STEM Department
Before the start of the semester...

If You're a New Adjunct

The most important person for you to know in the department is our Administrative Assistant Michelle Keuning (BUR 105C; keuningm@sunyulster.edu; 845-687-5230). She will work with you to get all of your information into the system and can help you with any questions during the semester. Treat her well!

Human Resources (CLI 212; 845-687-5088) will require a resume, a copy of your college transcripts, proof of citizenship, and the completion of various forms (IRS W2, for example). Ulster County also requires fingerprinting of all new employees and verifies eligibility to work in the U.S. Please provide this as soon as possible since we can't place you into Banner, our College's information management system, until Human Resources is satisfied. Once in the system, you can obtain a user ID to access the Portal (your interface to Banner and College email), a College ID card, a parking sticker, and possibly keys (necessary for some classrooms and laboratories). The ID, parking permit, and keys will need to be picked up from the Safety and Security office in HAS 134 (687-5023).

If You're a Returning Adjunct

Generally, several months before the start of the semester, you will receive an email from SUNY Ulster containing a link for you to review and electronically sign your teaching contract. If you have any questions pertaining to the information in your contract, please email Michelle Keuning at keuningm@sunyulster.edu before signing. If you have no questions regarding your contract, please sign the contract electronically following the steps outlined in the email and the contract will be automatically forwarded to the next person in the queue to sign (Department Chair, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Human Resources/Payroll). Please do not delay in reaching out to Michelle with any questions or with completing the electronic signature portion of your contract. If, for some reason, you are unable to teach a course after a contract has been accepted, let us know as soon as possible to give us time to find a replacement. Waiting until the last minute and bailing on a course will mean we won't hire you again or be able to provide a reference to other employers.
Brightspace Training

SUNY Ulster is now requiring all faculty to have basic training in Brightspace - our course management system. If you've had this training at another institution (all of SUNY is moving to Brightspace), you will be asked to provide evidence of this training. If not, you will be asked to complete an online training module which covers all of the basics of the system. For more information, please contact Ms. Keuning for details.
Safety Training

The College and the Department take laboratory and field trip safety seriously. If you will be teaching in a science laboratory, you will be required to have periodic safety training from our Chemical & Laboratory Safety Coordinator Lisa Bonesteel (BUR 105D; bonestel@sunyulster.edu; 845-687-5226). If you will be taking students on a field trip, permissions must be obtained and there are a number of steps that must be taken several weeks prior to the trip - please speak with the STEM Department Chair Steven Schimmrich (BUR 105F; schimmrs@sunyulster.edu; 845-687-7683) about these requirements.
Adjunct Faculty Handbook

The College does have an Adjunct Faculty Handbook but it is, unfortunately, quite dated at present. It is, however, still worth a look since it has some useful information. A new, updated faculty handbook will be made available this academic year.
The Faculty Union

SUNY Ulster faculty are currently represented by NYSUT - the New York State United Teachers union. We are locally called the SUNY Ulster Faculty Association (SUFA). Please contact SUFAUnion@gmail.com if you'd like to learn more. Unfortunately, I cannot at this time provide a link to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Contract) between faculty and the college since there is currently ongoing negotiation.
The Academic Senate

The SUNY Ulster Academic Senate is the mechanism through which faculty at Ulster participate in shared governance activities - primarily through work on committees (curriculum, academic standards, assessment, pedagogic, and instructional resources among others). While only full-time faculty are expected to participate in Academic Senate meetings and activities, adjunct faculty are also members of the Senate and always welcome to attend our monthly Wednesday afternoon meetings in BUR-120 or even serve on committees. To learn more, feel free to speak with the STEM Department Chair, Steven Schimmrich. The SUNY Ulster Academic Senate is also closely affiliated with the SUNY Faculty Council of Community Colleges (FCCC).
Textbook & Syllabus

We will provide you with a desk copy of the textbook(s) used in your course(s).

You will also be provided with an official syllabus for the course. Every course has one, and only one, official syllabus which is on file in the Department Office and the college's Academic Affairs Office. You can NOT deviate from the material on this syllabus (if there's an issue, and you feel something on the syllabus is inappropriate, talk to your Program Coordinator). While faculty, full-time and adjunct, have the academic freedom to present the course material in the method(s) they feel appropriate, the syllabus provides an outline of the material which should be covered and the student learning outcomes for the course. If you have any questions about the syllabus, please speak with your Program Coordinator or the Department Chair.

As the course instructor, however, it is your responsibility to develop the Course Outline for each course section taught each semester (see below).

Department Chair & Coordinators

Faculty at SUNY Ulster County Community College are governed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VAN 250; Academic Affairs@sunyulster.edu; 845-687-5040). Administrative tasks within the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Department are performed by the Department Chair Steven Schimmrich (BUR 105F; schimmrs@sunyulster.edu; 845-687-7683) and the various program coordinators listed below:

      •   Chaitanya Mistry - College-Level Mathematics
      •   Jason Novak - Technology Programs
      •   Steven Schimmrich - Physical Sciences; Developmental Mathematics & Quantway; Networking
      •   Mark Stewart - Engineering Science
      •   John Sheehan - Computer Science

Schedule & Office Hours

Adjunct faculty are required to post their schedule, including any office hours, on the Adjunct Office door (BUR 103) or other appropriate office area if they're adjunct faculty for Computer Science, Engineering, Networking, or Technology programs. You will also be asked to place this information on the SUNY Ulster Portal (instructions will be emailed at the start of the semester). Adjunct faculty are contractually required to be available one hour per week to assist students but this may be either through email, phone, or in person. I recommend offering in-person assistance to students immediately before or after class and then via email during the week.
Course Outlines

On the first day of class, you must provide all students with a copy of your Course Outline. This is your official contract with the students and you are obligated to follow it during the semester - not doing so sets you up for a possible student grievance. Click here for information on what to include in your Course Outline - some things must be included and others are optional. The Department Chair or your Program Coordinator can help you if you have any questions and proof-read it for you prior to the start of classes.

By the first day of classes each semester, you must provide the Department Secretary Michelle Keuning with an electronic copy of the Course Outline for each of your sections. These will be filed in the department (electronically) and sent to the Academic Affairs Office. Please don't make her ask repeatedly for this document.

Summary

Before the semester starts:

✔   Electronically sign your emailed teaching contract
✔   Complete Brightspace training or provide evidence of having completed it elsewhere
✔   Receive the official Course Syllabus and textbook(s)
✔   Develop your Course Outline and send it to Michelle Keuning
✔   Post your office hour(s) on the office door and on the Portal

Any Questions?

Ask, ask, ask! We're all happy to help and want you to do well and succeed as an adjunct instructor!
 
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