This resource is provided to supply an overview of the Division of Lifelong Learning at North Central Texas College (NCTC) and thereby create the foundation for a rich and successful instructional experience. The handbook features explanation of operating procedures as well as general guidelines you are expected to follow as a representative of the college. It is our hope that this information will be a crucial guide you'll utilize for investigation and/or confirmation of questions.

This manual, however, is certainly not intended to replace the vital face-to-face communication between instructors and division personnel that fuels outstanding course outcome results.

Since the manual is quite lengthy, we have provided an Instructor Resource Guide in in pdf format that you can access if you'd like to read the entire document.  This link provides data on everything from college history to division facets; instructor support and course evaluations.

To simplify your quest for information, however, we have provided links to the most frequently asked questions. 

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

SUPPORT OF INSTRUCTORS

EVENING/WEEKEND ADMINISTRATOR CONTACT INFO

LIFELONG LEARNING COURSE PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & OWNERSHIP

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING INSTRUCTORS

     BOOKSTORE PURCHASES  |    EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 

     PROPERTY DAMAGE |  SEVERE WEATHER

     PROCEDURES FOR LOCKED DOORS

     REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES

                     DUPLICATING  |   AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT

     STUDENT BREAKS/EARY RELEASE FROM CLASS

     INCLEMENT WEATHER

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

WORD ASSESSMENT | EXCEL ASSESSMENT

LIFELONG LEARNING EVALUATIONS

TIMESHEET  |   PAYROLL CUT-OFF AND DISTRIBUTION

LIFELONG LEARNING STAFF DIRECTORY

Employment Policies

EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTING OF TIME WORKED: Each instructor must complete and return a time sheet that accurately reflects the number of contact hours spent on the course - including teaching and course development time.  If the course is less than six weeks in length, payment for the course will be made at the conclusion. If the course is longer than six weeks, the instructor may opt to submit payroll monthly or at the conclusion of the assignment. It is the responsibility of the instructor to denote their option to the division administration (in the MOU) and submit the timesheet based upon published deadlines.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WORK HOURS: Part-time NCTC employees may work nomore than 19 hours per week. Calculation of the hours worked is determined in total - not by department. For example, if someone worked 3 hours for Adult Education and 6 hours for the Customized Training, the total time worked would be 9 hours. It is very important that division administration track the number of hours part-time instructors work each week. If a part-time continuing education instructor is also teaching a credit course, then a different calculation method is used. For credit courses, the maximum number of load units a part-time instructor may teach is 9-hours (i.e. three 3-hour classes). Nine load units equals 19 hours for part-time hourly faculty. Therefore, the maximum allowable hours has been reached.

Support of Part-Time Instructors

The Lifelong Learning Division is committed to providing quality support to all instructors. Therefore, division staff will provide:

•  A forum for fair and ethical negotiations with the instructor to determine payment for instructional services prior to the instructional assignment. Written documentation as to the pay agreement and instructional unit specifications will be provided to the instructor.

•  An explanation of the instructor letter of agreement form and instructional requirements in advance of an instructor's assignment.

•  An orientation to NCTC facilities, policies and expectations. If the training is being conducted at an employer's location, then an orientation to that company - possibly including a tour, will be provided.

•  Coaching, guidance, direction and encouragement throughout the assignment to help the instructor be successful.

•  The timely provision of instructional materials and equipment to enhance the instructor's performance.

•  Appropriate resource materials to use in the instructional preparation.

•  Monitor the instructor's performance and to assist in the successful completion of the training unit.

Evening/Weekend Administrator Contact Info

Evening Administrator (5 to 9 p.m.)

Gainesville campus: 940-736-6339

Corinth campus: 940-498-6270 (Pinnell Square 5 to 9 p.m.)

Corinth campus: 940-498-6280 (Admissions Office)

Weekend Admiistrator

Gainesville campus: 940-768-8059

Corinth campus (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.); 940-498-6280 (Admissions Office)

Corinth campus (Pinnell Square 9 a.m. to noon); 940-498-6270

Backup contact (Gainesville campus): Jack Cable, 940-727-9974

Curriculum Development & Ownership

CURRICLUM DEVELOPMENT: If the Division of Lifelong Learning compensates an instructor to develop curriculum for a course or training unit, then that curriculum becomes the property of NCTC. If the instructor uses curriculum that was not developed for the sole purpose of a CE course or training unit, then (1) the division will not pay the instructor for development time; and (2) the curriculum remains the property of the instructor.

As often as possible, the division will provide curriculum for courses. However, in cases where customization is required, development time may be paid to the instructor.

CURRICULUM OWNERSHIP: It should be clearly specified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the instructor whether or not development time will be paid. Also, if development will be paid the MOU should specify that NCTC will retain ownership rights.

Practical Information for Instructors

BOOKSTORE PURCHASES: All purchases from the NCTC Bookstore must be approved by the Dean of Lifelong Learning and obtained by a member of the Lifelong Learning staff. The objective of this procedure is establishment of adequate budget controls relating to the expense budget. Part-time personnel, including faculty , are not authorized to make bookstore charges.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: If an emergency occurs during class, the following procedures, as mandated by situation, should be followed:

Medical Emergency:   If an emergency serious enough to require emergency medical treatment occurs, make calls in the following order:

•  911

•  The Evening Administrator on duty

•  The Division Director

If an injury occurs that it not an emergency situation, but is a "visible injury," notify:

•  The Evening Administrator on duty

•  The Division Director

PROPERTY DAMAGE: Whenever any property is damaged, call 1) the Evening Administrator on duty; and 2) the Division Director. If property damage is extensive enough to cause possible injury to students, remove students from the area and immediately contact 1) the Evening Administrator on duty; and 2) the Division Director.

SEVERE WEATHER: Instruct students at the first class meeting to review posted safety signs in the classroom and to be familiar with tornado shelter areas.

PROCEDURES FOR LOCKED ROOMS : When a class is scheduled, the room should be unlocked before the starting time. If you should find your room locked or find equipment inaccessible, call Division staff (daytime) or the Evening Administrator on duty. Should there be special circumstances that require you having a key, please contact the Division of Lifelong Learning.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXTBOOKS & SUPPLIES: Division staff should be notified prior to the start of the class regarding any materials or supplies required for the course. If an instructional textbook is required, and not previously dicussed, please let staff know the title, edition, author and publisher. Lifelong Learning staff will then order the books through the College bookstore. As a general rule, a period of 30-60 days is required to obtain textbooks.

DUPLICATING: Multiple copies of course materials (not to exceed in any event more than one copy per student in a course) may be made available to the instructor upon request. Unless identified in course planning, copying shall not be a substitute for the purchase of books or other course material. The master or original must be prepared or typed by the instructor. Please have all materials in the office a minimum of five working days before the duplicated material is needed.

AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT: Arrangements should be made through the appropriate division personnel at least five days prior to the class meeting for which equipment is required. If similar equipment is needed for each class meeting, please note such in your initial request.

STUDENT BREAKS/EARLY RELEASE FROM CLASS: Students are entitled to a ten-minute break for each scheduled hour of class. Instructors may set their own break schedule, preferably after discussing it with class members. Classes should meet for the entire scheduled time and not be released until the required amount of class time has been met.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: In case of inclement weather, the President of NCTC will make the decision as to whether classes will be held that day or evening. If classes are not cancelled by the President, then it is the expectation that instructors will meet their classes. Notification of cancelled classes is provided to area television and radio stations, as well as the nctc website (www.nctc.edu). You may also call the main college number - 940-668-7731.

Professional Conduct Guidelines

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Please remember that members of the class you are teaching look upon you as a representative of NCTC; therefore, any information, advice or directions you give should be accurate. The same is true for any guest you invite to speak to your class. Any opinions expressed are those of the instructor and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the College, the administration, or the Board of Regents. Please do not use the classroom as a forum to solicit or promote yourself or your business.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY & PROCEDURES [DHA] (LOCAL): Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other sexual conduct, either verbal or physical, or any conduct or other offensive unequal treatment of an employee, student or group of employees or students that would not occur but for their sex, when:

•  The advances, requests, or conduct have the effect of interfering with performance of duties or studies or creating an intimidating, hostile or otherwise offensive work or academic environment; or

•  Submission to such advances, requests or conduct is explicitly or implicitly a term or condition or an individual's employment or academic achievement or advancement; or

•  Submission to or rejection of such advances, requests, or conduct is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions.

Employees shall not engage in conduct constituting sexual harassment. The District shall investigate all allegations of such harassment and shall take appropriate disciplinary action against employees found to engage in such harassment.

An employee or student who believes he or she has been or is being subjected to any form of sexual harassment as defined above shall bring the matter to the attention of the dean or immediate supervisor, in accordance with the District's grievance policy [see DGBA(L) or FLD(L)]. However, no procedure or step in that policy shall have the effect of requiring the employee or student alleging such harassment to present the matter a person who is the subject of the complaint.

DRESS CODE: All instructors are expected to report to the classroom dressed in a professional manner. Appropriate dress is slacks/blouse, dress, shirt/blouse or suit for women and slacks/dress shirt or a suit for men. Jeans, T-shirts, sweat suits or shorts are not allowed - unless previously approved by division administration due to the required learning outcomes and extenuating specifications of a course.

Lifelong Learning Evaluations

LIFELONG LEARNING EVALUATIONS: In accordance with nationally accepted guidelines for continuing education (such as the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, IACET), each course offered by the NCTC Division of Lifelong Learning will be evaluated for its quality and effectiveness. Evaluations are the main source of feedback. Evaluation may measure reactions of participants, the amount of learning, changes in behavior, or provide information about the planning, development, administration, instruction, and support services for a program.

Quality assurance and control in lifelong learning experiences are enhanced through long range, systematic evaluation of what is intended in relation to what actually occurs. The difference can be used as the base for whatever change is needed to ensure that intended learning outcomes are attained.