Adjunct Faculty Guide

Welcome

Welcome to Missouri State University-West Plains.

By joining the faculty of Missouri State University-West Plains, you become an important part of our mission of transforming lives through impactful education and training. Your expertise, dedication, and commitment to student success contribute significantly to our institution and the communities we serve.

This document serves as a guide to university policies, procedures, expectations, and resources for adjunct faculty. It is intended to help faculty navigate their responsibilities, access available resources, and support student success.

Mission, Vision, Values, and Accreditation

Mission

Missouri State University-West Plains transforms lives through impactful education and training, offering personalized support for student success and strengthening our communities.

Vision

Missouri State University-West Plains will shape the future of our region by prioritizing learning, expanding pathways to workforce advancement, uplifting our communities, and igniting opportunity through education and innovation.

Values

At Missouri State University-West Plains, being a Grizzly means we CARE.

Commitment to Students

We place students at the heart of all we do, providing the support, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed.

Accountability in Stewardship

We compassionately support our personnel and responsibly steward our fiscal and operational resources through analytical decision-making.

Relevance in Education

We deliver rigorous and relevant educational and workforce opportunities that align with regional needs to promote learning, career readiness, and lifelong growth.

Engagement in Our Communities

We engage our communities with purpose, partnership, and a commitment to positive impact.

Accreditation

Missouri State University-West Plains is a public, two-year, open-admission campus of the Missouri State University System. As a separately accredited campus, the institution offers associate degree programs, workforce training opportunities, and selected bachelor's degree completion pathways through the Missouri State University System. The institution is committed to continuous improvement through assessment, strategic planning, and accreditation processes designed to ensure educational quality and student success.

Institutional Overview

Service Area

Missouri State University-West Plains is a public, two-year, open-admission, separately accredited campus of the Missouri State University System primarily serving students in Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas, and Wright counties.

In addition to serving the educational needs of its service region, the university also provides educational opportunities to areas not served by Missouri's other two-year institutions, selected international locations, and students seeking educational access through traditional and emerging technologies.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) are the general skills, knowledge, and applications students are expected to demonstrate upon completion of their academic programs. Assessment of these outcomes supports curriculum improvement, student success initiatives, institutional planning, resource allocation, and faculty development.

After completing their studies with us, students will be able to,, students are expected to:

1. Communicate Effectively – Use language systems to share meaning.
2. Think Critically – Evaluate data and solve problems.
3. Manage Information – Locate, evaluate, and effectively utilize information.
4. Demonstrate Public Affairs Competencies – Purposefully engage as citizens within local and global communities.
5. Demonstrate Personal and Professional Development – Behave responsibly in personal, academic, and professional settings.

Employment and Human Resources

Employment Documentation

All adjunct faculty members must complete employment paperwork through Human Resources prior to beginning employment. Required documentation includes the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, Federal W-4, and State W-4 forms. Employees must present acceptable documentation to establish their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Commonly presented documents include a U.S. passport, or a combination of a driver's license and an unrestricted Social Security card. These are examples only; employees may choose which acceptable document(s) to present from the official Form I-9 Lists of Acceptable Documents.”

Compliance Training

All new employees must complete required institutional compliance training within the first 30 days of employment and repeat the training every three years. 

Faculty Appointment and Reappointment

Adjunct faculty appointments are made on a semester-by-semester basis and are contingent upon student enrollment, program needs, budgetary considerations, and satisfactory performance. An appointment for one semester does not imply or guarantee future teaching assignments. Teaching assignments are determined by Academic Affairs in consultation with the appropriate dean, department chair, program director, or program coordinator.

Faculty members should review their appointment letter carefully upon receipt and immediately notify Academic Affairs if any errors are identified.

Future teaching assignments may be influenced by student enrollment levels, course availability, program needs, compliance with university policies, submission of required reports and grades, student evaluations, classroom observations, and overall instructional effectiveness.

Teaching Responsibilities

Adjunct faculty members play a vital role in ensuring the quality and consistency of the educational experience at Missouri State University-West Plains. Faculty are expected to begin and end classes at the scheduled times, follow the approved master syllabus, use approved instructional materials and textbooks, and adhere to the university's academic calendar. Instruction should be aligned with established student learning outcomes and provide meaningful opportunities for student engagement, active learning, and academic success.

In addition to their instructional responsibilities, faculty are expected to maintain accurate course records, submit required assessment reports, and participate in institutional assessment and continuous improvement efforts. All courses must include a final examination or other appropriate culminating activity that evaluates student achievement of course objectives. Faculty also play an important role in supporting student success by monitoring student progress and utilizing university resources designed to provide timely intervention. Concerns related to attendance, academic performance, engagement, or other barriers to success should be reported through the Grizzly Guard Early Alert System so that students may be connected with advising, tutoring, and other support services.

Online Course Teaching Expectations

Faculty teaching online courses are expected to maintain an active instructional presence by communicating regularly with students, facilitating meaningful learning activities, providing timely feedback and responses, and monitoring student progress. Courses should be organized within the learning management system, include clear learning outcomes and assessments, and provide opportunities for interaction among students, course content, and the instructor. All online courses must demonstrate regular and substantive instructor-student interaction and comply with institutional standards for quality, accessibility, and effective online teaching.

Teaching Load

Adjunct faculty assignments are subject to university, employment, and retirement regulations. Teaching eligibility and workload limits vary based on employment status and benefit participation, and all adjunct faculty are responsible for complying with applicable credit-hour and work-hour limits within a rolling three-semester period. Dual credit courses taught by high school instructors as part of their regular high school teaching contract are not included in an adjunct faculty member's teaching load, as no additional compensation is provided by the University for those courses.

• Regular adjunct faculty may teach up to 15 credit hours within a rolling 3-semester period.
• Exempt staff serving as adjuncts have no credit-hour limit but must obtain supervisor approval and adjust work schedules if receiving supplemental teaching compensation.
• Part-time employee adjuncts must remain within their employment-status hour limits over a rolling 3-semester period, considering both current and prior two semesters. Teaching workload is calculated by multiplying credit hours by 2.25 to account for instructional and related duties.
• Half-time employees (1,000 hours/20 hours per week): Teaching hours reduce the available work hours for the part-time position.
• Three-quarter-time employees (1,560 hours/30 hours per week): Teaching hours reduce the available work hours for the part-time position.
• State employees covered by MOSERS are treated as three-quarter-time adjuncts and receive MOSERS retirement contributions for teaching assignments. These employees should notify Academic Affairs. They may generally teach up to 15 credit hours in a rolling 3-semester period. A teaching load of up to 22 credit hours may be approved by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, when necessary.
• Adjuncts receiving MOSERS retirement benefits may teach no more than 12 credit hours within a rolling 3-semester period and continue to receive retirement benefits.
• Adjuncts receiving disability benefits should consult the Social Security Administration regarding earnings limits that could affect benefit eligibility.

Adjunct Representative on Faculty Senate

At the beginning of the fall semester, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) will ask each division to nominate at least one adjunct instructor to serve as the per-course representative to Faulty Senate. Nominations will be due to the FSEC by September 1. The FSEC will then interview all nominees and make the final selection.

Faculty Absences

Adjunct faculty are expected to meet all scheduled class sessions and fulfill the instructional obligations associated with the credit hours assigned to their courses. Missouri State University-West Plains recognizes that illness, required business travel, emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances may occasionally prevent an instructor from meeting a class.

When an absence is unavoidable, faculty members are responsible for notifying the appropriate campus contact as soon as possible and providing instructional materials, assignments, or alternative learning activities through Brightspace to ensure continuity of instruction and minimize disruption to student learning.

West Plains Campus Contact

Teresa Shipley

(417) 255-7271

TeresaShipley@MissouriState.edu

Mountain Grove Campus Contact

Mark Fugitt

(417) 547-7573

MarkFugitt@MissouriState.edu

Course Management and Instruction

Course syllabi serve as the roadmap for student learning and must use the approved syllabus template, include required university policies, align with the approved master syllabus, and be submitted during the first week of classes. Your department chair or program director will provide this to you.

Faculty should organize instruction around course outcomes, maintain academic rigor, use approved textbooks, actively engage students, and submit required assessment reports at the semester's conclusion. Effective instructional practices include use of study guides, review materials, active learning strategies, discipline-specific learning supports, and approaches that encourage critical thinking and student engagement.

Technology and Campus Access

Missouri State University Account

Missouri State Account credentials provide access to My Grizzly Den, University Email, Microsoft 365 applications, Brightspace, and other university systems.

My Grizzly Den

Faculty use My Grizzly Den to review teaching schedules, access rosters, report attendance, submit grades, and access student information.

Missouri State University Email

Missouri State University Email is the university's official communication system. Faculty are expected to check email regularly, respond promptly to university communications, and use university email for all official communications with students.

 University email is used for official university communications. Faculty should check their university email regularly, respond promptly to university communications, and use their university email when communicating with students about university business. The university’s Microsoft 365 environment also provides access to Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other supported applications.

BearPass Card

The BearPass Card serves as both a university identification card and library card. Cards may be obtained through the Lybyer Open Lab.

Learning Management System (Brightspace)

Brightspace serves as the university's official learning management system. Faculty are expected to maintain active course sites, post materials in a timely manner, communicate important course information, monitor student participation in online and hybrid courses, and protect student privacy in accordance with FERPA requirements. Online and hybrid courses should maintain regular instructor presence and promote meaningful interaction with students.

Technology Support

The Office of Information Technology helps with BearPass accounts, password resets, email access, My Grizzly Den, classroom technology, and Microsoft 365 applications. Faculty experiencing technical difficulties should contact Information Technology promptly to minimize instructional disruptions.

Account Security and Authentication

Faculty are required to use university-approved authentication methods when accessing protected university systems. Faculty should maintain their authentication and account-recovery methods and follow current university Information Technology guidance regarding passkeys and multi-factor authentication.

Student Success, Retention, and Support Services

Missouri State University-West Plains is committed to student success through proactive intervention and support services. Faculty play a critical role in student persistence and completion by monitoring attendance and engagement, reporting concerns through the Grizzly Guard Early Alert system, submitting midterm grades promptly, referring students to tutoring and academic support services, and encouraging students to seek assistance before concerns become significant obstacles.

Advising and Academic Support

Phone: (417) 255-7222

Services include academic advising, testing support, test proctoring, student referrals, and academic intervention support.

Grizzly Tutoring Lab

Students may receive support in mathematics, writing, study skills, and additional academic subjects. Faculty are encouraged to refer students early when concerns arise.

Disability Accommodations

Student Support Services coordinates accommodations and support services for students with documented disabilities. Services are provided free of charge to eligible students, and all documentation remains confidential.

Disability Support Officer

Ashley Wilson, Student Resource Specialist

Phone: (417) 255-7711

Location: Neurodiversity & Autism Center

Student Behavioral Concerns

The University’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) responds to reports of student behaviors or circumstances that may affect academic success, including financial hardship, mental or physical health concerns, and other significant stressors. When concerns are reported, the team evaluates the situation and coordinates appropriate support and intervention services. Faculty are encouraged to submit reports when they observe concerning behavioral, emotional, academic, or safety-related issues, such as repeated absences, disruptive conduct, unusual communications, significant changes in behavior, or signs of emotional distress. Faculty can submit a report at https://wp.missouristate.edu/GrizzlyCareTeam/grizzly-care-report.htm

If a situation presents an immediate threat to safety, faculty should contact Campus Safety at 417-836-5509 or 911 without delay.

Attendance, Rosters, and Early Alert Systems

Faculty are required to report attendance discrepancies through Attendance Tracker during the first two weeks of each semester. For full term classes, attendance is reported on the tenth day and for 8-week classes, attendance is reported on the seventh day.

Faculty should monitor course rosters regularly. If a student is attending class but is not listed on the roster, the student should immediately contact Registration and Records to resolve the enrollment issue.

Grizzly Guard Early Alert System is used to report attendance concerns, academic performance, academic motivation, and financial issues. The system supports the institution's proactive advising model and helps connect students to available resources and services.

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Faculty play an essential role in promoting academic integrity and ethical behavior. Expectations regarding academic honesty should be clearly communicated in course syllabi. Faculty are expected to address suspected violations consistently and report academic misconduct through established university procedures.

Examples of academic misconduct include plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, cheating on examinations, submission of another person's work, falsification of academic records, and unauthorized use of instructional materials.

Faculty should also communicate expectations regarding artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Course syllabi should specify whether AI-assisted tools may be used and under what circumstances. Faculty are encouraged to discuss ethical uses of AI technologies, require disclosure when AI-assisted tools are permitted, and consult Academic Affairs regarding questions related to AI and academic integrity.

Grading and Academic Records

Faculty are responsible for submitting midterm and final grades according to published deadlines.

An Incomplete ("I") may only be assigned when extenuating circumstances occur late in the semester; a small portion of coursework remains uncompleted, and completion of that work remains feasible. Faculty assigning an Incomplete must complete the Assignment of Incomplete Grade form, which be found here. Incomplete grades cannot be assigned at midterm or to students who have withdrawn from a course.

Following published drop deadlines, "W" grades may be assigned to students who are passing, while "F" grades may be assigned to students who are failing.

Records Retention

Faculty members should maintain grade records, attendance records, examination records, assignment submissions, and course communications related to grading until the period for grade appeals has expired and in accordance with university records retention guidelines which can be found here.

Impact of Late Grades

Timely grade submission is a professional responsibility. Late grades may negatively affect financial aid eligibility, academic standing, GPA calculations, graduation processing, transfer admissions, degree completion, and regulatory compliance.

FERPA and Student Privacy

Adjunct faculty are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of student educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Student information, grades, academic performance, attendance records, and other educational records should be treated as confidential and shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational interest.

Examples of FERPA violations include posting grades by student name or student identification number, publicly discussing a student's academic performance, announcing grades in class, or returning assignments in a manner that reveals grades to other students. Faculty are expected to safeguard confidential information, secure access to university systems, and appropriately dispose of documents containing student information.

Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, and Title IX Responsibilities

Missouri State University-West Plains adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or educational programs.

Missouri State University-West Plains is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence. Faculty are expected to report information regarding possible violations through appropriate university channels and should not promise confidentiality when students disclose incidents involving potential policy violations.

Professional Conduct and Expectations

Adjunct faculty members are expected to conduct themselves professionally in all interactions with students, colleagues, staff, and members of the community. Faculty should treat students and colleagues with dignity and respect, maintain professional boundaries, create inclusive learning environments, adhere to university policies, demonstrate integrity in teaching and grading, and preserve the confidentiality of student and personnel records.

Faculty Evaluation Process

Faculty evaluation is an important component of Missouri State University-West Plains' commitment to instructional excellence and student success. All adjunct faculty members participate in a comprehensive evaluation process that includes student evaluations, classroom observations, and review of instructional materials.

As part of the evaluation process, faculty may be asked to submit syllabi, examinations, assignments, assessment reports, and samples of graded student work. Classroom observations are generally conducted by a dean, department chair, program coordinator, or designated faculty member at least once during the academic year. Faculty are provided the opportunity to review and respond to evaluation findings before they become part of the official evaluation record.

Compensation and Benefits

Adjunct Faculty Compensation

Credential        Rate Per Credit Hour

Bachelor's Degree       $500

Master's Degree           $600

Doctoral Degree           $700

The established per-credit-hour compensation rate assumes a minimum enrollment of 10 students. If enrollment is fewer than 10 students, adjunct faculty will be compensated on a per-student basis. For dual credit courses, a minimum enrollment of 20 students is required for the full per-credit-hour rate to apply. When a course does not meet the required enrollment threshold, compensation will be calculated by dividing the per-credit-hour rate by 10 (or by 20 for dual credit courses) and multiplying that amount by the number of enrolled students. Courses with fewer than 10 students and dual credit courses with fewer than 20 students will be paid according to this per-student formula.

Payroll

Faculty are paid on the last working day of each month through direct deposit.

Educational Benefits

Per course faculty who teach at Missouri State University’s West Plains Campus are eligible to enroll in a total of 15 credit hours of college-level courses in an academic year (12-month period beginning with the fall semester) and have their required student fees paid by the University. Per course faculty may assign part or all the 15-hour benefit to their spouse and/or their eligible dependent children. Enrollment or assignment of the benefit applies only in the semester(s) in which the per course faculty is actively teaching.

Additional Benefits

• West Plains Civic Center Pool access
• Fitness Center access
• 10% discount at the Drago College Store

Campus Safety and Emergency Procedures

Faculty should familiarize themselves and their students with posted emergency procedures, including evacuation procedures, severe weather procedures, emergency notification systems, and campus safety protocols. Emergency information is posted in classrooms and offices throughout campus.

All accidents, incidents, and safety concerns should be reported promptly through appropriate university channels. If the situation needs immediate attention, please call 911. Otherwise, please contact Missouri State University Dispatch at (417) 836-5509.

Weather Closures and Campus Notifications

Faculty should monitor university email, university websites, and official notification systems for information regarding severe weather, emergency closures, and modified campus operations. Faculty should not independently cancel classes without authorization except in situations involving immediate safety concerns. Adjunct faculty should receive approval from their department chair or program coordinator before cancelling a class meeting. Adjunct faculty should notify the office of academic affairs and post a message in Brightspace that their class is canceled due to weather conditions.

Facilities and Resources

Adjunct Faculty Office Space

West Plains: Shared office space is available in Melton Hall 218.

Mountain Grove: Space is coordinated through Mark Fugitt, Mountain Grove Campus Coordinator.

Garnett Library

Phone: (417) 255-7945

Services include research assistance, library collections, and copyright guidance.

Copy Services

Copier codes may be obtained through Teresa Shipley, Academic Affairs Executive Assistant, at (417) 255-7271.

Parking

Faculty teaching seated classes must purchase and display a parking permit. Online-only faculty are exempt from this requirement.

Academic Divisions

Faculty Development Opportunities

Adjunct faculty are encouraged to participate in faculty orientation programs, professional development workshops, assessment training, technology training opportunities, and institutional meetings when appropriate. Adjunct faculty are required to complete training through Magna Publications Teaching Professor Digital Library. A weekly email throughout the semester will provide access to the Monday Morning Mentor videos, though adjuncts may choose from other topics in the Magna Digital Library. Please consult with your department, program director, or dean for any requirements. Continued professional development strengthens instructional effectiveness and contributes directly to student success.

Quick Reference Contacts