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Religious Holy Days

Faculty. A regular faculty member shall, without deduction in salary, be entitled to absence for observance of religious holy days subject to the following conditions:

• “Religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code § 11.20.
• A faculty member who is absent from work for the observance of a religious holy day and gives proper notice of that absence shall not be discriminated against or penalized.
• Proper notice should be provided by the faculty member to the chairperson of the department before the observance. This notice will consist of a listing of religious holy days to be observed during the semester.
• Notice must be in writing and should be personally delivered to the chairperson of the department, with receipt of the notice acknowledged and dated by the chairperson, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the chairperson.
• The chairperson will attempt to provide class coverage from among regular faculty of the department or area.
• Advance written notice, if needed, will be provided to all students whose class would be canceled due to the faculty member’s absence (OP 32.12).

Students. A student shall be allowed to observe religious holy days without penalty, subject to the following conditions:

• “Religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code § 11.20.
• A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.
• A student who is excused for this reason may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactorily (OP 34.19).

Salary Increases

All salary increases for faculty shall be on a merit basis unless otherwise mandated by the legislature and shall be based on quality teaching, scholarly activity, and other contributory activities as part of faculty responsibilities. The procedure for merit salary increases is set forth in the prevailing instructions for budget preparation issued from the Office of the Provost and/or the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

It is the responsibility of the department chairperson or school director to recommend salary rates and merit increases. Each faculty member is required to provide an annual report on his work to the department chairperson or school director for use in consideration of a merit increase (OP 32.08).

Salary Payment

Faculty members on nine-month contracts receive four and one-half months’ salary for each semester. Faculty members have the option of receiving nine equal payments beginning on the first working day of October or of receiving the same amount divided into 12 equal monthly payments.

Salary checks are issued monthly, on the first working day of each month. These may be picked up at the Payroll Department or, if requested, payments will be electronically deposited in the faculty member’s bank account.

Salary for summer sessions is likewise paid on the first of the month. For the first term, a check for a full month’s salary will be received on the first working day of July; a check for a half month’s salary will be received on the first working day of August. For the second term, there will be a check on the first working day of August for a half month’s salary; a check for a full month’s salary will be received on the first working day of September.

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Security Control of Keys

All key requests must be submitted through the Key Management System (KMS). Requests require approval from the department head and/or security manager. A minimum of 24 hours should be allowed for the Texas Tech University Building Access Service Center, located at 0212 Physical Plant Building (3122 Main Street), to process the request following final approval. Authorized keys must be personally picked up by the individual to whom they are issued, who will electronically sign for them through the KMS. Keys must be picked up within 30 days of notification, or the requesting department will be charged for the cost of the key. University keys are state property and must not be defaced, marked, altered, duplicated, loaned, borrowed, reassigned, or sold. Departments will be responsible for re-keying costs if keys are not returned by separating employees. Please see OP 61.15 for more detailed information.

Small Classes

Small organized classes may be taught only within certain limitations. Ordinarily, undergraduate courses taught as organized classes must include at least 10 undergraduate students, and graduate classes must include at least five students as of the 12th class day.

The Provost will approve or disapprove the proposed offering of small classes according to conditions stated in the policy, will monitor the offerings, and will provide reports in accordance with state requirements (OP 36.07).

Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Environment

To provide for the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, the university has enacted a policy designed to assure a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment in all academic and administrative facilities. In the interest of providing such an environment, smoking and use of other tobacco products is prohibited in all campus academic, administrative, and athletic facilities. OP 60.15, Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Environment, details exceptions and procedures of this policy.

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Student Disability Services

See “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”

Student Health Services

Student Health Services is a primary care clinic staffed with licensed physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, licensed professional counselors, and support staff who provide care for illnesses and injuries, primary care, and women's health, as well as mental health issues. It also has lab, radiology, and pharmacy services. Student Health Services is located in the Student Wellness Center at the corner of Main and Flint on the west side of the campus. Appointment hours for the Wellness Center are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Students generally pay a medical services fee that entitles them access to Student Health Services. A valid Texas Tech ID is required to access the clinic services. A student who is unsure about a medical issue or problem may call 806.743.2848 and speak confidentially to the triage nurse. If all appointments are filled for the day, the triage nurse will advise on care until the student can be seen. Student Health Services can collaborate with Student Disability Services for students experiencing a lengthy illness that may affect their academic performance or may require academic accommodations. Students are normally seen on the same day that they call, or within less than 24 hours.

In accordance with state law, a student’s medical information is kept completely confidential and cannot be released to anyone, including parents and/or guardians, without the student’s written permission unless otherwise authorized by law. Student Health Services brochures are available in several locations on campus.

Contact: 806.743.2848, www.depts.ttu.edu/studenthealth

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Student Organization Advisors

Organizational and personal leadership development are central objectives to the university’s co-curricular student activities programs, which subsequently promote and cultivate academic excellence. To facilitate this educational process and to ensure the responsible functioning of registered student organizations, the university requires each organization to have a full-time TTU faculty or staff advisor.

The organization selects an advisor who then serves in that capacity for as long as is mutually agreeable. The advisor is encouraged to attend meetings and events to ensure adherence to guidelines for registered student organizations, including university policies and procedures per the TTU Student Handbook.

In addition to serving as a knowledgeable campus and community referral and resource, the advisor assists in organizational development, including membership recruitment, programmatic planning and implementation, and monitoring and authorizing financial accounts.

Throughout the year, programs will be offered dealing with advisors’ roles and responsibilities; however, questions or concerns may be directed to the Office of Student Involvement in the Student Union, Suite 203, 806.742.5433.

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Student Success

Raider Success Hub (RSH) is Texas Tech’s centralized student success platform that allows for coordinated support across campus.

Faculty are required to track attendance in all core curriculum courses and are encouraged to do so across all courses. RSH integrates directly with aPLUS+ Attendance to automatically generate alerts when a student misses a defined number of classes. These alerts enable success specialists to recognize early signs of disengagement and provide timely, proactive support. Faculty retain full discretion over how attendance impacts course grading.

Midterm grades are a key checkpoint in the semester. They are required for certain student populations (first-year, transfers in their first term, academic probation, athletes), and faculty should refer to the official university academic calendar for specific submission deadlines.

Summer Appointments for Faculty on Nine-Month Appointments

Faculty with nine-month appointments are appointed from September through May. Summer appointments, when available, are based upon summer instructional needs as determined by the department chair and/or college dean. Summer employment is considered a supplemental appointment and is not guaranteed.

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Faculty Handbook Contents

Introduction

General Information

Role of the Faculty

Facilities and Services

Office of the Provost

Research

Faculty Affairs

Benefits and Services

Emergency Procedures

Financial Exigency Plan

Additional Resources

Operating Policies