LaGrange College, established in 1831, is owned by the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. LaGrange College is proud of this relationship and believes that its mission is an extension of the work of The United Methodist Church. LaGrange College is committed to the free, uninhibited pursuit of truth. Academic freedom and free expression of faculty and students are integral to the LaGrange College ethos.

LaGrange College is committed to challenging the minds and inspiring the souls of students by improving their creative, critical and communicative abilities. Faculty recognize the part they play in a student's development by serving as mentors and role models. The total LaGrange College program - curricular and cocurricular - is designed to challenge and support students as they deal with fundamental issues of self, world, and God.

The principal curricular means by which the College assists students in the improving of their creative, critical and communicative abilities are an interdisciplinary, technologically sophisticated liberal arts program (A.A., B.A., B.S.), professional programs in business (B.B.A, M.B.A), nursing (B.S.N.), education (B.A., M.Ed., M.A.T.), and continuing education. The principal cocurricular means is through a comprehensive program of student life and athletics.

LaGrange College strives to be a caring and ethical community. The hallmark of the LaGrange College community is the quest for civility, diversity, service, and excellence.

This mission statement was approved by the faculty and Board of Trustees in 1997.

II. Introduction

A. Purpose of the Handbook

The LaGrange College Faculty Handbook provides information concerning the structure and procedures the College has adopted to carry out its mission. Although The Faculty Handbook addresses the organization and responsibilities of the faculty, it is not intended to be overly restrictive nor all inclusive in its description of the relationships that the faculty, staff and administration have in the implementation of strategies to fulfill the mission and purpose of the College. The common law of LaGrange College should be used as an interpretive guide with regard to issues about which this Faculty Handbook is generally silent.

B. Administrative Instructions

Persons receiving copies of the Faculty Handbook are responsible for updating these copies when changes are made.

The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean is responsible for revision of the Faculty Handbook. Other offices and personnel may be asked to provide consultative service. The President and appropriate committees of the Board of Trustees must approve revisions of the Faculty Handbook.

C. Effective Dates

Any changes in this Faculty Handbook from the previous Faculty Handbook become effective September 1, 2000.

III.Organization and Responsibilities

A. Accreditation and Degrees

LaGrange College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award bachelors and masters degrees.

LaGrange College is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. The State Board of Education confers professional teaching certification upon LaGrange College graduates meeting requirements in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. The Department of Business Administration and Economics is presently a member of the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is accredited by that body. LaGrange College’s program in nursing is fully accredited at the bachelor's level by the National League of Nursing. LaGrange College awards the following degrees: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Education.

B. Board of Trustees

Ultimate authority for LaGrange College is vested in a board of trustees of up to thirty-six members. The membership is self-perpetuating, all nominees being confirmed by the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church before becoming active. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention, Executive Vice President for Administration, Controller, Vice President for Advancement, and a tenured faculty member, elected by the faculty for a three-year term, serve as consultants to the Board of Trustees. The elected faculty member cannot succeed himself/herself.

The Board of Trustees establishes the basic policies of the College, but does not participate in administrative management. It sets the budget and provides funds for capital development by gifts and solicitations, planning for long-range campus development and administering investments. The board operates under a charter and by-laws and meets semiannually during the fall and spring.

The Executive Committee meets bimonthly with called meetings scheduled as necessary. The following standing committees meet on call: Academic Affairs, Audit, Budget and Finance, Buildings and Grounds, Development, Insurance, Investment, Student Affairs, Honorary Doctorate Degrees, and Nominating.

C. Council of LaGrange College

The Council is an advocacy, service-oriented group of friends of the College whose primary purpose is to assist in developing resources for the College.

Members of the Council are selected by the President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement.

D. Cabinet

The President is the chief administrative officer of the College, responsible to the Board of Trustees. Other members of the Cabinet responsible directly to the President are: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, Vice President for Continuing Education, Executive Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Advancement, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention, and the Chaplain. Other administrative officers who may when called upon by the president participate in decisions of the Cabinet include: Director of Admission, Director of Financial Aid, Director of Public Relations, Director of Alumni Affairs, Registrar, Director of Institutional Research and Planning, and Director of Information Systems. Meetings of the Cabinet are held regularly.

E. Office of the President

1. President

The President is the chief executive officer of the College and presides over official meetings of the faculty, administration, and student body. The President's duties also involve relations with various constituencies on and off campus, including other members of the administration, faculty, staff, and student body, as well as with The United Methodist Church, educational associations, parents, alumni, and the general public. The President has a major responsibility in institutional development and finance. The President sets the agenda for sessions of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. The President has the final responsibility for the implementation of college policy, the selection and continuance of all personnel, and college operation. The President may dismiss students for breach of college conduct codes or failure to meet academic standards. The President confers college degrees and serves as a vice chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The original 1831 charter (under which the College still operates) stipulates that the Trustees appoint a principal (president) who "shall have the right and power to appoint assistants, (to) prescribe a course of studies, to make and enforce all such laws as the internal policy of the institute may require, (to) establish a rate of tuition, (to) adjust expenses and (to) adopt such regulations as the good of the institution may require."

2. Chaplain

The LaGrange College Chaplain is an ordained United Methodist minister who gives leadership to the religious life of the College. This person has responsibility for caring for the pastoral needs of students, staff, and faculty. In addition to the numerous individual encounters with LaGrange College community members, the Chaplain is responsible for the coordination of worship, the Wesley group, the interfaith religious group, and certain volunteer service opportunities. The Chaplain reports directly to the President and serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

3. Director of Institutional Research and Planning

The Director of Institutional Research and Planning coordinates the College’s institutional research and planning efforts. These efforts include providing information concerning the College’s compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Director organizes meetings of the College’s Institutional Planning Council and guides the College’s strategic planning activities.

F. Office of Academic Affairs

1. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean is a faculty member and serves as chair of the faculty. The Dean is ordinarily called on by the President to preside over faculty meetings. The Dean also presides over sessions of the Academic Advisory Council.

The Vice President for Academic affairs and Dean has a major responsibility in the selection of the faculty members in consultation with appropriate members of the faculty. The Dean sets the annual calendar and supervises the scheduling of preschool planning sessions and academic orientation of students. The Dean has the responsibility for assigning faculty members and determining teaching responsibilities, consistent with the approved curriculum of the College. He/she is responsible for the academic part of a student's orientation to the College and for the implementation of a faculty advising program for students. The Dean is responsible, with the Academic Advisory Council, for the academic information in the LaGrange College Bulletin and is the editor of the Bulletin although the Dean may hire a member of the faculty to assist with these editorial duties. The Dean cooperates with other personnel in the establishment of special committees and is responsible for special programs of an academic nature. He/she is the chief counselor to the members of the faculty, who are responsible to the Dean for effective performance in keeping with the aims of the College. The Dean has the ultimate responsibility to see that students meet the academic requirements of the institution for admission, advancement, and graduation. The Dean recommends the dismissal of students for failure to meet academic standards. The academic status of any student is determined by the Dean. The Dean serves as a consultant to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for effecting a program for faculty development.

2. Vice President for Continuing Education

The Vice President for Continuing Education plans, coordinates, executes, and markets a comprehensive program of continuing education to serve the interests of the citizens and industries of LaGrange and the surrounding community. As LaGrange College is committed to the belief that all people should be lifelong learners, innovative educational opportunities will appeal to students at all ages of the life cycle. Characteristic of this program will be the use of new strategies and technologies, including distance learning, to deliver these services. A primary responsibility for the Vice President will be to foster partnerships with business, community and civic groups, churches, and other educational institutions. The Vice President for Continuing Education coordinates and facilitates off-campus groups using the LaGrange College campus during the summer. The Office of Continuing Education initiates and implements summer programs, including the Visual Arts Workshop and the Summer Day Camp. The Vice President for Continuing Education handles other duties as assigned by the President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. He/she reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

3. Director of Liberal Studies and the Interim Term

With an administrative rank equivalent to that of a division chair, the Director of the Core Program in Liberal Studies and the Interim Term bears a number of responsibilities essential to the college’s core liberal studies program and the organization of its interim term. The director’s duties include:

1. Evaluation of faculty offering courses and programs in the liberal studies

component of the curriculum;

2. In conjunction with the Institutional Research Director, assessment of course

effectiveness for liberal studies courses;

3. Consultation and advice to department and division chairs about position

announcements for those positions which will contribute to the liberal studies

program;

4. Interviewing candidates for faculty positions;

5. Recruiting faculty to participate in the liberal studies curriculum;

6. Planning and coordination of course development for liberal studies classes;

7. Budget development and oversight for the liberal studies programs; and

8. In consultation with the appropriate department or division chairs, the

scheduling of liberal studies courses.

In regard to the interim term, the director bears responsibility for advising faculty on course proposals for the interim term, working with the curriculum committee to approve interim term proposals, developing a prospectus of courses for each interim term, and scheduling interim term classes and projects.

The director reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and serves as a member of the Academic Advisory Council.

4. Director of the William and Evelyn Banks Library

The Librarian is appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean in consultation with the President. The Librarian may be a member of the faculty. Other qualified library professionals assist the Librarian. The Librarian directs and coordinates the components of the library--its staff, services, collections, building and external relations--so that each contributes effectively and imaginatively to the mission of the library. The Director is responsible, additionally, for the administration and management of library resources for students attending LaGrange College at Albany.

5. Registrar

The Registrar is responsible for maintaining the academic records of all students, past and present, and providing those students, under no obligation to the College, a transcript of their grades to anyone the student requests in writing. He/she is responsible for maintaining and updating the computer system as it pertains to the functions of the office. Statistical data is supplied to any office, faculty member, student, or committee for the purpose of self-study or decision-making. The Registrar is the coordinator of veteran’s affairs, which includes enrollment certification and reports of unsatisfactory progress to the Veterans Administration. He/she is responsible for the registration of all students each term and all necessary reports that are a result of registration. Reports of the grades of each student are sent to students or their parents if so directed by the student at the end of each grading period. All activities of the office of the Registrar fall under the supervision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. Appropriate reporting is done as required by agencies of the Federal Government, educational associations, and The United Methodist Church. The office of the Registrar sends official transcripts of academic records to other institutions upon requests of students and alumni but may withhold sending the transcripts if all financial obligations have not been fully met by the student or alumnus making the request. The Registrar is an ex officio member of the Academic Advisory Council.

6. Director of the Evening Studies Program

The Director of the Evening Studies Program at LaGrange College manages and develops the College’s programs for non-traditional and masters-level students. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, the Director works in consultation with the faculty in the Divisions of Business Administration and of Social and Behavioral Science to develop curricula and major programs serving the needs of working and adult students. The Director is responsible for: working with the appropriate members of the faculty in developing and implementing major programs in business and human services for working and non-traditional students; devising a degree completion program to be offered to working and non-traditional students who have completed the equivalent of an associate’s degree in liberal studies; promoting the College’s evening and M.B.A. programs by recruiting students through area businesses and other appropriate venues; ensuring that students in the program are properly advised about their course of study; and overseeing the course schedule for the program and working with division heads and department chairs to ensure that courses are properly staffed. The Director is an ex officio member of the Academic Advisory Council.

G. Office of Student Life

1. Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention

The Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention is responsible for the quality of student life outside the classroom. This includes admission, financial aid, housing, health services, recreation activities-including athletics, counseling, discipline, security, safety, cultural enrichment opportunities and support services including career planning and placement, and retention. The Vice President supervises resident staff, athletic director, security officers, student officers and representatives. The Vice President acts as student advocate and serves as a liaison between students and members of the faculty, administration and staff. The Vice President gives special attention to the retention of students with the aim of helping the College to increase significantly its persistence rate. All traditional, special, and social events are scheduled and coordinated through the Vice President's office. The Vice President works with the Student Affairs Committee of the faculty, sets the non-academic phases of programs for student orientation and special-day observances, and is responsible for the production of the student handbook. Students may be dismissed by the Vice President, after consultation with the President, for breach of College codes or standards. The Vice President reports directly to the President and is a member of the President's Cabinet.

2. Dean of Students

The Dean of Students is the officer responsible for the students' quality of life outside the classroom. This includes housing, recreation, activities, counseling, discipline, security, and safety. The Dean supervises resident staff and student officers and representatives. The Dean of Students acts as a student advocate and serves as a liaison person between students and members of the faculty, staff and administration. All traditional, special and social events are scheduled and coordinated through the Dean's office. The Dean of Students works with the Student Affairs Committee of the faculty, sets the non-academic phases of programs for student orientation and special-day observances; and is responsible for the production of the student handbook. Students may be dismissed by the Dean, after consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, for

breach of College codes or standards. Students may appeal that dismissal to the President of the College.

3. Director of Admission

The Director of Admission has broad oversight for the recruiting and the admission of students. Working under the leadership of the Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention, the Director coordinates the largely internal function of strategic planning, record keeping and statistics, publications, student-tracking software, budgets, faculty relations, and other appropriate duties with the primarily external functions of high school visitations, telemarketing, counselor relations, counselor travel and travel budgeting and other appropriate activities. The Director is responsible for keeping the level of mutual cooperation high by training, formative evaluation, and collective goal setting. The Director serves as an adviser to the Admission Committee of the faculty.

4. Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid, in consultation with the Director of Admission, counsels with prospective and current students and maintains a continuing relationship with these students regarding their financial needs and concerns. This office has the responsibility for awarding grants and scholarships and arranging for student loans and campus employment in keeping with applicable guidelines. The Director serves as the Tuition Exchange liaison officer for the College.

H. Office of Administration

1. Executive Vice President for Administration

Reporting to the President, the Executive Vice President for Administration is responsible for the business, financial, information technology, and auxiliary operations of the college. Responsibilities include strategic financial planning and oversight of the operational and capital budgets of the college, all internal and external financial reporting, cash management, accounting, endowment management, data base management and systems analysis for all the college's information technology needs, and oversight of the college's maintenance, food service and bookstore. The Executive Vice President is a member of the President's Cabinet.

2. Controller

Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Administration, the Controller is the chief financial officer. The Controller maintains the accounting records of the College, bears responsibility for collecting and recording all fees and other income, and is responsible for the annual fiscal audit. He/she has the authority to question any expenditure of budgeted funds (the President being the final arbiter), and serves as a consultant to the Board of Trustees. Upon request, the Controller reports to the Investment and Executive Committees of the Board of Trustees.

3. Director of Information Systems

The Director reports to the Executive Vice President for Administration and is primarily responsible for all campus computing activities including the management and utilization of the campus computer network, the microcomputer laboratories, the library's electronic resources and Internet connections. The Director develops software, solves problems and facilitates administrative and academic use of these computing resources, and is responsible for appropriate maintenance on a timely basis. The responsibility for maintaining the College's student-tracking software is the Director's. The Director is secondarily responsible for the management, utilization, support and identification of solutions to maintenance problems for all college-approved computing systems. The Director surveys replacement, expansion and maintenance needs for the network and the computer laboratories, and he/she develops meaningful budget requests based on long-range planning.

I. Office of Institutional Advancement

1. Vice President for Advancement

The Vice President for Advancement, working closely with the President, trustees, council members, administration colleagues, faculty, staff, and the United Methodist Church, develops programs and activities designed to enhance the College's image and reputation among internal and external constituencies to increase its endowment, to supply resources for needed academic projects, and to upgrade physical facilities. In providing leadership for the College's overall advancement effort, the Vice President is responsible for planned and deferred giving, capital funds drives, special needs initiatives, foundation and corporation solicitations, and the Annual Loyalty Fund in conjunction with the Alumni Office.

The Vice President serves as a consultant to the Board of Trustees and is the primary staff liaison to the Council.