Research Time Policies

The CSU system has a dual mission of teaching and scholarly activity. Tenured and tenure-track (T/TT) faculty in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) are actively involved in both teaching and research aspects of our mission. The full teaching workload for most CNSM T/TT faculty is about 4 courses per semester. Thirty (30) WTU per academic year is considered a full workload, with 24 WTU for teaching and 6 for research and service activities.

T/TT faculty may be given reassigned time (funded by external and internal awards) for research activity. Research involving students (graduate and undergraduate) is part of the teaching mission, and mentorship of undergraduate students enrolled in directed research garners 0.33 WTU per student and graduate students enrolled in thesis work garners 0.67 WTU per student, to a maximum of 3 WTU per semester (see Course Classifications in Curriculum Handbook). Nonetheless, direct involvement in classroom teaching by T/TT faculty is a requirement for teaching excellence, and all T/TT faculty are actively involved in designing and conveying the curriculum to students of all levels.

Minimum Teaching Loads

Please see Policy on Minimum Teaching Loads - Revised 2024 (PDF).

The Goal of the minimum teaching loads policy is for all faculty to participate in direct instruction (e.g., courses, dissertation or thesis supervision/advisement, research with students, or program coordination) for at least 12 WTUs each year with a maximum of 3 WTU per semester in student supervision (S-factor for 296, 496, 696 classes).

A secondary purpose is for all faculty to be available for service and have a campus presence (with a broad understanding). If you expect that reassigned time may exceed 12 WTUs per year or that you need an assignment with fewer than 2 WTU in direct (non S-factor) instruction in a semester, you have a couple of options.

In almost all cases faculty may receive additional employment instead of reassigned time.

Applying for Exceptions to the Minimum Teaching Loads Policy

Alternatively, faculty may apply for an exception for the reassigned time ceiling of 6 units/semester if they meet one of the following criteria:

• PIs on exceptional grants of one year or less duration (e.g., Fulbright Awards, etc.)
• Placement in high need service and leadership areas (Faculty Equity Advocate, Director of Retention, etc.)
• Other opportunities that meet the strategic needs of the college.

Probationary faculty and faculty coming up for promotion should be aware that RTP requires classroom visits, and requests for exceptions to this minimum teaching loads policy should address how required teaching evaluations will be managed.

To request an exception please send an email to your department chair and dean outlining how you meet at least one of these criteria. Please note that in most cases a faculty member may not use reassigned time to the extent that they are removed from direct instruction as outlined above. Please note whether the request applies to Fall only or the full Academic Year.

Please submit these requests by June 1.

Use of Research Stimulation (RS) Funds for Assigned Time

Please see Policy on the Use of Research Stimulation (RS) Funds for Assigned Time - Revised 2022 (PDF).