Adjunct Professors’ Frequently Asked Questions

 

JCTC Communications

§                     How do I set up my JCTC e-mail?

When the hiring contracts have been processed, an email address will be created for you. Check with the front desk of the library to pick up your email address.

§                     How do I retrieve my JCTC e-mail?

There are a couple of ways to retrieve your email. The librarians on the front desk can assist you in learning how to retrieve your email.

Email Tips:

Plan to check your JCTC e-mail three times a week for announcements and information. Email is how the division communicates with all RDG/AS faculty, even in the summer. It is a condition of employment in the division.

Use this e-mail address when communicating with students and College personnel.

Common practice at the College is for the adjunct professor to respond within 48 hours to e-mails. This will maintain a professional relationship with the students and other College personnel.

Telephone Tips:

You may wish to provide students with your business phone number, cell phone number, home number or department secretary’s phone number.

Return a student’s phone call within 24 hours.

You can ask students to call you only during business hours.

Encourage students to use e-mail as an alternative to phone.

§                     How may I communicate with students outside of class?

All students have an college e-mail address, which is on the class rosters. Faculty will receive rosters. Student e-mail addresses can also be found in Peoplesoft.

JCTC e-mail is the most effective way for the College to communicate with you.

It keeps all College communication in a single secure location.

Remember e-mail is a public document.

Be positive and courteous in your responses.

Create a response that is complete and informative.

Blackboard is an effective way to communicate with students by email. Each instructor has a blackboard account for each class they teach. To learn how to use Blackboard, check with the front desk in library.

§                     Where do I retrieve my campus mail?

Adjunct Reading/Academic Success Faculty have a mailbox in the library, room 226.

 

Classroom Management

§                     In what condition should I leave the classroom?

Turn off the lights in the classroom when you leave.

Leave the classroom so it is tidy and ready for the next class.

Erase the whiteboard.

Pick up papers or books that were used during your class.

Plan to lock the door when you leave.

Place furniture back in its original configuration.

§                     How can I contact campus security?

Looking for phone number.

§                     How may I handle disruptive students?

You will receive the Reading/Academic Success Disruptive Student Manual during Adjunct Training.

§                     Where do I obtain teaching supplies?

Contact the department secretary with your supply request.

§                     How should I handle an absence?

Provide advanced notification to the division secretary, Diane Rohleder, 213-2159 or diane.rohleder@kctcs.edu before the class meeting and discuss alternate arrangements.

Please request that the department secretary place a notice to students on the classroom door.

In an emergency situation or last minute, call security to inform students of your absence.

§                     How do I get technical assistance in the classroom?

Joan Brotage on the first floor of the library or ask John Stoller on the 2nd floor of the library, room 215A.

How do I handle class disruptions, such as students who arrive late, leave early or fail to turn their cell phones off?

Establish your classroom management in your syllabus.

Review these classroom guidelines with your students the first day of class.

Cell phones are turned off during class (even vibration).

No food or drink in classrooms, except if drink is in a bottle with cap top or a travel mug with a secure top.

 

Policies Affecting Students

§                     What is the withdrawal process for students?

Looking up

§                     What if a student believes he or she has been unfairly evaluated?

Initial resolution of the grade dispute should be addressed informally between the student and the instructor.

If no resolution is reached, the student should contact Dan Kesterson, division chair – 213-2299.

If no resolution is reached with the division chair, the student should contact Randy Davis, Academic Dean – 213-2020.

What are the Division’s Policies?

Division Policy

 

Assisting Students

§                     Whom should the students contact with questions about planning their class schedules or program requirements?

The Reading/Academic Success Division uses an Advising Team Approach to advising. While taking reading classes, the Developmental Advising Coordinator, Reneau Waggoner – LIB room 217, your reading and your academic success instructor, and the professional advisor counselors are the student’s advisors.

§                     How can I help special needs students in my class?

See the Access*Ability Center in VTI 111

 

Course Management

§                     Am I required to take attendance?

In the Reading/Academic Success Division, taking attendance is required.

Students who receive financial aid or V.A. benefits through the College must maintain satisfactory attendance as specified by the instructor.

§                     Are adjuncts required to have office hours?

  • In the Reading/Academic Success Division, the adjunct professor is required to have 30 minutes of regularly scheduled time to meet with students outside of class time.
  • Note on your syllabus the office hour time.
  • Arriving one half hour before class or staying one half hour after may be an option for you.

§                     How do I make copies?

  • Obtain the department copier code from department secretary – Diane Rohleder, to use copier in division.
  • If making over 20 single copies, it is best to give division secretary, Diane Rohleder, originals 24 hours in advance and copies can be made for you by the college’s print shop.

§                     How do I determine the student’s final course grade?

  • One of the most important aspects of grading involves the instructor effectively communicating policies in the course syllabus.
  • Specific information to be included would be the percentage value or points utilized for each course activity used in determining the course letter grade.

Reading course grades are A,B,C,E,W, and Academic Success course grades are A,B,C,D,E, W

§                     May I revise the textbook selection for the class I am teaching?

No.

§                     What should the structure of my syllabus look like?

See samples by clicking on the course you are teaching in the Reading/Academic Success division. Click here.

§                     How may I use the library resources of the Library?

Adjuncts have access to all JCTC campus libraries, resources, and services.

Pick up a library card at the front desk at the library.

 

Miscellaneous

§                     How can I check on the dates I will be paid?

Check with Human Resources.

§                     Do all campuses have an adjunct work or rest area?

No. In the Reading/Academic Division, the division workroom is a popular work and resting room, LIB 226.

§                     Are adjunct professors evaluated in the classroom?

Yes