Faculty Exchange Options and Guidelines

The Council of Deans looks favorably upon two-way, on-site faculty exchanges, where faculty exchange teaching responsibilities with colleagues teaching similar courses/labs at other ACS institutions. Such exchanges could be beneficial for both the participating institutions and faculty involved. In proposing any guidelines, there is the realization that various time frames are options for an on-site exchange (e.g., a mini-term, one or more weekends, one or more weeks, one or more months, or a term/semester). Therefore, it is imperative that faculty members, department chairs, and chief academic officers communicate early and fully with each other in order to facilitate arrangements for all involved.

The following Faculty Exchange Guidelines are presented in the spirit of making faculty exchanges as mutually productive an experience as is possible.

The Principal Guidelines

1. A proposal from ACS faculty members for a faculty exchange needs to be submitted, with the department chairs' approval, to the respective chief academic officers as early as possible. As a general guideline, we recommend 6 months ahead for a one-week exchange and 1 year ahead for exchanges of more than one month. Other time frames may be negotiated with the approval of the chief academic officers involved.
   
   
2. Faculty submitting the proposal must make a compelling case for the exchange, demonstrating the benefits to the institutions, students, and faculty involved.
   
   
3. The following details of the exchange must be addressed in the proposal:
   
   
   • Who is involved in the exchange (faculty names and full contact information).
     
   • Time frame for exchange. A persuasive case must be made specifically for the time proposed, as against other possible time frames for such exchanges (e.g., why one week or one month or a mini-term).
     
   • Duties to be assumed during the exchange (and how other duties will be covered during the faculty members absence).
     
   • Financial arrangements. Who is paying what and when/how it is to be paid, including travel, housing, and food. A budget must be submitted indicating any institutional and/or consortial funds that will be required.
     
   
   
4. Any outlay of institutional funds must be approved by the participating chief academic
   officers. Consortial funds must be approved by the ACS President.
   
   
5. Participating faculty members need to submit a written report, within 60 days after the
   exchange, to the chief academic officers of the participating institutions, with a copy to
   the ACS President. The report should describe in detail the value and benefit of the
   experience to the participating faculty, students, and institutions involved.