As valued members of the UAlbany faculty, you contribute daily to our academic excellence and significant advancements in research and scholarship. The Faculty Handbook is designed to guide and support you as you fulfill these roles.
If you have suggestions or questions about the Faculty Handbook, please contact the Provost’s Office at [email protected].
Click a link below to skip to that section of the page:
UAlbany Organization, Leadership & Governance
about-ualbany
State University of New York (SUNY) Leadership & Governance
State University of New York (SUNY) Leadership & Governance
University at Albany History, Organization & Governance
University at Albany History, Organization & Governance
Faculty Governance
Faculty Governance
- Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Article VI: Voting faculty
- Article VII: SUNY’s University Faculty Senate
- Article IX: Officers of the institutions
- Article X: Voting faculty of the institutions
UAlbany Faculty Bylaws & University Senate Charter
UAlbany Faculty Bylaws & University Senate Charter
Affiliated Organizations
Affiliated Organizations
The following 501-3(c) affiliated organizations are designed by their charters to serve the interests of SUNY and/or exclusively UAlbany:
Laws, Regulations & Policies Governing Faculty
For additional guidance, please review the Compliance Contacts & Resources page on the Office of Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance website.
laws-policies
Standards of Ethical Conduct, Professional Responsibility & Compliance Obligations
Standards of Ethical Conduct, Professional Responsibility & Compliance Obligations
- Ethical Conduct for New York State Employees
- New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations
- Oath/Affirmation of State Employees
- Faculty Statement of Ethics (University Senate Bill No. 8586-17)
- Principles of Professionalism, Ethics & Compliance
- Academic Freedom
- Article XI, Title I of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Article XI, Title I of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Conflicts of Interest or Commitment
- New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations
- Article XI, Title H, Number 4 of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Extra Service Policy
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- Research: Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance
- New York State Public Officers Law: Office of Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance and Human Resources
- Use of University Resources
- Guidelines for Faculty Involvement in Private Ventures Involving Proprietary Work Carried Out on Campus (University Senate Bill No. 8283-26)
- Private Sector Cooperative Use of University Research Equipment (University Senate Bill No. 8384-12)
- Use of Facilities by Non-Commercial Organizations (SUNY Policy 5603)
- Use of University Facilities by Emerging Technology Enterprises (SUNY Policy 5604)
- SUNY Board of Trustees Resolutions 82-159 and 56-88, as amended by Resolution 79-158
- Revocable Permits
- Use of Information Technology Resources
- Management of Extramural Funds
- State & Federal Lobbying Rules
- Project Sunlight Requirements
- Defense & Indemnification for State Employees
- New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations (See Section 17 of the New York State Public Officers Law)
- Office of General Counsel
Personnel Policies & Procedures
Personnel Policies & Procedures
- Faculty Appointments
- Article XI of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Title B: Continuing Appointment
- Title D: Term Appointment (Note: Part-time lecturers are entitled to term appointment status after four consecutive semesters of service in temporary status.)
- Title F: Temporary Appointment
- Agreement between United University Professions (UUP) and the State of New York
- Article XI of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Recruitment & Hiring
- Appointment Year of Academic Faculty
- Article XI, Title H of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Note: While the appointment year begins on September 1, the academic faculty obligation reasonably commences prior to September 1 to support the opening week of the fall semester and preparations for the first day of fall semester classes, which may occur during the final weeks of August, and continues until the end of the academic year (not to exceed 10 months). Faculty may need to participate in events and programs prior to the beginning of classes (e.g. new faculty orientation, faculty retreat, departmental meetings, attend to student requests, etc.).
- Note: While the appointment year begins on September 1, the academic faculty obligation reasonably commences prior to September 1 to support the opening week of the fall semester and preparations for the first day of fall semester classes, which may occur during the final weeks of August, and continues until the end of the academic year (not to exceed 10 months). Faculty may need to participate in events and programs prior to the beginning of classes (e.g. new faculty orientation, faculty retreat, departmental meetings, attend to student requests, etc.).
- Article XI, Title H of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Academic Faculty Teaching, Research & Service Responsibilities
- Evaluation for Renewal/Non-renewal
- Article XII, Title A of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Appointment Renewals
- Continuing Appointment (Tenure) & Promotion of Academic Faculty
- Article XI, Title B of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Term Renewals
- Promotion & Tenure
- Expedited Tenure
- Leaves of Absence
- Termination of Service and Retirement
- Articles XIV and XV of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Articles XIV and XV of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Fringe Benefits
- Promotion to SUNY Distinguished Faculty Ranks
- Appointment to O’Leary Professorship
- Emeritus Status
- Title D of Article XV of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Emeritus Center
- Appointment of Part-time Faculty
- Personnel Files
- Article 31 of the Agreement between UUP and the State of New York
- Article 31 of the Agreement between UUP and the State of New York
- Faculty Grievances
- Article 7 of the Agreement between UUP and the State of New York
- Questions about faculty grievances can be addressed to Human Resources or to officers of the Albany Chapter of United University Professions (UUP).
- Questions about faculty grievances can be addressed to Human Resources or to officers of the Albany Chapter of United University Professions (UUP).
- Article 7 of the Agreement between UUP and the State of New York
- Faculty Transfer across Academic Units
- Compensation for Summer Sessions & Wintersession Teaching
- For information about teaching opportunities during Summer Sessions and Wintersession, and for questions about compensation, contact the Office of General Studies.
- For information about teaching opportunities during Summer Sessions and Wintersession, and for questions about compensation, contact the Office of General Studies.
- Annual Academic Faculty Activity Reports
- Jury Service
- Instructor Absence from Class
Instructors are responsible for meeting their classes regularly and at scheduled times according to the University's Academic Calendar and Schedule of Classes.
In the event of illness or an emergency, instructors must notify their department or school so that suitable action may be taken.
Instructors who will be absent from campus during a regular workweek for professional reasons (e.g., to attend a conference), religious observances, etc., while classes are in session, shall inform the Department Chair (or Dean) of these activities in advance.
Classes cannot be cancelled under these circumstances; instead, the instructor must find a replacement or present an alternative instructional plan (e.g., timed assignments via Brightspace, have a colleague monitor a guest speaker, provide for a take home exam or assignment, etc.).
Options must be approved in advance by the Department Chair or Dean and communicated in advance to students.
- Negotiating Organization
- Payroll Procedures
- Extra Service & Dual Employment Procedures
- President’s Awards for Excellence
- University Use of UAlbany Mail for Official Business
Instructional Policies & Procedures
Instructional Policies & Procedures
- Principles of Teaching Responsibility
- Principles of Teaching Responsibility
- Article XII of the SUNY Policies of the Board of Trustees
- Students' Right to Privacy
- Undergraduate Program Policies & Resources
- Undergraduate Education, Academic Progression & Success
- Undergraduate Bulletin
- Syllabus Requirement
- Undergraduate Bulletin's syllabus section
- Student Attendance & Timely Compliance with Course Requirements
- Undergraduate Grading & Grade Changes
- Policies to Deregister Students from a Course
- Final Examination Policies
- Undergraduate Academic Program Requirements
- Graduate Program Policies & Resources
- Graduate School
- Graduate Bulletin
- Course Syllabus Guidance
- Student Attendance
- Graduate Grades & the Grading of Graduate Courses
- Graduate Grade Changes
- Final Exams
- Faculty Eligibility to Teach Graduate Courses
- Graduate Academic Standards, Degree Requirements & Program Regulations
- Final Grading
- Class Meeting Requirement
Classes must meet at all the times and sessions specified in the Schedule of Classes (i.e., three times a week, twice a week, once a week, etc.) to meet federal, state and SUNY instructional requirements.
If instructors are unable to meet a class, whether in an emergency or a planned absence, other arrangements must be made in consultation with the department chair. No class may be cancelled by the instructor.
See Instructor Absence from Class above (in the Personnel Policies & Procedures section) for more information.
- Textbook Information Law
- Standards of Academic Integrity
- Student Code of Conduct
- Procedures for Resolving Academic Grievances
- Copyright & Fair Use Policy
- Online Courses
Online courses offered by the University must meet University standards for excellence in online teaching.
Faculty who have never taught online must consult with staff from the Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CATLOE) and participate in a program in instructional design and online pedagogical approaches before offering an online course.
Faculty who wish to initiate an online course should contact CATLOE at [email protected].
The decision to offer courses online during the academic year is made by the academic program sponsoring the courses.
Courses to be offered online during the Summer Sessions and Wintersession are determined jointly by the academic department and the Office of General Studies.
Faculty members wishing to teach online should consult with the department chair.
- Student Records Retention
- Reasonable Accommodation of Students with Disabilities
- Religious Accommodations for Students
- Schedule of Classes
- Official Cancellations or Delays/Cancelling Classes or Final Exams Due to Inclement Weather
Research Policies & Procedures
Research Policies & Procedures
- Research Integrity
- Misconduct in Research
- Publication of Research Activities
- Unrestricted Dissemination of Research Activities (SUNY Policy 1800)
- Unrestricted Dissemination of Research Activities (SUNY Policy 1800)
- Participation of Foreign Nationals in Research
- Research Data Management
- Research Involving Human Subjects
- Use of Live Animals for Research or Teaching
- Patents, Inventions & Copyrights (Intellectual Property)
- Externally Sponsored Research
Environmental Health & Safety Policies
Environmental Health & Safety Policies
- Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
- Activities Involving Biohazardous Materials
- Activities Involving Controlled Substances
- Activities Involving Radiation
General Campus Policies
General Campus Policies
- Nondiscrimination
- Disability Accommodations
- Time & Attendance Certification
- Article XIII, Title I of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees
- Time & Attendance
- Access to Personal Information Maintained by the University
- Smoking
- Alcohol & Drug Use in the Workplace
- Workplace Violence Prevention
- Sexual Harassment & Sexual Violence Response Policy
- Domestic Violence & the Workplace Prevention Policy
- Weapons on Campus
- Nepotism
Federal laws under which federal funds are made available to the University contain specific requirements for the administration of these funds to preclude "conflict of interest" practices (practices where there seems to be evidence that responsible officials have afforded their relatives preferential treatment in hiring and promotion). Federal and State Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action laws also prohibit discriminating practices.
This policy is established to strike a balance between preventing preferential treatment and yet not discriminating against applicants or employees based solely upon marital or blood relationships.
Public Officers Law Section 73(1)(m) defines relative as, “Any person living in the same household as the covered individual or any person who is a direct descendent of that covered individual’s grandparents or the spouse of such descendant.” In addition, the Ethics Commission recommends recusing oneself from any personnel decisions that involve a family member or a close personal friend.
University policy does not preclude the employment of two or more members of the same family. However, an employee of the University may not participate in any decision to hire, approve or recommend the appointment, reappointment, promotion or salary adjustment of a relative. Where a candidate is identified to be a relative or family member of the hiring manager of the position, prompt notice shall be provided to the Chief Human Resources Officer/Ethics Officer.
Where a search process results in the nomination of a candidate who is a relative of a person in the administrative chain other than the hiring manager, the proposed appointment, with full documentation supporting the proposal, must be passed for action to the next administrative level above the official who is a relative.
The responsible official at this next level will forward the proposal, with recommendations, through channels to one of the following: Vice President for Research & Economic Development for all externally-funded research positions; Vice President for Academic Affairs for all instructional positions; Chief Human Resources Officer/Ethics Officer; or Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments for any faculty case requesting tenure.
If employees find themselves responsible for the direct supervision of a member of their own family, they must arrange with their supervisor for an appropriate means of removing themselves from supervising their relative. Prompt notice shall be provided to their next administrative level and to the Chief Human Resources Officer/Ethics Officer who will work to facilitate alternate supervision to the extent possible. Further, supervisors will provide for independent verification of the time and effort expended for the position.
For additional information, see Section 73.14(a) of the New York State Public Officers Law (New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations), NYS Nepotism, and the SUNY RF Nepotism Policy.
To disclose a conflict of interest, contact the Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance, Office of Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance and/or Human Resources.
- Consensual Relationships
- Student Pregnancy, Related Conditions or Parenting Accommodations
- Office of the Title IX Coordinator (Pregnancy-related Accommodations)
- Title IX prohibits discrimination on the base of past, potential, or current pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, recovery and all related medical conditions. Educational institutions are required to provide pregnant and postpartum students with reasonable academic adjustments to support equitable access to education.
Moreover, under the 2024 Title IX regulations when a student, or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student, informs any employee of the student’s pregnancy or related conditions, the employee must: provide that person with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and inform that person that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific accommodations to ensure the student’s equal access to the University’s education program or activity.
- Mandatory Reporting
- Child Protection Policy (Minors)
- Child Protection (SUNY Policy 6505)
- Child Protect Policy
- Child Protection Training
- Fundraising Policies
- Purchasing Policies & Procedures
- Travel Policies & Procedures
- Freedom of Expression
- Restrictions on Political Activity in the Workplace for Employees
- New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations
- Section 107 of the Civil Service Law
- Section 73(17) of Public Officers Law
- New York State Ethics Laws & Regulations
- Political Campaign Activity at SUNY Campuses
- Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order
- Use of Facilities by Outside Groups
- Public Forum Free Speech
- Internal Control Policies
- Freedom of Information (FOIL)
- Animals on Campus
Academic Resources for Faculty
academic-resources
University Libraries
University Libraries
- Libraries
- General Library Services
- Library Resources for Faculty
- Library Code of Conduct
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS
- ITS Service Desk
- General ITS Services
- ITS Services for Faculty
- Information Security
Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CATLOE)
Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CATLOE)
Office of the Dean of Students
Recognizing & Responding to Troubling Student Behavior
Recognizing & Responding to Troubling Student Behavior
Public Engagement
Public Engagement
SUNY-wide Resources
Other University Resources
other-resources
University Space Management
University Space Management
- Office of Facilities Management
- Classroom Information
Keys, Locks & Access to University Buildings
Keys, Locks & Access to University Buildings
- Office of Facilities Management
- Facilities Management Standards & Guidelines (See University Key and Door Lock Policy)
- Classroom Information
Employee ID Cards (UAlbany ID)
Employee ID Cards (UAlbany ID)
University Mail Services
University Mail Services
Vehicle Registration & Parking
Vehicle Registration & Parking
Emergency & Safety Services
Emergency & Safety Services
- Emergency Calls for Police, Fire & Medical Services
- Uptown & Downtown Campuses
- Call 518-442-3131 from cell phones or other non-University telephones to connect with the University Police Department (UPD) dispatcher. (Dialing 911 from a non-University phone will connect to the county 911 dispatcher and could delay response time.)
- Call 911 from University telephones to connect with the University Police Department.
- University emergency phones located in buildings and exteriors throughout the Uptown and Downtown campuses also connect directly to UPD. This includes blue light phones, emergency buttons in all elevators, and emergency buttons in all areas of refuge.
- Health Sciences Campus
- Dial 911 from any phone (campus or cell phone) to reach the East Greenbush Police. The East Greenbush Police Department responds to all emergencies on the Health Sciences Campus. They may also be reached at 518-479-2525.
- University emergency phones located in buildings and exteriors throughout the Health Sciences Campus connect directly to East Greenbush Police Department. This includes blue light phones, emergency buttons in all elevators, and emergency buttons in all areas of refuge.
- All Campuses
- Download the Guardian Safety App through your Apple or Android app store to report suspicious activity to UPD via text. Take advantage of its safety timer feature for peace of mind while walking on or off campus. Ensure that Wi-Fi calling is enabled on your cell phones. This will provide the greatest connection to cell service in areas where there is limited access.
- Download the Guardian Safety App through your Apple or Android app store to report suspicious activity to UPD via text. Take advantage of its safety timer feature for peace of mind while walking on or off campus. Ensure that Wi-Fi calling is enabled on your cell phones. This will provide the greatest connection to cell service in areas where there is limited access.
- Uptown & Downtown Campuses
- University Police Department
- Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service
Environmental Health & Safety
Environmental Health & Safety