The principal professional commitment of faculty members of the Fletcher School is to the process of education. But it is essential that faculty members not allow outside activities to interfere with their primary responsibility, which is to their students. The following guidelines are intended to aid faculty in the fulfillment of this responsibility. They are general in nature, since it is recognized that, in view of differing individual circumstances, it would be neither feasible nor desirable to attempt to establish precise and detailed time, instructional, or other requirements. Nonetheless, the guidelines are expected to have force in determining how faculty members arrange their professional activities.
Faculty members have a basic obligation to teach.
This means, first of all, that they should always be adequately prepared for class sessions and should present course material in a coherent and articulate manner. Second, it means that all ancillary course materials should be of the highest quality and should be prepared well in advance of need. It is of particular importance that such materials be reviewed regularly and revised where appropriate to maintain timeliness and relevance. Third, faculty members, to the extent possible, should avoid disrupting the educational process by canceling or rescheduling class sessions. It is recognized that some cancellations or rescheduling may be unavoidable, but these should be kept to a minimum.