The Contract Enforcement/Grievance (CEG) team has compiled answers to the questions they hear most often about major provisions in our contract. Click on any question below to view the answer. Contact CEG to ask other questions and discuss how to proceed on your issue ([email protected] for tenured and tenure-track faculty; [email protected] or [email protected] for NTTs and grad workers).
Click here to read the full contract language of Article 15.
Is there a standard teaching load for Rutgers faculty?
There is no “standard” teaching load for full-time faculty. Expectations with regard to workload are typically determined within a department or unit and in consultation with faculty. Many departments develop workload policies and have standing committees that make recommendations with regard to faculty loads and assignments. Letters of appointment (especially for NTT faculty) may also identify load expectations.
What is considered a “maximum” teaching load?
A 4-4 load is considered a maximum teaching load for full-time, teaching-only faculty. Expectations can vary greatly from department to department or center, and factors such as class size and TA support may be used in determining appropriate load. Local policies may also factor in research productivity, service contributions, and mentorship, for example, in determining assignments.
Do I have any recourse if my assignments are unfair or overly burdensome?
The contract requires that, “Individual workload assignments of members of the negotiations unit shall be consistent with the practice and policies of their department, program, or unit.”
If you believe that your assignment is not consistent with the practice of your department or school and/or that the assignment is otherwise inappropriate or being punitively applied, contact a staff member of the Union’s Contract Enforcement/Grievance team to discuss.