Preparing for New Faculty Checklist
Preparing for New Faculty Checklist
Information for Deans, Department Heads & Secretaries For a print-friendly version, in the print settings select the background graphics option.
Before the new faculty arrives on campus, typically on or around June 1
Confirm that the Dean has received a signed offer letter. Once the offer letter is received, it is forwarded to Human Resource Services (HRS), where a background check and degree verification are completed. Once the background checks are completed, the Search Chair and Hiring Official will receive an email from HRS with instructions on how to close the search. Once the search is closed, the Dean’s Assistants receive an e-mail from HR. If you are the Search Chair/Hiring Official, please make sure that the department secretary (or person creating the new faculty’s PAF) is notified that the search is closed.
Once the search is closed, submit a NEW PAF and attach the signed offer letter to the PAF. Refer to the PAF System Support web page for additional resources.
Confirm that you have the new faculty’s summer contact (email/phone) information. Forward that information to Haley Admire in the Provost’s Office.
You may want to review the Supervisor Resources supporting web page .
An email account will automatically be created the day after the new hire’s record is entered into e-Business Suite. However, the record cannot be entered until HRS has received the fully approved Personnel Action Form (PAF) and the new hire has completed their new hire paperwork. To request early access to email, initiate the NEW PAF and on the Position tab check “Email” and then click the “Submit Request for Early Access” button. This will automatically generate a Service Hub request . Contact the IT Service Desk at 3-5555 for SRS support or early access questions.
Attach new faculty name to courses being taught in the SIS. Please inform the new faculty when this has occurred so they can access courses in Blackboard.
Order computer, phone, etc. for new faculty office.
Check office and furniture; get appropriate office supplies.
Put together appropriate documentation for new faculty:
List of colleagues, office numbers, e-mails, PAC documents, departmental strategic plan/mission statement/by-laws, departmental expectations (office hours, common departmental practices, any unwritten rules).
Directions on how to use copy services (course packets, etc.), and/or the copy machine and any other departmental machinery.
How to report absences for illness, conference travel, etc. Covering classes during absences.
Who to contact for computer/tech assistance.
Who to contact for assistance with eLearning/Blackboard.
Please send the attachment “Essential Elements/Best Practices for Course Syllabi” from Appendix C of the Faculty Handbook; sample syllabi for previous iterations of courses being taught (if helpful); departmental expectations for student work load; information about the LAC (especially if the faculty will be teaching an LAC course); and ways to communicate electronically with students (email lists, SIS system, Blackboard, etc.).
How to access/print class lists on the SIS system.
Direct new faculty to the Faculty New Hire Checklist supporting web page .
Order office signage, business cards (or have a proof copy ready), and a UNI name badge for the new employee.
Once you know when the new faculty will arrive on campus
Order office keys and any other needed keys, like keys to classrooms, if needed. Completing their key/access request ahead of time will ensure the request is approved and ready for the faculty when they arrive. Remember to add electronic access for interior or exterior doors on the same access request form as keys. When submitting a key/access request, use their legal name, not nickname. Please double check with the new faculty the date on which they will arrive on campus and want access to their office. For safety/security reasons, the key shop needs to know the date that the new faculty will want to pick up their keys. If you have any questions, please contact the Facilities Management office at 319-273-4400, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Confirm with the new faculty the date and time of the New Faculty Orientation. If they have not received information about New Faculty Orientation, contact Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Director, Jonathan Chenoweth (jonathan.chenoweth@uni.edu ).
Inform departmental faculty and encourage them to reach out to the new faculty(s) and welcome them.
Prepare a first day and first week orientation agenda with first week important information: department meetings, New Faculty Orientation, Fall Faculty Workshop, etc.
On the day the new faculty comes to campus
If the new faculty has not already done so:
Direct or accompany the new faculty to HRS (Gilchrist 027) to complete their new hire paperwork, if this hasn’t been completed. Please note that the employee’s record cannot be set up until these forms are completed and returned to HRS and federal regulations require new hires to complete section 1 of Form I-9 on or before their first day of employment. View a list of acceptable documents . Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Per US Government regulations, section one of Form I-9 must be completed on or before your first day of employment and identity and employment eligibility documentation must be provided no later than your third day of employment. View the New Employees support web page for more information.
Direct or accompany the new faculty to the Department of Public Safety (Glichrist 30) to obtain their parking permit . Identify the available parking lots near your location.
Direct or accompany the new faculty to the Housing and Dining Office (Redeker 010) to get their UNI ID card. A UNI ID card must be obtained before electronic access to a building will be granted. To expedite requested electronic building access, once the UNI ID card has been obtained call 3-4400 and notify them that the new employee has obtained their card and needs electronic access added.
Direct or accompany the new faculty to the Facilities Management Office to pick up keys. Review procedures for entering or locking the work area, if appropriate.
Show new faculty to their office. Show them the location of restrooms, equipment, dining options, emergency shelters/evacuation plans .
Show new faculty their departmental mailbox and explain incoming/outgoing mail procedures.
When the new faculty has access to their office, encourage them to create their voice mail message .
Confirm with the new faculty their teaching schedule, and make sure they know where they are teaching.
Provide the new faculty(s) an agenda with important first week information: New Faculty Orientation, Fall Faculty Workshop, any departmental meetings, etc.
Within the first month of the semester
If they haven’t already, encourage the new faculty to add their contact information to the UNI Alert system . The UNI Alert system notifies the campus community of emergencies and threats to physical safety in emergency situations such as tornados, acts of violence, cancelled classes, university closure, etc. To add contact information, the employee needs to log in to MyUniverse and click on “Manage My UNI Alert Contacts” in the Emergency Preparedness section.
Ensure completion of various required and suggested online training courses such as Title IX, Free Speech, Data Security and FERPA Basics.
Ensure they have added their Emergency Contact Information to the UNI system so that, in the event they are injured or experience a sudden illness or other emergency while at work, their contacts can be notified.
Show the new faculty how to log into e-Business Suite and provide an overview of UNI Employee Self-Service.
Check with the new faculty(s) to make sure that they are on all of the appropriate campus e-mail lists.
During the first semester
Check in periodically with new faculty to answer questions and make sure that they are being acclimated to the department, their position, etc.
Encourage employee to attend Violent Incident Defense Strategies (VIDS) training offered by the Department of Public Safety. VIDS is a specific training that provides strategies or "tools" to help in the event an employee is confronted with an armed violent encounter. Instructors will teach strategies introduced from the A.L.I.C.E program to empower employees by creating options; including escape routes, countering techniques and additional plans to increase chances of survival in the event of an active shooter.
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