Independent Study Compensation Guidelines - Spring 2018

Background and Context:

Independent studies tend to fall into two categories: (1) a course of study that is undertaken because a similar course doesn’t exist at Edgewood College or is outside of what we normally offer; or (2) a course of study undertaken with the intention of having it substitute for an existing course. That is, the course content is already defined but being delivered through an independent study format. While independent studies provide students with an individualized way to pursue an academic interest in-depth, there are also compelling reasons for not wanting independent studies to proliferate. In general, the College is primarily interested in supporting independent study projects in the first category. Projects in the second category should be limited to legitimate course conflicts or extenuating circumstances, and should be undertaken only when no other reasonable alternative exists for completing degree requirements. Individual school’s might have their own policies on independent studies that are more restrictive than this policy.

High-quality advising of independent study projects requires significant time and energy on the part of faculty. Independent study advisors not only guide the planning of students’ scholarly inquiry, but also assist students in the processing, integration, and analysis of learning. Faculty advisors hold students accountable for that learning through ongoing feedback, assessment, and support in creating a final product. Furthermore, independent study advising is done in addition to other departmental teaching and advising workloads. For these reasons, faculty who advise high-quality independent study projects should have that effort valued.

Guidelines:

This policy applies to Independent Study Projects with undergraduate students.
Any independent study covered under this policy requires the completion of an independent study contract and enrollment in a credit-bearing experience.
Independent Study faculty advisors will earn $100/credit hour generated for advising an independent study project after the conclusion of the academic term in which the project is successfully completed.
Independent studies are taken on by a faculty member as overload, not as part of his/her regular load.
If a student splits the credit associated with his/her project over more than one academic term the faculty advisor will be compensated when the project is fully completed.
Faculty advisors cannot advise more than two independent study projects in a given semester/term, and two will be the exception rather than the rule. Nor should faculty advisors be expected to advise independent study projects every academic term. Independent study advising that exceeds two projects in an academic term requires the prior approval of the dean.
Where students are working as members of a group independent study, faculty advisors will be compensated at a rate of $100/credit for 2-3 students. No group independent studies are approved for more than 3 students.
At the end of an academic term, a report will be generated and provided to the deans, (prompted by the Academic Dean’s Office) identifying faculty advisors who have successfully advised independent studies through to completion along with the amount that they will be compensated.
Exceptions to this policy may be considered with support from the dean and approval from the VPAA.

Expectations:

To be compensated for advising an independent study project, a faculty advisor must meet the following expectations:

Assist student in defining the project including the selection of appropriate scholarly sources.
Review and approve a written project proposal that outlines the project and defines a final product.
Clearly communicate expectations to the student including evaluation and grading criteria.
Maintain regular communication with the student including meeting in person at least twice each term a student is registered for credit.
Provide feedback to the student throughout the project and on drafts of students’ final paper/product.
Provide the student with a final evaluation and complete all necessary paperwork.