Faculty - [ Handbooks, Manuals & Forms ]

The following information is intended as a guide to Department Heads in the College of Arts & Sciences. It is meant to serve as a convenient supplement to other important sources of guidance and direction such as the IHL Board of Trustees, the Mississippi State University Faculty Handbook, the Principles for University Governance, current University operating policies, and other relevant documents. The information is provided in a loose-leaf format to enable Department Heads to replace obsolete documents and information with current, up-to-date materials. As always, Department Heads are encouraged to bring questions or concerns about appropriate actions and decisions directly to the Dean's Office.

Important Forms for Faculty

MSU Faculty Handbook

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Operating Paper

The mission of the Faculty of the College of Arts & Sciences at Mississippi State University is to provide a sound basis in the arts and sciences for all activities of the University.

This operating paper is an internal document addressing faculty governance within the College of Arts & Sciences. The scope of the Faculty's interests is understood to include all issues of educational and academic policy, including faculty and staff status, curriculum, degree requirements, administrative and budget review, program development, facilities and other related concerns within the College of Arts & Sciences.

Faculty Advisor Handbook

Requirements for the baccalaureate degree differ from one major to another. Certain requirements are established by the departments, others by the College or the University. It is the advisor's responsibility to provide advisees with current curriculum guides that list and explain both the University requirements and the major requirements.

Manual for Department Heads

The following information is intended as a guide to Department Heads in the College of Arts & Sciences. It is meant to serve as a convenient supplement to other important sources of guidance and direction such as the IHL Board of Trustees, the Mississippi State University Faculty Handbook, the Principles for University Governance, current University operating policies, and other relevant documents. The information is provided in a loose-leaf format to enable Department Heads to replace obsolete documents and information with current, up-to-date materials. As always, Department Heads are encouraged to bring questions or concerns about appropriate actions and decisions directly to the Dean's Office.

Academic Computing Needs

Each faculty member at MSU needs a minimum computing capability in order to perform his or her teaching and administrative duties in an efficient manner*. The costs of providing these minimum capabilities have risen to the point that it is not feasible for departments to provide them from discretionary funds (release, development, overhead, etc.). The University should acknowledge and endorse this minimum requirement and work with the academic units to develop a strategy for funding them, long-term, university-wide. In addition to initial costs, computing tools have a life expectancy of three to five years before requiring replacement. The University central administration, not the colleges, schools, and departments, should assume the costs of replacing equipment.