Faculty Handbook

September 2025 edition

Complete Faculty Handbook (pdf)

Introduction

Chapter I – College Policies and State and Federal Law that Apply to Faculty
A. College Policies 
B. State and Federal Laws 

Chapter II – Positions and Initial Appointments 
Preamble 
A. General Faculty Job Description
B. Tenure-Track Positions
C. Job-Sharing Appointments 
D. Non-Tenure-Track Teaching Appointments 
E. Non-Tenure-Track SSRA Appointments 
F. Visiting Endowed Professorships 
G. Research Associates/Scientists and Senior Research Associates/Scientists
H. Emeritus Faculty
I. Conflict of Interest

Chapter III – Compensation 
A. Salaries and Annual Reviews 
B. Garrett Fellows
C. Employee Fringe Benefits 
D. Parenting and Family Leave 
E. Short-Term Paid Medical Leave

Chapter IV - Personnel Guidelines and Procedures 
A. Introduction
B. Tenure-Track Positions
C. Criteria for Evaluation
D. Interactions between the Faculty Personnel Committee and the Provost’s Office
E. Collection of Information
F. The Provost’s Role in Recommendations
G. Review Procedures for Tenure, Promotion, and Contract Renewal Cases and the Provost’s Role
H. Periodic Review of Tenured Faculty
I. Evaluation and Promotion of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
J. Evaluation and Promotion of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty in SSRA

Chapter V - Teaching and Advising 
A. Teaching Loads
B. Whitman College Credit Hour Policy
C. Academic Advising
D. Procedure for Recording & Tracking Informal Verbal Student Complaints 
E. Student Absences from Class 
F. Canceling Classes

Chapter VI - Professional Development 
A. Sabbatical Leave 
B. Leaves of Absence
C. Funds for Scholarship and Instructional Development 
D. Grants from External Sources
E. Student/Faculty Research Awards and Other Funds 
F. Mentoring

Chapter VII – Faculty and College Committees and the Provost’s Office 
A. Committees Advisory to the Provost 
B. Committees Whose Members are Appointed by the Provost or their Delegate 
C. Committees Chaired by Associate Deans 
D. The Role of the Provost in Appointing Department Chairs and Program Directors 

Chapter VIII – Resignation, Retirement, the Salary Continuation Plan, and the Phased Retirement Plan 
A. Resignation 
B. Retirement 
C. Salary Continuation Plan 
D. Phased Retirement
E. Policy for Computers of Faculty Resigning, Retiring, or Entering Salary Continuation Plan

Chapter IX – Faculty Use of Whitman College Resources
A. Allowable Expenses 
B. College Credit Cards
C. Personal Reimbursement 
D. Family or Companion Expenses 
E. Internet Connectivity Fees 
F. Cell Phones
G. Home Office 
H. Ownership of Equipment and Materials 
I. Departmental Meals and Entertainment 
J. Visiting Educators (Guest Lecturers) 
K. Departmental Endowment Use 
L. Office and Computer Equipment 

Appendices 
A. 1. Annual Faculty Activity Report 
A. 2. Annual SSRA Faculty Activity Report 
A. 3. Summary of the Salary Continuance Plan (SCP) Program and Options for Faculty Deciding on a State of Residence During SCP