RVCC 2019 NECHE Self-Study

Scholarly expectations for faculty at RVCC are consistent with the mission and purpose of
the College and are documented in SJDs along with faculty workload. Whenever a
program requires that a faculty member hold specific licensure or certification in order to
prepare students for the field of study, holding that credential is part of the job description
and is evaluated prior to hiring. As part of the development of a faculty member’s
workload each semester; the faculty member, Department Chair, and VPAA evaluate any
scholarly pursuits that are categorized as non-instructional workload, and appropriate
course release time is provided. Recently, examples of this type of work include RVCC’s
co-requisite math project, committee work to develop course equivalency between CCSNH
and the University System of NH, and preparation for individual program accreditation selfstudies.
Program Directors and Department Chairs often have additional responsibilities as outlined
in Article X of the Faculty CBA. The standard at River Valley is that the Program Director
for each program is responsible for academic advising of any student in their program.
There is also one full-time and one part-time advisor for General Studies and nonmatriculated
students, and one part-time advisor for Liberal Arts students. In the case
where a student may have multiple majors, direct communication between advisors is
carried out to ensure that students are on track for both programs and can complete
courses for both programs on an appropriate schedule.
Currently, all advisors have access to each student’s unofficial transcript through the
electronic Student Information System (SIS) and official transcripts via Banner or to
student files held in the Registrar’s Office. This transcript allows advisors to see what
courses and grades a student has taken and earned at any CCSNH institution, what
courses the student has specifically taken or transferred in to River Valley, and what
courses the student is currently enrolled in. In Fall of 2017, all programs were required to
develop program maps. These maps are the pathway of courses, delineated by semester
offered, that a student must take. Each Program Director uses these program maps when
advising students and program maps for each program are housed in the RVCC
Communications folder available in Canvas so that any advisor can access any map and
assist students who may be considering changing majors.
Program Directors are encouraged to do graduation audits at least one semester before
the student is scheduled to graduate. Graduation audits for each student are then
performed by the Registrar in the spring of the student’s final year to ensure that students
are on track to graduate. At the time of the graduation audit, Program Directors or
advisors are notified of any discrepancies to allow time for additional advising or to
transfer in any missing classes.
Recruitment, Hiring, Compensation
Job openings for faculty are done in a transparent and orderly fashion. The College’s hiring
practices comply with federal equal employment opportunity guidelines and state
nondiscrimination laws. Department Chairs work with the VPAA and Human Resources to
advertise job openings, first throughout CCSNH (in house) for one week (as per current
contract wording) and then to the wider community. There is a standard CCSNH-wide
application form and process.
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