
Oakland University Faculty Handbook
Important Information at a Glance
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning organized the content included in this faculty handbook to lend a helping hand with common questions. While CETL strives for accuracy of information, OU’s individual offices and departments are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of information they contribute to the handbook. Please share any concerns about information offered or data reported with the appropriate office.
Have something to add?
If you are an Oakland University office who has key information for faculty, please email [email protected] about what you would like to contribute.
This short list reflects common services and resources. For a more comprehensive list, see OU’s Faculty and Staff Resources page and Academic Affairs’ Faculty Affairs page.
When You Need Help With | Contact |
Accommodations, Title IX | Title IX and Compliance |
Benefits, Compensation, Work-Life Balance | Human Resources |
Classroom Technology | Classroom Support and Instructional Technical Services |
Course Resources/OER | OU Libraries |
Diversity Training and Support | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, among others |
Emergency Preparedness, Safety | Oakland University Police Department |
Exercise, Gym; Holistic Wellness | OU Rec Well |
General Education Program Support | General Education |
Grades, Entering Final, Registration Overrides | Office of the Registrar |
Labor-Related Advocacy, Agreement, Academic Freedom | OU-AAUP Faculty Union |
Misconduct (Academic or Not) | Dean of Students |
Moodle (Online Course Page, LMS) | e-Learning and Instructional Support (e-LIS) |
Research Support | The Research Office, Libraries, among others |
Special Topic Courses, Proposing | Honors College |
Syllabus Development | CETL Syllabus Guides |
Teaching Support | Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) |
Tech Help (Email, Software) | Help Desk |
Tenure & Promotion | Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Human Resources |
Can't find an OU webpage? Check Employee Resource Network (ERN) Webpages
Many OU webpages created for an internal employee audience are included in the Employee Resource Network (ERN). Access to these pages require logging in similar to your email and Moodle pages. If you can’t find a page on the public website, go to the ERN by clicking the ERN link at the top of every OU page or going to ern.oakland.edu.
For a more comprehensive list, see OU’s Student Services page.
When You Need Help With | Contact |
Basic, Immediate Needs (e.g., Food, Housing Insecurity) |
Dean of Students, Office of Student Involvement (OSI) |
Career Readiness |
Career and Life Design Center, Adult Career Counseling Center |
Conflict Resolution and Holistic Student Support |
Dean of Students |
Costs Hindering Student Work |
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships |
Course Planning (e.g., whether to drop/withdraw, changing majors) |
Academic Advising |
Disability-Related Accommodations, Support |
Disability Support Services (DSS), DSS Faculty Resources |
First Year Transition and Exploration |
First Year Advising Center |
Graduate Student Support and Professional Development |
The Graduate School, Adult Career Counseling Center |
Health and Fitness |
University Recreation and Well-Being |
Honors Thesis (faculty mentorship) |
Honors College |
International Students |
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) |
LGBTQIA Support and Advocacy |
Gender and Sexuality Center |
Mental Health |
Counseling Center and SEHS Counseling Center and Graham Health Center |
Research, Information Literacy, Course Materials |
OU Libraries |
Technology Access, Issues |
Student Technology Center (STC) |
Tutoring, Study Skills, Academic Support |
Academic Success Center |
Writing Skill Development |
OU Writing Center |
Special Courses and Mentoring Honors Theses |
Honors College |
Faculty Titles: What Is Mine, and What Do They Mean?
- Tenured and tenure-track titles
- Professor
- Associate Professor
- Assistant Professor
- Instructor
- Renewable contract titles, not eligible for sabbatical leaves; research fellowships; travel funds
- Research Professor
- Professor of Practice (previously Full-Time Adjunct)
- Special Instructors: Renewable, with job-security
- Visiting Professor: Renewable contract up to four years maximum
- Special Lecturers (Members of the AAUP): Teach at least 16 credits per year; eight (8) of which must be taught during the Fall or Winter semesters
- Lecturers: Teach fewer than 16 credits per year
Standards for Re-employment, Promotion and Tenure
Academic Affairs has provided an online comprehensive resource hosted on the Academic Affairs’ Faculty Affairs page to help you through the re-employment, promotion and tenure process, which may vary depending on your position. The Faculty Contract, individual unit’s Review Criteria, and the unit’s Workload policy formulate guidance for faculty career progress. Additional information regarding the latest Faculty Contract can be found on the Human Resources webpage and the OU-AAUP webpage.
- What are the steps and timeline to progress through the process?
- Who reviews at each step of the process (department, school or college level- Committee on Appointment and Promotion [CAP], university level- Faculty Re-employment and Promotion Committee [FRPC])?
- What is my department or unit’s approved workload policy and review criteria?
TIP: Save your Career Progression files in a folder
- University Standard for Re-employment, Promotion and Tenure
- Faculty Contract
- University approved Academic Unit Review Criteria
- University approved Departmental Workload Policy
- Review Timelines
- OU CV Template (keep updated)
- Introduction to how to use the OU Review System-Watermark
Labor Representation for Full-time and Part-time Faculty
- Article VII: Faculty Employment, Re-employment, and Tenure
- Articles XI-XV: Salary and Compensation
- Articles XVI-XVIII: Insurances and Retirement
- Articles XX and XXI: Paid and Unpaid Leaves
- Article XXIV: Grievance Procedures
In this, our 53rd year as the representative labor union of Oakland University faculty, we continue to strive to represent our entire bargaining unit, regardless of rank.
- Our monthly Advisory Forum meetings provide productive information sharing between unit representatives and union leadership
- Our General Memberships (typically held in October and March) allow us an opportunity to come together in solidarity to elect new leaders and raise our collective voice.
- Some additional events from the previous academic year included our third annual Labor Solidarity event co-sponsored with the OU Student Congress, a workshop on Shared Governance with Dr. Liz Barclay, a workshop on Parliamentary Procedure with Dr. Michael Latcha, a Faculty Value Panel and an amazing Bargaining Kickoff Celebration this past April. Recordings of most events can be found on the OU-AAUP YouTube channel.
If you have any questions about the Faculty Agreement or its enforcement, please reach out to Chapter President Michael Latcha ([email protected]), Grievance Officer Jennifer Thor ([email protected]) or Executive Director Amy Pollard ([email protected]). The OU-AAUP office is located at 201 Pryale Hall, phone (248) 370-2005.
Planning for the Semester
Through helpful tips and guidance, CETL helps ensure all faculty start on the right track with thoughtful planning, support and access to any needed resources or technology. View the New Faculty Quick Start Guide and the Campus Resource Fast Facts to learn more.
Common Questions about Courses
- How do I find my class list?
- What are class overrides and how do I give them?
- Do I need to take attendance?
Find answers to these questions and additional resources located on the Office of the Registrar webpage in the Employee Resource Network (ERN).
- Discuss policies on faculty overrides with your department.
- Check your class to see if it has a waitlist. If a class has a waitlist, students should not be given overrides to join the class prior to the end of open registration.
- By logging into MySAIL, under Faculty and Advisers you can access your class list, class schedule, final grades, registration overrides, and faculty feedback.
- Students who receive an “F” grade require a Last Date of Attendance to be entered into the system at the end of term. Accuracy of the Last Date of Attendance is very important, as it may impact the students federal financial aid. Consider some method of taking attendance early in the semester.
- When is my final exam?
- When are my grades due?
Calendar information is found in the Important Dates Calendar, Academic Calendars, and Final Exams calendars. If your class meetings are not listed on the final exam schedule, please coordinate with your department to make a time and/or classroom request. Final exam questions or scheduling should be sent to [email protected]
- Does my class have an online component? Can I hold some classes online?
- What’s the difference between a “Hybrid” and “HyFlex” course?
- Can I require students to meet with me in an online course?
The six schedule types that relate to online learning are as follows. For more information on these class formats, visit the Online Course Types page.
- Online-Async: Courses are 100% online. There are no in-person meetings, no scheduled days and times.
- Online-Sync: Courses are 100% online at scheduled days and times.
- Primarily Online: Classes are online except for up to 3 required in-person meetings, All required meetings will be listed in the schedule of classes.
- HyFlex: Course combines in-person and online learning; Students can choose their mode of participation.
- Flex: Students can choose if they want to attend in-person or online for most class sessions. There may be some required in-person meetings.
- Hybrid: Courses have a mix of online and in-person class sessions.
- What is the General Education Program at OU?
- What responsibilities do I have if I am assigned to teach a Gen Ed course?
- How do I find out more about making my course part of the Gen Ed Program?
Oakland University’s General Education Program works in tandem with the student's major in order to provide students with the skills valued by employers and essential to successful engagement as citizens and members of local and global communities. Through a three-part structure of foundational, exploratory, and integrative courses, the program delivers the core competencies our graduates should possess: Critical thinking, effective communication, information literacy, and social awareness. A Senate Ad Hoc Committee is currently revising OU's General Education Program. For more information, see the General Education Program Revision Website.
If you are assigned to teach a General Education course, make sure: 1) you understand which requirement(s) the course fulfills, 2) your syllabus lists the General Education Learning Outcomes (GESLOs) for the requirement(s), 3) the course content fulfills the GESLOs, and 4) you collect data that can be used to assess the GESLOs as per the course assessment plan. Courses in the General Education Program are assessed on a regular basis. For information about the Program, visit the section of the catalog that lists requirements and approved courses or the General Education website. Contact [email protected] for information or support with teaching a course in the Gen Ed Program or with a course proposal.
- What is the official OU grading scale, and how is GPA calculated?
- What should a student do if they have a question about their final grade?
- When can we give students an “incomplete grade” and how does this work?
Check with your department as to specifics on grading as there is no university-wide standard to how grade values are determined. Some courses and majors require that students earn a particular grade (e.g. “C” or above) to meet prerequisite or major requirements. You may want to be aware of whether this is true for your course.
How Can I Best Make Grades Available for Students?
Using the Grades feature within Moodle (OU’s Learning Management System) is the most immediate and secure way to give students access to their grades in progress. While e-Learning and Instructional Support (e-LIS) offers a comprehensive Gradebook section in the Moodle Help Library, they recommend meeting with an instructional designer for initial setup and any other grade system considerations.Do We Give Midterm Grades?
How Do I Submit Final Grades?
Final grades are submitted in SAIL, a secure system for managing class and employee records. You can either manually enter grades or export final grades from Moodle to Banner. For more step-by-step guidance on the final grade process, see the Registrar’s Grade Entry: Reference Guide.Course Workload Expectations
OU specifies how course credit hours equate to time spent in instruction or equivalent work. However, OU does not have a specific standard for how much learning time is expected for students to meet course outcomes. While we may have heard the standard of students spending 2-3 hours independently learning outside of class time per 1 hour spent in the classroom, this standard reflects a largely bygone era of full-time students not needing to work or take care of families.
- Whatever your standard, communicate this expectation to students directly in the syllabus and during class sessions.
- Check your estimation with Wake Forest’s Course Workload Estimator.
- Balance of what work is required to meet the course learning outcomes and what respects the time of your students (and yourself!).
Teaching Support
Student Behavior Concerns-Who to Call?
When in doubt, call the OUPD at 248-370-3331 | |
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In a case of ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR CONCERNS, consult your department chair and/or dean |
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In a case of NON-THREATENING BEHAVIOR CONCERNS and ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT, consult the Dean of Students (248-370-3352) |
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In a case of NON-EMERGENCY, TROUBLING BEHAVIOR CONCERNS, consult the Dean of Students (248-370-3352). |
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In a case of EMERGENCY, THREATENING BEHAVIOR CONCERNS, call OUPD (248-370-3331) |
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- Include academic integrity expectations in the syllabus. This could include putting the whole Academic Conduct Policy (below and on the Dean of Students website) in the syllabus, or by including a condensed version that touches on the main points and links out to the full policy. Find examples of both on the OU Syllabus Resources page.
- Talk with students about expectations. When is it okay for students to work with resources (e.g., study notes, other students, AI bots like ChatGPT), and when should they refrain from them?
- Require students to complete Academic Integrity in Research & Writing micro-course (also called the Plagiarism Tutorial). This self-paced online 1- to 2-hour module walks students through the basics of citing sources and actively engages students in how to appropriately use sources in research and writing.
- If there is solid evidence of academic misconduct, submit a report.
To work on assignment design and class dynamics that promote academic integrity, reach out to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. For more guidance on navigating potential academic misconduct, reach out to the Dean of Students Office.
Disruptive behaviors are frequent interferences with the classroom environment, disrespectful, intimidating or harassing behavior, excessive and unreasonable demands. Frequent disruptive behaviors should be reported via the pertinent form at Report an Incident - Faculty and Staff Resources - Dean of Students - Oakland University. Depending on the described behaviors, the report(s) may also be reviewed by the Assessment and Care Team. When extreme issues arise that pose a physical threat, call the OU Police Department immediately at (248) 370-3331.
Disruptive Issues | Extreme Issues |
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Simple methods to reduce the occurrence of these types of behaviors:
- Attempt to speak with the student in private - address the behavior and never the student
- Outline and discuss what is acceptable behavior and what is not
- Limit the topic of discussion to matters that are relevant to the class
Key Student Support Services
Being familiar with key student support services on campus ensures your classroom is a safe, comfortable educational environment. These are supportive connections already available on campus that are happy to help students with conflict resolution, disability accommodations, first-year and transfer transitions, campus involvement and health.
How can faculty partner with the Dean of Students for student support and success?
We look forward to engaging in conversation that leads to understanding the disciplinary process, thresholds of behaviors reviewed by the Assessment and Care Team (ACT team) within the classroom environment, intervention tools, and what constitutes Academic Misconduct versus Student Code of Conduct violations.
- We encourage you to attend trainings provided by our team. We are available to attend department meetings, and strongly recommend that you attend CETL trainings, and review past trainings and teaching tips.
What policies in addition to Academic Misconduct and Student Code of Conduct does the DOS oversee?
Navigating university life often leads to many discoveries, achieving milestones, and at-times overcoming challenges during the journey.
- Become familiar with policies and procedures that help students overcome challenges that impact students’ ability to succeed. The Medical and Non-Medical Withdrawal procedure, the Bereavement Leave Request process, and the Student Emergency Fund are policies that we can employ to support and guide students experiencing hardship.
- Connect with our team and familiarize yourself with our redesigned Dean of Students website including our new content for student resources and faculty and staff resources.
- Stop by our upcoming Deans and Dogs events to spend time with therapy dogs and get to meet our team, look for dates, times, and locations on the university’s events calendar page.
- Consider a statement re: clearly defining general attendance policies and what is required if a student misses an exam/quiz/participation points (e.g: Do all students need to bring a doctor's note if missing an exam?)
- Clearly define course requirements and expectations on the course syllabus.
- Include an ADA statement on the syllabus
- Select textbooks and other instructional materials early to ensure access.
- Expect a Faculty Notification Letter from the student created by DSS listing accommodations granted.
- For students who are approved by DSS to use a recording device or Glean (online note taking program), a Recording Agreement signed by the student, will be electronically sent to the instructor.
- Refer student requests for accommodations to the DSS office.
- If a request for an accommodation is questionable or seems unreasonable consult with DSS.
The First Year Advising Center (FYAC) supports all first-year students through New Student Orientation, required academic advising and embedded major/career exploration. Faculty can collaborate with the FYAC in the following ways:
- Encourage first-year students to complete their required advising appointment each semester
- Participate in the OU Early Alert System, which notifies the student’s adviser of a course concern
- Connect with Sara Webb, Senior Director, at [email protected] to discuss course planning, curriculum, and student success practices that impact first-year students
- Apply to be an Orientation Faculty Adviser (application link sent in March from Provost’s Office)
Office For Student Involvement
Encourage students to join a student organization (over 270 to select from), leadership development and service/volunteer opportunities, and attend programs, events, and activities to connect them to Oakland University’s community, resources, and services. OU faculty serve as advisors to many of the registered student organizations. If interested in serving as an advisor, contact OSI at [email protected].
- Remind students that they have free access to the Recreation Center as long as they are taking one paid credit hour. This access includes Health & Wellness Programs & Workshops (offered by certified peer health educators) and online resources through Uwill. Examples of the programs and workshops students have access to include the Green Bandana Project, iPause stress relief workshop, Pet Therapy, and Wellness Coaching, which they can access at the Rec Well Portal.
Graham Health Center (GHC) is staffed by Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistant who provide high quality, on campus healthcare services to all students of Oakland University. Faculty are encouraged to remind students GHC is available to them for illness, injury, chronic disease management and wellness/preventative services. Services are billed to insurance or reduced fees are available. Students are not turned away for services.
- Students who report missing class due to illness can be referred to GHC for care
- Same day appointments are often available or within 24 hours.
- Mental Health services for medication management/refills
- GHC provides services for many program requirement
- Excuse notes are only provided when an individual is seen in the clinic at the time of illness, and the illness requires sitting out of class or work..
- Common over the counter medications are available for very low prices.
The Oakland University Counseling Center
The OUCC provides a broad range of mental health services:
- Personal Counseling
- Consultation and Outreach
- Crisis Intervention
- Group Therapy with a wide array of support groups
- Substance Abuse Evaluation and Prevention
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Counseling Center will be offering confidential teletherapy via in person, video, or phone sessions. Counseling is provided by Licensed Psychologists and Interns. Staff that are not fully licensed are supervised by Licensed Psychologists. All OU students receive their first 4 sessions free and all sessions are private and confidential.
Supplementing the OUCC’s services is UWill, a FREE 24/7 mental health crisis response for students that offers additional on-demand wellness options such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more.
UMatch is a new service (through UWill) that will be offering supplemental teletherapy to students this coming year. The OUCC also offers “Grizz Recovery'', a Collegiate Recovery Program, free for students who are at any point in their recovery journey.
The School of Education and Health Services Counseling Center
The SEHS Counseling Center provides a range of services for individuals and groups, including:
- Anxiety
- Assertiveness training
- Career counseling
- Communication skills
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Relationship problems
- Separation from loved ones
- Situational depression
- Stress management
- Test anxiety
- Time management
- Many other issues
Counseling is provided by graduate students in their practicum field experience. They are closely supervised by fully licensed professional counselors and faculty. As the SEHS Counseling Center is a teaching facility all sessions are recorded both visually and audibly, but are destroyed at the end of the semester. They are only able to be reviewed by the respective counselor and their supervisor for feedback purposes.
Veteran Support Services is your partner in educating our military-connected students. Please reach out for any support.
- Acknowledge and celebrate the unique experiences a Veteran brings to the classroom (e.g., non-traditional student, experience with diverse cultures around the world).
- Be mindful of the many ways military-connected students are part of our population, such as children and spouses of military members and the many ways active-duty military members serve (serving in our Armed Forces, National Guard member, Reservist).
- If a National Guard member or Reservist is activated, consider the following needs:
- How much time is remaining in the semester?
- Will you be able to provide an “I” grade so the student can complete the work at a later time?
- Students cannot pick when they are activated, they are told when to report
- Stressful for students
- Can the work be completed online?
- How long will the student be gone?
- Sometimes it’s just a long weekend - but is the midterm scheduled the following week?
- How can you accommodate this student?
- Sometimes it’s just a long weekend - but is the midterm scheduled the following week?
- How long will the student be gone?
- Sometimes it’s just a long weekend - but is the midterm scheduled the following week?
- How can you accommodate this student?
- Sometimes it’s just a long weekend - but is the midterm scheduled the following week?
- If a student needs to withdraw due to activation, OU has refund policies in place
- Extended orders where internet is not reliable
- ctivation is too stressful for student to concentrate on school
- How much time is remaining in the semester?
OU employs over 60 professional academic advisers across eight advising units. All undergraduate students are assigned an academic adviser whose name can be found in MySAIL or DegreeWorks. Students should be encouraged and may be required to see their academic adviser at least once per year to review their academic progress.
Honors College Faculty Course Proposals
Honors Senior Thesis/Project: Student Research with Faculty Mentor: The Honors Thesis/Project is a comprehensive research or creative effort that offers students an opportunity to work closely with faculty members on advanced research topics or creative endeavors. In the year before graduation, the student and mentor are asked to sign an agreement that indicates they will continue to work on the project collaboratively as needed until it is completed. The role of the faculty mentor includes:
- Suggesting relevant sources pertaining to the agreed upon project
- Providing guidance, support and feedback as needed
- Promptly communicating with students throughout the thesis project period
- Providing the student with advance notice (1-2 weeks) of an extended period of absence
- Reaching out to the Honors College staff and faculty with any problems or concerns
- Working with thesis faculty and staff to facilitate tracking student progress
- Writing an evaluative paragraph at the completion of the project that assists in determining “thesis with distinction” and other thesis awards
The student, supported by their faculty mentor and the HC teaching team, bases their thesis/project on a proposal developed during the HC 3900 thesis/project proposal class, which is most often taken in the year before graduation. Mentors will be invited to be a guest at the student’s thesis/project poster presentation at an Honors College Research Day in fall or winter. This takes place in the month before submission of the final Honors College thesis. Then The Honors College students submit their senior honors thesis/project in the month of graduation, showing their skills, abilities and interests, which have been developed with the support of their faculty mentor.
The Academic Success Center is central to student success at OU. We provide students with free, personalized academic support to help them become independent learners and develop effective study skills. For questions, please contact: Jessica Harrell, Director @ 248-370-4460 or e-mail [email protected].
- Add information on your Moodle page or link to our ASC website.
- Schedule an academic success visit or have a team member be a guest speaker on a variety of study strategy topics.
- Donate an old exam or study guides to be used as a study resource.
- Describe our services as beneficial to all students and as a great investment of their time.
Getting Technology in Order
Reach out to your department for specific tech needs for your research and teaching work.
- Your first contact for training and technology support in general purpose classroom (GPC)
- Sets up technology for special on-campus events
- Provides help when class tech issues occur (248-370-2461 or [email protected])
South Foundation Hall (re-opened for Fall 2024) will have a staffed satellite support location on the 3rd floor to support faculty in the (47) general purpose classrooms in the building.
- Confirm whether your classroom is a GPC (supported by CSITS) or a classroom supported by your school or department (ask your department contact). This will determine what keys you have and who you contact for tech support, among other logistics. To view what is available in a classroom you can access the room and its features through Classroom Inspector 2.0.
- Check out classroom technology ahead of time, ensuring everything works smoothly. If you need additional technology or that you are not sure how the technology works, contact us.
- All users of GPCs are required to login using an OU ADMNET account and password in order to use the computers located in the classrooms. Classroom Support is not responsible for providing login credentials for any users of university computer resources. Once your NET ID account is created, your ADMNET account will be automatically created. Please visit the NetID and Password Manager to set and sync your accounts and passwords (issues resetting your password? Contact the OU Help Desk at 248-370-4357).
- GrizzFlex Technology is a type of classroom featuring innovative technology that allows students and faculty to engage in synchronous and asynchronous learning (hybrid or HyFlex). Rooms without GrizzFlex Technology have a standard webcam at the instructor desk.
- Provides Moodle Support
- Facilitates workshops on online learning and teaching with technology
- Instructional design team helps build online course activities
- Assists with Program Development, and other e-Learning Services
- Access your automatically created Moodle course for each class, which becomes available a month before the course begins.
Let us help you connect to Internet resources, find a solution to your technology issue or access the Oakland University email system.
- Use the GrizzNet Secure WiFi for 3 years at wifi.oakland.edu. Login with your NetID and password.
- Browse general technology offered for email, documents, video conferencing, and other approved software and hardware.
- Get general tech support for computers and email accounts at (248) 370-4357 (HELP).
- VPN access to campus resources at grizzvpn.oakland.edu
- Set up DUO 2-factor authentication for webmail and MySAIL (see DUO FAQ)
- Download Microsoft Office 365, Free for OU Community. Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and more.
Through a campus-wide AI task force established in 2023, Oakland University is working to determine learning opportunities, policies, guidance, and resources for intentionally responding to how AI affects our educational environment and how to teach accordingly.
In the 2023-24 academic year, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) organized discussions and resources, which are curated in their Syllabus: Generative AI in Teaching, which also provides a variety of ways to learn about and implement AI use guidelines in your classroom. CETL and e-Learning and Instructional Support (e-LIS) will continue to offer learning opportunities and guidance in the 2024-25 academic year. To stay in the loop about upcoming opportunities, sign up to receive CETL updates and receive e-LIS updates.
Does Oakland have an official AI policy as it relates to academic integrity?
The Dean of Students office has determined that the current academic conduct policies apply to defining appropriate use of chatbots and AI technologies and therefore have not developed a separate university-wide policy. Uses of AI tech may vary from course to course, and reviewing the learning materials below will help determine an appropriate practice for you and your students.
OU Resources for AI Literacy and Use
As an R2 research university, OU values and supports a range of research and scholarly activity.
The Research Office
- developing research ideas and proposals
- submitting your proposal and managing grant and contract awards
- applications for certain types of regulated research, such as human subjects, animals, biohazards, radiation, stem cells (Regulatory Compliance)
- identifying and/or administering research funding opportunities for faculty and students
- invention disclosure or research agreements with collaborating institutions
- reviewing startup package requests to ensure they meet a faculty member’s research needs
The Research Office also has programs for community engagement, business partnerships, and professional development. Not sure who to contact? See the Research Office intranet (ERN) homepage.
- Call early.
- You don't have to know ANYTHING about grants to talk to us. Turns out... we do!
- We LOVE hearing about people's research/artistry/engagement ideas and matching them with sponsors who might fund that work.
- You don't have to write a grant proposal alone. In fact, you really can't, so there's that. We will help you.
- Call early.
- Research Assistance: Schedule a research consultation with your liaison or contact our Research Help service via phone, email and IM.
- Research Data Support: Our Research Data Librarian can support you in writing a data management plan and in managing your research data.
- Publishing Support: Our Scholarly Communication and Open Knowledge Librarian can assist scholars in matters relating to scholarly communication, publishing and research dissemination.
- Document Delivery: In addition to traditional interlibrary loan and document delivery, the Libraries offer a free copy service to faculty for print materials in the library.
The Writing Center not only provides individualized consulting and classroom presentations for students, but they also are available to consult on your publications and professional documents. Schedule a Writing Center Appointment, or reach out to Director Sherry Wynn Perdue at [email protected].
- Student Information such as enrollment and demographic data
- Graduation and retention rates
- Student Success and Equity Dashboard, a powerful tool that helps us understand the diversity of our students, value their individual experiences and needs, and support their education and success
- Departmental Data (Delivered Credit Hours, Gateway Course Success, Grade Distributions)
- Student Opinion Surveys (NSSE, CIRP, and others)
We can help you with your assessment of student learning needs. If you have questions about how to assess your program or a general education course, contact us!
- You can fill out a simple data request online at any time!
- We have access to a lot of data, some that you might find unusual or surprising. So if you have a data need, don’t be afraid to ask! You can reach us through our office email [email protected].
- We can help craft your data argument in your grant, guiding you through what data we have, what we don’t, and possible alternatives.
- Chairs and program coordinators, we have data that you may find useful. We are happy to walk you through resources that we have. Call us!
- Contact us as soon as you know you will need data. Our office can get very busy with regulatory reporting deadlines. The further in advance we know, the more likely it is that we can complete your data request.
Mental Health Support: Faculty Recommendations for Supporting Students and Self
As instructors, we are often the first to recognize when students are facing issues that may be related to mental health. To balance supporting students while not taking on the role of counselor, we recommend normalizing and communicating mental health support, reviewing in-the-moment responses to student distress, and having key information on hand. For key advice and resources, see CETL’s faculty resource on student mental health.
Your wellness is key. The resources below focus on your holistic wellness.
- UWill is a FREE 24/7 mental health crisis response for students that offers additional on-demand wellness options such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more.
- UMatch is a new service (through UWill) that will be offering supplemental teletherapy to students this coming year.
- SEHS Counseling Center: Provides free counseling for all individuals in the state of Michigan. Graduate students who are overseen by licensed professionals will be providing free counseling.
- Mental Health Resource Folder: Access a folder to learn about on and off campus resources for your mental health. Email [email protected] to request one.
- Bandana Project: Join this project and earn a bandana and a campus mental health resource card. Request a green bandana & campus resource card and gain information on the project.
- iPause stress relief workshop: Email [email protected] to request a workshop
- Pet Therapy: Go to the Rec Well portal to see more information & to register
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Go to Human Resources’ Work-Life Resources to find information on the EAP that is provided to benefits eligible employees for free. Three free counseling sessions are provided to employees through this service.
- Over the counter medications for colds, allergies, rashes, etc., available from reception with no appointment necessary.
- Same day appointments are often available or within 24 hours.
- Vaccines, medication administration, lab work, allergy injections.
- Office copays are due at time of service, HSA/FSA accepted
- Employee Ergonomics
- Employee Health Coaching
- Nutrition Webinars
- Fitness Court: Download the free “fitness court” app to learn how to use it
- Nutrition Consultations
- Group Exercise Classes
- Different social activities (cornhole, euchre, and pickleball tournaments, etc.)
- Carrot Wellness (free for benefits eligible employees only)
- Personal Training (additional fee for all)
To register for all wellness programs and services, you can go to the Rec Well portal or download the free “OU Rec Well” app, where you can also access facility hours, live occupancy counters, and your digital member ID to get into the building.
- Employee groups, including affinity-based Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Employee Rec Well programs (Annual Poker Walk, Employee Book Club, Benefits & Wellness Fair)
Human Resources’ Work-Life Resources address the personal, professional, and academic needs of our employees and reflect OU’s recognition of a variety of family structures in the University community. Additionally, Human Resources has organized a Flexible Work Arrangements support system, specifying Flexible Work Arrangements for Faculty.
OU has a faculty and staff subdivision available to full-time employees. Purchasing requirements include a 10% down payment on a OU credit union-financed mortgage, one-time $2,000 sewer maintenance fee, and one-time administrative fee of 1% of the purchase price of the home. View current house listings.
You can find resources and updated opportunities on the Provost Office’s web page for Community Engagement.
- Our community partners in the southeast (SE) Michigan area welcome OU students and faculty for service learning, volunteerism, class activities or experiences, research, collaborative grants and more. We work throughout the country, state, SE Michigan region, and surrounding communities including Macomb, Auburn Hills, Pontiac and Detroit.
- Interested in Service Learning or Community Engagement? Our University Senate Committees are a great resource for faculty.
- To help faculty connect with community partners the Research Office maintains Oakland Counts.
- We will be using GivePulse for data gathering and posting volunteer opportunities.
For more information please contact Amy Banes-Berceli ([email protected]) or Jennifer Anderson ([email protected]) in the Provost’s Office.
Faculty Professional Development Opportunities
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) works with faculty to improve student learning through teaching-related professional development. This includes workshops, special events, scholarship of teaching and learning support and grant opportunities, and individual consultations. CETL collaborates with other offices on campus for additional services.
Early Alerts and Interventions for Students
Oakland University has its own Early Alert System, which identifies five critical student goals and five faculty strategies to engage students with faculty, increase class attendance, and offer students early feedback from faculty, which are positively correlated with higher course grades and retention. To enter a concern in Faculty Feedback, please follow these instructions.
Gather and Use OU-Specific Data on Student Success
We can use institutional data to learn about our students and the best ways to help them succeed. OIRADA is the place to go if you are looking for information on OU students, how to assess student learning, and student success. Often this is used for program or department assessments, grant writing, student advising, or course improvements. Here you can find information on:
- Enrollment by Major
- Retention & Graduation Rates
- Degrees Awarded (by major)
- Faculty & Staff Data
- Student Credit Hours
- Assessment
- Peer groups
Student Success and Equity Dashboard
The Student Success and Equity Dashboard is a powerful tool that helps us understand the diversity of our students, value their individual experiences and needs, and support their education and success. OIRADA and CETL can help faculty navigate the three sections of the dashboard platform and how to interpret the charts/graphics/tables. Faculty can explore how to analyze course-level data on student success and equity gaps. Then, together with CETL guidance, faculty can use a data-informed approach for planning and implementing their course to improve student outcomes.
For learning opportunities and consultations, see CETL’s OU Teaching Initiatives page.
No-Cost and Low-Cost Textbooks: Affordable Course Materials Initiative
The Affordable Course Materials Initiative (ACMI) encourages and supports instructors to utilize high- quality freely available open educational resources and other low-cost alternatives. Instructors should consider adopting open textbooks or assigning library-owned materials to reduce cost to students. The ACMI website provides action steps and support information. If you are teaching a course with no or low textbook costs (under $50), you can designate this course as either no-cost or low-cost in Banner! An attribute will appear for your section only, allowing students to see the course designation while registering for classes. Review the criteria and complete the designation form.
Questions about the form and process, contact the Registrar Scheduling Team at [email protected]. Questions about the ACMI contact, Julia Rodriguez, [email protected]
In line with OU’s fourth strategic goal, there are many groups working at the university and unit level to advance DEI. Detailed efforts across campus are included in the Office of DEI’s annual report.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In Faculty Affairs
Learning resources and programs include inclusive teaching, unconscious bias, diversity training for searches, and mitigating bias in tenure and promotion. See the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In Faculty Affairs page.
Division of Student Affairs and Diversity
The Division of Student Affairs and Diversity unifies and organizes the joint effort to advance student engagement and DEI.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Office of DEI organizes campus-wide resources and learning opportunities. Visit their website for the annual report highlighting all DEI work on campus.
Employee Groups
Employee Resource Groups are affinity groups for supporting minoritized faculty and staff on campus. See a full list of available Employee Resource Groups, which includes additional employee groups such as the Anti-Racism Discussion Group.
Diversity Professional Development
- Annual Trainings. The Office of DEI provides select campus-wide learning opportunities such as online trainings on sexual harassment, microaggressions, and unconscious bias. It also hosts an annual common campus-wide learning experience.
- Diversity Training. The Center for Multicultural Initiatives offers trainings by request on social justice, microaggressions, privilege, and cultural competency, among others.
- The Office of DEI seeks to organize diversity-related trainings and events taking place in other units and offices in a collective DEI Calendar. If you are planning such an event, fill out the DEI Sponsorship Form.
Title IX and Compliance
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
100 Library Drive
Rochester, Michigan 48309-4479
(location map)
(248) 370-2751
[email protected]