulative average, the student must successfully

repeat the course or obtain prior approval from the

program director or appropriate Academic Chair

for another course to be substituted in place of the

failed course. Only the second grade enters

the grade point average, but the F remains on

the transcript.

IG Incomplete is a temporary designation given by the

faculty member when course requirements, which

may still be made up, have not been completed. It is

the student’s responsibility to make arrangements

with the faculty member to clear the deficiency. An

IG is not counted in computing averages. An IG will

become an F unless it is converted to a passing grade

within 60 days of the succeeding semester. Spring

term incompletes must be complete within 60 days of

the start of the succeeding fall term unless the Office

of Registrar’s has received written notification from

the faculty member explaining exactly what

arrangements have been made with the student,

including the final date that the grade will be

submitted. With faculty member approval, after the

60-day period and within the next year, the F may be

changed to a grade.

Graduate students who have two or more IG grades,

or one IG grade and one or two F grades on their

record, may not enroll in subsequent courses until the

IG/F grades have been changed to passing grades or

appropriate arrangements have been made to clear an

F grade. Students who have two or more IG grades

turn to F are subject to dismissal per the Academic

Performance policy.

c. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Course Grade

1. Student academic performance is officially recorded

in grades and in grade points. Grade points are

obtained by multiplying the course grade by the

number of credits the course carries. a grade of 3.0

in a 3-credit course earns 9.0 grade points. The grade

point average is determined by dividing the total

grade points earned by the total credits of courses

taken. Example:

Course Grade Semester Hours Grade Points

3.7 3 11.1

2.7 3 8.1

F 3 0.0

Totals 9 19.2

Total Grade Point Average (GPA) divided by 9 = 2.13

GPA

2. The student is required to earn a minimum passing

grade of 2.3 (C+) in each course and, in addition, a

GPA of 2.7 in both the major/concentrations, as well

as overall GPA, is required for graduation. Grade

points permit the student to offset or average out

minimum passing grades and grades slightly in excess

of passing in some courses by achieving higher grades

in other courses.

7.3.2

GRADUATE COURSE

REPEAT POLICY

The following policy applies to repeating any course:

•

A student may only repeat a course in which an F

grade has been earned.

•

A failed course may be repeated

only once.

•

A student may only repeat a total of

twocourses.

•

Only the second grade enters into the

Grade Point Average, but the F grade

will remain on the transcript.

7.3.3

GRADUATE COURSE GRADE CHANGE

POLICY

University policy requires all grade changes to be

submitted within one year of the grade’s original

submission. The acceptance of grade changes

beyond the one-year period may be requested of

the Dean of Business and the McCallum Graduate

School and will only be considered in cases where

extreme circumstances have prevented the student

from completing the requirements within the one-

year allowable time period.

Requests to have a grade changed beyond the one-

year allowable time period must be submitted in

writing to the Graduate School Dean’s Office. The

petition must include: a) the reason why the

course could not be completed within the one-year

time frame, b) a plan to complete the course that

has been agreed upon by the student and faculty

member. This plan must include the date by which

the work will be complete and the date that the

final grade will be submitted.

This appeal process does not require a faculty

member to allow a student more than one year to

complete a course and does not guarantee the

acceptance of the grade by the dean beyond the

expired time period.

Evaluating and grading students is the faculty

member's responsibility. The faculty member can

be relieved of that responsibility only in

exceptional instances, such as prejudicial

behavior. In such cases, a committee composed of

full-time faculty will determine whether a faculty

member's grades should be altered by anyone

other than the faculty member concerned. This

statement does not imply that a faculty body has

the right to arbitrarily change a faculty member's

grades; rather, it is to offer protection against

incompetence or capricious behavior.

7.3.4

GRADUATE ACADEMIC STANDING

POLICY

Academic standing is noted by term and will

only be retroactively altered for a specific

term in the event of a University sanctioned

grade change or reversal of an academic

dismissal decision upon appeal; repeated

courses will not change a student’s academic

standing for a given term.

•

Good Standing: A student with an overall grade point

average at or above 2.7.

•

Academic Probation: A student with an overall grade

point average below 2.7.

•

Academic Dismissal: A student status assigned after

all appeals are exhausted for a violation of the

Graduate Academic PerformancePolicy.

A status of “Good standing” is needed to register for

classes, but it does not indicate eligibility to graduate.

A GPA of 2.7 in both the major/concentrations, as

well as overall GPA, is required for graduation.

7.3.5

GRADUATE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

REVIEW PROCESS

The Graduate Academic Performance Committee, a

body of faculty and administrators acting on behalf of

the Dean of Business and the McCallum Graduate

School, will review all student academic records for a

violation of the Graduate Academic Performance

Policy when:

•

A graduate student earns overall GPA below 2.7

•

A graduate student earns two or more grades below

2.7

Sanctions

Students found in violation of the Graduate Academic

Performance Policy noted above will have their

academic record reviewed by the Graduate Academic

Performance Committee. Actions taken by the

Graduate Academic Performance Committee after an

academic record has been reviewed include:

•

Academic Warning: Results in a formal e-letter sent

by the Graduate Academic Performance Committee

Chair acknowledging the violation of the Graduate

Academic Performance Policy; Student is notified that

further reviews can result in additional sanctions up to

and including Academic Dismissal; There is no

opportunity for appeal.

•

Academic Intervention: Results in a formal e-letter

sent by the Graduate Academic Performance

Committee Chair acknowledging the violation of the

Graduate Academic Performance Policy; Student is

notified that adjustments are necessary to continue

making progress towards a degree and that further

reviews can result in additional sanctions up to and

including Academic Dismissal;. Adjustments may

include, but are not limited to, changes in current

course load or a short term leave of absence. There is an

opportunity for an appeal as noted below.

•

Academic Dismissal: Results in a formal e-

letter sent by the Graduate Academic

Performance Committee Chair

acknowledging the violation of the Graduate

Academic Performance Policy; Student is

notified of the decision and Board’s reasoning

behind the decision; There is an opportunity

for appeal of the decision as noted below.

The Graduate Academic Performance Committee

reviews students after fall, spring, and summer

terms. Upon completion of the Graduate

Academic Performance Review Process, the Chair

of the Graduate Academic Performance

Committee will send those students reviewed an

official e-letter via their Bentley email account.

The letter will explain the outcome of the review

and any related sanctions.

The Graduate Academic Performance Committee

reviews violations, makes decisions, and acts on

behalf of the Dean of Business and the McCallum

Graduate School. The Chair of the Graduate

Academic Performance Committee communicates

all decisions on behalf of the Dean of Business

and the Graduate School of Business.

Appeals

Any appeal must be made in writing to the Chair

of the Graduate Academic Performance

Committee within 7 calendar days of the official

dated e-letter. On behalf of the Dean of Business

and the McCallum Graduate School, the Chair of

the Graduate Academic Performance Committee

will review written appeals and documentation

and determine whether or uphold, alter, or reverse

the decision of the Graduate Academic

Performance Committee. The Chair of the

Graduate Academic Performance Committee will

notify the student in writing of the final outcome

of the appeal once all materials have been

reviewed.

In the interim, sanctions issued by the Graduate

Academic Performance Committee, including

dismissal, will not take effect until a final decision

on an appeal is communicated to the student in an

official e-letter by the Chair of the Graduate

Academic Performance Committee.

Written Appeal Criteria:

All written appeals must include the rationale for

disputing the initial appeal decision.

Appeals should meet one of the criteria listed

below:

New material information unavailable to the

Committee at the time of the hearing

becomes available. New material

information must highlight unusual or

unexpected circumstances, beyond a

student’s control or planning, and occurring

during the term/s in question. In addition,

students must supply physical documentation

for stated information.

Evidence is provided that the stated process

or protocol has not been followed.

7.3.6 GRADUATE TIME TO DEGREE

REQUIREMENT AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE

POLICY

Students must complete their degree program/s

(including any concurrent degrees and certificates)

within 5 years of the matriculation term. Beyond 5

years, a student would be required to apply for re-

admission to the Graduate School with the

understanding that previous course work and

GMAT/GRE scores would no longer be counted

towards the degree program/s; exams and courses

must be retaken. A student can apply for a leave of

absence for a period of up to 2 years. An approved

leave of absence can allow a student up to 7 years

maximum to complete a degree program/s.

The Office of Graduate Student and Academic

Services will oversee the consistent application of

approving/denying leave of absence requests across

the Graduate School for extenuating life

circumstances that prevent degree progress. These

circumstances would require documentation.

Examples of such circumstances include, but are not

limited to, having a child, serious illness, or the death

of a close family member. In rare cases, leaves could

be retroactive provided sufficient documentation and

the requested extension did not exceed 7 total years

since matriculation. To ensure compliance, students

will be contacted via letter after lack of registration in

a consecutive fall/spring term.

7.4

ADDITIONAL

ACADEMICPOLICIES

7.4.1

ATTENDANCE

POLICY

Students are expected to attend each class session. For

full semester courses, students (whether currently

registered in the course or not) must start attending

classes by the first class meeting after the add period

ends.

An enrolled student who misses the first week of class

and is not present at the first class meeting after the

add period ends needs faculty and department chair

approval to remain in the class. If the add period has

ended, instructors retain the right to deny admission to a

course to any student who is not yet enrolled.

After a course has met for two weeks, students

may not register for it, and may not start to attend

classes, including those classes for which they are

already registered. Instructors must report missing

students as “no-shows” to the Registrar at the end

of the second week of classes.

Exceptions to this policy can be made only

in the following cases:

•

The student has been attending one section of a

course but needs to switch to another section.

•

The student has been mistakenly placed

in the wrong course and needs to be

reassigned.

In such cases the exception will be made

by the chair of the relevant department on

a case by case basis.

I. An enrolled student may not be absent from

class for a prolonged period of time. The

definition of prolonged period is:

•

Two or more consecutive weeks during

any spring or fall semester;

•

Two consecutive classes during a summer

session;

•

Any absence during an intensive course.

In cases of a prolonged absence, faculty

members should notify either the

Registrar’s Office or Academic Services.

This attendance policy will be in effect

even when a student misses class due to

medical or personal reasons.

II. A faculty member may hold students to a more

restrictive attendance policy, as specified in the

course syllabus.

III. A student not meeting the Attendance Policy may

be administratively withdrawn from the

University.

* This attendance policy will be in effect even

when a student misses class due to medical or

personal reasons, subject to the University’s

obligation to accommodate students with

disabilities. Exceptions for medical or other

hardship will be worked out through an interactive

process among the student, Academic Services,

Registrar, care team, and the faculty, and on a

case-by-case basis.

7.4.2

PROCEDURE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF

A COURSE GRADEDISPUTE

In very rare instances, undergraduate or graduate

students may dispute a course grade. Such cases

will be considered by a faculty-led review process

described below. Every attempt should be made to

preserve confidentiality for all involved in the

process.

At any point during the process, the student

may terminate the process and accept the

original course grade. The Bentley

University administration, including Deans,

has no authority to change course grades. All

grading disputes shall begin with the student

arranging a conference with the instructor.

The student must initiate the dispute

resolution process within 30 days of the

posting of the final course grade.

1. If the dispute has not been resolved after the student-

instructor conference, the student may choose to

request a conference with the Department Chair of the

instructor’s primary department, which is normally

the department in which the course is offered. If the

course in question has a Course Coordinator, such as

for General Business courses, the Course Coordinator

shall be included in this meeting, even if the Course

Coordinator is from a different academic department.

2. If the instructor for the course with the disputed grade

is the Department Chair, the student should contact

the Chair of the Faculty Senate to request that a

Hearing Committee be convened.

3. Prior to the conference with the Department Chair, a

written detailed explanation of the complaint, along

with supporting documents, will be submitted by the

student to the Department Chair.

4. After the conference with the student, the Department

Chair shall consult with the instructor.

a) If the Department Chair believes that the

instructor graded correctly, the process ends

and the course grade will not be changed.

b) If the Department Chair believes that the

student may have been graded incorrectly, the

Department Chair will suggest that the

instructor consider reevaluating the course

grade.

5. If the instructor still does not believe a course grade

change is warranted, the Department Chair shall

request that the Chair of the Faculty Senate convene a

Hearing Committee of three tenured faculty members

to resolve the case.

6. The Chair of the Faculty Senate is directed to choose

by lot three tenured faculty members from all eligible

faculty members. Members of the instructor’s primary

academic department are ineligible. The Chair of the

Faculty Senate will ask the three- member Hearing

Committee to select a committee chair, who will

inform the instructor’s Department Chair that the

Hearing Committee has been formed, except in the case

where the instructor is the Department Chair.

7. The Hearing Committee will examine all evidence

from the instructor and from the student disputing

the

course grade. Within one week of the Hearing

Committee’s final decision, written findings and

the Hearing Committee’s decision will be

forwarded to the student, instructor, Department

Chair, and Course Coordinator, if appropriate.

a. If the Hearing Committee rejects the assertion by

the student that the course grade is incorrect, the

process ends and the course grade will not be

changed.

a. If the Hearing Committee decides in favor of the

student, and the instructor is unwilling to follow

the Hearing Committee’s recommendation, the

Hearing Committee shall direct the Registrar to

replace an F or other grade with an S grade. The

course will count towards graduation, but will not

be included in the student’s grade point average.

8. Within 10 days of receiving the Hearing

Committee’s written decision, the student must

respond in writing to the Hearing Committee

Chair, accepting either the Hearing Committee’s

decision or the original grade. If the student does

not respond, the original grade stands. Then the

Hearing Committee Chair will inform the

Registrar, Department Chair, instructor, course

coordinator, and student of the outcome of the

dispute process.

7.4.3

GRADE

RECORDS

Careful and orderly records of each student's

academic performance are to be kept by the

faculty member for at least thirty days after grades

are posted in case of appeal by a student.

7.4.4

SUBMISSION

COURSEGRADES

Faculty are expected to submit their final course

grades within 72 hours after the completion of the

scheduled final examination except for the grades

of seniors or graduate students expected to

graduate. In this case, grades for these students are

to be submitted within 48 hours after the

examination. The date and procedures for

submission is specified in an e-mail regarding

grading each semester. As final grades have a

direct impact on Commencement and Academic

Performance, the appropriate Deans are apprised

of faculty members who are delinquent in

submitting grades.

7.4.5

GUIDELINES

STUDENT GRADERS

Faculty members who use student graders in a

class must inform the students in that class

and the Department Chair of this procedure.

Student graders must be trained and

supervised appropriately, and every effort

should be made to minimize the amount of

judgment required to complete their grading

tasks. Work graded by student graders may

account for at most 10% of the course grade

or a percentage negotiated with the

Department Chair.

Students are prohibited from grading tests and

quizzes.

Each student grader must sign a confidentiality form.

The forms will remain with the person who hired

them.

7.4.6. FINAL EXAMS

If a student has three final examinations schedule on

the same day the student has the option to work with

all three faculty members to fine one to reschedule. If

no faculty agrees to an alternative agreeable to the

student, then the middle exam must be rescheduled

students must request rescheduling at least two weeks

prior to the scheduled examination time.

7.4.7

COURSE

REMOVAL

POLICY

Each spring semester, the registrar will send to the

department chairs (before the fall scheduling period,

or with the fall scheduling materials) a list of courses

that have not been offered in the five most recent

semesters (e.g., in Spring 2016, the course list would

include those that were not offered in Fall 2014,

Spring 2015,Summer 2015, Fall 2015, or Spring

2016) and that are not planned to be offered in the

Summer or Fall

(2016). These courses are candidates for inactivation

and removal from the catalog for the next academic

year (in the example, 2016-17) which goes to print in

July (2016). If the department plans to offer any of the

inactivation candidates in the subsequent Spring

semester (here, Spring 2017), the course should be

maintained in the catalog and on the website for this

reason.

Since these courses are being inactivated, rather than

deleted from an existing program, their inactivation

and omission from the consequent catalog does not

require Curriculum Implementation Committee or

senate approval. The courses can be reactivated by

informing the registrar of a plan to offer the course in

a particular future semester, at which time the course

will be returned to the catalog and website. If a course

has not been offered in five years, it cannot be

reactivated until it has first been approved by the

curriculum Implementation Committee as a Category III

change.

In addition, the academic departments will

conduct a periodic review of their courses and, if

necessary, submit a proposal to the Curriculum

Implementation Committee seeking approval for

the deletion of course(s) from the curriculum as

required by Category II curriculum changes in the

Faculty Manual.

7.5

TUTORIALS

AND

DIRECTED STUDIES

7.5.7

TUTORIALS

Tutorials enable students to complete a regular

course when it is not offered in the university's

schedule. All academic regulations apply to

tutorials, and students register under the course's

regular catalogue number.

To initiate a tutorial, students must have a special

need for the proposed course, e.g., the course is

needed to complete a degree at a particular time.

Approvals are required from the appropriate

faculty member, department chair and appropriate

associate undergraduate dean.

7.5.8

DIRECTED

STUDIES

1. A directed study is undertaken by a highly-

qualified student under the guidance of a member

of the sponsoring academic department. It allows

a student to carry out an agreed upon, in-depth

examination, investigation, or analysis of a

specialized topic. Undergraduate students are

eligible for a directed study if they have

a. a 3.0 cumulative average, or

b. a 3.3 cumulative average for the previous

twosemesters, or

c. a 3.3 cumulative average in at least 12 credit

hours in the academic area in which the directed

study is to be done.

2. The student approaches an appropriate faculty

member with a directed study proposal. The

student and faculty member complete the

application and the proposal, which should

include readings, assignments, and how a grade

will be

determined. The application and proposal is sent

to the Chair of the sponsoring department for

approval. A current DAS or transcript must also

be included for undergraduates. The Department

Chair approves and forwards it to the appropriate

associate dean.

3. If the associate dean approves, the original

application should be sent to the Registrar's

Office, thus allowing the student to register

for XX401 (undergraduate course

designation) or XX700 (graduate course

designation for most disciplines), the

standard course number in all academic

departments.

4. All paperwork should be received in the

Registrar's Office by the last day of the add-

drop period of each semester.

5. The restrictions for undergraduate students

are

a. All directed studies must carry three credits. A

student may not take more than two directed

study courses in any department.

b. A student may not take more than two

directed study courses in any semester.

c. Directed study courses may only be used for credit as

elective courses, or with department permission as

credit for majorcourses.

6. Faculty members are limited to two paid Directed

Studies per year.

7.6

POLICY CONCERNING PARTICIPATION IN

COMMENCEMENT

While degrees are conferred by the Board of Trustees

three times per year (October, February/March, and

May), a commencement ceremony is held once each

year. Commencement, typically held on the third

Saturday in May for undergraduate and graduate

students, is attended by October and February/March

graduates, May degree candidates and those October

candidates who qualify under the Commencement

participation policies described below.

7.6.7 UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY

COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION POLICY

Students completing degree requirements at the

conclusion of the Spring term will be considered May

graduates

Student completing degree requirements at the

conclusion of the Summer term will be considered

October/November graduates. Students completing

degree requirements at the conclusion of the summer

intensive week in May will not be considered May

graduates. Students completing degree requirements

at the conclusion of the Fall term will be considered

February/March graduates.

Conferrals are conditional upon a final audit of the

student’s degree requirements (DAS). Students are

required to have a minimum overall cumulative grade

point average of 2.0, a minimum cumulative grade

point average of 2.0 in his or her major, and, a

minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 in his or

her minor when one is elected or required. Grade point

averages are not rounded.

All students must otherwise be in good standing at

Bentley. Each student must meet all financial

requirements to Bentley and have completed loan

exit interviews when required.

Walker Policy:

Bachelor’s degree students may participate in the

May commencement exercises as “walkers” if

they are within 7 (2 courses) credits of completing

their graduation requirements, as long as all other

criteria are met (i.e.,

overall, major and minor (if applicable) GPA are

2.0 or higher and all financial obligations have

been met). The actual degree will be conferred

and graduation honors determined when all course

work has been completed and on one of the three

published conferral dates.

Associate degree recipients must complete all

degree requirements to participate in

commencement exercises.

Concentration certificate students do not

participate in the formal commencement, but

certificates are conferred three times per year.

7.6.8

MCCALLUM

GRADUATE

SCHOOL

BUSINESS COMMENCEMENT

PARTICIPATION POLICY

Along with those students who have completed

degree requirements within an academic year,

other graduate students may be allowed to

participate in the spring commencement

ceremony, provided the following conditions are

met:

7.6.8.1 a student’s account must be paid in full;

7.6.8.2 after the spring semester, no more than six credits

must remain for degree completion;

7.6.8.3 a minimum 2.7 GPA is required for both the

cumulative average of courses that qualify for a

degree/certificate and major/concentration

average;

7.6.8.4 an agreement must be signed stating that the

student will complete his or her final course

requirements during the summer term following

commencement;

7.6.8.5 the student must register for his or her final

course(s) prior to the graduation ceremony;

and

7.6.8.6 the student must submit, no later than March 31, a

petition to participate in commencement prior to

completion of studies.

Special Notes

1. Any student who has indicated an intention

to graduate in May but fails or receives an

incomplete grade for up to six credits of

spring courses, and who meets the eligibility

requirements outlined above, will be

permitted to participate in the ceremony.

2. This policy in no way obliges the Graduate

School to offer any specific summer

course.

3. A student allowed to participate in

commencement prior to the completion of

final courses will have his or her name listed

in the commencement program with the May

completion candidates. A special annotation,

“Anticipated completion of degree in

October of XXXX,” will appear and no

graduation honors will be listed.

4. Diploma orders will be requested during the

semester in which the degree will actually be

completed.

5. A student who participates in commencement

prior to the completion of studies will also have

his or her name listed in the subsequent year’s

commencement program. If graduation honors are

earned, they will be noted in this listing.

6. Diplomas will be awarded only after all degree

requirements have been completed.

7.7

INTERNSHIP

PROGRAMS

7.7.7 UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP

PROGRAM The purpose of the internship program at

Bentley University is to give qualified students the

opportunity to learn while engaged in a meaningful

work

experience. Internships (a) provide an orientation to a

student's chosen field of interest; (b) enhance

employment opportunities after graduation; (c) afford

students the opportunity to apply academic training to

practical problems in business and government

organizations; (d) give students a chance to work

closely with successful managers and benefit by

observing management styles and techniques; and (e)

ease the transition from student life and dependent

relationships into the world of vocations and adult

responsibility.

The emphasis in the Bentley credit-bearing internship

is on work that leads to learning; as a result, the

educational component must stand at the center of all

internships and must pass the test of rigorous

departmental monitoring and evaluation.

1. Structure of Internships. All internships

should be substantial enough to justify the

awarding of academic credit. Both three (3) credit

and one (1) credit internships are offered. All

internships, whether full- or part-time, whether

scheduled in the fall, spring, or summer, should

run for a minimum of 12 weeks. Academic

requirements vary by department, but generally

include a journal, meetings with the Faculty

Internship Coordinator, and a final report.

2. Role of Faculty Coordinator. Each internship

program retains a single faculty coordinator who

is responsible for the following: (1) the evaluation

of student applications for individual internships;

(2) the maintenance of whatever contact is

necessary with students and employers during the

period prior to the onset of the internship; (3) the

actual monitoring of students during their

internship experiences; and (4) the evaluation of

student interns and the awarding of the final

grade.

3. Payment of Supervisors Internship supervisors

are paid on a per-student basis if nine or fewer

students are supervised. During the academic

year, internships may be included in load if more

than nine students are supervised or can be

considered a course overload, paid at the overload

rate. During the summer, internships consisting of

more than 9 students are paid at the summer rate.

4. Role of the Office of Career Services. This office

should be the principal employer-contact source for

students.

5. Student Eligibility for Credit Bearing Internships

• Junior-level or Senior-level standing (except

for CD 102)

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (Finance 2.7)

Departmental approval prior to the student

accepting the internship.

7.7.2 GRADUATE CREDIT BEARING

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Each graduate program has its own specified

criteria that students must meet in order to enroll

in a credit-bearing internship. All require a

minimum GPA of 3.0, except for the MSF which

requires a 3.25 GPA. Program qualifications are

maintained by the Office of Graduate Academic

Student Services.

Policies related to the structure of graduate

internships, the role of the faculty coordinator,

and payment for supervisions for graduate credit

bearing internships are the same as those

outlined above for undergraduate internships.

7.8

NEPOTISM AND CONSENSUAL

REALTIONSHIPS

7.8.1

POLICY FOR COURSE

ENROLLMENT

To maintain professionalism and an

atmosphere of trust and fairness, students

may not enroll in a course taught by a family

member or household member when other

options—for example, a different section of

the same course taught by a colleague—are

available. However, when a course is taught

solely by a family or household member, the

student may petition the department chair or

program coordinator for admission to the

course. In turn, the petition must be approved

by the appropriate academic Dean. If the

instructor is a department chair, the student

must petition the appropriate academic Dean.

Where appropriate, the chair or program

coordinator will assign the evaluation of the

student’s work to another faculty member.

For the purposes of this policy, the Bentley HR

definition of “family” or “household member” is

utilized. See http://www.bentley.edu/offices/human-

resources/nepotism-and-consensual-relationship-

policy

SECTION 8.0 OTHER POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES

Policies and procedures of interest and relevant to faculty

can be found on the Bentley Website at the following

hotlinks.

Section 8.1 Human Resource Policies

https://www.bentley.edu/offices/human-

resources/employment-policies-and-practices

Section 8.2 Code of Ethics

https://www.bentley.edu/offices/human-resources/code-

ethics-faculty-and-staff

Section 8.3 Ethics Complaint Procedures

https://www.bentley.edu/offices/human-

resources/ethics-complaint-procedures

Section 8.4 Computing and Network Policy

https://www.bentley.edu/offices/it/policies-all

Section 8.5 Undergraduate Student Handbook

https://bentleydownloads.s3.amazonaws.com/general/Be

ntley-University-Student-Handbook2022-2023.pdf

Section 8.6 Graduate Catalogue

https://catalog.bentley.edu/graduate/

Section 8.6A Grade Reporting and Accessing SETs

https://www.bentley.edu/offices/registrar/faculty-

information

8.7 PHASED RETIREMENT PROGRAM FOR

TENURED FACULTY

This program was approved and implemented in 2004.

Basic Principle

The program is similar to a terminal sabbatical.

That is, from the department’s point of view, it

has the same impact as a sabbatical. The position

is “encumbered” until the faculty member comes

off sabbatical (in this case, retires), which means

the department will need to make up for the

teaching load lost while the faculty member is

phasing out, just as it would if the faculty member

was on a sabbatical.

Phase-out Period

The phase-out period can extend over one, two, or

three years.

One Year: the faculty member engages in

activity equivalent to teaching one course per

semester, in one of the three faculty manual

categories (teaching, scholarship, service);

examples include mentoring, serving on a

committee, assessing a program, conducting

research, organizing a workshop, teaching a

course, etc.

Two Years: the faculty member works half-time,

and is paid full-time, for two years.

Three Years: the faculty member works one-third

time, and is paid two-thirds time, for three years;

or, two-thirds time for full pay for three years.

Operating Guidelines

o The pay for the program is equivalent to one full

year of salary, plus annual merit increases,

assuming Bentley grants merit increases in any

given year.

o A faculty member must be at least 60 years of age

and have at least ten years of full-time, tenure-

track and/or tenured service at Bentley.

o Ordinarily, the last full year sabbatical must have

been at least six years prior to the first year of

phase- out; the last one semester sabbatical must

have been at least three years prior to the first year

of phase- out. Faculty members who have 20 or

more years of full time, tenure-track and tenured

service are eligible four years following their last

full year sabbatical. Faculty members who have

20 or more years of full time, tenure-track and

tenured service are eligible two year following

their last one semester sabbatical.

o Faculty must apply to their dean by February 1st

each year for a start date of September of the same

year.

o The faculty member and dean negotiate the

specific terms of the agreement, consistent with

these guidelines; each agreement must be

reviewed by Bentley’s General Counsel, and

approved by the Provost.

o At the discretion of the Dean, faculty

members may teach at Bentley after they

retire. The teaching assignment will be

negotiated at the time retirement is

discussed.

While teaching, faculty members may

continue to use their pre-retirement

title.

o During retirement, pay for teaching each

course will be $5000, or 33% above the

Bentley average pay for adjunct professors.

o If more faculty members apply for retirement

phase- out than their department can

accommodate in a given year, priority will

be given on the basis of the following

criteria:

•

Length of service, including both tenure

track and tenured service.

•

Length of time since the last sabbatical.

•

If length of service and length of tenured

service since the last sabbatical are equal,

priority will be assigned by chance

8.8 PHASED RETIREMENT PROGRAM FOR

SENIOR LECTURER

This program was approved and implemented in

2016.

Operating Guidelines

o Senior lecturers who are at least 60 years of age and

who have at least ten years of service at Bentley may

request a phased retirement over one or two years.

o These requests will be made in February and the

phased retirement will begin the following fall.

o Those on a one year phase out will receive full salary

for activities equal to a half-time load made up of

teaching, scholarship and/or service as determined in

consultation with the appropriate dean.

o The two year phase out requires activities equal to one

course per semester for half-time salary.

o The specifics of each individual phase out will be

memorialized in an agreement prepared by the general

counsel