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.), and education (B.A., M.Ed., M.A.T.) 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, and again by the Board of Trustees in 2001.

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.

The Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean will assure accuracy of content relating to academic policies and procedures in admission materials, advancement materials, the College Bulletin, the Evening College Bulletin, and the LaGrange College at Albany Bulletin, and other publications containing information about College policies.

C. Effective Dates

Any changes in this Faculty Handbook from the previous Faculty Handbook become effective August 19, 2002.

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 the degrees of Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Business Administration.

LaGrange College is also approved by the United Methodist University Senate. It has membership in the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, which confers professional certificates upon college graduates meeting requirements in early childhood, middle grades, or secondary education, has awarded highest approval to LaGrange College's program of teacher education.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing.

The undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.

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 three times per year 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, Nominating, and President’s Review.

C. Leadership Council

The Leadership 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 Leadership Council are selected by the Leadership Council membership.

D. Cabinet

The President is the principal executive 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, 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 Communications and Marketing, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Registrar, Director of Institutional Research and Planning, and Director of Information Systems. The Cabinet usually meets bi-weekly.

E. Office of the President

1. President

The President is the principal 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 ex officio 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. Executive Director for Instructional and Information Technology

Reporting to the President, the Executive Director for Instructional and Information Technology administers the instructional and information technologies of LaGrange College and promotes faculty use of instructional technology and oversees Information Systems at LaGrange College. The Director of Information Systems and other members of the Information Technologies staff report to the Executive Director for Instructional and Information Technology.

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 Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501). The Director organizes meetings of the College’s Institutional Planning Council and guides the College’s strategic planning activities. The Director reports to the President.

4. 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.

5. Director of the Center for Community Studies

The Director of the Center for Community Studies serves as a coordinating agent for local non-profit organizations pursuing funding from federal, state, and foundation sources. The Director also provides assistance to College departments seeking funding from similar agencies.

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 also works with appropriate committees of the faculty in reviewing and evaluating curricula. 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. Associate Dean and Director for LaGrange College at Albany

The Associate Dean and Director for LaGrange College at Albany is a faculty member with administrative responsibilities for the LaGrange College at Albany program. As such, the Associate Dean and Director serves as the principal liaison between LaGrange and Albany, supervises operations and marketing, assists with budgetary planning and oversees the budget, and consults with the Vice President for Academic Affairs in the selection, employment, and orientation of adjunct faculty members for the Albany program. The Associate Dean and Director for LaGrange College at Albany also is responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the curriculum, including the faculty who teach in the program. As changes are necessitated in the curriculum, the Associate Dean and Director is responsible for the oversight of these changes. He/she promotes public relations as well as supports and communicates with various civic and community groups in the Albany area.

The Associate Dean and Director for LaGrange College at Albany normally teaches and academically advises students in the Organizational Leadership curriculum. In order to counsel students with their servant leadership project, the Associate Dean and Director holds at least one formal meeting with students prior to enrollment in their final course – the servant leadership project reporting course.

The Associate Dean and Director for LaGrange College at Albany is responsible for maintaining an effective learning environment by keeping technology up-to-date, providing adequate resources, and maintaining safety and security for students and staff. He/she is responsible for the administration of assessment instruments as well as interpreting the results to evaluate and modify programs.

The Associate Dean and Director also ensures the appropriateness and effectiveness of student development policies and resources for students on the Albany campus. Data from surveys and exit interviews are used in this regard.

3. Director of the Core Program and the Interim Term

With an administrative rank equivalent to that of a division chair, the Director of the Core Program 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: evaluating faculty offering courses and programs in the liberal studies component of the curriculum; in conjunction with the Institutional Research Director, assessing course effectiveness for liberal studies courses; consulting and advising department and division chairs about position announcements for those positions which will contribute to the liberal studies program; interviewing candidates for faculty positions; recruiting faculty to participate in the liberal studies curriculum; planning and coordinating course development for liberal studies classes; developing and overseeing budgets for the liberal studies programs; and in consultation with the appropriate department or division chairs, scheduling 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, developing and overseeing the budget for the 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