Middle States Self-Study Working Group 1 B. Policies and practices are clearly defined and target a range of campus members. As noted under Questions 1 and 2, hiring standards, workload and multiple position regulations and reappointment, tenure and promotion guidelines offer clear guidance, and are made available within individual departments. In 2004, a portfolio system was instituted, in an effort to have a clear, nonarbitrary system in place for reappointment, tenure and promotion. Policies that govern teacher-student interaction at Hostos are available on the Hostos website in the areas pertaining to the Registrar’s Office and the college catalog. Policies and procedures are also disseminated to students through a newly designed SDEM Academic Planner. (D.1.54) Again, each relevant policy provides a common structure and clearly explains the complaint and disciplinary procedures for students and instructors. CUNY’s Bylaws, as well as faculty and staff union contracts, are also available online, as are ethical policies like Equal Employment Opportunity, gift-giving, sexual harassment, and workplace violence. In addition, the EEO policies are posted in offices and public spaces across the campus, and the gift policy is disseminated annually. (D.1.55) The more proactive initiatives mentioned in response to Questions 1 and 2 also help to ensure transparency about policies and equitable treatment for all members of the college community, i.e., Sexual Harassment Task Force workshops and materials, campus forums on civility and bullying, and the Handbook on Students With Disabilities. Workplace violence statistics are shared yearly by public safety via email distribution lists and in Campus Crime Statistics reports. (D.1.56) Periodic Risk Assessment Walkthrough reports are also shared with the campus community upon their completion. (D.1.57) C. Policies are made available primarily through the college catalog and website. The most visible venues for information pertaining to codes of ethics and integrity are the college’s catalog and website. The catalogs are produced biannually and distributed to new students. The college website offers more comprehensive and up-to-date information than print copies, making the Internet the chief place that the Hostos community looks for guidance. With the utility of the Internet and web-based documents, updating information has become quicker, easier, and less expensive and time consuming. Relationship to Other Standards
Integrity is fundamental to all other standards. However, Hostos’ Standard 6 questions most relate to the following other standard and questions. Working Group Standard 5 10 - Faculty
Question(s) 3-5
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