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THE UNIVERSITY RECORD
of the
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
*
Handbook of
Vol. XLIII, Series 1
Faculty Information
No. 10
October 1, 1948
Published monthly by the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Entered in the post office in Gainesville, Florida, as second-class matter, under
Act of Congress, August 24, 1912.
Office of Publication, Gainesville, Florida.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword ------------------------------------- iii
Introduction ------------------------------------ iv
Functions of the University -.----- -------------- 1
Organization of the University .. ....------------------------- 1
Faculty Relations ....----- ..--------- 10
Service Units --------. ----------- -------------- -- 19
FOREWORD
THE idea of publishing a booklet entitled Handbook of Faculty Information was ex-
cellent, but however meritorious it might have been in its inception, it would have had
little value if the actual writing of the booklet had been less than adequately done. I
have read the first draft of the proposed booklet, and I am impressed with the fact
that it contains a great deal of pertinent information which ought to be immediately
available to all members of the teaching and administrative staff of the University of
Florida. As the booklet points out, much of the material is a condensation of source
materials which are immediately available to faculty members. It should be understood,
therefore, that while the booklet is useful in itself, it is also useful as a guide to addi-
tional information which appears in the various official publications of the University.
I am pleased that I have been invited to make a few comments in the form of a
preface to this booklet. I have been requested to direct my attention specifically to the
matter of academic freedom.
On February 2, 1948, I was invited to address a meeting of the A. A. U. P. chapter
on the campus of the University of Florida. At that time, among other remarks, I made
the following statement concerning academic freedom. I am not sure I can do better
than quote directly from that address, as follows:
"There are few recesses of a college or university president's mind that people
fail to explore. On campus and off, both the sincerely interested and the curious
want to know what the president thinks about this or that. Soon rather than late
the inquiry extends to cardinal principles. Soon rather than late there are those
who want to know what the president thinks about academic freedom. I am in-
terested to find that the concern on the part of students at the University of
Florida for this fundamental principle is as great as that of faculty members. In
view of this general interest I am pleased to state my position.
"Academic freedom in the impartation and the acquisition of knowledge is
the indispensable condition of the expansion of mind. Notice, if you will, that I
approach the subject of academic freedom from the point of view of the needs
of students rather than from the point of view of the rights of the professor. I
do not deny the right of a professor to teach objectively the truth, wherever it
may be found. However, this right is merely a corollary to the right of a student
to acquire human knowledge from all possible sources, whether it be derived
from a prior reasoning, or empirically determined.
"That students should also be given the basis for value judgments is taken
for granted, but that they should not be denied access to knowledge of any
kind is the heart and core of any defense of academic freedom. To deny aca-
demic freedom to the teacher at the level of higher education is to deny the
student the full right to the expansion of mind and the complete basis for making
value judgments of a discriminating kind.
"In these terms, academic freedom is not an end in itself, but a means to
the greater end of preparing students to take responsibility for themselves and
for the world they have inherited from us. I am not one of those who believe
that the destiny of the world is fixed and that man is merely taking a dizzy ride
upon it. I believe that the mind of man may yet control his destiny, but only
if that mind is free to teach and free to learn without limitation or reservation."
J. H riLs MImLEn, President,
University of Florida
INTRODUCTION
THE purpose of this booklet is to welcome new faculty members to the University of
Florida and to provide them with a brief and clear explanation of their status and
responsibilities, and of the services and facilities the University places at their disposal.
While every effort has been made to insure that the information in the booklet is
accurate and authentic, it must not be regarded as in any sense superseding other
official publications of the University, which are the authority for many of the state-
ments made. The University Catalog and the constitution of the University, copies of
which are placed in the hands of every new faculty member, must be consulted to
obtain a full view of many matters here discussed, and used as an indispensable sup-
plement to this booklet. Faculty members are also urged to consult the booklet on
student regulations, and to pay close attention to all official memoranda communicated
through deans and department heads.
The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Gainesville will supply, upon request,
brochures of its own that tell about the town and the surrounding vicinity.
FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
No less than its predecessors, the modem university is the guardian and interpreter
of intellectual tradition. Like them, also, it is a focus of the kind of scholarly experiment
and investigation from which, in the main, new ideas and methods may be expected
to come. Since historically it is a college-a community, that is, of scholars and teachers-
it is in them that the measure of its quality and capacity for usefulness will be found.
It is upon their competence, integrity, and devotion to professional ideals that the
university must depend for success. Therefore, now as always, the capacities and the
character of the persons selected to become members of a university faculty are
considerations of the utmost importance.
To measure up to the high standards set by a long and honorable academic tradition,
and also to perform its exacting task of educating as well as training the youth of the
state, the faculty of a modem state university must, for the most part, consist of persons
who are themselves both scholars, in the best tradition, and conscientious and gifted
teachers. They should be able, through their qualities and achievements, to command
respect in the state and in the nation quite as much as in their own community. If
they are to succeed in this, obviously they must be able and diligent in creative scholar-
ship and in teaching. Also it is necessary, to the end that they may contribute their
full share to the social and cultural advancement of the state as well as to its material
progress, that they be carefully selected in the first instance, and then duly encouraged
and well equipped.
ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIVERSITY
Full jurisdiction over the University of Florida and its policies and affairs is vested
in the Board of Control. This body is composed of five citizens of different regions in
the state who are appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. The appointments
are arranged so that there are always holdover members on every Board. The members
of the Board serve without pay.
All actions of the Board of Control are subject to final approval by the State Board
of Education, an ex-officio Board composed of the Governor, who serves as chairman,
the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, and the Superintendent
of Public Instruction. This board is a policy-making agency charged with administering
all educational activities of the state and with enforcing enactments of the state legisla-
ture concerning education.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
The President is the chief executive of the University and exercises supervision over
its activities, properties, and expenditures. In matters not otherwise provided for by
the university constitution and the by-laws of the Board of Control, the President
has full power.
To advise him he has two councils, the Academic Council and the Administrative
Council. The Academic Council is composed of the President, as chairman; the Vice-
President, the Deans, Directors of schools, and the Director of the University Libraries.
The Administrative Council is made up of the President, as chairman; the Vice-President,
and all members of the staff who make recommendations directly to the President
concerning policy, budgets, and appointments.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Also to advise him the President has the Personnel Board. It is made up of the
President, as chairman; the Vice-President, as vice-chairman; the Dean of the University
as secretary; the Business Manager; two Deans or Directors, to be appointed by the
President, and each to serve one semester; and the Chairman of the Faculty Committee
on Professional Relations and Standards, which is one of the standing committees of the
University Senate.
In addition to these, the Director of Non-Academic Personnel sits with the Board
in an advisory capacity, but without a vote, and in order to present his monthly report
on resignations and his recommendations for reappointments. The Board meets regularly
at least once a month, and more often if called by the President. Its function is to serve
as a clearing house for appointments and to act in an advisory capacity to the President.
It is the responsibility of the Dean of the University and of the Director of Non-
Academic Personnel to send appropriate notices of appointments made by the President
to the candidates in their respective areas.
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President assists the President in planning, policy, and administration. In
emergencies he acts as President, subject, of course, to the will of the Board of Control.
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY
The Dean of the University assists the administration in the improvement of instruc-
tion, the correlating of instructional activities, the adjusting of teaching loads, and in
keeping personnel records of the academic staff.
OFFICE OF THE BUSINESS MANAGER
The Business Manager is responsible to the President for all business activities of
the University. His work involves disbursing funds, purchasing, auditing, and the
supervision and maintenance of property, buildings, and grounds. He also has supervision
of the university cafeterias, and the Bookstore. A detailed statement of the organization,
functions, and procedures of his office is available in the form of a booklet distributed
by the Business Manager.
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENT PERSONNEL
The Dean of Student Personnel is assisted by the Dean of Men and the Dean of
Women. He is charged with matters affecting the welfare of students, such as orientation,
housing, employment, social functions, scholarships and loan funds, fraternities and
sororities, counselling and guidance, and discipline. In addition, he is charged with
developing a program of student life and activities that will foster devotion to ideals
of culture and responsible citizenship. The Director of Housing, the Florida Union,
the Veteran's Guidance Center, and the Bureau of Vocational Guidance and Mental
Hygiene are under the direction of the Dean of Student Personnel.
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
The Registrar has charge of admissions, registration of students, maintenance and
evaluation of academic records, class attendance, applications for degrees, preparation
of diplomas and certificates, class schedules, and assignment of space for instruction.
He edits the directory and the catalog and compiles statistics for the use of the
President. He is, ex-officio, chairman of the Board of University Examiners, and also
secretary of the Academic Council and the Administrative Council, the University
Senate, and the General Assembly.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION
THE BOARD OF UNIVERSrrY EXAMINERS
The Board of University Examiners formulates and administers policies governing
comprehensive examinations, and also determines and administers the requirements for
admission to the University.
The University Examiner, under the direction of the Board, edits, types, reproduces,
administers, scores, and reports the results of all progress tests and comprehensive
examinations given in the University College. He directs all phases of the annual
statewide twelfth grade testing program, except actual administration of the tests, which
is conducted by the participating high schools. He administers, scores, and reports the
results of all examinations for admission to the University. He administers special
examinations for outside agencies such as the Graduate Record Office and the National
Committee on Teacher Examinations, and for other colleges and universities. Finally,
he assists upper division departments by scoring objective tests they may elect to give.
THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS
The Director of Alumni Affairs, who is also secretary to the Alumni Association, is
responsible to the University and to the Alumni Association. Among his responsibilities
to the University are organizing and arousing interest and enthusiasm among groups
of alumni, and interpreting the University and its program of public service to the
State of Florida. To accomplish this main purpose, he participates in arranging class
reunions, in obtaining and administering financial contributions from friends of the
University, in publishing the Florida Alumnus, and in coordinating the work of the
Alumni Association.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
The University has no faculty housing units at its disposal at the present time, but
it has recently purchased a tract of land adjoining the campus with the purpose of
erecting upon it a substantial faculty housing project at some future date. Although the
office of the Director of Housing cannot now assume responsibility for furnishing
housing to staff members, it acts as a clearing house of information on housing available
in the town of Gainesville, and cooperates in every possible way with faculty members
in their efforts to find suitable living accommodations.
THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Department of Publicity, an administrative unit of the University, serves the
University as a whole and stands ready to serve every member of the staff. By means
of newspapers, magazines, and the radio, as well as through special brochures, pamphlets,
and pictures, this department seeks to interpret to the public the life and activities of
the university community. It also serves by interpreting the needs of the University,
its aims, its policy, and its personnel.
The department must perforce depend on the cooperation of individual members
of the university staff to keep it supplied with pertinent and valuable information
regarding the University, its academic programs, the achievements of its personnel,
the research that is going forward, and the honors and recognition of achievement that
are being received. By keeping the department informed on these matters, staff members
will render a valuable service both to the University and to themselves. The department
is equipped to handle all press and radio releases. For greater protection to the
University and its public relations, the department urges that all material for dissem-
ination as news through either the press or the radio be referred to it for release, and
never communicated directly to agencies of publicity by staff members. Finally, the
4 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
department solicits constantly new ideas and useful suggestions on the handling of
feature stories and on techniques of interpretation. Memorandum pads for their con-
venience in cooperating towards all the objectives of the department are supplied to
staff members.
THE FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM
The Florida State Museum is a department of the University. The duties of the
Director of the Museum are to conduct surveys of the state to uncover materials suitable
for exhibition; to collect mineral, plant, and animal specimens, and scientific and
economic data; to collect items of all kinds which illuminate the early history of the
state, and also the culture of its prehistoric inhabitants; to make annual reports to the
President; and to publish and distribute bulletins and monographs recording information
that has been gathered, and describing the work of the museum. A particularly fine
collection-the Doe ornithology collection-is now on exhibition.
THE FLORIDA UNION
The Florida Union is the campus center of student activities. Its lounges, recreation
rooms, auditorium, and other facilities are used to capacity. While it is true that the
Union is intended primarily to house activities of students, the Director desires that
members of the faculty also avail themselves of any of the services and facilities that
interest them, to the end that, among other benefits, better faculty-student relations
may ensue. The Union is under the supervision of a Board of Managers composed of
student and faculty representatives.
INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS
In recognition of Florida's unique geographical position, which makes it singularly
adapted to serve as a link between the cultures of the two Americas; and because of
the number and the prominence of its own citizens of Latin origin, the University
established the Institute of Inter-American Affairs in 1930. The purpose of the Institute
is to foster good will among nations, to promote the teaching of all western hemisphere
languages, literatures, and civilizations in the schools, colleges, and universities of the
state; to encourage the exchange of students and professors among colleges and uni-
versities of all the Americas; to hold conferences and institutes on inter-American affairs;
to promote the sharing of cultural ideals and to stimulate the exchange of ideas; in a
word, to do everything that can be done to advance the cause of new world harmony
and solidarity in all fields of endeavor.
The activities of the Institute, therefore, are many and varied. On the campus,
orientation of students from Latin America in the ways of their new surroundings is
carried on; scholarships to enable them to study in the University are arranged; and
aid in overcoming language difficulties, as well as many other types of assistance in
solving personal problems, is given. Lectures, the showing of Spanish and Portuguese
language films, and special radio programs are sponsored; and literature explaining the
program of the Institute is distributed. With cooperation of the Institute, workshops have
been held to promote effective teaching in the languages, literatures, and cultures of
Latin America; and conferences, some of international scope, have been held.
The Institute is a division of the University. The Director of the Institute is
responsible to the faculty committee on Inter-American Affairs.
THE RADIO STATION
WRUF and WRUF-FM is a radio station located on the university campus. It gives
university organizations and units of instruction an opportunity to provide public service
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 5
by availing themselves of its facilities for broadcasting educational, informational, and
cultural programs in their fields of specialization.
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PRESS
The purpose of the University Press is to encourage, seek out, and publish original
and scholarly manuscripts which will aid in developing the University as a recognized
center of scholarship and research.
The Press edits and publishes scholarly books and monographs under its own
imprint, and also special addresses, pamphlets, reports, and bulletins for special pur-
poses, without the imprint. It has no responsibility for, or connection with, the editing
and publishing of official university publications such as the University Record Series,
the publications of the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Agricultural Extension
Service, and the Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station.
The Board of Managers of the Press have the responsibility of formulating the
policies and directing the functioning of the Press. They have sole responsibility for
accepting and rejecting manuscripts offered for publication. The Managing Editor is
responsible to the Board for performing such duties as it prescribes.
THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
The main library houses most of the university holdings in books and periodicals,
the consolidated card catalog for all the university libraries, and the catalog and order
departments. A "Handbook of the University of Florida Libraries," distributed by the
library, describes the location of the various libraries and their contents, contains a
schedule of their hours of opening and closing, tells how to use them, and lists the
services they provide.
An audio-visual aid service is a function of the library. It makes available a
collection of records and films to departments and qualified borrowers, on the same
basis as books are loaned by the main library. In addition, films may be borrowed or
rented through the Inter-library Loan Division, which will furnish reference service
and undertake necessary correspondence. The library also has available a limited
number of sixteen-millimeter and thirty-five-millimeter projectors, and the personnel to
service and operate them. These are available to any department on the campus, at
any time.
The Department of Reference and Bibliography, in addition to its regular service,
provides bibliographical assistance to faculty members in developing specialized
collections.
The Reference Librarian offers a series of lectures to graduate students on biblio-
graphical tools available in the library, and their use.
The Director of University Libraries is responsible for all the university libraries,
with the exception of the library of the College of Law and the library of the Agri-
cultural Experiment Station. Rules for the government of the library are formulated
by the Committee on University Libraries, which also receives and passes on complaints,
advises on the library budget, and allots funds to the various colleges and departments
for the purchase of books for the library, subject to the approval of the University
Senate.
Each academic department, through the individual or committee designated by the
head of the department, makes recommendations for the purchase of books, films, and
records in its field of specialization. These recommendations are forwarded to the library
Order Department, where they are checked against the library collection. If there is no
unnecessary duplication, and the balance on hand in the departmental fund is sufficient
to pay for them, the materials are ordered.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly consists of all members of the academic staff with the rank
of instructor and above. It is called by the President for communicating and discussing
matters of general interest. It is neither a legislative nor an advisory body, and has
no powers.
THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
The University Senate is the legislative body of the University. Its membership
consists of the President, the Vice-President, all persons having the title of dean and
all members of the faculty having the rank of professor in those branches of the
University in which teaching students in residence is the primary function. The Registrar
is, ex-officio, secretary of the Senate. The President is presiding officer. In his absence,
the Vice-President presides.
As described in the university constitution, the functions of the Senate are to cor-
relate the official actions of the deans, of the various college faculties, and of the
committees of the Senate; upon the request of a faculty member, to review any action
of such persons and agencies and, whenever it finds such action to be not in accord
with general policies of the University, or in violation of university regulations, or in
conflict with other actions already taken; to suspend it, and refer it, with recommenda-
tions, to the person or group with whom it originated. As a body having jurisdiction
over all matters involving university-wide policies and functions other than those
reserved to the President or any of his advisory agencies such as the councils, the
Senate has power to legislate concerning such matters and to make such rules and
regulations as it deems expedient for promoting the general welfare of the University.
Under the President, each committee of the Senate is the authority on matters
entrusted to it during periods between meetings of the Senate. Each one reports its
work, its findings, and its recommendations to the Senate. The President is, ex-officio,
a member of all the standing committees of the Senate, and appoints the members. The
standing committees of the Senate are:
Curricular Adjustments and Class Offerings
Honorary Degrees
Maintenance of Buildings, Equipment, and Grounds
Memorials and Necrology
Planning and Policies
Professional Relations and Standards
Public Functions and Lectures
Public Relations and Alumni Affairs
Publications
Religion
Space Allocation and Buildings
Statistics
Student Aid and Scholarships
Student Organizations and Social Activities
Student Orientation and Relations
Student Petitions
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION AND THEIR ORGANIZATION
The instructional units of the University are the University College (lower division),
the colleges, schools, and divisions of the upper division; and the Graduate School.
All freshmen and sophomores are enrolled in the University College, which is organized
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 7
to give a central program of general education to all university students. In addition,
during the first two years, the student takes pre-professional, professional, or elective
work to meet his individual needs. A student may remain in the University College
more than two years, if he wishes, exploring the possibilities of upper division subjects.
He may, if he wishes, defer entering the upper division until he is an advanced junior,
or a senior. To carry on the work of the University College a core faculty is maintained.
Teachers in this faculty are employed with the approval of the head of the upper division
department concerned in each case, and, in cooperation with him, they may be assigned
to teaching in both the upper and the lower division. Many instructors in the upper
division colleges may also be assigned, on a part-time basis, to the University College
for teaching in that college. The work of the University College is under the direction
of an administrative board appointed annually by the President of the University.
The upper division is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the
professional colleges and schools. The colleges and schools of the University, with their
departments, are listed both in the constitution and in the university catalog.
The Graduate School is administered by the Graduate Council, which consists of
the Dean as ex-officio chairman, and certain members of the faculty, appointed annually
by the President.
DEFINITION OF INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS
The Department A department is defined in the university constitution as "the unit
of organization for instruction, research, and extension in a defined field of learning."
It is administered by a head professor, or department head, who is charged, under the
dean of his college or the director of his school, as the case may be, with the assignment
of duties to members of his staff; with recommendations for appointments, promotions,
salary increases, and tenure; with the proper use and care of equipment and quarters;
with the expenditure of departmental funds, and with planning the sound growth and
development of his department.
The Division When a teaching unit is composed of two or more distinct but related
subject matter fields, it may be called a division instead of a department. The division
is administered by a chairman, whose responsibilities are those of the head of a
department.
The College A college, composed of departments and divisions, is the unit organized
for the administering of curricula in a broad area of learning. The dean of a college is
its administrative head. He is responsible to the President of the University. His duties
are to carry out administrative orders from the President, to enforce rules and regulations
adopted by the faculty of his college, to nominate heads of departments, and to review
their official actions in the performance of their duties; to supervise the assignment and
use of funds, space, and equipment allotted to his college, to prepare the budget and
the biennial report and such other reports as may from time to time be requested by
the President; to assign duties to the departments and to pass upon all requisitions drawn
against funds allotted to the various departments, divisions, and schools within his
college.
The School For convenience in administration, any part of a college which is devoted
to work markedly different from, but still somewhat related to the rest of the work in
the college, may be organized as a school. The head of a school is called a director,
and his functions are those of a department head; except that his relations to any depart-
ment under him are those of a dean to the departments in his college. The Division of
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
of Military Science and Tactics and the Division of Music are exceptions, in that they
are independent of any school or college, and that their directors are responsible directly
to the President. The Division of Military Science and Tactics is also exceptional in
that all male students, except veterans of at least ninety days' service in the armed
forces, and except those excused for physical disabilities, are required to complete at
least four semesters of the elementary course in military science and tactics. The director
of this division is the professor of military science and tactics, who is also the com-
mandant of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He is responsible directly to the
President.
The College Faculty The faculty of a college, as defined in the constitution of the
University, includes the members of the departments in the college and also such staff
members of other outside units as regularly teach courses that are part of its own
curricula. The faculty is the legislative body of the college. The dean is the chairman
of the faculty. The faculty enacts regulations governing the procedures of the college,
particularly those having to do with curricula. Subject to the approval of the University
Senate, the President, and the Board of Control, the faculty fixes the requirements of
the college both for entrance and for graduation; and decides the form of the degrees it
confers. Also, it decides the curricula of the college, and recommends to the President
the granting of degrees to students who have met its requirements for graduation. The
faculty elects a secretary, whose duty is to keep a record of proceedings.
ORGANIZED EXTENSION SERVICES
The Agricultural Extension Service This service selects, prepares, and distributes
information derived from research and observation by specialists in agriculture. It assists
county and home agents in the practical application of recommendations useful for
county programs. The county extension agents help the rural people of the state to
carry on demonstration work, and make available to them the benefits of research and
teaching. The program of this service is coordinated with similar programs of federal
agencies. The Provost for Agriculture is the administrative head of the Agricultural
Extension Service, as well as of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the College
of Agriculture.
The General Extension Division The many activities of the General Extension Division
include extension classes, correspondence courses, workshops, conferences, and short
courses for professional, educational, occupational, and cultural groups; loan collections
of books and audio-visual aids; and adult education consultation services for individuals
and organizations. This service is under the direction of the Dean of the General
Extension Division, who is responsible to the President of the University of Florida.
He also cooperates with the President of the Florida State University. The faculties of
both institutions participate in its program.
Service Division, College of Education The program of the Service Division of the
College of Education consists of consultations, conferences, and studies in educational
administration that have as their object new or revised procedures; the supplying of
specialists to work with the State Department of Education and the College of Education
for the welfare of the public schools; the furnishing of leadership and professional
consultation in curricular matters and materials; assisting in, and helping to coordinate
studies of national scope in the field of education; the placing of teachers; the recruiting
of new members for the teaching profession; and offering the services and facilities of
the P. K. Yonge Laboratory School for experimentation and practical demonstration of
educational procedures.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION
RESEARCH
rolicy on Research Together with teaching and public service, scholarship and research
are primary functions of a university. Therefore, in addition to supporting organized
technical research directed above all to specific practical ends, the University of Florida
is also committed to encouraging its staff to engage in creative scholarly pursuits of the
kind that will advance knowledge. The University believes that such occupations on the
part of the faculty are indispensable to the professional growth of staff members, and
to effective teaching. It also believes that, when participated in by students, such
pursuits can be, and often are, teaching methods of inestimable value.
Policy on Patents and Copyrights The overall aim of the University's policies on patents
and copyrights is to assure the staff member interested in research maximum freedom
of initiative, and to protect legitimate interests of all who, during their stay at the
University, produce either patent or copyright material. A full statement of these policies
and regulations is to be found in part two of the appendix to the university constitution.
Briefly recapitulated, their provisions are as follows:
1. All persons engaged on projects sponsored and financed wholly by the University
are under contract with the Board of Control. This contract requires that all inventions
and discoveries deriving from such projects may be patented at the University's expense,
and they become the property of the University, if the Board of Control so decides.
In case, however, the Board decides not to pay for obtaining a patent, all rights of
discovering or invention accrue to the discoverer or inventor, after a designated period
of time has passed. Provision is also made for compensation to the inventor when a
patent, taken out by the state on his invention, yields income beyond the cost of the
patent.
2. For each investigation financed in part by the University, either through purchase
of materials or the paying of personnel, and in part from outside sources, a contract
stipulating patent and publication rights is made.
3. When investigations are financed wholly by outside sources, a contract stipulating
rights and ownership of patents is made.
4. Patents that result from investigations by an employee of the University at his
own expense and on his own time, if such investigation falls outside the field in which
he is employed by the University, are the private property of the employee. Whenever
such invention or discovery falls within the field in which the investigator is employed
by the University, the Research Council recommends suitable action for handling the
patent rights involved.
The copyright policy of the University falls into two parts:
1. Articles, pamphlets, and books written by members of the teaching staff are
the personal property of the author, who is free to enter into contracts for publishing
his work, to procure copyrights, and to receive royalties; provided the ideas in his
writings, and the writings themselves are the result of his independent efforts. In such
writings, the University disclaims and may not be held responsible for opinions expressed.
Authorship should not be allowed to interfere with teaching or the performance of
other academic duties.
. Members of the non-teaching staff who write articles, pamphlets, and books must
pisient their writings and claims for the privilege of copyright to the Research Council,
which makes recommendation for each individual case to the Board of Control.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
THE RESEARCH COUNCIL
rhe Research Council is a body provided for by the constitution, whose function
under the President and the Board of Control is to encourage all types of scholarly
and research activity. Another function is to make studies and recommendations con-
cerning problems peculiar to the development of programs of scholarship and research
in this institution; and to plan and implement research policies suitable to meet such
needs. The Council also administers the University's regulations on patents and copy-
rights. It also studies research needs and opportunities that have special significance for
Florida and the southeast, and recommends policies for participation therein by the
University.
RESEARCH UNITS AT THE UNIVERSITY
The Agricultural Experiment Station This station is organized to meet the diverse and
manifold research needs of the several agricultural regions of the state. Its work is
carried on at the main station at the University, in Gainesville; and at twelve sub-stations
and laboratories scattered throughout the state. Information on the activities of these
stations, and on the many research projects in which they are engaged, is available in
the "Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Florida".
The Bureau of Economic and Business Research This bureau, a part of the College
of Business Administration, undertakes research on conditions particular to the economic
life of Florida, and makes special studies for Florida economic groups and business
enterprises.
The Bureau of Educational Research. This bureau is a part of the College of Education.
Independently, and also in cooperation with out-of-state institutions, it conducts research
in a wide variety of educational problems, in the P. K. Yonge Laboratory School, and
in the state at large. It also extends cooperation to other educational agencies in carrying
out studies of a national scope.
The Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station. This station is a division of the
College of Engineering. Its function is to organize and promote research projects in
engineering and accessory sciences, with special reference to problems that are of
particular importance to Florida industry.
The Medicinal Plant Garden This establishment is operated by the College of Pharmacy,
both as an adjunct to teaching and as a source of supply of fresh material for study and
investigation.
The Naval Stores Research Laboratory. This laboratory is administered by the Depart-
ment of Chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences. It conducts basic research with
the purpose of contributing new products and new, more efficient industrial processes
in the field of naval stores.
The Sloan Project in Applied Economics This is an experiment to discover, first,
whether school instruction in ideas and methods for improving housing conditions
actually contributes to such improvement; and, second, to measure the extent of any
improvement it may be found to accomplish. The project is under the direction of the
College of Education.
FACULTY RELATIONS
Definition of Rank. Academic ranks and their equivalents in the Agricultural Experiment
Station, the Agricultural Extension Service of the College of Agriculture, the Engineering
and Industrial Experiment Station, the professional staff of the University Libraries,
and the P. K. Yonge Laboratory School, are defined in the university constitution.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 11
Appointment. The selecting of academic personnel is of vital importance to the effec-
tiveness of the University in carrying out its program, and requires extreme care and
vigilance on the part of administrative officers at every level. The procedure observed
in making new appointments in the University of Florida is an index of the seriousness
with which the University regards the employing of new academic staff members.
Recommendations for appointment are made by the department head only after careful
weighing of the qualifications of candidates through interviews, and through scrutinizing
of all academic credentials, such as the applicant's professional record, his letters of
recommendation, and other appropriate documentary evidence. The recommendation
for appointment originates in the department and is forwarded to the dean or director
for his examination. If he approves, the recommendation is forwarded for examination
by the Personnel Board, of which the President is chairman, and which is advisory to
him in such matters. If the Personnel Board accepts the recommendation, it refers it
to the President. If he approves, the recommendation is forwarded to the Board of
Control for their action. The Board of Control has power of appointment.
Department heads are nominated by the dean of the college or the director of the
school or division, as the case may be. Such nominations must, in order to become
effective, receive the approval of the President and the Board of Control.
Deans and directors are nominated by the President, and appointed by the Board
of Control on his recommendation.
The President and Vice-President are elected by the Board of Control.
The original appointment of a staff member is confirmed in writing, and thereafter
he receives written annual notice of salary and rank. Temporary appointments to the
faculty for the purpose of filling vacancies may be made for stipulated periods, clearly
stated in writing at the time the appointment is made.
Nepotism According to a policy of the Board of Control, not more than one member
of an immediate family may be in the employ of the University of Florida at one time
on a full-time basis.
Health Requirement Staff members are required to submit to an annual X-ray exam-
ination of the respiratory tract. This examination is supplied free to staff members by the
University, in collaboration with the Florida Board of Public Health.
Promotions. The University's policy on promotions is that they shall be awarded only
on the basis of individual merit. Like appointments, promotions originate with the
recommendation of the department head, must pass through the same administrative
channels, and, to become effective, must receive the same approvals.
Salaries With each recommendation for appointment to the academic staff, the salary
of the prospective appointee is fixed on the basis of the importance and responsibility
of the position to be filled, and also according to the training, the experience, and the
general competence of the nominee.
Like promotions, salary increases are based on considerations of individual merit only.
Recommendations are initiated and treated in the same way as those for promotions.
The Twelve-Month Basis of Employment The twelve-month plan now in effect in the
University was initiated to assure adequate salaries within the available budget and
also to guarantee sufficient personnel to staff all the teaching, research, administrative,
and extension requirements of the University program. The plan allows, also, a more
equitable distribution of such duties as extension and correspondence work, and the
manifold administrative occupations which are an inescapable part of the University's
12 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
activities. The presence on the campus of a full staff throughout the calendar year
facilitates the necessary release of some staff members from their routine assignments,
so that'they may be free to assist in performing occasional and extraordinary duties.
All appointments to the academic staff in the rank of instructor and above are
made for a period of twelve calendar months. For the teaching staff, this plan interprets
twelve calendar months as meaning two regular semesters and one summer term of
teaching, with no extra compensation allowed for the summer term. No one is permitted
to teach more than one of the two summer terms in each calendar year. Each teacher
is entitled to thirty days' vacation each year, during the six weeks in which he is not
scheduled to teach. It is expected that the faculty member will use the remainder of
his employment period according to his own best judgment in study, research, and
other professional and university work. For non-academic members of the staff, the
twelve-months plan is interpreted as requiring active service for eleven months in each
calendar year.
Leaves of Absence It is understood that under the twelve-month plan of employment
the University has a prior claim on the services of its employees throughout the calendar
year, except for the time allowed for vacation or sick leave or a combination of both
not to exceed a maximum of thirty days. In the event a staff member's services can,
for a time, be dispensed with or satisfactorily performed by a substitute, the University
will entertain an application for leave of absence. Certain considerations of policy
must, however, govern decisions on such applications.
It is, for example, seriously to be questioned whether the practice of teaching the
year around, even during the time allotted for vacation, can be reconciled with the
best interests of the University or with those of the teacher. If, however, a faculty
member decides to accept a teaching position in some other institution during the time
allowed him for vacation by this university, he must apply for two weeks' leave of
absence without pay, if his plans call for his being away from the campus beyond the
time of his allowed vacation period of thirty days.
It is expected that each faculty member will teach one summer term each year.
This requirement is necessary in order that the demands made on the University by
summer enrollments may be met. Those who wish to go away for purposes of pro-
fessional improvement instead of remaining here to teach in the summer must, in order
to do so, apply for a six weeks' leave of absence without pay.
To staff members who are reserve officers and wish to participate in training periods
for reservists in the armed services, the University will grant requests for leaves of
absence. Time spent away from the University on such leaves will, however, be charged
against the regularly allowed vacation period of thirty days.
Staff members who wish to leave the campus in order to accept remunerative
employment elsewhere in preference to teaching the required summer term here must,
in order to do so, apply for a leave of absence of eight weeks without pay.
In case an instructor is compelled to be away from his duties on account of illness,
the head of his department shall, as provided in the university constitution, arrange,
with the advice and consent of the dean or director, to have the absent instructor's
work carried on by the available departmental staff members. If such an arrangement
is impossible, the situation created by the illness shall be reported to the President by
the dean. The President will then, on recommendation of the department head and the
dean, appoint a temporary instructor to fill the vacancy, and will make recommendations
with regard to salary adjustments to the Board of Control.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 18
Absence from the campus for purposes of professional improvement and "travel in
the interest of administration, scholarship, and good teaching" are encouraged by the
University. Such absences and such travel should, however, be confined as far as
possible to periods when the University is not in session and classes are not being held.
If travel becomes necessary at times when classes are in session, adequate provision for
continuing the classes and for performing satisfactorily the other official obligations of
the staff member must be made.
Requests for permission to be absent from duties for lengthy periods of time in order
to attend to personal business must be submitted to the Board of Control through
regular administrative channels.
Sabbatical Leaves The University has at present no provision for sabbatical leaves.
Tenure The provisions on tenure, as at present defined in article XVI of the university
constitution, represent a change from previous policy. The revision was made in July,
1948. Faculty members employed prior to this revision are allowed the option of
qualifying for the status of permanent member either according to the terms of the
present, revised article in the constitution; or according to article XVI as published in
Volume XLI, Series 1, Number 7 of the University Record. A full statement of the
present policy on tenure will be contained in the next edition of the university consti-
tution. There are, however, certain basic principles underlying this reorientation of
policy that should be called to the attention of incoming faculty members.
First among these is the principle that time spent in the service of the university-
however much, and in whatever rank-does not of itself suffice to confer the status of
permanent member of the faculty. Instead, the qualification is everywhere insisted
upon that a minimum time of service-specified for each academic rank-accomplishes
but one result. It makes the staff member eligible to permanent status. Actually to
achieve this status he must be nominated for it by his department head; receive the
approval of his dean or director; receive the approval of the President; and receive the
approval of the Board of Control. At each stage in this process, a thorough scrutiny
of the candidate's general qualifications and of his record here is made. It is obvious
that diligence and care in this important matter are essential, in view of the seriousness
with which the University is compelled to regard its responsibility in the selecting of
staff members, especially of those with whom it will long be associated and upon whose
character and competence its own reputation and success must depend.
For the protection of staff members, also, there are basic principles at work through-
out this policy. At every stage in the process of nominating a faculty member for the
status of permanent member, action must be taken; and the staff member must be
notified in writing of the decision made. Furthermore, the University may not, under
the terms of this policy, keep any staff member in temporary status in any rank for
more than a limited period of time, specified for each rank. Finally, in case an admin-
istrative officer decides that for good and sufficient reasons a member of his staff having
the status of permanent member should be removed from the service, there are
provisions to safeguard the rights of the faculty member and to insure that he will be
informed in writing of the charges made against him; that he will have ample oppor-
tunity to defend himself; and that he will be given a thorough, fair, and impartial
hearing.
Retirement According to a policy of the Board of Control, retirement from the service
of the University is obligatory for all ranks and positions except that of Lecturer, on
the June 30th next following the employee's seventieth birthday.
14 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The State Teachers' Retirement System Although many of the faculty whose appoint-
ments were prior to the establishment of the State Teachers' Retirement System have
elected other plans of retirement available to state employees, or have chosen to abstain
from all retirement plans, new members of the academic staff of the University are
required to become members of the teachers' system. Therefore, since it alone is
applicable to incoming staff members, it is the teachers' system that is discussed here.
Under that system there are four options as to mode of retirement, as follows:
Plan A: retirement at age 60 on the basis of 35 years' service.
Plan B. retirement at age 55 on the basis of 85 years' service.
Plan C. retirement at age 55 on the basis of 80 years' service.
Plan D: retirement at age 50 on the basis of 25 years' service.
Rates of contribution to this system are based on the teacher's age at the time he
becomes a member. Each of the four optional plans has its own rate of contribution for
each age. The rates for men are different from those for women. The maximum amount
of salary on which contributions may be made is $3600 per year. If a salary for a given
year is less than $3600, contributions are made on the basis of whatever salary is
received.
Retirement benefits under this system are intended to be one-half the average
compensation for the ten highest paid years, the maximum annual salary on which such
an average can be reckoned being $3600. A teacher must serve the full 25, 30, or 35
years specified by the plan he has elected, if he is to receive the maximum benefits
allowable. He does not, however, have to serve the full time in order to retire with
smaller benefits. In any case, he must have to his credit a minimum of ten years'
service to be eligible for retirement, and he must have reached the age stipulated by
the plan he has elected. For example, if he has enrolled under Plan "C", has 30 years'
service to his credit, and has received an average annual salary of $3600 over the ten
highest-paid years in his service, he can retire at age 55 and still draw the maximum
compensation of $1800 per year. If, however, he has only 20 years' service to his credit,
but has met all the other conditions stipulated by his plan, he will receive $1200
per year.
In case of total and permanent mental or physical disability, a teacher may retire
before attaining retirement age, provided only he has to his credit a minimum of ten
years' service. In such a case, he will receive compensation up to ninety per cent of
the amount his plan allows for the number of years of service he has rendered.
A teacher entering the service of the state after July 1, 1939, may, upon completing
ten years in service as a member of the State Teachers' Retirement System, receive
service credit for prior, out-of-state service up to a maximum of ten years, provided
such service was rendered in tax-supported schools or other educational institutions
maintained at public expense; and provided he makes a contribution to the System
for each year of out-of-state service credited to him, on the same basis as for the years
of service rendered in Florida. Claim for prior service credit, and contributions to the
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 15
state system therefore must be made, however, within the three years immediately
following completion of ten years' service as a contributing member of the Florida
retirement system.
In case a teacher resigns from the System with less than ten years' service he may
withdraw the full amount of his contributions, and, in addition, whatever interest has
accrued to his account. If he resigns after completing ten or more years' service, he
has the option of withdrawing contributions and interest, or of leaving such sums in
the System. In case he elects to do the latter he will, upon attaining the retirement age
specified in his particular plan, receive benefits proportioned to the number of years'
service he has rendered. In case he dies before retirement, his designated beneficiary
will receive the full amount of his annual contributions and accumulated interest. If
he dies after retirement, and before he has received payment in full of his annuity,
the residue in his account will be paid to his designated beneficiary.
A member of the academic staff may continue to make contributions to the System
while on leave of absence, and will receive service credit for time thus spent.
Dismissals The university policy on dismissals is stated in section 4 of article XV of
the university constitution.
Resignations If a member of the academic staff desires to obtain release from his
position, he must offer his resignation to his next superior officer sixty days before his
resignation is to become effective. The University policy on resignations is stated in
section 4 of article XV of the university constitution.
Outside Employment The University encourages its faculty and staff to engage in
research; to offer professional advice concerning the development of the natural resources
of the state, or new products, or new scientific apparatuses and techniques; to prepare
and to publish the results of their studies; to make addresses on subjects in which they
are qualified and which are of interest to the public; to participate to a reasonable
degree in extension work or correspondence teaching, subject to regulations; and to
serve as officers or as members of committees of learned and scientific societies.
It is important that every case of outside employment of a staff member be reported
to the office of the President, through the department head and the dean. Such
employment is subject to a number of guiding principles.
First, and most important, it must not be allowed to interfere with full and proper
performance of university duties. Second, it must be clearly and definitely related to
the professional specialization of the staff member. Third, it must be demonstrated that
such employment contributes to the welfare of the state and that it enhances the
prestige of the University. Fourth, it must be established beyond doubt that such
employment in no way militates against the best interests of the University. Finally,
if such employment at any time entails a contingency such as the giving of expert
testimony in cases under litigation, it is understood that such testimony may never be
given at the behest of private interests. It may be given only when officially requested
by some agency of government.
Ordinary private business of members of the faculty and other university staff, such
as the investing of money or the hiring of labor in private undertakings, is not considered
to fall within the purview of regulation by the University, provided the business
is of such a character as not to damage in any way the prestige of the University, and
provided it entails no loss of time or efficiency in the performance of university duties.
Members of the staff who desire to engage in work outside their regular duties
must, with the consent and approval of the head of the department and the dean or
16 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
other administrative officer concerned, make application to the President, who will make
his recommendations to the Board of Control. Such applications must state the nature
of the work involved, its duration, the amount and kind of remuneration if any; and
give an evaluation of its significance and value to the University and the State. This
procedure must be observed, regardless of whether such employment is for compensation,
or whether it is on a part-time basis, or whether it is scheduled to be done during
vacation periods only.
Deans and directors are required to submit annual reports to the President sum-
marizing all outside work done by members of their staffs, giving brief descriptions of
the nature of the work done in each case, stating the amount of remuneration, if any;
and appraising the value of the work from the point of view of the University and
of the state.
Travel by Staff Members It is expected that need will arise for members of the staff
to travel in the performance of their professional duties. The policy of the University
in regard to such necessary travel is of course determined in some degree by the
problems of an administrative order that are created by the absence, however justifiable,
of faculty members from their regular duties on the campus. Because of the difficulty
of dealing with these problems, the University must perforce confine its encouragement
and support to travel of a kind that will contribute most effectively to its program as
an institution of higher learning.
A certain part of the travel budget approved for the University by the Board of
Control is allocated to each department. The staff member who wishes to travel submits
his request to the department head, who in turn forwards it, if he approves it, to the
dean or director concerned. If the latter approves it, he sends it with his recommendation
to the Vice-President of the University for final approval.
There are three categories for the payment of individual travel expense by the
University.
1. The University will pay all necessary expenses for administrative officers, or others
officially representing the University; or for deans and other administrative officers
attending one association meeting a year.
2. The University will pay all necessary expenses for travel benefiting the University
mainly, and the individual faculty member incidentally. This means, for example, that
if a faculty member is an officer of a learned or scientific organization, or has been
invited to present a paper before such a gathering, the University will pay all necessary
expenses for travel.
3. The University will pay public carrier transportation costs only, or the equivalent,
for travel which, on the other hand, benefits mainly the faculty member and the
University only incidentally. For example, it will pay such costs only for attendance
at meetings of recognized technical, professional, or scholarly groups.
Necessary expenses for travel, including subsistence, are paid on a per diem basis.
The schedule of approved per diem allowances may be obtained from deans, directors,
or heads of departments. Frequency of trips for individual faculty members is determined
by the amount of funds available, and, in general, not more than one trip a year
per faculty member is allowed at university expense. The practice of several members
of the. faculty pooling expenses and traveling by automobile is advisable whenever it
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 17
enables more individuals to attend a meeting than would be possible otherwise. In such
cases, if funds permit, mileage may be paid for the car. If, however, funds available
are not sufficient to pay milage, only the actual cost of' transportation by car may
be paid.
Members of the staff working on projects financed by the federal government must,
when they ask permission to travel on funds supplied by contract for such projects,
clearly indicate in their request that the trip contemplated is requested by the govern-
ment agency concerned.
No formal report on trips taken by staff members is required by the President's
office.
Continuing and frequently recurring travel in the interest of an organized research
program or of an extension service, and for which special funds are provided in various
budgets, must have the approval of the appropriate dean or director, in accord with
the general policy on travel. Reports on the progress and activities of such programs,
including the travel necessitated by them, are submitted annually to the President's
office.
Expenses incurred for trips made by classes for instructional purposes must be paid
from the necessary and regular budget of the department or other instructional unit
directly concerned. Large groups of this kind should be transported by bus, whenever
possible.
Travel undertaken on private business by a member of the staff at no expense to the
University, and that entails no loss of time from the performance of university duties
by the staff member, does not fall within the scope of university policy on travel.
Teaching Loads Consideration of teaching loads must take into account the diverse
activities required of faculty members and the manifold responsibilities they are called
upon to accept. It is the purpose of the University to distribute the total burden of
teaching and other work as equitably as possible. There are many items that must
figure in the equitable distribution of the work that has to be done. First and most
obvious among these is the number of hours spent in classrooms and laboratories, in
conducting extension classes and correspondence courses. Second, the number of students
enrolled under each instructor must be taken into account. Also, the time spent in
conferences and in directing the work of individual students, in preparation for classes,
in planning and organizing new courses, in study and research for professional improve-
ment, and the demands made by administrative tasks such as serving on committees,
attending routine staff and faculty meetings, carrying on official correspondence, making
reports, and keeping records; all must be given due weight.
The University's policy on teaching loads is predicated on the assumption that each
staff member will spend, in one way or another, a minimum of forty-four hours a week
in the performance of his official duties.
Instructors and assistant professors will be assigned a teaching load of fifteen hours
per week. Staff members in these ranks are usually entrusted with the more elementary
courses, and therefore frequently do not have more than two classroom preparations
to make. They are therefore expected to carry the maximum teaching load. In case,
however, the number of preparations is greater or the number of students per instructor
is excessive, the pplicy is to reduce the number of classroom and laboratory hours.
Practice in this matter must of necessity vary somewhat, and in all cases, in making
their assignments of work, the department head and the dean must given full consid-
eration to all aspects of each individual case.
18 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The teaching load of associate professors and professors normally is twelve hours.
In addition to an elementary course, members of the staff holding these ranks are
assigned the advanced and graduate courses in the department, which usually require
several preparations. Much individual work with advanced students is usually required
of teachers in these higher ranks. Greater and more continuous effort is necessary for
them to keep abreast of progress in the knowledge of their subject. Finally, time for
research and creative scholarship is more urgently a necessity for teachers in these
higher ranks because, as a rule, they are the more mature men in a department and
their creative work is more widely recognized.
Head professors of a few of the larger departments often are obliged to spend up
to one-half or even more of their time in the performance of many onerous adminis-
trative duties, while at the same time doing teaching of the difficulty and quality
commonly expected of professors.
For professors in the College of Law, the maximum teaching load is eight or nine
hours per week.
It is the general practice, in estimating teaching loads in the University, to count
two or three laboratory hours as equal to one classroom hour. There cannot, however,
in view of the variety of subjects and the differences in method they require, be any
strict uniformity of practice in evaluating laboratory hours in terms of classroom hours.
For example, the work of conducting a laboratory may range all the way from the
merest supervision to a type of instruction fully as difficult and exacting as classroom
teaching in the demands it makes and the responsibility it places on the instructors.
Therefore, it is necessary for the head of the department and the dean to adjust the
load of staff members whose duties include the supervising of laboratories, in terms
of the kind of laboratory work they are called upon to do.
Instructional Privileges for Faculty Members Members of the faculty with the rank of
instructor or above, who are on active duty full time, may register without fee as
part-time students for courses not to exceed one per semester. Before such registration
is accepted by the office of the Registrar, however, it must have received the approval
of the department head and the dean, or director concerned.
Faculty members who are thus registered as part-time students, without the payment
of any fee, will not be granted benefits that are the prerogatives of full-time students
only. They will not, for example, be allowed the use of the infirmary, or student athletic
benefits, or lyceum benefits, or participation in any other activities which are maintained
for full-time students.
Absences Dismissal of students from courses for excessive absences or other failure
to do the required work is at the discretion of the instructor. If such action is con-
templated, the instructor must warn the student, in writing. This warning may be
delivered by the instructor to the student in person, or it may be mailed by the office
of the Registrar. Such warnings must be reported at once to the department head, or
the course chairman. If the student fails to heed the warning, either as to further
absences or improvement in his work, he may be dismissed from the course.
Honor System Under the student honor code which provides punishment for "cheating,
stealing, and passing worthless checks," proctoring of examinations and other forms of
classroom activity is not allowed in the University. Instructors are expected to cooperate
with the student Honor Court in enforcing the honor code by reminding their students
of the value of the honor system and of their responsibilities under it, and by reporting
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 19
to the Honor Court all cases of cheating that come to their attention. Students tried
by the Honor Court have the right of appeal to the constitutional faculty Committee
on Discipline. Final decision in such cases rests with the President of the University.
SERVICE UNITS
University Bookstore The bookstore sells a full line of instructional materials, textbooks,
and stationery supplies. Faculty members are allowed a discount of fifteen per cent
on all books, supplies, and materials purchased. On request, the bookstore orders
materials and books not in stock which are needed by faculty members.
Cafeteria The university cafeteria and the soda shop welcome the patronage of staff
members and their families.
Campus Mail The campus mail system distributes mail without charge to all points
on the campus and to the Seagle Building in downtown Gainesville.
Post Office Persons using the post office substation on the campus have their mail
addressed University Station, Gainesville, Florida. Faculty members may rent post
office boxes in this station as they become available.
Cashing of Checks For a fee of ten cents per check, the university cashier's office in
the basement of Language Hall will cash personal checks not to exceed fifteen dollars,
and will also cash state travel vouchers. This service is for staff members only.
Payroll Department Each new member of the staff, upon his arrival on the campus,
should report at once to the payroll department of the Business Manager's office, in the
basement of Language Hall, to execute federal income tax form W-4 for the withholding
of income tax from his salary checks; to sign a salary requisition for his first check; and
to elect one of the four plans of retirement available under the State Teachers' Retire-
ment System, to which all new members of the faculty must belong.
On the first day of each month the faculty member must call at the payroll depart-
ment to receive his salary check. When he calls for his check, he is offered a requisition
to sign for payment of his salary for the month following. Signing this requisition ahead
of time saves an additional trip to the payroll department and expedites prompt
payment of salaries on the first of each month.
At the end of each calendar year, or thereabouts, the state provides each employee
with a receipt for all income tax deductions made from his salary during the calendar
year just past.
Campus Credit Union All employees of the University are eligible to membership in
the Federal Campus Credit Union.
Duplicating Service The university duplicating department serves the University and
auxiliary units. It does multigraphing, multilithing, mimeographing, and binding.
Medical Service. The University Infirmary does not provide medical facilities for staff
members except in the case of an emergency occurring on the campus. Staff members
are free to join hospitalization insurance groups active in the university community.
Orange and Blue Bulletin The Orange and Blue Bulletin, a mimeographed sheet for
the publication and dissemination of administrative notices, appears on Mondays, Wed-
20 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
nesdays, and Fridays. All faculty members are urged to consult this bulletin regularly,
not only for the administrative and semi-administrative notices it contains, but also for
valuable occasional information, such as the following:
Any motor vehicle operated on the highways of the State of Florida, which
is owned or controlled by any person employed in any trade, profession,
or occupation in the State of Florida, or by any person who has children
entered in the public schools of Florida, must have a Florida auto license
tag, and drivers must obtain Florida drivers' licenses.
Photographic Service The photographic laboratory performs photographic services for
the various units of the University.
Purchasing Under no circumstances will the University make purchases, except as
approved in advance of the actual purchase by the Director of Purchasing in the Business
Office. Requisitions for purchases must be made out on the form provided by the
Business Office and, t6 be honored, must receive the approval of the head of the
administrative unit for which the purchase is being made. The Director of Purchases,
when he has received and approved the requisition, issues the purchase order. The
vendor ships the merchandise to the unit of the University which initiated the requisition.
The Stenographic Bureau The university stenographic bureau does typing and steno-
graphic work which regularly assigned clerical personnel is inadequate to perform.
Requests for assistance from this bureau should be made only for university work.
Telegrams A branch station of the Western Union is located in the Florida Union,
for the convenience of the students and the staff.
Recreation The Director of Intramural Athletics and Recreation is desirous of organiz-
ing faculty groups for participation in games, field sports, square dances, etc., whenever
interest in these activities is indicated by staff members. At present, equipment for field
sports is available to the faculty; and, with the completion of the new gymnasium, a
wide variety of recreational facilities for faculty members will be offered. A locker
and dressing room with easy access to the gymnasium will be set apart for the faculty,
and a small theater and recreation room will be made available for the use of faculty
groups.
In the summer, the swimming pool is open to the faculty and their families, on
payment of a nominal fee, and swimming instruction is provided.
Reduced rates of admission to athletic contests sponsored by the University are
offered to faculty members.
Swimming, boating, fishing, games, and picnic facilities at Camp Wauburg, nine
miles south of the campus, are open to the faculty on payment of a fee of one dollar.
Camp Wauburg is under the supervision of the Florida Union.
Each year, the Division of Music sponsors a series of concerts by well-known artists.
Season tickets are sold for this series. In addition, the Lyceum Council, a student
organization, offers a varied program of concerts each year. Tickets to these are sold
separately for each performance.
Finally, a group of students interested in the theater, the Florida Players, presents
a series of plays each year. Tickets to these are sold at a nominal price.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION
RESEARCH
rolicy on Research Together with teaching and public service, scholarship and research
are primary functions of a university. Therefore, in addition to supporting organized
technical research directed above all to specific practical ends, the University of Florida
is also committed to encouraging its staff to engage in creative scholarly pursuits of the
kind that will advance knowledge. The University believes that such occupations on the
part of the faculty are indispensable to the professional growth of staff members, and
to effective teaching. It also believes that, when participated in by students, such
pursuits can be, and often are, teaching methods of inestimable value.
Policy on Patents and Copyrights The overall aim of the University's policies on patents
and copyrights is to assure the staff member interested in research maximum freedom
of initiative, and to protect legitimate interests of all who, during their stay at the
University, produce either patent or copyright material. A full statement of these policies
and regulations is to be found in part two of the appendix to the university constitution.
Briefly recapitulated, their provisions are as follows:
1. All persons engaged on projects sponsored and financed wholly by the University
are under contract with the Board of Control. This contract requires that all inventions
and discoveries deriving from such projects may be patented at the University's expense,
and they become the property of the University, if the Board of Control so decides.
In case, however, the Board decides not to pay for obtaining a patent, all rights of
discovering or invention accrue to the discoverer or inventor, after a designated period
of time has passed. Provision is also made for compensation to the inventor when a
patent, taken out by the state on his invention, yields income beyond the cost of the
patent.
2. For each investigation financed in part by the University, either through purchase
of materials or the paying of personnel, and in part from outside sources, a contract
stipulating patent and publication rights is made.
3. When investigations are financed wholly by outside sources, a contract stipulating
rights and ownership of patents is made.
4. Patents that result from investigations by an employee of the University at his
own expense and on his own time, if such investigation falls outside the field in which
he is employed by the University, are the private property of the employee. Whenever
such invention or discovery falls within the field in which the investigator is employed
by the University, the Research Council recommends suitable action for handling the
patent rights involved.
The copyright policy of the University falls into two parts:
1. Articles, pamphlets, and books written by members of the teaching staff are
the personal property of the author, who is free to enter into contracts for publishing
his work, to procure copyrights, and to receive royalties; provided the ideas in his
writings, and the writings themselves are the result of his independent efforts. In such
writings, the University disclaims and may not be held responsible for opinions expressed.
Authorship should not be allowed to interfere with teaching or the performance of
other academic duties.
... Members of the non-teaching staff who write articles, pamphlets, and books must
ps cent their writings and claims for the privilege of copyright to the Research Council,
which makes recommendation for each individual case to the Board of Control.
INTRODUCTION
THE purpose of this booklet is to welcome new faculty members to the University of
Florida and to provide them with a brief and clear explanation of their status and
responsibilities, and of the services and facilities the University places at their disposal.
While every effort has been made to insure that the information in the booklet is
accurate and authentic, it must not be regarded as in any sense superseding other
official publications of the University, which are the authority for many of the state-
ments made. The University Catalog and the constitution of the University, copies of
which are placed in the hands of every new faculty member, must be consulted to
obtain a full view of many matters here discussed, and used as an indispensable sup-
plement to this booklet. Faculty members are also urged to consult the booklet on
student regulations, and to pay close attention to all official memoranda communicated
through deans and department heads.
The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Gainesville will supply, upon request,
brochures of its own that tell about the town and the surrounding vicinity.
FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
No less than its predecessors, the modern university is the guardian and interpreter
of intellectual tradition. Like them, also, it is a focus of the kind of scholarly experiment
and investigation from which, in the main, new ideas and methods may be expected
to come. Since historically it is a college-a community, that is, of scholars and teachers-
it is in them that the measure of its quality and capacity for usefulness will be found.
It is upon their competence, integrity, and devotion to professional ideals that the
university must depend for success. Therefore, now as always, the capacities and the
character of the persons selected to become members of a university faculty are
considerations of the utmost importance.
To measure up to the high standards set by a long and honorable academic tradition,
and also to perform its exacting task of educating as well as training the youth of the
state, the faculty of a modern state university must, for the most part, consist of persons
who are themselves both scholars, in the best tradition, and conscientious and gifted
teachers. They should be able, through their qualities and achievements, to command
respect in the state and in the nation quite as much as in their own community. If
they are to succeed in this, obviously they must be able and diligent in creative scholar-
ship and in teaching. Also it is necessary, to the end that they may contribute their
full share to the social and cultural advancement of the state as well as to its material
progress, that they be carefully selected in the first instance, and then duly encouraged
and well equipped.
ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIVERSITY
Full jurisdiction over the University of Florida and its policies and affairs is vested
in the Board of Control. This body is composed of five citizens of different regions in
the state who are appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. The appointments
are arranged so that there are always holdover members on every Board. The members
of the Board serve without pay.
All actions of the Board of Control are subject to final approval by the State Board
of Education, an ex-officio Board composed of the Governor, who serves as chairman,
the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, and the Superintendent
of Public Instruction. This board is a policy-making agency charged with administering
all educational activities of the state and with enforcing enactments of the state legisla-
ture concerning education.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
The President is the chief executive of the University and exercises supervision over
its activities, properties, and expenditures. In matters not otherwise provided for by
the university constitution and the by-laws of the Board of Control, the President
has full power.
To advise him he has two councils, the Academic Council and the Administrative
Council. The Academic Council is composed of the President, as chairman; the Vice-
President, the Deans, Directors of schools, and the Director of the University Libraries.
The Administrative Council is made up of the President, as chairman; the Vice-President,
and all members of the staff who make recommendations directly to the President
concerning policy, budgets, and appointments.
4 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
department solicits constantly new ideas and useful suggestions on the handling of
feature stories and on techniques of interpretation. Memorandum pads for their con-
venience in cooperating towards all the objectives of the department are supplied to
staff members.
THE FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM
The Florida State Museum is a department of the University. The duties of the
Director of the Museum are to conduct surveys of the state to uncover materials suitable
for exhibition; to collect mineral, plant, and animal specimens, and scientific and
economic data; to collect items of all kinds which illuminate the early history of the
state, and also the culture of its prehistoric inhabitants; to make annual reports to the
President; and to publish and distribute bulletins and monographs recording information
that has been gathered, and describing the work of the museum. A particularly fine
collection-the Doe ornithology collection-is now on exhibition.
THE FLORIDA UNION
The Florida Union is the campus center of student activities. Its lounges, recreation
rooms, auditorium, and other facilities are used to capacity. While it is true that the
Union is intended primarily to house activities of students, the Director desires that
members of the faculty also avail themselves of any of the services and facilities that
interest them, to the end that, among other benefits, better faculty-student relations
may ensue. The Union is under the supervision of a Board of Managers composed of
student and faculty representatives.
INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS
In recognition of Florida's unique geographical position, which makes it singularly
adapted to serve as a link between the cultures of the two Americas; and because of
the number and the prominence of its own citizens of Latin origin, the University
established the Institute of Inter-American Affairs in 1930. The purpose of the Institute
is to foster good will among nations, to promote the teaching of all western hemisphere
languages, literatures, and civilizations in the schools, colleges, and universities of the
state; to encourage the exchange of students and professors among colleges and uni-
versities of all the Americas; to hold conferences and institutes on inter-American affairs;
to promote the sharing of cultural ideals and to stimulate the exchange of ideas; in a
word, to do everything that can be done to advance the cause of new world harmony
and solidarity in all fields of endeavor.
The activities of the Institute, therefore, are many and varied. On the campus,
orientation of students from Latin America in the ways of their new surroundings is
carried on; scholarships to enable them to study in the University are arranged; and
aid in overcoming language difficulties, as well as many other types of assistance in
solving personal problems, is given. Lectures, the showing of Spanish and Portuguese
language films, and special radio programs are sponsored; and literature explaining the
program of the Institute is distributed. With cooperation of the Institute, workshops have
been held to promote effective teaching in the languages, literatures, and cultures of
Latin America; and conferences, some of international scope, have been held.
The Institute is a division of the University. The Director of the Institute is
responsible to the faculty committee on Inter-American Affairs.
THE RADIO STATION
WRUF and WRUF-FM is a radio station located on the university campus. It gives
university organizations and units of instruction an opportunity to provide public service
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 19
to the Honor Court all cases of cheating that come to their attention. Students tried
by the Honor Court have the right of appeal to the constitutional faculty Committee
on Discipline. Final decision in such cases rests with the President of the University.
SERVICE UNITS
University Bookstore The bookstore sells a full line of instructional materials, textbooks,
and stationery supplies. Faculty members are allowed a discount of fifteen per cent
on all books, supplies, and materials purchased. On request, the bookstore orders
materials and books not in stock which are needed by faculty members.
Cafeteria The university cafeteria and the soda shop welcome the patronage of staff
members and their families.
Campus Mail The campus mail system distributes mail without charge to all points
on the campus and to the Seagle Building in downtown Gainesville.
Post Office Persons using the post office substation on the campus have their mail
addressed University Station, Gainesville, Florida. Faculty members may rent post
office boxes in this station as they become available.
Cashing of Checks For a fee of ten cents per check, the university cashier's office in
the basement of Language Hall will cash personal checks not to exceed fifteen dollars,
and will also cash state travel vouchers. This service is for staff members only.
Payroll Department Each new member of the staff, upon his arrival on the campus,
should report at once to the payroll department of the Business Manager's office, in the
basement of Language Hall, to execute federal income tax form W-4 for the withholding
of income tax from his salary checks; to sign a salary requisition for his first check; and
to elect one of the four plans of retirement available under the State Teachers' Retire-
ment System, to which all new members of the faculty must belong.
On the first day of each month the faculty member must call at the payroll depart-
ment to receive his salary check. When he calls for his check, he is offered a requisition
to sign for payment of his salary for the month following. Signing this requisition ahead
of time saves an additional trip to the payroll department and expedites prompt
payment of salaries on the first of each month.
At the end of each calendar year, or thereabouts, the state provides each employee
with a receipt for all income tax deductions made from his salary during the calendar
year just past.
Campus Credit Union All employees of the University are eligible to membership in
the Federal Campus Credit Union.
Duplicating Service The university duplicating department serves the University and
auxiliary units. It does multigraphing, multilithing, mimeographing, and binding.
Medical Service. The University Infirmary does not provide medical facilities for staff
members except in the case of an emergency occurring on the campus. Staff members
are free to join hospitalization insurance groups active in the university community.
Orange and Blue Bulletin The Orange and Blue Bulletin, a mimeographed sheet for
the publication and dissemination of administrative notices, appears on Mondays, Wed-
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 15
state system therefore must be made, however, within the three years immediately
following completion of ten years' service as a contributing member of the Florida
retirement system.
In case a teacher resigns from the System with less than ten years' service he may
withdraw the full amount of his contributions, and, in addition, whatever interest has
accrued to his account. If he resigns after completing ten or more years' service, he
has the option of withdrawing contributions and interest, or of leaving such sums in
the System. In case he elects to do the latter he will, upon attaining the retirement age
specified in his particular plan, receive benefits proportioned to the number of years'
service he has rendered. In case he dies before retirement, his designated beneficiary
will receive the full amount of his annual contributions and accumulated interest. If
he dies after retirement, and before he has received payment in full of his annuity,
the residue in his account will be paid to his designated beneficiary.
A member of the academic staff may continue to make contributions to the System
while on leave of absence, and will receive service credit for time thus spent.
Dismissals The university policy on dismissals is stated in section 4 of article XV of
the university constitution.
Resignations If a member of the academic staff desires to obtain release from his
position, he must offer his resignation to his next superior officer sixty days before his
resignation is to become effective. The University policy on resignations is stated in
section 4 of article XV of the university constitution.
Outside Employment The University encourages its faculty and staff to engage in
research; to offer professional advice concerning the development of the natural resources
of the state, or new products, or new scientific apparatuses and techniques; to prepare
and to publish the results of their studies; to make addresses on subjects in which they
are qualified and which are of interest to the public; to participate to a reasonable
degree in extension work or correspondence teaching, subject to regulations; and to
serve as officers or as members of committees of learned and scientific societies.
It is important that every case of outside employment of a staff member be reported
to the office of the President, through the department head and the dean. Such
employment is subject to a number of guiding principles.
First, and most important, it must not be allowed to interfere with full and proper
performance of university duties. Second, it must be clearly and definitely related to
the professional specialization of the staff member. Third, it must be demonstrated that
such employment contributes to the welfare of the state and that it enhances the
prestige of the University. Fourth, it must be established beyond doubt that such
employment in no way militates against the best interests of the University. Finally,
if such employment at any time entails a contingency such as the giving of expert
testimony in cases under litigation, it is understood that such testimony may never be
given at the behest of private interests. It may be given only when officially requested
by some agency of government.
Ordinary private business of members of the faculty and other university staff, such
as the investing of money or the hiring of labor in private undertakings, is not considered
to fall within the purview of regulation by the University, provided the business
is of such a character as not to damage in any way the prestige of the University, and
provided it entails no loss of time or efficiency in the performance of university duties.
Members of the staff who desire to engage in work outside their regular duties
must, with the consent and approval of the head of the department and the dean or
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly consists of all members of the academic staff with the rank
of instructor and above. It is called by the President for communicating and discussing
matters of general interest. It is neither a legislative nor an advisory body, and has
no powers.
THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
The University Senate is the legislative body of the University. Its membership
consists of the President, the Vice-President, all persons having the title of dean and
all members of the faculty having the rank of professor in those branches of the
University in which teaching students in residence is the primary function. The Registrar
is, ex-officio, secretary of the Senate. The President is presiding officer. In his absence,
the Vice-President presides.
As described in the university constitution, the functions of the Senate are to cor-
relate the official actions of the deans, of the various college faculties, and of the
committees of the Senate; upon the request of a faculty member, to review any action
of such persons and agencies and, whenever it finds such action to be not in accord
with general policies of the University, or in violation of university regulations, or in
conflict with other actions already taken; to suspend it, and refer it, with recommenda-
tions, to the person or group with whom it originated. As a body having jurisdiction
over all matters involving university-wide policies and functions other than those
reserved to the President or any of his advisory agencies such as the councils, the
Senate has power to legislate concerning such matters and to make such rules and
regulations as it deems expedient for promoting the general welfare of the University.
Under the President, each committee of the Senate is the authority on matters
entrusted to it during periods between meetings of the Senate. Each one reports its
work, its findings, and its recommendations to the Senate. The President is, ex-officio,
a member of all the standing committees of the Senate, and appoints the members. The
standing committees of the Senate are:
Curricular Adjustments and Class Offerings
Honorary Degrees
Maintenance of Buildings, Equipment, and Grounds
Memorials and Necrology
Planning and Policies
Professional Relations and Standards
Public Functions and Lectures
Public Relations and Alumni Affairs
Publications
Religion
Space Allocation and Buildings
Statistics
Student Aid and Scholarships
Student Organizations and Social Activities
Student Orientation and Relations
Student Petitions
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION AND THEIR ORGANIZA''IUN
The instructional units of the University are the University College (lower division),
the colleges, schools, and divisions of the upper division; and the Graduate School.
All freshmen and sophomores are enrolled in the University College, which is organized
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION
enables more individuals to attend a meeting than would be possible otherwise. In such
cases, if funds permit, mileage may be paid for the car. If, however, funds available
are not sufficient to pay milage, only the actual cost of' transportation by car may
be paid.
Members of the staff working on projects financed by the federal government must,
when they ask permission to travel on funds supplied by contract for such projects,
clearly indicate in their request that the trip contemplated is requested by the govern-
ment agency concerned.
No formal report on trips taken by staff members is required by the President's
office.
Continuing and frequently recurring travel in the interest of an organized research
program or of an extension service, and for which special funds are provided in various
budgets, must have the approval of the appropriate dean or director, in accord with
the general policy on travel. Reports on the progress and activities of such programs,
including the travel necessitated by them, are submitted annually to the President's
office.
Expenses incurred for trips made by classes for instructional purposes must be paid
from the necessary and regular budget of the department or other instructional unit
directly concerned. Large groups of this kind should be transported by bus, whenever
possible.
Travel undertaken on private business by a member of the staff at no expense to the
University, and that entails no loss of time from the performance of university duties
by the staff member, does not fall within the scope of university policy on travel.
Teaching Loads Consideration of teaching loads must take into account the diverse
activities required of faculty members and the manifold responsibilities they are called
upon to accept. It is the purpose of the University to distribute the total burden of
teaching and other work as equitably as possible. There are many items that must
figure in the equitable distribution of the work that has to be done. First and most
obvious among these is the number of hours spent in classrooms and laboratories, in
conducting extension classes and correspondence courses. Second, the number of students
enrolled under each instructor must be taken into account. Also, the time spent in
conferences and in directing the work of individual students, in preparation for classes,
in planning and organizing new courses, in study and research for professional improve-
ment, and the demands made by administrative tasks such as serving on committees,
attending routine staff and faculty meetings, carrying on official correspondence, making
reports, and keeping records; all must be given due weight.
The University's policy on teaching loads is predicated on the assumption that each
staff member will spend, in one way or another, a minimum of forty-four hours a week
in the performance of his official duties.
Instructors and assistant professors will be assigned a teaching load of fifteen hours
per week. Staff members in these ranks are usually entrusted with the more elementary
courses, and therefore frequently do not have more than two classroom preparations
to make. They are therefore expected to carry the maximum teaching load. In case,
however, the number of preparations is greater or the number of students per instructor
is excessive, the pplicy is to reduce the number of classroom and laboratory hours.
Practice in this matter must of necessity vary somewhat, and in all cases, in making
their assignments of work, the department head and the dean must given full consid-
eration to all aspects of each individual case.
14 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The State Teachers' Retirement System Although many of the faculty whose appoint-
ments were prior to the establishment of the State Teachers' Retirement System have
elected other plans of retirement available to state employees, or have chosen to abstain
from all retirement plans, new members of the academic staff of the University are
required to become members of the teachers' system. Therefore, since it alone is
applicable to incoming staff members, it is the teachers' system that is discussed here.
Under that system there are four options as to mode of retirement, as follows:
Plan A: retirement at age 60 on the basis of 35 years' service.
Plan B. retirement at age 55 on the basis of 35 years' service.
Plan C. retirement at age 55 on the basis of 30 years' service.
Plan D: retirement at age 50 on the basis of 25 years' service.
Rates of contribution to this system are based on the teacher's age at the time he
becomes a member. Each of the four optional plans has its own rate of contribution for
each age. The rates for men are different from those for women. The maximum amount
of salary on which contributions may be made is $3600 per year. If a salary for a given
year is less than $3600, contributions are made on the basis of whatever salary is
received.
Retirement benefits under this system are intended to be one-half the average
compensation for the ten highest paid years, the maximum annual salary on which such
an average can be reckoned being $3600. A teacher must serve the full 25, 30, or 35
years specified by the plan he has elected, if he is to receive the maximum benefits
allowable. He does not, however, have to serve the full time in order to retire with
smaller benefits. In any case, he must have to his credit a minimum of ten years'
service to be eligible for retirement, and he must have reached the age stipulated by
the plan he has elected. For example, if he has enrolled under Plan "C", has 30 years'
service to his credit, and has received an average annual salary of $3600 over the ten
highest-paid years in his service, he can retire at age 55 and still draw the maximum
compensation of $1800 per year. If, however, he has only 20 years' service to his credit,
but has met all the other conditions stipulated by his plan, he will receive $1200
per year.
In case of total and permanent mental or physical disability, a teacher may retire
before attaining retirement age, provided only he has to his credit a minimum of ten
years' service. In such a case, he will receive compensation up to ninety per cent of
the amount his plan allows for the number of years of service he has rendered.
A teacher entering the service of the state after July 1, 1939, may, upon completing
ten years in service as a member of the State Teachers' Retirement System, receive
service credit for prior, out-of-state service up to a maximum of ten years, provided
such service was rendered in tax-supported schools or other educational institutions
maintained at public expense; and provided he makes a contribution to the System
for each year of out-of-state service credited to him, on the same basis as for the years
of service rendered in Florida. Claim for prior service credit, and contributions to the
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 7
to give a central program of general education to all university students. In addition,
during the first two years, the student takes pre-professional, professional, or elective
work to meet his individual needs. A student may remain in the University College
more than two years, if he wishes, exploring the possibilities of upper division subjects.
He may, if he wishes, defer entering the upper division until he is an advanced junior,
or a senior. To carry on the work of the University College a core faculty is maintained.
Teachers in this faculty are employed with the approval of the head of the upper division
department concerned in each case, and, in cooperation with him, they may be assigned
to teaching in both the upper and the lower division. Many instructors in the upper
division colleges may also be assigned, on a part-time basis, to the University College
for teaching in that college. The work of the University College is under the direction
of an administrative board appointed annually by the President of the University.
The upper division is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the
professional colleges and schools. The colleges and schools of the University, with their
departments, are listed both in the constitution and in the university catalog.
The Graduate School is administered by the Graduate Council, which consists of
the Dean as ex-officio chairman, and certain members of the faculty, appointed annually
by the President.
DEFINITION OF INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS
The Department A department is defined in the university constitution as "the unit
of organization for instruction, research, and extension in a defined field of learning."
It is administered by a head professor, or department head, who is charged, under the
dean of his college or the director of his school, as the case may be, with the assignment
of duties to members of his staff; with recommendations for appointments, promotions,
salary increases, and tenure; with the proper use and care of equipment and quarters;
with the expenditure of departmental funds, and with planning the sound growth and
development of his department.
The Division When a teaching unit is composed of two or more distinct but related
subject matter fields, it may be called a division instead of a department. The division
is administered by a chairman, whose responsibilities are those of the head of a
department.
The College A college, composed of departments and divisions, is the unit organized
for the administering of curricula in a broad area of learning. The dean of a college is
its administrative head. He is responsible to the President of the University. His duties
are to carry out administrative orders from the President, to enforce rules and regulations
adopted by the faculty of his college, to nominate heads of departments, and to review
their official actions in the performance of their duties; to supervise the assignment and
use of funds, space, and equipment allotted to his college, to prepare the budget and
the biennial report and such other reports as may from time to time be requested by
the President; to assign duties to the departments and to pass upon all requisitions drawn
against funds allotted to the various departments, divisions, and schools within his
college.
The School For convenience in administration, any part of a college which is devoted
to work markedly different from, but still somewhat related to the rest of the work in
the college, may be organized as a school. The head of a school is called a director,
and his functions are those of a department head; except that his relations to any depart-
ment under him are those of a dean to the departments in his college. The Division of
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION
THE BOARD OF UNIVERSITY EXAMINERS
The Board of University Examiners formulates and administers policies governing
comprehensive examinations, and also determines and administers the requirements for
admission to the University.
The University Examiner, under the direction of the Board, edits, types, reproduces,
administers, scores, and reports the results of all progress tests and comprehensive
examinations given in the University College. He directs all phases of the annual
statewide twelfth grade testing program, except actual administration of the tests, which
is conducted by the participating high schools. He administers, scores, and reports the
results of all examinations for admission to the University. He administers special
examinations for outside agencies such as the Graduate Record Office and the National
Committee on Teacher Examinations, and for other colleges and universities. Finally,
he assists upper division departments by scoring objective tests they may elect to give.
THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS
The Director of Alumni Affairs, who is also secretary to the Alumni Association, is
responsible to the University and to the Alumni Association. Among his responsibilities
to the University are organizing and arousing interest and enthusiasm among groups
of alumni, and interpreting the University and its program of public service to the
State of Florida. To accomplish this main purpose, he participates in arranging class
reunions, in obtaining and administering financial contributions from friends of the
University, in publishing the Florida Alumnus, and in coordinating the work of the
Alumni Association.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
The University has no faculty housing units at its disposal at the present time, but
it has recently purchased a tract of land adjoining the campus with the purpose of
erecting upon it a substantial faculty housing project at some future date. Although the
office of the Director of Housing cannot now assume responsibility for furnishing
housing to staff members, it acts as a clearing house of information on housing available
in the town of Gainesville, and cooperates in every possible way with faculty members
in their efforts to find suitable living accommodations.
THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Department of Publicity, an administrative unit of the University, serves the
University as a whole and stands ready to serve every member of the staff. By means
of newspapers, magazines, and the radio, as well as through special brochures, pamphlets,
and pictures, this department seeks to interpret to the public the life and activities of
the university community. It also serves by interpreting the needs of the University,
its aims, its policy, and its personnel.
The department must perforce depend on the cooperation of individual members
of the university staff to keep it supplied with pertinent and valuable information
regarding the University, its academic programs, the achievements of its personnel,
the research that is going forward, and the honors and recognition of achievement that
are being received. By keeping the department informed on these matters, staff members
will render a valuable service both to the University and to themselves. The department
is equipped to handle all press and radio releases. For greater protection to the
University and its public relations, the department urges that all material for dissem-
ination as news through either the press or the radio be referred to it for release, and
never communicated directly to agencies of publicity by staff members. Finally, the
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
other administrative officer concerned, make application to the President, who will make
his recommendations to the Board of Control. Such applications must state the nature
of the work involved, its duration, the amount and kind of remuneration if any; and
give an evaluation of its significance and value to the University and the State. This
procedure must be observed, regardless of whether such employment is for compensation,
or whether it is on a part-time basis, or whether it is scheduled to be done during
vacation periods only.
Deans and directors are required to submit annual reports to the President sum-
marizing all outside work done by members of their staffs, giving brief descriptions of
the nature of the work done in each case, stating the amount of remuneration, if any;
and appraising the value of the work from the point of view of the University and
of the state.
Travel by Staff Members It is expected that need will arise for members of the staff
to travel in the performance of their professional duties. The policy of the University
in regard to such necessary travel is of course determined in some degree by the
problems of an administrative order that are created by the absence, however justifiable,
of faculty members from their regular duties on the campus. Because of the difficulty
of dealing with these problems, the University must perforce confine its encouragement
and support to travel of a kind that will contribute most effectively to its program as
an institution of higher learning.
A certain part of the travel budget approved for the University by the Board of
Control is allocated to each department. The staff member who wishes to travel submits
his request to the department head, who in turn forwards it, if he approves it, to the
dean or director concerned. If the latter approves it, he sends it with his recommendation
to the Vice-President of the University for final approval.
There are three categories for the payment of individual travel expense by the
University.
1. The University will pay all necessary expenses for administrative officers, or others
officially representing the University; or for deans and other administrative officers
attending one association meeting a year.
2. The University will pay all necessary expenses for travel benefiting the University
mainly, and the individual faculty member incidentally. This means, for example, that
if a faculty member is an officer of a learned or scientific organization, or has been
invited to present a paper before such a gathering, the University will pay all necessary
expenses for travel.
3. The University will pay public carrier transportation costs only, or the equivalent,
for travel which, on the other hand, benefits mainly the faculty member and the
University only incidentally. For example, it will pay such costs only for attendance
at meetings of recognized technical, professional, or scholarly groups.
Necessary expenses for travel, including subsistence, are paid on a per diem basis.
The schedule of approved per diem allowances may be obtained from deans, directors,
or heads of departments. Frequency of trips for individual faculty members is determined
by the amount of funds available, and, in general, not more than one trip a year
per faculty member is allowed at university expense. The practice of several members
of the faculty pooling expenses and traveling by automobile is advisable whenever it
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 5
by availing themselves of its facilities for broadcasting educational, informational, and
cultural programs in their fields of specialization.
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PRESS
The purpose of the University Press is to encourage, seek out, and publish original
and scholarly manuscripts which will aid in developing the University as a recognized
center of scholarship and research.
The Press edits and publishes scholarly books and monographs under its own
imprint, and also special addresses, pamphlets, reports, and bulletins for special pur-
poses, without the imprint. It has no responsibility for, or connection with, the editing
and publishing of official university publications such as the University Record Series,
the publications of the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Agricultural Extension
Service, and the Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station.
The Board of Managers of the Press have the responsibility of formulating the
policies and directing the functioning of the Press. They have sole responsibility for
accepting and rejecting manuscripts offered for publication. The Managing Editor is
responsible to the Board for performing such duties as it prescribes.
THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
The main library houses most of the university holdings in books and periodicals,
the consolidated card catalog for all the university libraries, and the catalog and order
departments. A "Handbook of the University of Florida Libraries," distributed by the
library, describes the location of the various libraries and their contents, contains a
schedule of their hours of opening and closing, tells how to use them, and lists the
services they provide.
An audio-visual aid service is a function of the library. It makes available a
collection of records and films to departments and qualified borrowers, on the same
basis as books are loaned by the main library. In addition, films may be borrowed or
rented through the Inter-library Loan Division, which will furnish reference service
and undertake necessary correspondence. The library also has available a limited
number of sixteen-millimeter and thirty-five-millimeter projectors, and the personnel to
service and operate them. These are available to any department on the campus, at
any time.
The Department of Reference and Bibliography, in addition to its regular service,
provides bibliographical assistance to faculty members in developing specialized
collections.
The Reference Librarian offers a series of lectures to graduate students on biblio-
graphical tools available in the library, and their use.
The Director of University Libraries is responsible for all the university libraries,
with the exception of the library of the College of Law and the library of the Agri-
cultural Experiment Station. Rules for the government of the library are formulated
by the Committee on University Libraries, which also receives and passes on complaints,
advises on the library budget, and allots funds to the various colleges and departments
for the purchase of books for the library, subject to the approval of the University
Senate.
Each academic department, through the individual or committee designated by the
head of the department, makes recommendations for the purchase of books, films, and
records in its field of specialization. These recommendations are forwarded to the library
Order Department, where they are checked against the library collection. If there is no
unnecessary duplication, and the balance on hand in the departmental fund is sufficient
to pay for them, the materials are ordered.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 13
Absence from the campus for purposes of professional improvement and "travel in
the interest of administration, scholarship, and good teaching" are encouraged by the
University. Such absences and such travel should, however, be confined as far as
possible to periods when the University is not in session and classes are not being held.
If travel becomes necessary at times when classes are in session, adequate provision for
continuing the classes and for performing satisfactorily the other official obligations of
the staff member must be made.
Requests for permission to be absent from duties for lengthy periods of time in order
to attend to personal business must be submitted to the Board of Control through
regular administrative channels.
Sabbatical Leaves The University has at present no provision for sabbatical leaves.
Tenure The provisions on tenure, as at present defined in article XVI of the university
constitution, represent a change from previous policy. The revision was made in July,
1948. Faculty members employed prior to this revision are allowed the option of
qualifying for the status of permanent member either according to the terms of the
present, revised article in the constitution; or according to article XVI as published in
Volume XLI, Series 1, Number 7 of the University Record. A full statement of the
present policy on tenure will be contained in the next edition of the university consti-
tution. There are, however, certain basic principles underlying this reorientation of
policy that should be called to the attention of incoming faculty members.
First among these is the principle that time spent in the service of the university-
however much, and in whatever rank-does not of itself suffice to confer the status of
permanent member of the faculty. Instead, the qualification is everywhere insisted
upon that a minimum time of service-specified for each academic rank-accomplishes
but one result. It makes the staff member eligible to permanent status. Actually to
achieve this status he must be nominated for it by his department head; receive the
approval of his dean or director; receive the approval of the President; and receive the
approval of the Board of Control. At each stage in this process, a thorough scrutiny
of the candidate's general qualifications and of his record here is made. It is obvious
that diligence and care in this important matter are essential, in view of the seriousness
with which the University is compelled to regard its responsibility in the selecting of
staff members, especially of those with whom it will long be associated and upon whose
character and competence its own reputation and success must depend.
For the protection of staff members, also, there are basic principles at work through-
out this policy. At every stage in the process of nominating a faculty member for the
status of permanent member, action must be taken; and the staff member must be
notified in writing of the decision made. Furthermore, the University may not, under
the terms of this policy, keep any staff member in temporary status in any rank for
more than a limited period of time, specified for each rank. Finally, in case an admin-
istrative officer decides that for good and sufficient reasons a member of his staff having
the status of permanent member should be removed from the service, there are
provisions to safeguard the rights of the faculty member and to insure that he will be
informed in writing of the charges made against him; that he will have ample oppor-
tunity to defend himself; and that he will be given a thorough, fair, and impartial
hearing.
Retirement According to a policy of the Board of Control, retirement from the service
of the University is obligatory for all ranks and positions except that of Lecturer, on
the June 30th next following the employee's seventieth birthday.
8 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
of Military Science and Tactics and the Division of Music are exceptions, in that they
are independent of any school or college, and that their directors are responsible directly
to the President. The Division of Military Science and Tactics is also exceptional in
that all male students, except veterans of at least ninety days' service in the armed
forces, and except those excused for physical disabilities, are required to complete at
least four semesters of the elementary course in military science and tactics. The director
of this division is the professor of military science and tactics, who is also the com-
mandant of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He is responsible directly to the
President.
The College Faculty The faculty of a college, as defined in the constitution of the
University, includes the members of the departments in the college and also such staff
members of other outside units as regularly teach courses that are part of its own
curricula. The faculty is the legislative body of the college. The dean is the chairman
of the faculty. The faculty enacts regulations governing the procedures of the college,
particularly those having to do with curricula. Subject to the approval of the University
Senate, the President, and the Board of Control, the faculty fixes the requirements of
the college both for entrance and for graduation; and decides the form of the degrees it
confers. Also, it decides the curricula of the college, and recommends to the President
the granting of degrees to students who have met its requirements for graduation. The
faculty elects a secretary, whose duty is to keep a record of proceedings.
ORGANIZED EXTENSION SERVICES
The Agricultural Extension Service This service selects, prepares, and distributes
information derived from research and observation by specialists in agriculture. It assists
county and home agents in the practical application of recommendations useful for
county programs. The county extension agents help the rural people of the state to
carry on demonstration work, and make available to them the benefits of research and
teaching. The program of this service is coordinated with similar programs of federal
agencies. The Provost for Agriculture is the administrative head of the Agricultural
Extension Service, as well as of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the College
of Agriculture.
The General Extension Division The many activities of the General Extension Division
include extension classes, correspondence courses, workshops, conferences, and short
courses for professional, educational, occupational, and cultural groups; loan collections
of books and audio-visual aids; and adult education consultation services for individuals
and organizations. This service is under the direction of the Dean of the General
Extension Division, who is responsible to the President of the University of Florida.
He also cooperates with the President of the Florida State University. The faculties of
both institutions participate in its program.
Service Division, College of Education The program of the Service Division of the
College of Education consists of consultations, conferences, and studies in educational
administration that have as their object new or revised procedures; the supplying of
specialists to work with the State Department of Education and the College of Education
for the welfare of the public schools; the furnishing of leadership and professional
consultation in curricular matters and materials; assisting in, and helping to coordinate
studies of national scope in the field of education; the placing of teachers; the recruiting
of new members for the teaching profession; and offering the services and facilities of
the P. K. Yonge Laboratory School for experimentation and practical demonstration of
educational procedures.
THE UNIVERSITY RECORD
of the
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
0
Handbook of Faculty
Vol. XLIII, Series 1
No. 10
Information
October 1, 1948
Published monthly by the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Entered in the post office in Gainesville, Florida, as second-class matter, under
Act of Congress, August 24, 1912.
Office of Publication, Gainesville, Florida.
20 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
nesdays, and Fridays. All faculty members are urged to consult this bulletin regularly,
not only for the administrative and semi-administrative notices it contains, but also for
valuable occasional information, such as the following:
Any motor vehicle operated on the highways of the State of Florida, which
is owned or controlled by any person employed in any trade, profession,
or occupation in the State of Florida, or by any person who has children
entered in the public schools of Florida, must have a Florida auto license
tag, and drivers must obtain Florida drivers' licenses.
Photographic Service The photographic laboratory performs photographic services for
the various units of the University.
Purchasing Under no circumstances will the University make purchases, except as
approved in advance of the actual purchase by the Director of Purchasing in the Business
Office. Requisitions for purchases must be made out on the form provided by the
Business Office and, t6 be honored, must receive the approval of the head of the
administrative unit for which the purchase is being made. The Director of Purchases,
when he has received and approved the requisition, issues the purchase order. The
vendor ships the merchandise to the unit of the University which initiated the requisition.
The Stenographic Bureau The university stenographic bureau does typing and steno-
graphic work which regularly assigned clerical personnel is inadequate to perform.
Requests for assistance from this bureau should be made only for university work.
Telegrams A branch station of the Western Union is located in the Florida Union,
for the convenience of the students and the staff.
Recreation The Director of Intramural Athletics and Recreation is desirous of organiz-
ing faculty groups for participation in games, field sports, square dances, etc., whenever
interest in these activities is indicated by staff members. At present, equipment for field
sports is available to the faculty; and, with the completion of the new gymnasium, a
wide variety of recreational facilities for faculty members will be offered. A locker
and dressing room with easy access to the gymnasium will be set apart for the faculty,
and a small theater and recreation room will be made available for the use of faculty
groups.
In the summer, the swimming pool is open to the faculty and their families, on
payment of a nominal fee, and swimming instruction is provided.
Reduced rates of admission to athletic contests sponsored by the University are
offered to faculty members.
Swimming, boating, fishing, games, and picnic facilities at Camp Wauburg, nine
miles south of the campus, aie open to the faculty on payment of a fee of one dollar.
Camp Wauburg is under the supervision of the Florida Union.
Each year, the Division of Music sponsors a series of concerts by well-known artists.
Season tickets are sold for this series. In addition, the Lyceum Council, a student
organization, offers a varied program of concerts each year. Tickets to these are sold
separately for each performance.
Finally, a group of students interested in the theater, the Florida Players, presents
a series of plays each year. Tickets to these are sold at a nominal price.
2 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Also to advise him the President has the Personnel Board. It is made up of the
President, as chairman; the Vice-President, as vice-chairman; the Dean of the University
as secretary; the Business Manager; two Deans or Directors, to be appointed by the
President, and each to serve one semester; and the Chairman of the Faculty Committee
on Professional Relations and Standards, which is one of the standing committees of the
University Senate.
In addition to these, the Director of Non-Academic Personnel sits with the Board
in an advisory capacity, but without a vote, and in order to present his monthly report
on resignations and his recommendations for reappointments. The Board meets regularly
at least once a month, and more often if called by the President. Its function is to serve
as a clearing house for appointments and to act in an advisory capacity to the President.
It is the responsibility of the Dean of the University and of the Director of Non-
Academic Personnel to send appropriate notices of appointments made by the President
to the candidates in their respective areas.
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President assists the President in planning, policy, and administration. In
emergencies he acts as President, subject, of course, to the will of the Board of Control.
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY
The Dean of the University assists the administration in the improvement of instruc-
tion, the correlating of instructional activities, the adjusting of teaching loads, and in
keeping personnel records of the academic staff.
OFFICE OF THE BUSINESS MANAGER
The Business Manager is responsible to the President for all business activities of
the University. His work involves disbursing funds, purchasing, auditing, and the
supervision and maintenance of property, buildings, and grounds. He also has supervision
of the university cafeterias, and the Bookstore. A detailed statement of the organization,
functions, and procedures of his office is available in the form of a booklet distributed
by the Business Manager.
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENT PERSONNEL
The Dean of Student Personnel is assisted by the Dean of Men and the Dean of
Women. He is charged with matters affecting the welfare of students, such as orientation,
housing, employment, social functions, scholarships and loan funds, fraternities and
sororities, counselling and guidance, and discipline. In addition, he is charged with
developing a program of student life and activities that will foster devotion to ideals
of culture and responsible citizenship. The Director of Housing, the Florida Union,
the Veteran's Guidance Center, and the Bureau of Vocational Guidance and Mental
Hygiene are under the direction of the Dean of Student Personnel.
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
The Registrar has charge of admissions, registration of students, maintenance and
evaluation of academic records, class attendance, applications for degrees, preparation
of diplomas and certificates, class schedules, and assignment of space for instruction.
He edits the directory and the catalog and compiles statistics for the use of the
President. He is, ex-officio, chairman of the Board of University Examiners, and also
secretary of the Academic Council and the Administrative Council, the University
Senate, and the General Assembly.
12 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
activities. The presence on the campus of a full staff throughout the calendar year
facilitates the necessary release of some staff members from their routine assignments,
so that'they may be free to assist in performing occasional and extraordinary duties.
All appointments to the academic staff in the rank of instructor and above are
made for a period of twelve calendar months. For the teaching staff, this plan interprets
twelve calendar months as meaning two regular semesters and one summer term of
teaching, with no extra compensation allowed for the summer term. No one is permitted
to teach more than one of the two summer terms in each calendar year. Each teacher
is entitled to thirty days' vacation each year, during the six weeks in which he is not
scheduled to teach. It is expected that the faculty member will use the remainder of
his employment period according to his own best judgment in study, research, and
other professional and university work. For non-academic members of the staff, the
twelve-months plan is interpreted as requiring active service for eleven months in each
calendar year.
Leaves of Absence It is understood that under the twelve-month plan of employment
the University has a prior claim on the services of its employees throughout the calendar
year, except for the time allowed for vacation or sick leave or a combination of both
not to exceed a maximum of thirty days. In the event a staff member's services can,
for a time, be dispensed with or satisfactorily performed by a substitute, the University
will entertain an application for leave of absence. Certain considerations of policy
must, however, govern decisions on such applications.
It is, for example, seriously to be questioned whether the practice of teaching the
year around, even during the time allotted for vacation, can be reconciled with the
best interests of the University or with those of the teacher. If, however, a faculty
member decides to accept a teaching position in some other institution during the time
allowed him for vacation by this university, he must apply for two weeks' leave of
absence without pay, if his plans call for his being away from the campus beyond the
time of his allowed vacation period of thirty days.
It is expected that each faculty member will teach one summer term each year.
This requirement is necessary in order that the demands made on the University by
summer enrollments may be met. Those who wish to go away for purposes of pro-
fessional improvement instead of remaining here to teach in the summer must, in order
to do so, apply for a six weeks' leave of absence without pay.
To staff members who are reserve officers and wish to participate in training periods
for reservists in the armed services, the University will grant requests for leaves of
absence. Time spent away from the University on such leaves will, however, be charged
against the regularly allowed vacation period of thirty days.
Staff members who wish to leave the campus in order to accept remunerative
employment elsewhere in preference to teaching the required summer term here must,
in order to do so, apply for a leave of absence of eight weeks without pay.
In case an instructor is compelled to be away from his duties on account of illness,
the head of his department shall, as provided in the university constitution, arrange,
with the advice and consent of the dean or director, to have the absent instructor's
work carried on by the available departmental staff members. If such an arrangement
is impossible, the situation created by the illness shall be reported to the President by
the dean. The President will then, on recommendation of the department head and the
dean, appoint a temporary instructor to fill the vacancy, and will make recommendations
with regard to salary adjustments to the Board of Control.
18 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The teaching load of associate professors and professors normally is twelve hours.
In addition to an elementary course, members of the staff holding these ranks are
assigned the advanced and graduate courses in the department, which usually require
several preparations. Much individual work with advanced students is usually required
of teachers in these higher ranks. Greater and more continuous effort is necessary for
them to keep abreast of progress in the knowledge of their subject. Finally, time for
research and creative scholarship is more urgently a necessity for teachers in these
higher ranks because, as a rule, they are the more mature men in a department and
their creative work is more widely recognized.
Head professors of a few of the larger departments often are obliged to spend up
to one-half or even more of their time in the performance of many onerous adminis-
trative duties, while at the same time doing teaching of the difficulty and quality
commonly expected of professors.
For professors in the College of Law, the maximum teaching load is eight or nine
hours per week.
It is the general practice, in estimating teaching loads in the University, to count
two or three laboratory hours as equal to one classroom hour. There cannot, however,
in view of the variety of subjects and the differences in method they require, be any
strict uniformity of practice in evaluating laboratory hours in terms of classroom hours.
For example, the work of conducting a laboratory may range all the way from the
merest supervision to a type of instruction fully as difficult and exacting as classroom
teaching in the demands it makes and the responsibility it places on the instructors.
Therefore, it is necessary for the head of the department and the dean to adjust the
load of staff members whose duties include the supervising of laboratories, in terms
of the kind of laboratory work they are called upon to do.
Instructional Privileges for Faculty Members Members of the faculty with the rank of
instructor or above, who are on active duty full time, may register without fee as
part-time students for courses not to exceed one per semester. Before such registration
is accepted by the office of the Registrar, however, it must have received the approval
of the department head and the dean, or director concerned.
Faculty members who are thus registered as part-time students, without the payment
of any fee, will not be granted benefits that are the prerogatives of full-time students
only. They will not, for example, be allowed the use of the infirmary, or student athletic
benefits, or lyceum benefits, or participation in any other activities which are maintained
for full-time students.
Absences Dismissal of students from courses for excessive absences or other failure
to do the required work is at the discretion of the instructor. If such action is con-
templated, the instructor must warn the student, in writing. This warning may be
delivered by the instructor to the student in person, or it may be mailed by the office
of the Registrar. Such warnings must be reported at once to the department head, or
the course chairman. If the student fails to heed the warning, either as to further
absences or improvement in his work, he may be dismissed from the course.
Honor System Under the student honor code which provides punishment for "cheating,
stealing, and passing worthless checks," proctoring of examinations and other forms of
classroom activity is not allowed in the University. Instructors are expected to cooperate
with the student Honor Court in enforcing the honor code by reminding their students
of the value of the honor system and of their responsibilities under it, and by reporting
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword --- --
Introduction ----- ---
Functions of the University
Organization of the University
Faculty Relations -.--
Service Units ---- .-
... .... .. .. 1
10
-- ----- 19
FOREWORD
THE idea of publishing a booklet entitled Handbook of Faculty Information was ex-
cellent, but however meritorious it might have been in its inception, it would have had
little value if the actual writing of the booklet had been less than adequately done. I
have read the first draft of the proposed booklet, and I am impressed with the fact
that it contains a great deal of pertinent information which ought to be immediately
available to all members of the teaching and administrative staff of the University of
Florida. As the booklet points out, much of the material is a condensation of source
materials which are immediately available to faculty members. It should be understood,
therefore, that while the booklet is useful in itself, it is also useful as a guide to addi-
tional information which appears in the various official publications of the University.
I am pleased that I have been invited to make a few comments in the form of a
preface to this booklet. I have been requested to direct my attention specifically to the
matter of academic freedom.
On February 2, 1948, I was invited to address a meeting of the A. A. U. P. chapter
on the campus of the University of Florida. At that time, among other remarks, I made
the following statement concerning academic freedom. I am not sure I can do better
than quote directly from that address, as follows:
"There are few recesses of a college or university president's mind that people
fail to explore. On campus and off, both the sincerely interested and the curious
want to know what the president thinks about this or that. Soon rather than late
the inquiry extends to cardinal principles. Soon rather than late there are those
who want to know what the president thinks about academic freedom. I am in-
terested to find that the concern on the part of students at the University of
Florida for this fundamental principle is as great as that of faculty members. In
view of this general interest I am pleased to state my position.
"Academic freedom in the impartation and the acquisition of knowledge is
the indispensable condition of the expansion of mind. Notice, if you will, that I
approach the subject of academic freedom from the point of view of the needs
of students rather than from the point of view of the rights of the professor. I
do not deny the right of a professor to teach objectively the truth, wherever it
may be found. However, this right is merely a corollary to the right of a student
to acquire human knowledge from all possible sources, whether it be derived
from a priori reasoning, or empirically determined.
"That students should also be given the basis for value judgments is taken
for granted, but that they should not be denied access to knowledge of any
kind is the heart and core of any defense of academic freedom. To deny aca-
demic freedom to the teacher at the level of higher education is to deny the
student the full right to the expansion of mind and the complete basis for making
value judgments of a discriminating kind.
"In these terms, academic freedom is not an end in itself, but a means to
the greater end of preparing students to take responsibility for themselves and
for the world they have inherited from us. I am not one of those who believe
that the destiny of the world is fixed and that man is merely taking a dizzy ride
upon it. I believe that the mind of man may yet control his destiny, but only
if that mind is free to teach and free to learn without limitation or reservation."
J. HILLS MILLER, President,
University of Florida
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
THE RESEARCH COUNCIL
the Research Council is a body provided for by the constitution, whose function
under the President and the Board of Control is to encourage all types of scholarly
and research activity. Another function is to make studies and recommendations con-
cerning problems peculiar to the development of programs of scholarship and research
in this institution; and to plan and implement research policies suitable to meet such
needs. The Council also administers the University's regulations on patents and copy-
rights. It also studies research needs and opportunities that have special significance for
Florida and the southeast, and recommends policies for participation therein by the
University.
RESEARCH UNITS AT THE UNIVERSITY
The Agricultural Experiment Station This station is organized to meet the diverse and
manifold research needs of the several agricultural regions of the state. Its work is
carried on at the main station at the University, in Gainesville; and at twelve sub-stations
and laboratories scattered throughout the state. Information on the activities of these
stations, and on the many research projects in which they are engaged, is available in
the "Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Florida".
The Bureau of Economic and Business Research This bureau, a part of the College
of Business Administration, undertakes research on conditions particular to the economic
life of Florida, and makes special studies for Florida economic groups and business
enterprises.
The Bureau of Educational Research. This bureau is a part of the College of Education.
Independently, and also in cooperation with out-of-state institutions, it conducts research
in a wide variety of educational problems, in the P. K. Yonge Laboratory School, and
in the state at large. It also extends cooperation to other educational agencies in carrying
out studies of a national scope.
The Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station. This station is a division of the
College of Engineering. Its function is to organize and promote research projects in
engineering and accessory sciences, with special reference to problems that are of
particular importance to Florida industry.
The Medicinal Plant Garden This establishment is operated by the College of Pharmacy,
both as an adjunct to teaching and as a source of supply of fresh material for study and
investigation.
The Naval Stores Research Laboratory. This laboratory is administered by the Depart-
ment of Chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences. It conducts basic research with
the purpose of contributing new products and new, more efficient industrial processes
in the field of naval stores.
The Sloan Project in Applied Economics This is an experiment to discover, first,
whether school instruction in ideas and methods for improving housing conditions
actually contributes to such improvement; and, second, to measure the extent of any
improvement it may be found to accomplish. The project is under the direction of the
College of Education.
FACULTY RELATIONS
Definition of Rank. Academic ranks and their equivalents in the Agricultural Experiment
Station. the Agricultural Extension Service of the College of Agriculture, the Engineering
and Industrial Experiment Station, the professional staff of the University Libraries,
and tl e P. K. Yonge Laboratory School, are defined in the university constitution.
HANDBOOK OF FACULTY INFORMATION 11
Appointment. The selecting of academic personnel is of vital importance to the effec-
tiveness of the University in carrying out its program, and requires extreme care and
vigilance on the part of administrative officers at every level. The procedure observed
in making new appointments in the University of Florida is an index of the seriousness
with which the University regards the employing of new academic staff members.
Recommendations for appointment are made by the department head only after careful
weighing of the qualifications of candidates through interviews, and through scrutinizing
of all academic credentials, such as the applicant's professional record, his letters of
recommendation, and other appropriate documentary evidence. The recommendation
for appointment originates in the department and is forwarded to the dean or director
for his examination. If he approves, the recommendation is forwarded for examination
by the Personnel Board, of which the President is chairman, and which is advisory to
him in such matters. If the Personnel Board accepts the recommendation, it refers it
to the President. If he approves, the recommendation is forwarded to the Board of
Control for their action. The Board of Control has power of appointment.
Department heads are nominated by the dean of the college or the director of the
school or division, as the case may be. Such nominations must, in order to become
effective, receive the approval of the President and the Board of Control.
Deans and directors are nominated by the President, and appointed by the Board
of Control on his recommendation.
The President and Vice-President are elected by the Board of Control.
The original appointment of a staff member is confirmed in writing, and thereafter
he receives written annual notice of salary and rank. Temporary appointments to the
faculty for the purpose of filling vacancies may be made for stipulated periods, clearly
stated in writing at the time the appointment is made.
Nepotism According to a policy of the Board of Control, not more than one member
of an immediate family may be in the employ of the University of Florida at one time
on a full-time basis.
Health Requirement Staff members are required to submit to an annual X-ray exam-
ination of the respiratory tract. This examination is supplied free to staff members by the
University, in collaboration with the Florida Board of Public Health.
Promotions. The University's policy on promotions is that they shall be awarded only
on the basis of individual merit. Like appointments, promotions originate with the
recommendation of the department head, must pass through the same administrative
channels, and, to become effective, must receive the same approvals.
Salaries With each recommendation for appointment to the academic staff, the salary
of the prospective appointee is fixed on the basis of the importance and responsibility
of the position to be filled, and also according to the training, the experience, and the
general competence of the nominee.
Like promotions, salary increases are based on considerations of individual merit only.
Recommendations are initiated and treated in the same way as those for promotions.
The Twelve-Month Basis of Employment The twelve-month plan now in effect in the
University was initiated to assure adequate salaries within the available budget and
also to guarantee sufficient personnel to staff all the teaching, research, administrative,
and extension requirements of the University program. The plan allows, also, a more
equitable distribution of such duties as extension and correspondence work, and the
manifold administrative occupations which are an inescapable part of the University's
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