Class schedules: Class schedules are prepared by the associate dean for academic affairs in discussion with the dean, program directors committee, the graduate program coordinator and the faculty.
Classroom requests: If you wish to change your classroom after classes begin, or you need a special room for a specific day, contact the Dean’s Office.
Exam times/dates: see the Office of the Registrar for exam schedules and final exam policies.
No-class days: No-class days are listed in the official university academic calendar. No mandatory class meetings can be held on these days. No member of the faculty has the right to alter the academic calendar without the consent of all those who approved it (Faculty Council, Administration, Board of Regents).
Observance of religious holidays:
Sections 51.911 of the Texas Education Code states that a student who misses an examination, work assignment, or other project due to the observance of a religious holy day must be given an opportunity to complete the work missed within a reasonable time after the absence, provided that the student has properly notified each instructor. University policy states that the student must notify each instructor at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates he or she will be absent to observe a religious holy day. For religious holidays that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, the notice should be given on the first day of the semester.
Section 51.925 prohibits the university from discriminating against or penalizing an instructor who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day. Proper notice must be given to the department chairman prior to the beginning of class that will be missed due to observance of a religious holy day. The notice must be either personally delivered, acknowledged, and dated by the chairman or sent certified mail, return receipt requested. Consistent with regular university policy, the instructor is responsible for finding a qualified substitute or UT Austin instructor for any such class(es).
Course evaluations: All Steve Hicks School of Social Work faculty are required to have their students in organized classes complete the “Social Work” course evaluation. Faculty will be notified of their availability sometime during the last 4 weeks of classes during the regular sessions and 2 weeks in the summer. Faculty members, or their TA, may pick up the evaluations. However, they should be turned over to a student in the class for administration and returned to the Dean’s Administrative Office.
Office hours: As per the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Section III.12, “Members of the teaching staff are expected to post on their office doors, and publish in any other manner required by the chief administrative official, office hours and conference periods most advantageous to students.”
Signature courses:We encourage the teaching of signature courses. See Dean’s memorandum of August 21, 2012, on UT Box (UT EID and password required).
Ordering textbooks: Contact the University Co-op to order textbooks. If you need assistance, contact Mia Vinton, mia.vinton@austin.utexas.edu.
Use of own book as textbook: Textbooks written by Steve Hicks School of Social Work faculty may be used as required reading for a course as long as proper approval is granted. An “Authorization to Use Textbooks,” available in the Dean’s Administrative Office, must be completed. This form requests information on the monetary return per volume involved. The faculty must vote to approve the use of the textbook (usually a vote is taken at a faculty meeting) and the form must be approved by the Dean. This request for approval must be submitted for each year that the book will be used.
Ordering films/AV equipment: To request films, videos, and equipment for class from the Learning Resource Center (LRC), complete a Media Request Order (DOC).
Reserve readings: Journal articles, documents and books provided by faculty for use of students in their classes are kept in the LRC.
Audio/video recorders in the classroom: Students or visitors are not allowed to use recorders in the classroom unless authorized by the instructor. See policy memorandum 3.205 in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (University Policy Office).
Teaching Assistants (TA) and Assistant Instructors (AI): see Working at the School section of the website for information of TA’s and AI’s appointments.
