At Liberty University, we continue to stand in awe of what God has done and continues to do here. People everywhere marvel at our rapid growth and our ascendance to a position of leadership in Christian higher education. As a result of our entrepreneurial approach, we have been able to add value for those we serve by completing a comprehensive rebuilding and refreshment of our campus. We worked with vision and intention to construct state-of-the-art educational facilities, dorms, and recreational facilities. These assets provide students with opportunities that surpass those found at the finest state universities and pair them with a world-class Christian education. Today, we have the privilege of serving on a beautiful campus that far exceeds the dreams of our founder and those of us who came alongside him.
While world-class facilities are important, the most important resource contributing to Liberty’s expanding reputation for excellence is our people. Our faculty tirelessly lead the charge to better serve our students. They come here from the top schools across America and around the world to be part of a team that is united in the belief that God has called them to serve Him in this place. We believe that every student has been created by God, bears His image, and is gifted to serve a particular purpose in His world. Education at Liberty is a dynamic partnership in which students and faculty are joined together in the common resolve to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge, values, and skills required for serving with excellence in their callings.
Our mission of Training Champions for Christ is achievable because our staff, faculty, and administration are committed to the ongoing preservation of an environment where the Holy Spirit has the freedom to work in our classrooms and in our local community. We are united in the belief that through reliance upon the Spirit of God, obedience to the Scriptures, and the diligent pursuit of academic excellence, we are able to produce Champions for Christ to serve in and impact our contemporary culture. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
SCOTT HICKS Provost and Chief Academic OfficerLiberty University is a Christian academic community in the tradition of evangelical institutions of higher education. As such, Liberty continues the philosophy of education that first gave rise to the university and is summarized in the following propositions:
► God, the infinite source of all things, has shown us truth through Scripture, nature, history, and above all, Christ.
► Persons are spiritual, rational, moral, social, and physical, created in the image of God. They are, therefore, able to know and to value themselves and other persons, the universe, and God.
► Education, as the process of teaching and learning, involves the whole person by developing the knowledge, values, and skills that enable each individual to change freely. Thus, it occurs most effectively when both instructor and student are properly related to God and each other through Christ.
Maintaining the vision of the founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University develops Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.
Through its residential and online programs, services, facilities, and collaborations, the university educates men and women who will:
► Make important contributions to their workplaces and communities
► Follow their chosen vocations as callings to glorify God
► Fulfill the Great Commission
⏹ Attend New Faculty Orientation
⏹ Read this Resource Guide
⏹ Register your vehicle at the LU Police Department
CANDLERS STATION SHOPPING CENTER (TEMPORARY LOCATION)
⏹ Complete all necessary paperwork at Human Resources
GREEN HALL, MAIN LOBBY
⏹ Pick up your laptop at the IT HelpDesk
DEMOSS HALL, ROOM 2414 OR GREEN HALL, ROOM 1539
⏹ Get a key to your office and move in
⏹ Visit your classrooms and familiarize yourself with the setup, technology, and podium
⏹ Engage in a meet-and-greet session with Liberty University students
⏹ Participate in a campus tour
⏹ Attend All-Faculty Orientation
During orientation week, new and returning faculty will attend a series of events that focus on campuswide information, training, and conversation.
► All-Faculty Orientation
► Facilitation of Early Career Requirements
► Faculty Book Studies
► Faculty Peer Mentoring
► ILLUMINATE Grants for the Improvement of Teaching
► Instructional Technology Support
► Learning Management System Assistance
► New Faculty Orientation
► President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
► Teacher Appreciation Grams (TAGs)
► Teaching Academies
► Teaching Analysis Polls (TAPs)
► Teaching Consultations
► Teaching Observations
► Technology Boot Camps
► Workshops (In-person and virtual)
Liberty University’s Testing Services provides a high-quality testing environment for students, faculty, staff, and community members. They also offer a wide variety of certification and noncertification courses as well as training opportunities for the Liberty University community and regional professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills. For more information, visit Liberty.edu/CASAS/Testing.
As a central training ground for the next generation of Champions for Christ, the Jerry Falwell Library is the “heart of the university.” Named in honor of Liberty University’s founder, the library symbolizes a new era of academic excellence and spiritual strength for students, faculty, staff, and the community. Visit Liberty.edu/Library for more information.
Please note: Residential courses are offered in a variety of formats and times; you can use ASIST or the Course Registration Tool to determine the most up-to-date schedule. However, most courses are offered within the following standardized times:
To see the current year’s academic calendar, please visit Liberty.edu/AcademicCalendar.
ON-CAMPUS SUPPORT
DeMoss Hall, Room 2414 | Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Green Hall, Room 1539 | Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
LIVE CHAT
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-11:50 p.m.
Liberty University offers one of the most comprehensive transportation systems found at any large institution. Service is provided as frequently as every few minutes during peak times.
The College of Applied Studies & Academic Success (CASAS) is here to help make the student’s academic experience a successful one. With its Advising Services, students receive both peer and professional guidance for personal and academic success. The Academic Success Center also offers services from tutoring to writing help. Faculty are encouraged to promote these services to any student needing support in a particular area.
Your school and department will provide you with information about their specific expectations, policies, and protocols. More information can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook located at Liberty.edu/HumanResources.
DURING YOUR FIRST WEEK, FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH:
► The purpose statement of your school/department
► Your school’s/department’s administrators and staff
► Travel policies
► Office hours expectations
► Faculty evaluation procedures
► Professional development opportunities
► Scholarship and research at Liberty
► Advising students
► Safety procedures/emergency response
► Grading policies
► Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Law
► Course-related deadlines
► Syllabus expectations
► Course design
Faculty have the opportunity to improve the student learning environment. The following are a few simple steps they can take when planning their courses:
► Learn students’ names and make it clear that their thoughts, feelings, and concerns are valuable
► Encourage students to participate
► Recognize student achievement
► Communicate with students and provide assistance as needed
► Relate course materials and assignments to real-world application
► Integrate discussion, group work, and peer teaching, as well as lecture-style teaching
► Communicate course expectations clearly
► Avoid giving students busy work
► Pray for your students, your teaching, faculty and staff, and Liberty’s administration