Specific academic duties and responsibilities are assigned to faculty members by the Deans and the Department Chairs. The nature of these assignments is commensurate with the nature of the faculty appointments, i.e. full-time or part¬-time service. The medical school has certain general expectations regarding faculty responsibilities in the areas of education, professionalism, and University service.
The education of medical students is the primary academic responsibility of medical school faculty members, and the education of medical students does not end in the classroom. Faculty members are expected to provide educational opportunities by having appropriate office hours posted on office doors and by setting examples of professionalism and ethical behavior. The quality of medical education at American University of Antigua is a function of the dedication and skills of faculty members, whose participation in all aspects of the educational program is an integral part of their academic appointments.
Teaching
The teaching load for full-time faculty normally consists of up to 15 contact hours or equivalent assignments per week. Responsibilities for non-teaching faculty will be individually assigned. Faculty members are assigned by their chair to teach in their major fields of expertise, as much as possible.
Advising
Faculty members shall serve as academic advisors for a group of assigned students as described in the Student/Faculty Advisor Program Policy and Procedures
Committee Assignments
Each faculty member will be assigned to serve on at least one institutional committee.
Office hours
Full-time faculty members must have a minimum of two (2) office hours per day for teaching preparation and student advising.
Each faculty member shall:
1. Demonstrate competence in his/her teaching field
2. Demonstrate competence in teaching techniques
3. Participate in curriculum development
4. Prepare syllabus i.e., determine course content that is consistent with the catalog description
5. Attend all University briefings, faculty meetings and the general assembly
6. Attend all University functions when required
7. Provide tutoring to students
8. Select instructional materials
9. Complete appropriate administrative paperwork in a timely manner
10. Participate in faculty development programs
11. Teach in affiliated programs when required
12. Demonstrate and maintain competence in the use of instructional technology
13. Familiarize themselves with University policies
14. Participate in the University’s community programs
15. Proctor exams as assigned by the Chief Campus Proctor and approved by the Department Chair.
Academic Freedom
The University recognizes and encourages the freedom of its faculty to pursue knowledge and understanding and to communicate without censorship or fear of reprisal. Academic freedom does not relieve faculty members of their duty to be truthful, accurate and ethical in their teaching of students and in their research and publications, and to avoid controversial topics in the classroom that are unrelated to the subject area being taught.
Academic Policies
The current academic policies can be found in the Student Handbook.
University Service
Research
All faculty members are encouraged to engage in biological, educational and/or medical research when appropriate; however, research is never to interfere with the primary goal of the faculty member, which is teaching medical students. AUA recognizes that an integral part of the medical education experience is having the opportunity to participate in research projects.
All faculty research is to be channeled through AUA Center for Research and Evaluation (CRE) Committee which serves as the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). All research applications and proposals must be reviewed by the CRE committee and require the approval by the Executive Dean of Basic Sciences. The University strongly encourages student participation in all faculty research. Approved research projects may be considered for funding by the University, contingent upon availability of funds.
Outside Activities
While faculty members can pursue outside activities, these activities must not interfere with a full-time faculty member’s responsibility to the University and the Medical School student population. A faculty member’s outside activity should not directly or by implication indicate that the outside activity is being conducted under the University’s auspices without the specific consent of the President. Faculty members, when responding to inquiries in their specific field of professional expertise or acting as private citizens on issues of general public interest, may use their academic title for purposes of identification; however, when appropriate, they should make it clear that they speak and act for themselves and not for the University. Faculty members, who engage in outside activities, must comply with the University’s policy on Faculty Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest as specified in the faculty contract. Faculty acting in their capacity as such or in the course of performing their duties as AUA faculty, shall not refer students of the University or other members of the AUA to their own outside activities or to the outside activities of other members of the AUA community.