Absence from Duty, Missed Classes, and Reporting of Consulting and Supplemental Compensation Activities

Revised February 9, 1990

Updated August 2000

It is the intent of University policy that all classes be met at the scheduled time and that they be taught by the instructor assigned to the course. On occasion it may be necessary for a faculty member to miss a class. This policy summarizes and expands upon The University of Alabama Faculty Handbook requirements relating to missed classes and absence from duty. Because supplemental compensation and consulting activities are sometimes cited as reasons for absence from duty, this document also summarizes reporting requirements and establishes policies relating to missing and rescheduling classes for these purposes.

      I.     Missed Classes and Absence From Duty

  1. The UA Faculty Handbook states that, "A faculty member normally must receive prior approval from the department chairperson before missing or rescheduling classes" (p. 65).

  2. The College of Commerce and Business Administration Policy clarifies and builds upon University policy and requires that with the exception of emergencies faculty must receive prior approval to miss or to reschedule a regularly scheduled class.

  3. Submission of a properly completed "C&BA Coverage Approval Form" (attached) to the Department Head/Director constitutes notice of intent to miss a class and is the appropriate means for requesting prior approval. Except in unusual circumstances, the form should be submitted at least one week in advance. If the request is approved, a copy of the signed form will be returned to the faculty member in a timely manner, with a copy to the Dean’s Office

  4. Approval generally requires that the class be met at the scheduled time by a suitably qualified substitute instructor or that the class be rescheduled. Effectively rescheduling a large class is usually difficult and will not generally be approved.

  5. In the event that an emergency causes a class to be missed, a telephone call at the earliest possible time is suggested. The C&BA Coverage Approval Form should be submitted as practical following the emergency.

     II.     Consulting and Supplemental Compensation

  1. Because supplemental compensation activity may infringe upon a faculty member’s teaching, research, and academic citizenship responsibilities, University policy requires prior approval from the Dean or the Dean’s designated representative for any such activity (UA Faculty Handbook, p. 40).

  2. It is the policy of the College of Commerce that regularly scheduled classes take precedence over consulting and other supplemental compensation activities, and that faculty should schedule these activities to avoid conflicts with regularly scheduled classes.

  3. For external supplemental compensation activities and for internal supplemental compensation activities that have standardized approval forms, the signature of the Department Head/Director and the Dean on the appropriate University coordinating form will constitute prior approval of the activity. If the planned activity is expected to result in a missed class or other assigned responsibility, the C&BA Coverage Approval Form must also be submitted and approved by the Department Head/Director.

  4. For supplemental compensation activities that do not have standardized approval forms, prior approval must be obtained from the Department Head/Director and the Dean using the "C&BA Supplemental Compensation Approval Form" (attached). If the planned activity is expected to result in a missed class or other assigned responsibility, the C&BA Coverage Approval Form must also be submitted and approved by the Department Head/Director.

  5. University policy limits the number of supplemental compensation days during any academic year and during the interim term and the summer term for faculty members with teaching assignments during these periods (UA Faculty Handbook, pp. 40-41).

 COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
COVERAGE APPROVAL FORM

 

The C&BA Coverage Approval form is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  Follow the hyperlink above for a printable version of this form. 

COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION APPROVAL FORM

The C&BA Supplemental Compensation Approval form is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  Follow the hyperlink above for a printable version of this form.