It is in the interest of TJU to foster an active, informed faculty, and to promote open communication and engagement among members of the campus community. Toward this end, this Article provides a framework for faculty and shared governance. For such a framework to be effective, open communication, collegiality, a culture of service, and commitment to participation are beneficial. With this as a foundation, university and college administration and the faculty should endeavor to work collaboratively to achieve the university’s mission and ensure professionalism, competitiveness and sustainability of the academic enterprise. 

The duties and authority of the faculty, as further delineated in these Bylaws, shall include jurisdiction over such matters of faculty governance to include the curriculum and educational process of students; academic criteria for admission, and promotion of students; student affairs as it relates to the educational process; and research/scholarship/creative work, for which they enjoy academic freedom, as generally understood in the academic community and as further described in these Bylaws.

Faculty fulfill their duties and exercise authority under shared governance principally through service on committees as outlined herein.

Authority not specifically delegated to the faculty in these Bylaws is reserved to the president, provost, and officers of the colleges and schools as defined in these Bylaws (hereafter collectively referred to as “Academic Administration”). The Academic Administration should endeavor to exercise its authority in the best interests of the university, with due consideration of any expressed position of the faculty on a particular issue.

Appointment to university faculty carries with it the responsibilities set forth in the Faculty Handbook and in any Bylaws, policies, contracts, letters of appointment or other governing documents applicable to the faculty member.

Broadly defined, full-time faculty members fulfill four primary duties at Jefferson: teaching, research/scholarship/creative work, service, and, where appropriate, professional practice. In fulfilment of these duties, each faculty member is expected to:

• Observe those standards of conduct that a university has a right to expect from its members, including without limitation, the standards of conduct referred to in the University's Code of Conduct;
• Keep abreast of his or her academic discipline through continuing study, research, and/or participation in the activities of his or her profession and professional organizations;
• Strive to improve the effectiveness of his or her teaching;
• Serve, as appropriate, on program, department, school, college, and university committees;
• Serve as a steward of university resources;
• Participate in good faith in periodic performance evaluations, as defined by the Faculty Handbook.

Full-time faculty responsibilities also may include, but are not limited to, support of student recruitment activities; mentorship of colleagues; curriculum development and establishing requirements for degrees; academic advising; participation in peer review for faculty promotion and tenure if elected or appointed to serve on relevant committees as outlined herein; and adoption and enforcement of academic regulations such as grading, examinations, attendance, academic standing, and certification of students for graduation/program completion.

Full-time faculty should be engaged in the affairs of the university and its programs and therefore, should attend regular meetings of the General Faculty, college faculty meetings, and school, department and/or program meetings and other academic events.