The online programs are supported by two faculty types: full-time faculty (i.e., full-time residential faculty) and adjunct faculty. When each type of faculty member completes instructional or administrative duties in an academic year, they are considered “online faculty” regarding those duties. Online faculty are similarly referred to as instructors. This is a status in addition to any other status held at Kentucky State University, such as full-time faculty, staff, or adjunct faculty (in residential courses). The remainder of this section clarifies the various ways in which full-time faculty are involved in the online programs. It also clarifies the relationship between their contracts and work performed for KYSU Online.
Full-time faculty members are the primary faculty for the traditional (residential) academic programs. Their involvement in the campus life of Kentucky State University is an essential component of the students' campus experience and the institution's mission. One purpose of faculty contracts is to ensure an adequate faculty is in place to support the operations and offerings required by the residential student body. Therefore, their full-time teaching load should be fulfilled through courses delivered in the residential, hybrid, and virtual modalities (see Section 1.4 – Online Course Modality for an explanation of the difference between "virtual" and "online" modalities). Full-time faculty can also receive release from portions of their teaching load for administrative assignments, committee service, or special research projects.
Despite this primary orientation of the full-time faculty to the residential campus, they are integral to the success of KYSU Online. Full-time faculty serve as Subject Matter Experts to support KYSU Online course development. Some full-time faculty also might want to serve as online instructors for KYSU Online. This can occur in two ways:
Full-time faculty may request online course load from the Office of Online Education. Once approved, a full-time faculty member could serve as an instructor for KYSU Online. Online course load would be treated separately from the terms of their full-time contract. Compensation would be in accordance with standard online adjunct rates in this scenario.
Some full-time faculty will be offered an extended contract, which delineates a scope of work to be completed specifically for KYSU Online. This extends beyond the scope of their regular contract. The extended contract will be formulated by the Office of Online Education and the Provost.
When a full-time faculty member carries online courses, they will be considered an online faculty member in addition to their status on the residential campus. As online faculty, they will report to the appropriate administrators concerning online courses.
See Section 1.3.3 – Online Faculty.
To ensure that an adequate number of full-time faculty are available for the residential academic programs, administrative assignments, and committee service, full-time faculty may not count online course load towards their full-time teaching requirements. Whenever a full-time faculty
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