1.07 Employment and Contracts Policy

All employees are hired at the will of the College and no agreement serves to create an implied contract of continued employment, to confer any right to remain in the College’s employ or otherwise to change in any respect the employment at-will relationship.

I. Contract Periods

A. Academic Year

The 10-month period of College operations from August through May. Full-time faculty contracts will operate on a 9-month period.

B. Fiscal Year

The 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the next year.

C. Other

The College may enter into contracts of varying lengths based on the needs of the College.

II. Regulations

A. Generally, contracts are issued for periods of either the academic or fiscal year. If warranted by special circumstances, contracts for periods of other lengths may be issued, not exceeding 12 months unless approved by the President.

B. The decision about contract length and beginning date will be made by the employee's supervising administrators who will consider the projected requirements of the College and the availability of the employee.

C. The contract length for new, full-time instructional positions is 9-months and occurs within the academic year. Exceptions require the approval of the President.

D. For full-time exempt personnel, a contract of 9 months (for 9-month faculty) or 12 months (for all other employees) duration is credited as a full year when computing length of service for state longevity pay and retirement.

E. Extendible Contract: after a faculty member has reached three years of Conditional Contracts, they are awarded an Extendible Contract, which is automatically extended annually. As of June 1, 2022, Extendible Contracts will no longer be issued.

F. Introductory Period: new hires will be placed on a six-month introductory period of employment on their first date of employment that will allow administration to evaluate their talents, abilities, and effectiveness in their role. If a new hire is unable to meet the expectations of the College during the first six months, the College may take any action it deems necessary to rectify the issues, including but not limited to extending the introductory period, corrective action or dismissal.

III. Non-Reappointment of Contracts

The appointment of an individual employed under a term contract expires at the end of the contract term. Reappointment or non-reappointment at the expiration of the term contract will be at the volition of the College in its sole discretion. If it is the decision of the College not to reappoint the individual, the Unit Vice President will give written notice to the employee by June 1 for 9, 10 and 12-month contracts. However, a term contract applicable to a position that is supported by a grant or other temporary source of funds may be terminated, with or without notice, at the time of any cessation or suspension of the supporting grant or temporary funding. The affected employee does not have access to institutional Due Process as defined in the Termination Procedures, unless the employee is on an Extendible Contract.

Related Procedures

Changes

Changes approved by the Board of Trustees on May 6, 2020; May 11, 2022

Changes approved by Cabinet on July 10, 2000; March 19, 2001; November 21, 2005; May 2, 2022