Faculty & Unclassified Professional Staff Handbook
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The Office of the Provost maintains a record of all Handbook changes since July 2000. Sections with major changes are listed below. Policies mentioned are / were included in, or linked to from, the Faculty and Unclassified Professional Staff Handbook. For a more complete list of University policies, see the University Policies page - a repository for the official policies of Fort Hays State University. Also refer to the Kansas Board of Regents Policy Manual.
Major Updates
October 2025 to August 2026
| Section | Revision Notes |
|---|---|
| Ch 1, Policy Development and Publication | Clarifications, alignment to current practices, needed efficiencies. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Administrative) |
| Ch 2, Blackboard Automated Course Creation Policy | Edited with current Blackboard language, broader timeline language, merged courses, instructor responsibilities, and clearer language throughout. Apvd by Academic Council 4/21/26. |
| Ch 2, Study Abroad Policy, Faculty-Led | Removed much of detailed procedures and instead point to website so always up-to-date. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Academic) |
| Ch 3, Faculty Hiring Policy | Previously Faculty Approval Policy. Remove 18 grad hours requirement. Changed to meet FHSU faculty criteria per HLC. Remove suggestion to seek resumes in case of emergency, seasonal programs, expanding enrollment. Includes updated EEO notice. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Academic) |
| Ch 3, Summer Session Purpose... and Procedures | Updated compensation information. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Academic) |
| Ch 4, Faculty Seeking Terminal Degree, University Support of | Clarifies required to work "one full academic year" following completion of study. Apvd by President 3/2/26. |
| Ch 4, Proposal Preparation and Submission Guidelines for Sponsored Projects | Principal Investigator must be full time FHSU employee. Adjuncts may pursue grant but a full time FHSU employee must be co- Principal Investigator. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Grants and Research) |
| Ch 4, Supplemental Salary Requests from Sponsored Projects Funding | Multiple changes throughout policy. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Grants and Research) |
| Ch 4, Terminal Degree Requirements, Agriculture | Request from Department Chair and Dean. Apvd by Provost 12/01/25. |
| Ch 6, Capital Assets Inventory | Update terminology and roles, and to reflect current practices. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Administrative) |
| Ch 6, Deposit of Cash Receipts | Update verbiage and provide clarifications on: 1) scope of cash receipts, 2) sales tax, 3) mandatory student activity accounts, 4) restrictions on peer-to-peer payment methods. Apvd by President 3/2/26. (Handbook links to University Policies - Financial) |
September 2024 to September 2025
| Section | Revision Notes |
|---|---|
| Ch 1, Tuition Assistance Program for Employees, Spouses and Dependents | Revision adds FHSU affiliation schools. Apvd by President's Cabinet 9/25/24. (Handbook links to University Policies - HR) |
| Ch 2, Faculty Senate Bylaws | Article VI. Committees Section 2: Standing Cmts. Wording in c.3., e.2, and e.4. Section 4: Cmt Appt Procedures c and d., move procedures from last to first FS meeting of AY. Apvd by Faculty Senate 8/17/25. |
| Ch 2, Faculty Senate Bylaws | Article VII. Amendment and Ratification Changes to a. and b. made in error from May 2024 Faculty Senate Bylaws revision. August 2025 Handbook edited with correct prior wording per 2024-25 Faculty Senate President 9/8/25. |
| Ch 2, Instructional Programs, Procedures for Approval of New Courses and Programs | Outdated information replaced with current procedures. Apvd by Assistant Provost for Academic Programs 7/16/25. |
| Ch 3, Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for ... and Tenure Recommendations, Part V: Tenure | Updated per MOA Tenure article, which removed first year tenure track review and library faculty requirement to teach at least one course. Apvd by Provost 6/25/25. |
| Ch 3, Unclassified Contract Policy | Outdated and no longer in use. Removed and replaced with Human Resources contact information. Apvd by General Council, 7/12/25. |
| Ch 4, Terminal Degree Requirements, Informatics | Updated to correlate with 2019 Informatics dept criteria document. Apvd by Provost 3/27/25. |
| Ch 4, Terminal Degree Requirements, Theatre | Request from Program Chair and Dean. Apvd by Provost 5/21/25. |
| Ch 5, Sabbatical Leave | For clarification and to correspond with MOA, reference added that NTT faculty are not eligible for sabbatical per MOA XII:2.A.ii.A. Teaching. Apvd by Provost 7/10/25. |
| Ch 7, Hazing Policy | Policy expanded to include faculty, staff, student orgs not sanctioned by FHSU, updated definitions, and training/implementation programs per University Compliance Officer 7/2/25. Adopted by Cabinet 6/23/25. (Handbook links to University Policies - student affairs) |
| Throughout Handbook | New handbook title is Faculty and Unclassified Professional Staff Handbook to improve clarity and differentiation from University Support Staff Handbook. Apvd by Provost 7/30/25. |
July 2000 to August 2024
| Section | Revision Notes |
|---|---|
| Admission and Academic Policy, Academic Regulations | Chapter 7 |
| Advising, Changing Advisor/Major | Revised 9/09, Chapter 2 |
| Advising, Faculty Hours | Revised 2/09, Chapter 2 |
| Advising, Grade Reports | Revised 7/07, revised 7/08, revised 4/13, Chapter 2 |
| Alcohol, Service and Consumption of, on Campus | Revised 7/06, revised 6/13, revised 5/14, revised 9/16 Chapter 1 |
| Animals in Research and Education, Care and Use of, | New policy added 6/12, Chapter 4 |
| Appointments | Revised 4/10, revised 7/19, Chapter 3 |
| Blackboard Automated Course Creation Policy | New policy added 10/09, revised 7/11, revised 6/12, Chapter 2 |
| Building Access Policy and Procedure | Key System Policy revised and renamed Building Access 2/16, revised 9/19, Chapter 6 |
| Campus Facilities, Use of | Revised 7/06, revised 9/11, revised 10/14, Chapter 1 |
| Campus Posting Policy | Revised 7/06, revised 3/07, revised 10/10, revised 10/14, revised 3/18, Chapter 8 |
| Capital Assets Inventory | Inventories policy revised and renamed Capital Assets Inventory 1/16, Chapter 6 |
| Cell Phone Policy | New policy added 7/11, revised 7/18, Chapter 6 |
| Change to Official Registration (Add/Withdrawal) | Revised 7/14, Chapter 7 |
| Child Sexual Abuse Reporting | New policy added 2/12, revised 1/16, Chapter 1 |
| Code of Conduct | Revised 9/15, Chapter 7 |
| Commencement | Revised 6/08, Chapter 4 |
| Commitment of Time, Conflict of Interest, Consulting and Other Employment Policies of the Board of Regents | Revised 6/13, revised 8/24, Chapter 4 |
| Computing Resources, Use of | Revised 7/06, revised 6/08, Chapter 1 |
| Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Time Reporting Procedures | Revised into Commitment of Time policy 7/2, Chapter 4 |
| Consensual Romantic Relationships Involving Students | New policy replaced Consenting Relations Policy 9/19, Chapter 4 |
| Contracts and Contractual Authority | revised 9/15, Chapter 6 |
| Credit Card Security | New policy added 6/09, Chapter 6 |
| Credit Hour Definition, Compliance, and Review | New policy added 12/17, Chapter 2 |
| Crime Reporting | New policy added 7/09, Chapter 1 |
| Criminal Background Checks for Employees, Policies and Procedures | New policy added 10/08, Chapter 1 |
| Criminal Background Checks for Students Engaging in Clinicals | New policy added 7/06, name change 10/08, revised 6/11, Chapter 1 |
| Crowdfunding/Crowdsourcing, Campus-wide | New policy added 7/19, Chapter 6 |
| Data Classification | New policy added 12/17, Chapter 6 |
| Deposit of Cash Receipts | Chapter 6 |
| Digital Signage | New policy added 12/17, Chapter 8 |
| Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure | Replaced Protected Class and Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure 9/11, Chapter 1 |
| Drug and Alcohol Policy | Drug-Free Workplace policy revised 7/14, replaced by Drug and Alcohol Policy 7/16, Chapter 4 |
| Educational Travel | New policy added 1/07, Chapter 6 |
| Information Access and Technology policies | Electronically Stored Information, new policy added 6/08, Chapter 6, incorporated into multiple Information Access and Technology policies 3/17 |
| Email Policy | New policy added 12/17, revised 12/18, Chapter 6 |
| Emotional Support Animal Policy | New policy added 11/18, Chapter 1 |
| Employment of Non-U.S. Citizen | New policy added 11/06, revised 3/08, Chapter 1 |
| Endpoint Protection and Configuration | new policy added 10/17, Chapter 6 |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Program | Revised, name change from Affirmative Action 7/08, Notice of Accessibility revised 7/10, revised 10/11, Chapter 1 |
| Evacuation of Facilities | New policy added 7/16, revised 9/19, Chapter 1 |
| Export Controls | New policy added 2/14, revised 1/16, Chapter 4 |
| Extramural Funding | Revised, name change from Policy on Research Incentives 10/08, Chapter 4 |
| Faculty Approval Policy and Process | Chapter 3 |
| Faculty Authored Textbooks | New policy added 6/07, Chapter 2, link directly to MOA 8/26 |
| Faculty & Unclassified Professional Staff Handbook | Revised 1/07, Chapter 1 |
| Faculty Office Space, Provision and Use of , | Chapter 4 |
| Faculty Senate Bylaws | Revised 1/07, revised 9/11, revised 6/13, revised 3/14, revised 5/24, Chapter 2 |
| Faculty Senate Standing Rules | Revised 9/19, revised 5/24, Chapter 2 |
| FHSU Faculty Seeking Terminal Degrees, University Support of | New policy added 1/07, revised 9/16, Chapter 4 |
| Fringe Benefits | Revised 7/11, revised 12/15, Chapter 6 |
| Gifts and Hospitality for Unclassified State Employees | Chapter 4 |
| Gifts, Prizes, Awards and Promotional Items Purchased | New policy added 7/11, Chapter 6 |
| Graduate School | Graduate School Appeals, new policy added 11/08, revised 10/15, revised 9/17, revised 2/18, link directly to Graduate School page 7/24, Chapter 7 |
| Harassment Policy | Policy revised 9/11, 9/16, Chapter 1 |
| Hazing Policy | New policy added 7/06, revised 12/18, Chapter 7 |
| Holiday Observations | Policy revised 11/08, Chapter 4 |
| Human Subjects Research | New policy added 10/14, Chapter 4 |
| Identity Theft Prevention | New policy added 7/09, revised 12/18, Chapter 1 |
| Inclement Weather Policy | New policy added 7/19, revised 2/20, Chapter 1 |
| Individual Financial Conflict of Interest | New policy added 7/13, Chapter 4 |
| Information Security | New policy added 10/17, Chapter 6 |
| Instructional Procedures-Class Schedule Policy, Examinations | Revised 1/07, Chapter 2 |
| Instructional Procedures-Class Schedule Policy, Class Record Book, Grades | Revised 7/07, revised 7/11, revised 8/11, revised 4/13, Chapter 2 |
| Instructional Procedures-Transfer of Pass/No Credit Grades | New policy section added 1/14, Chapter 2 |
| Key System Policy and Procedure | Revised 1/07, revised 1/13, revised and renamed Building Access 2/16, Chapter 6 |
| Language Competency | Revised 12/08, revised 9/13, link to KBOR manual 7/19, Chapter 3 |
| Leaves Fulbright Leaves | Leaves, revised 3/07, revised 7/10, Fulbright Leaves added 6/09, revised 9/15, revised 7/19, Chapter 5 |
| Meningitis Policy | New policy added 7/06, removed from Handbook 8/24, Chapter 7 |
| Misconduct in Research | Revised 12/14, revised 2/19, Chapter 4 |
| Missing Students Policy | New policy added 6/09, revised 7/16, Chapter 7 |
| Mobile Computing Security Policy ( Endpoint Protection Policy) | Mobile Computing Security Policy, new policy added 4/07, Chapter 1, incorporated into Endpoint Protection Policy 3/17 |
| NACUBO Code of Ethics | Policy added 3/07, Chapter 6 |
| Nepotism | (Formerly Employment of Relatives/Conflict of Interest), revised 12/12, Chapter 1 |
| Notice of Non-Discrimination, Notice of Accessibility and Equal Employment Opportunity (Formerly Affirmative Action) Program | Revised, name change from Equal Employment Opportunity Program 10/11, revised 6/14, Chapter 1 |
| Offices and Assigned Space, Personalization and Modifications of | Revised 12/11, Chapter 6 |
| Official Hospitality | Revised 1/07, revised 6/12, Chapter 1 |
| Official Travel | Revised 11/06, revised 1/07, revised 3/20, Chapter 6 |
| Operating Paper for the Graduate School ( Graduate School Handbook) | Operating Paper for the Graduate School, revised 1/07, revised 6/10, revised 4/15, revised 9/17, revised 7/18, revised 2/21, link directly to Graduate School Handbook 7/24, Chapter 2 |
| Overload/Replacement/Part-Time Adjunct/Professional Unclassified Staff ( Salaries, Part-Time Adjunct / Professional Unclassified Staff) | Overload/Replacement/Part-Time Adjunct/Professional Unclassified Staff, name changed and policy revised 1/14, see Salaries, Part-Time Adjunct / Professional Unclassified Staff 8/24, Chapter 3 |
| Participant Support | New policy added 7/13, Chapter 4 |
| Pass/No Credit Policy | Revised 7/14, Chapter 2 |
| Physical Security of Data Center and University Data | New policy added 12/17, Chapter 6 |
| Policy Development and Publication, University | New policy added 4/11, revised 1/16, revised 3/18, revised 11/18, Chapter 1 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part II: Duties and Criteria, B2 | Revised 7/08, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part III: Annual Merit | Revised 7/12, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part IV: Promotion, E | Revised 7/18, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part V: Tenure, A3 (General Policy on Notification Procedure) | Revised 6/07, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part V: Tenure, G3 | Revised 7/18, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part V: Tenure, H1 | Revised 6/09, Chapter 3 |
| Policy, Criteria, and Procedures for Determining Annual Merit, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations, Part V: Tenure, H6 | Revised 7/18, Chapter 3 |
| Policy on Research Incentives ( Extramural Funding) | Policy on Research Incentives, replaced by Extramural Funding, Chapter 4 |
| Policy Guidelines for the Establishment of Endowed and Named Faculty Appointment | Chapter 3 |
| Political Activity of Employees | Revised 6/13, Chapter 1 |
| Political Activity by State Employees | Revised 2/13, Chapter 1 |
| Possession, Use and Storage of Firearms and Weapons on Campus ( Gun Policy) | Possession, Use and Storage of Firearms and Weapons on Campus, new policy added 11/06, revised 10/08, replaced with Gun Policy 1/17, Chapter 1 |
| Post-Tenure Review | policy added from MOA 1/16, Chapter 3, link directly to MOA 8/22 |
| Postage | Revised 7/13, revised 9/15, Chapter 6 |
| Posthumous Degrees | New policy added 6/07, revised 9/16, Chapter 1 |
| Printing Services | Updated 7/10, revised 9/15, Chapter 6 |
| Privacy Rights | Revised 9/14, revised 3/18, chapter 7 |
| Privacy of Student Financial Information Policy | Revised and renamed 2/19, Chapter 7 |
| Procedures for Approval of New Courses and Programs | Chapter 2 |
| Professional Dues | Revised 8/24, Chapter 4 |
| Program Discontinuance of Undergraduate Programs | Updated 1/08, Chapter 2, link directly to MOA 8/26 |
| Program Specialist, Position Descriptions | Revised 1/07, Chapter 3 |
| Proposal Preparation and Submission Guidelines for Sponsored Projects | New policy added 4/12, Chapter 4 |
| Purchasing Procedures (Purchasing Office) | Purchasing Procedures, revised 7/12, revised 10/17, revised 7/19, Chapter 6, link directly to Purchasing Office 7/24 |
| Recruitment for Vacant Positions | Revised 12/17, Chapter 3 |
| Regents Distinguished Professorship | Revised 6/13, link to KBOR manual 7/19, Chapter 3 |
| Resignations, Exit Interview | Revised 1/07, Chapter 5 |
| Retirement | Revised 4/07, revised 7/09, revised 7/11, revised health care bridge 7/19, revised basic retirement 8/24, Chapter 5 |
| Retirement, Phased Retirement | Policy added to 7/11, Chapter 5 |
| Safe Possession, Use and Storage of Weapons on Campus (Gun Policy) | New policy added 1/17, Chapter 1 |
| Safeguarding Student Financial Information ( Privacy of Student Financial Information Policy) | Safeguarding Student Financial Information, policy added 3/07, replaced by Privacy of Student Financial Information Policy 2/19, Chapter 7 |
| Safety, Workplace and Campus | New policy added 6/09, Chapter 1 |
| Salaries, FHSU Online (Salaries, Supplemental Appointments) | Salaries, FHSU Online revised and renamed Salaries, Supplemental Appointments, 8/22, Chapter 3, link directly to MOA 8/25 |
| Salaries, Part-Time Adjunct / Professional Unclassified Staff | Policy revised 12/15, revised 6/17, revised 8/22, revised 8/24, Chapter 3 |
| Salaries, Seasonal | Policy revised 8/22, Chapter 3 |
| Security Awareness and Training | New policy added 12/17, Chapter 6 |
| Sexual Harassment and Violence | New policy 9/16, Chapter 1 |
| Skateboards, Skates and Bicycles | Chapter 1 |
| Statement on Degree Completion Monies | Chapter 4 |
| Standing Rules and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate | Chapter 2 |
| Student Grievances and Complaints | New policy added 7/13, revised 8/16, Chapter 7 |
| Study Abroad, Faculty-Led | New policy added 7/11, Chapter 2 |
| Summer Session Purpose, Expectations, Policies, and Procedures | Revised 7/06, Chapter 3 |
| Terminal Degree Requirements | Revised 12/07, revised 7/08, revised 7/09, revised 7/10, revised 7/11, revised 12/11, revised 10/12, revised 10/13, revised 7/14, revised 5/15, revised 3/18, revised 4/22, Chapter 4 |
| Timely Warnings to the University Community | New policy added 6/09, revised 4/16, Chapter 1 |
| Tobacco Usage Policy | Revised 6/08, revised 9/10, revised 1/12, revised 5/14, revised 2/18, Chapter 1 |
| Transfer Credit Policies and Procedures | New section added 7/10, revised 6/13, Chapter 2 |
| Travel and Subsistence Allowance for Candidates Interviewed | Revised 7/13, Chapter 3 |
| Tuition Assistance Program for Employees, Spouses and Dependents | Policy added 1/07, revised 6/13, revised 9/15, revised 7/18, revised 11/18, Chapter 1 |
| Unclassified Contract Policy | Revised 7/04, removed 7/25, Chapter 3 |
| Unclassified Professional Staff | Chapter 3 |
| Unclassified Professional Staff Furloughs or Pay Reductions | New Policy added 6/09, Chapter 3 |
| Visitor Parking | Revised 6/13, Chapter 6 |
| Website Advertising | New policy added 7/06, Chapter 1 |
| Whistleblower Policy | New policy added 9/16, Chapter 4 |