Handbooks for Faculty

The Georgetown University Faculty Handbook:  The Handbook details faculty rights and responsibilities, the University Mission Statement, University governance, campus policies and other benefits. According to the Handbook, "the term 'faculty' includes all faculty members, whether tenure eligible or not, and whether full-time or part-time. Both 'officer of instruction' and 'faculty' include investigators without teaching duties as well as teachers. The term 'faculty' is not intended to substitute for nor be synonymous with the definitions used in other documents, including those of associations or accrediting agencies which define rights, responsibilities, power, and authority."

SCS Teaching Handbook:  Whether you are new to teaching at Georgetown and SCS or a veteran faculty member, we hope this handbook will serve as a helpful reference when planning syllabi, evaluating student progress, and handling administrative policies (such as grade appeals and suspected acts of cheating or plagiarism).  This handbook is built upon the historic mission of Georgetown University and the mission of the School to educate students to become more reflective, active, purposeful citizens who strive to improve themselves and our shared world, embodying Georgetown's Catholic and Jesuit values and heritage and respecting the principles and traditions of each individual. 

CNDLS Teaching Handbook:  In this booklet, the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship defines student-centered teaching and how to enact it within your curriculum.

CNDLS Labs:  A blog where CNDLS staff members share their work and highlight innovative practice at Georgetown University.

Academic Continuity:  Connecting with Students, Continuing with Coursework
In the event of an emergency or mandatory school closures (such as those that occurred during the 2010 back-to-back blizzards), faculty members should be prepared to provide educational opportunities to their students to the best of their abilities.  This website offers guidance for maintaining academic continuity during these unexpected periods.


The Georgetown University Honor Code Process and Procedures
We encourage faculty to include specific statements about the Honor Code on their course syllabi and to use Turnitin.com on all student papers to encourage originality and authenticity. Instructions for using Turnitin.com can be found online at http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/honor/faculty/53550.html. Students are bound by the Honor System even if their professors do not discuss the Honor Code or use Turnitin.com. Therefore, we recommend that students discuss all questions about plagiarism, impermissible collaboration and appropriate attribution (citing sources) with their course instructors.

A.  Reporting a Possible Honor Code Violation
1. As a faculty member at Georgetown and in SCS, you must report any and all suspected violations of the Honor Code to the Honor Council at honor@georgetown.edu as soon as you become aware of the possible violation.  Although you may also choose to talk with your Associate Dean about the matter, reporting the incident to the Honor Council is your most important step. 
2. Shortly after you report the incident, you will be contacted by an Investigating Officer (IO) to discuss the details of your report. The IO will also speak with the student and, if necessary, other affiliated parties.  Please keep copies of emails, papers, tests, and any other documentation related to your report. 
3. Upon completing this initial investigation, the IO will either (a) determine that no violation has occurred or (b) refer the case to a Hearing Board for further review. If the student is found not in violation, then you must treat the student as if no violation has occurred and grade the assignment based solely upon its academic merits. You cannot retaliate against a student if he/she is found not in violation.

B.  Appearing before the Hearing Board
1. If the case is referred to a Hearing Board, you may be asked to present during an evening hearing. The Board consists of students, faculty members, and the hearing chairperson.  Everything reported in the hearing remains confidential and should not be discussed outside of the hearing. 
2. The Board will complete its review and either (a) determine that no violation has occurred or (b) refer the case to a Hearing Board for further review. If the student is found not in violation, then you must treat the student as if no violation has occurred and grade the assignment based solely upon its academic merits. You cannot retaliate against a student if he/she is found not in violation. If the student is found in violation, then you are free to assign the reduced grade (including a failure in the course) as appropriate.  Please note:  The sanction of the Board is separate from the academic merit (grade) you choose to assign upon completion of the hearing.   
3. If the suspected violation occurs when grades are due at the end of the semester, you should assign an "NR" (not reported) as a place holder until the hearing has been completed. Thereafter, you can email the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (rankinw@georgetown.edu) with the final grade.


Grading Process and Procedures
Faculty teaching credit courses must enter all final grades using MyAccess.

Faculty teaching non-credit courses must enter grades using the Non-Credit Faculty Grading Portal.

Copyright Policies and Procedures
This University Policy page covers copyright basics, using copyrighted materials in the classroom (and fair use), and obtaining/giving for copyrighted materials.

Additional Faculty Resources

The Office of Compliance and Ethics:  The Office of Compliance and Ethics helps to support and coordinate the many compliance-related activities the University undertakes. The Office, with the endorsement and assistance of the University's senior leadership, is responsible for leading the development, implementation and operation of the Georgetown Institutional Compliance and Ethics Program.

The Academic Resource Center:  The Academic Resource Center provides assistance in study skills necessary for academic achievement through individual consultations or workshops, accommodations to students with disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504, and facilities and support services to help ensure access for students with disabilities.

Counseling and Psychiatric Service:  As Georgetown faculty and staff, you are among the most important individuals in some of the students' lives. They may turn to you when they are struggling and in times of need, or you may be one of the first to notice when they are distressed. There are tips for faculty on how to deal with struggling or distressed students.

The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action:  The mission of this Office is to promote a deep understanding and appreciation among the diverse members of the University community to result in justice and equality in educational, employment and contracting opportunities, as well as to lead efforts to create an inclusive academic and work environment. 

Copyright Policy:  This page references the overall and specific Georgetown University policies related to Copyright Basics, Using Copyrighted Resources, and "Obtaining and Giving Permissions."  Additionally, the ProQuest Copyright Law & Graduate Research manual provides helpful guidance.

Collected Links of University Resources for Faculty:  This page includes links to pedagogical resources, classroom and audiovisual services, academic technology support and international programs.

The Chronicle of Higher Education:  The Chronicle of Higher Education features news, events, opinion pieces, blogs, facts, figures, forums and career postings in education.

The American Association of University Professors:  The Association's purpose is to advance academic freedom and shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.