Article
42
DISTANCE EDUCATION
A. Preamble
1. The purpose of distance education is to enrich
and to increase the availability of the curriculum offerings of the STATE
SYSTEM/UNIVERSITIES. The purpose of the
parties in adopting this Article is to expand the curriculum offerings of the
STATE SYSTEM/UNIVERSITIES, and to promote access to these offerings.
2. The
parties agree that the method of classroom instruction with the FACULTY MEMBER
and the traditional residential and commuter students in the same room provides
the best opportunity for a quality educational experience. Distance education is not intended to
diminish that experience.
3. During
the term of this Agreement, the STATE SYSTEM agrees not to retrench a FACULTY
MEMBER teaching in a department where distance education is being used, when
retrenchment is a direct result of distance education. This sub-section applies only to the
University at which the retrenched FACULTY MEMBER is employed.
4. Distance
education is a part of the approved curriculum and evaluated pursuant to
Section F.
B. Definitions
1. Distance Education
a. Distance
Education is defined as instruction where the FACULTY MEMBER(S) and the
student(s) are separated geographically so that face-to-face communication is
absent; communication is accomplished instead by one or more technological
media. This linkage with technology
allows real time or delayed interaction using voice, video, data and/or
text. Examples of technological methods
that can be used singly or in combination include live or recorded visual
presentations and material using direct signal or cable transmission by
telephone line, fiber optic line, video-conferencing using compressed video,
digital, and/or analog video, audiotape, CDROM, computer or internet
technology, email, or other electronic means now known or hereafter developed,
utilized to teach any course approved by one of the STATE SYSTEM UNIVERSITIES.
For
purposes of compensation, online/web-based distance education courses must have
eighty percent (80%) of the course instruction delivered online.
b. Distance
education does not include the use of movies, filmstrips, videotapes,
computers, and their related technologies, or other forms of aural or visual
recordings, to the extent that they are used as part of course instruction, by
a FACULTY MEMBER who is in the same classroom as the students. However, where a FACULTY MEMBER is in the
same classroom as the students, but simultaneous transmission of some form
occurs to students in other off campus locations, this Article shall cover both
the FACULTY MEMBER in the classroom as well as the education of students at the
off campus location. In addition,
distance education shall not include instruction at multiple locations on the
same campus.
2. Home
Site
Home
site means the site at which the distance education originates. There may be more than one (1) home site for
a distance education course, if more than one (1) FACULTY MEMBER is
involved. The site at which a distance
education course is recorded or otherwise stored for later transmission or
replay shall be deemed a home site.
3. Remote
Site
A
remote site is any site physically separate from the home site at which a
distance education course is received.
There may be more than one (1) remote site for a course. If a course, which is recorded or otherwise
stored for later replay, is replayed at the same site at which it was recorded,
this site shall be the home site for recording purposes and the remote site for
replay purposes. Individual website
users shall not be considered individual remote sites.
4. Originating
FACULTY MEMBER(S)
The
originating FACULTY MEMBER(S) may be one (1) or more FACULTY MEMBERS who
develop and teach a distance education course.
5. Instructor
of Record
For
credit-bearing University courses, the instructor of record is the FACULTY
MEMBER(S) who has the task of grading students and otherwise supervising the
offering of a distance education course.
In no event shall a person who is not a FACULTY MEMBER be the instructor
of record, except as provided for under Article 7, PERFORMANCE OF BARGAINING
UNIT WORK.
C. FACULTY
Participation
1. Except
where specifically stated in a letter of appointment for a FACULTY MEMBER
describing his/her job expectations, teaching through distance education
technologies shall be voluntary during the term of this Agreement.
2. Prior
to teaching a distance education course, University officials may require
FACULTY MEMBERS identified in C.1. to complete
appropriate training in distance education instruction or the use of a
technology. A FACULTY MEMBER may suggest
appropriate distance education training in consultation with his/her department
and will be subject to approval by the appropriate University official(s).
3. The
STATE SYSTEM shall encourage FACULTY participation in the distance education
planning process. The STATE SYSTEM has
established a Distance Education Advisory Committee and APSCUF may appoint
three (3) APSCUF representatives to this committee or its successor.
D. Technical
and Instructional Support
1. The
University shall assure the availability of technical support personnel and
materials appropriate to the principal technology and consistent with the
FACULTY MEMBER’S prior training and experience.
2. The
University shall assure the means for students at remote sites to interact with
FACULTY MEMBER(S) (e.g. site visits, voice mail boxes, e-mail, fax and other
technological methods of communication).
3. The
University shall insure that textbooks and other course materials are available
to students at remote sites.
Additionally, arrangements shall be made for library access, either
through technology or physical access, as appropriate.
E. Course
Approval
1. In
approving distance education courses, the following criteria shall be
applicable: (a) course approval through the traditional academic process; (b) a
qualified instructor; (c) use of suitable technology as a substitute for the
traditional classroom; (d) suitable opportunity for interaction between
instructor and student; (e) suitable evaluation of student achievement by the
instructor; and (f) integrity of the evaluation methods used.
2. New
credit bearing courses, which may be offered through distance education, must
be approved through the normal course approval procedure at the University.
3. Existing
credit bearing courses, which may be offered through distance education, shall
be reviewed by the department and University curriculum committee, which shall
each provide its recommendation to the President or his/her designee. Each University shall develop an expedited
procedure to complete this review within thirty (30) days. Such procedure shall be reviewed with APSCUF
at local meet and discuss prior to implementation.
F. Evaluation
1. Evaluation
of FACULTY MEMBER(S) teaching distance education courses shall follow the same
procedures and practices that apply to regular classroom courses identified in
Article 12, PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND EVALUATION.
2. For
distance education courses, an appropriate student evaluation instrument shall
be developed by local APSCUF, the University management and the appropriate
student government body as designated by the President, and approved by local
APSCUF and the University management at local meet and discuss. The University shall insure that student
evaluation instruments are made available to, and completed by, students at all remote sites.
G. Intellectual
Property
Ownership
of Intellectual Property created through distance education shall be governed
by the provisions of Article 39, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
H. Compensation
1. Base
Compensation
Credit-bearing courses taught via distance education during the academic year shall be included in the workload hours pursuant to either Article 23, WORKLOAD AND WORKLOAD EQUIVALENTS, or Article 27, CONTINUING EDUCATION, as appropriate. Credit-bearing courses taught via distance education during the summer shall be paid at the appropriate summer school rate.
2. Home
Site and Remote Site Instruction
a. A FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance
education ITV/compressed video course during the academic year shall receive
his/her base compensation for teaching at the home site. A FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance
education course during the summer shall be paid at the appropriate summer
school rate for teaching at the home site. Additionally, the FACULTY MEMBER
shall receive a payment of $250.00 for each remote site and $15.00 for each
student enrolled at the remote site(s).
For purposes of the $250.00 remote site payment, individual web site
users shall not be considered individual remote sites. Enrollment will be established on the last
day of the add/drop period for that class for that
semester.
b. A FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance
education online/web-based course during the academic year shall receive
his/her base compensation for teaching at the home site. A FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance
education course during the summer shall be paid at the appropriate summer
school rate for teaching at the home site.
Additionally, the FACULTY MEMBER shall receive a payment of $25.00 for
each student enrolled in the course.
Enrollment will be established on the last day of the
add/drop period for that class for that semester.
3. Instruction
at the Remote Site(s) Only
A
FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance education course during the academic year
will receive his/her base compensation for the assigned workload plus a payment
of $250.00 for each remote site. A
FACULTY MEMBER teaching a distance education course during the summer will be
paid the appropriate summer school rate plus a payment of $250.00 for each
remote site. For purposes of the $250.00
remote site payment, individual web site users shall not be considered
individual remote sites.
4. Recording
a Course Without a Live Class Present
If
a FACULTY MEMBER is requested by management to record a course without a class
present and does so, he/she shall receive the workload hours that would have
been received had there been a live class present.
5. Reuse
of a Recorded Course
If
a recorded course is reused at any University or elsewhere by the STATE
SYSTEM/UNIVERSITIES, by someone other than the originating FACULTY MEMBER, the
originating FACULTY MEMBER shall be compensated forty dollars ($40.00) per
student. A recorded course may only be
reused with the written permission of the originating FACULTY MEMBER.
6. Course
Development Compensation
a. In addition to the compensation required above, a distance education course development payment of $800.00 per credit shall be paid the first time an online/web-based course is developed and initially taught beginning with the Fall 2007 semester. Course development compensation is to be paid the first time a FACULTY MEMBER teaches a distance education course. Notwithstanding Section C(1), the FACULTY MEMBER may be required to teach the distance education course up to three (3) additional times during the next four (4) year period.
b. Similarly, a distance education course development payment of $400.00 per credit shall be paid the first time an ITV/compressed video course is developed and initially taught beginning with the Fall 2007 semester. Course development compensation is to be paid the first time a FACULTY MEMBER teaches a distance education course. Notwithstanding Section C(1), the FACULTY MEMBER may be required to teach the distance education course up to three (3) times during the next four (4) year period.
c. If a FACULTY MEMBER has been paid the preparation payment for a specific course within the previous three (3) years, July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2007, he/she would be eligible for a course development payment for the same course only after completing the three (3) year eligibility requirement as defined under the July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2007 faculty agreement Article 42, Section I.6. Thereafter, Section H.6.a.or b. of this Article is applicable.
d. FACULTY MEMBERS who are hired on or after July 1, 2007, solely for the purpose of teaching via distance education, or for the purpose of teaching courses in a program(s) delivered via distance education, shall not be eligible for the course development payment.
7. Course Re-development Compensation
a. A distance education course re-development payment shall be paid every five (5) years if a given online/web-based course has been taught at least four (4) times during that period by the FACULTY MEMBER and the FACULTY MEMBER is able to document appropriate professional development experiences. Course re-development compensation for revisions in online/web-based courses are as follows: $100.00 per credit to be paid the first time the FACULTY MEMBER teaches a re-developed distance education course and up to three (3) additional times the course is taught by the same FACULTY MEMBER during the next five (5) year period.
b. A distance education course re-development payment shall also be paid to a FACULTY MEMBER who assumes responsibility for a section of an online/web-based course developed by another FACULTY MEMBER. Course re-development compensation for revisions in online/web-based courses are as follows: $100.00 per credit to be paid the first time the FACULTY MEMBER teaches a distance education course and up to three (3) additional times the course is taught by the same FACULTY MEMBER during a five (5) year period.
8. Travel
If
it is necessary for a FACULTY MEMBER to travel to a remote site(s) for
orientations or other academic purposes, travel expenses shall be reimbursed
pursuant to Article 32, TRAVEL EXPENSES.