Faculty Handbook_Asia_v5 BB.indd - University of Maryland ...

1. INTRODUCTION TO UMUC ASIA1.1 UMUC Asia AdministrationThe headquarters for UMUC in Asia is Yokota Air Base, Japan; it is the center for UMUC Asia’s administrativefunctions. UMUC Asia’s undergraduate programs are divided into several geographic areas, each of whichis administered by a regional manager. The regional managers report to the enrollment manager. The distanceeducation program is administered by the distance education manager, who also reports directly to the enrollmentmanager. The Office of the Associate Dean is responsible for all academic matters within the division. Theassociate dean and the enrollment manager report directly to the vice president and director, UMUC Asia.1.2 Faculty and the MilitarySuccess in teaching with UMUC Asia depends on close rapport between faculty, the education center staff, andthe military. An understanding of the military way of operating will help faculty members teach effectively. Itis extremely important for faculty members to be resourceful, flexible, and patient, no matter what the circumstancesmay be. When faculty members are asked to submit to a military security check or attend a special orroutine briefing, they are required to cooperate as a term of their employment. When classes are unavoidablypostponed because of military activities or when students are forced to miss class because of military duties,faculty members must be prepared to schedule makeup classes or arrange makeup exams.Faculty members represent UMUC Asia at the education center and in the community for which they teach.Their academic standards, preparation, and presentation—even dress and appearance—reflect upon their colleaguesand the program.1.3 Education Centers and Classroom FacilitiesFacilities vary among military education centers. Staff at each center will make every effort to provide for theconvenience and comfort of faculty and students, but occasionally faculty members may have to accept inconveniencesor improvise. For example, heating and lighting may not be ideal, whiteboard space may be limited,or audiovisual equipment may not be available. Faculty members who are scheduled to teach at a Departmentof Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) school should respect any guidelines for room use provided by thedaytime teacher. Education centers sponsor many activities in addition to UMUC Asia classes. Faculty memberswill gain cooperation if requests for time, space, and assistance reflect awareness of the education center’s manyconcerns.As guests in an education center, faculty members should respect the time of the people who work there. Whilesome education centers have space where faculty can work and equipment they can use, others do not. Facultymembers should always check the local situation at each new installation. They should not make calls on educationcenter telephones or send faxes on education center fax machines. They may use the field representative’smilitary telephone and fax machine when and where available.1.4 Education Service OfficersUMUC classes are conducted on military installations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command. The key figurein coordinating the local community’s overall educational program is the education services officer (ESO). Heor she is usually a civil service employee of the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps, although on smallinstallations a servicemember may fill this role. The ESO, with the assistance of a small military or civilian staff(including a UMUC Asia field representative on most installations), administers various educational programsfor the military community. UMUC Asia courses are but one aspect of the local higher education program.1.5 UMUC Asia Field RepresentativesAt most education centers, UMUC Asia employs one or more field representatives who report to a field representativecoordinator. The field representative publicizes the schedule on the installation, assists students, andJanuary 2011 www.asia.umuc.edu 26