Supporting Part-Time Faculty at KSU

Find essential documents that outline the structure, guidelines, and operational procedures of the Part-Time Faculty Council (PTFC) at Kennesaw State. Here, faculty members can find the PTFC Charter, bylaws, and other foundational documents that establish the council's role in university governance, representation, and advocacy for part-time faculty.

These documents are designed to ensure transparency, effective representation, and shared governance, supporting the council's mission to advance the interests of part-time faculty at KSU.

Part-time Faculty Council (PTFC) Charter

  • Faculty Senate, 11 February 2013: Approved unanimously.
  • University Council, 18 February 2013: No objections or concerns raised
  • Chairs and Directors Assembly, 13 March 2013: Endorsed unanimously

The following changes to the Faculty Handbook are proposed.

  • Departments with 10 or more part-time faculty at the beginning of any regular academic semester must, in the first month of the subsequent fall semester, offer an opportunity for their part-time faculty to elect a representative to the KSU Part-Time Faculty Council (PTFC).

    A department’s part-time faculty may choose to decline this offer. If they do decline, the offer must be renewed annually at the beginning of the fall term. Departments with fewer than 10 part-time faculty may offer the same opportunity to their part-time faculty, but they are not required to do so.

  • The PTFC is a standing committee advisory to the Faculty Senate and the Provost.

    The Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) is responsible for assuring that departments with 10 or more part-time faculty hold elections as required, and for facilitating the organizational meetings of the PTFC each fall. The PTFC operates under the supervision of the FSEC, whose membership includes a liaison to the PTFC. A member of the PTFC, ordinarily but not necessarily the President, will represent that body in the Faculty Senate. The PTFC representative will function as a full voting member of the Faculty Senate, with the same rights of participation and voting as a senator representing an academic department.

    The PTFC is represented in university-wide shared governance via the Faculty Senate; the PTFC is not directly represented in the University Council.

  • Members of the PTFC must be employed by KSU as part-time instructors. If a member elected in the fall is not employed in the spring semester, the department will offer its current part-time faculty an opportunity to elect a new representative during the first four weeks of the spring semester, or by the time of the first meeting of the PTFC, whichever comes first.

    The PTFC will meet at least twice each semester and may meet more often as needed.

  • At the initial meeting of the PTFC each academic year the body will elect three officers: President, Vice-President, and Secretary. All officers will serve for a term of one year. If an officer is elected in the fall but is not a KSU employee during the spring term the council will elect a replacement at the beginning of the first meeting of the spring semester.

  • The President will be paid a stipend of $2400, or the equivalent to the pay for one 3 credit class, whichever is more.

    If a part-time faculty member is already at the maximum employment level permitted by BOR policy, a reduced teaching load will be necessary. To assure program delivery the approval of the department chair would be required for such an individual to assume the President-elect or President positions.

    1. The above language or an appropriate version of it will be added to the shared governance section of the Faculty/University Handbook.

    2. The bylaws of the Faculty Senate will be amended to reflect the addition of the representative of the PTFC and the addition of a Faculty Senate liaison to the PTFC to the FSEC.

Part-Time Faculty Council Bylaws

  • Section 1. Name of Group

    The name of the group is the Part-Time Faculty Council (PTFC).

    Section 2. Purpose

    The purpose of the Part-Time Faculty Council is to identify, address, and advance the needs and interests of part-time faculty members at Kennesaw State University.The PTFC is a standing committee advisory to the Faculty Senate and the Provost. The PTFC operates under the supervision of the FSEC, whose membership includes a liaison to the PTFC. A member of the PTFC, ordinarily but not necessarily the President, will represent that body in the Faculty Senate.

    The PTFC representative will function as a full voting member of the Faculty Senate, with the same rights of participation and voting as a senator representing an academic department. The PTFC is represented in university-wide shared governance via the Faculty Senate; the PTFC is not directly represented in the University Council.

  • Section 1. Qualifications for Membership

    Members must be employed as part-time instructors by Kennesaw State University in the fall semester of each academic year. If a member elected in the fall is not employed in the spring semester but will be returning in the next fall semester, the member may maintain the position on the PTFC. If the member does not return the next fall, the chair of that member’s department will be notified, and a new representative will be elected by the department. 

    Section 2. Terms of Membership

    Members elected will serve a two-year term of office. Members may serve more than two consecutive terms if elected by the department.

    Section 3. Selection Process

    The Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) is responsible for assuring that departments with 10 or more part-time faculty hold elections as required. Members are elected in each department with 10 or more part-time faculty at the beginning of any regular academic semester. Departments with fewer than 10 part-time faculty may offer the same opportunity for election to their part-time faculty. A department’s part-time faculty may choose to decline this offer. If they do decline, the offer must be renewed annually at the beginning of the fall term.

    Section 4. Process for Filling Vacancies

    In the event of a vacancy, the department will elect a replacement provided the replacement meets the same qualifications for membership. 

    Section 5. Attendance

    Representatives are expected to attend all PTFC meetings. In the event a representative is unable to attend a meeting, he/shethe representative should secure a qualified designee to attend the meeting and notify the Ssecretary of the PTFCof the designation. 

    Section 6. Circumstances for Removal

    Any representative missing two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the Council without notice will be contacted by a member of the Executive Committee to determine the issue. The Chair of the representative’s department will also be notified of the absences. Absences may be cause for removal of the representative and the vacancy filled by the election of a new representative.

  • Section 1. Positions

    Officers for the PTFC are: President, Vice-President, and Secretary. The position of Parliamentarian is appointed by the President and is a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. After the first rotation of officers, the Immediate Past President of the PTFC will become a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.

    Section 2. Qualifications for Holding Office

     All officers must be a member in good standing of the Part-Time Faculty Council at the time of the election.

    Section 3. Duties of Officers

    The President will facilitate all regular meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee, represent the PTFC in the Faculty Senate, and serve as an ex-officio member of any and all committees.The PTFC representative will function as a full voting member of the Faculty Senate, with the same rights of participation and voting as a senator representing an academic department.

    The Vice-President will perform the duties of the President in the event of the president’s temporary absence and perform any other duties as the president may assign. At the next election, the Vice-President will assume the office of President, unless another nomination for that position is made.


    The Secretary will ensure that notice required by the bylaws is given and will attend all meetings of the PTFC and Executive Committee to keep a record of all proceedings.

    Section 4. Selection of Officers

    At the last meeting of each academic year when officers are scheduled to be elected, the process will follow Robert’s Rules of Order. Nominations and self-nominations will be taken for each office (President, Vice-President, and Secretary). If more than one person is nominated for any office, the election for that office will be by ballot. If only one person is nominated for any office, that nominee may be elected by acclamation with a majority vote from the council representatives.

    Section 5. Term Limits

    Officers will serve two-year terms. Elected officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

    Section 6. Circumstances for Removal

    An officer may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the council representatives at a special meeting called for that purpose.

  • Section 1. Committees   

    The President shall have the authority to create any committees as may be necessary to conduct the business of the council. The President will appoint the chair of each committee and the committee chair will select the members necessary to accomplish its charge. The President is an ex-officio member of every committee. Committees shall meet between regular council meetings and provide a report of their work at each regular meeting of the council.

    Section 2. Executive Committee

    The executive committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Immediate Past President, and Parliamentarian. The Immediate Past President and Parliamentarian are non-voting members. The executive committee may act in place of the full council between meetings, provided that its actions are reported at the next regular meeting of the Council.

    Section 3. Bylaws Committee

    The bylaws committee shall be responsible for the creation of the initial bylaws of the organization. In the event amendments are necessary, the committee will draft the amendments and, once approved by the membership, will revise the bylaws.

  • Section 1. Meeting Frequency

    The PTFC shall meet eight (8) times each year. Meeting dates and times will be established by the Executive Committee prior to the beginning of each fall semester.

    Section 2. Notice Required for Meetings

    Notice for all meetings shall be distributed to all council representatives on the Part-Time Faculty Council listserv and its website.

    Section 3. Quorum Requirements

    The quorum for conducting business at meetings shall be 50% plus one of members present.

    Section 4. Voting Procedures

    Voting shall be accomplished by a show of hands. In the event the President is unsure of the results, the President may re-take the vote as a standing counted vote.

  • The parliamentary rules in Robert’s Rules of Order, as may be revised, shall govern all deliberations when not in conflict with these bylaws.
  • The bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the membership. Notice of the intent to amend the bylaws, including the proposed amendments, must be provided to the membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.
  • Compensation for the PTFC President:  The president will be paid a stipend of $2400, or the equivalent to the pay for one 3 credit class, whichever is more.  If a part-time faculty member is already at the maximum employment level permitted by BOR policy, a reduced teaching load will be necessary. To assure program delivery the approval of the department chair would be required for such an individual to assume the vice-president or president position.
     
    • Proposed Amendments approved by PTFC on 1/18/2018
          
    • Proposed Amendments approved by Faculty Senate on 3/26/2018