Faculty Handbook Addendum
COURSE SYLLABI
Faculty members are required to prepare and maintain a syllabus for every class they teach. Each semester, course syllabi are to be provided to Angela Satterfield no later than the 3rd week of each semester.
A copy of a sample syllabus as well as suggested syllabus statements can be found at https://faculty.mtsu.edu/syllabus/. At a minimum, all course syllabi should include the following.
- Course Title, Number, and Section
- Semester/Summer Term in which the course is being offered
- Instructor’s name and e-mail address
- List of Required Materials
- Course Description
- Attendance Requirements
- Make-Up Assignments/Test Policy
- Testing and Grading Requirement and Procedures
FACULTY COMMITTEES
Director’s Advisory Council
Appointed by the Director of the School of Music, this council provides strategic guidance, expertise, and support to advance the school’s mission. Each member is responsible for working with the Director to develop and evaluate short/long-range goals and objectives that align with School of Music priorities. This group will meet once a month one week prior to full faculty meetings. Members on the council include School of Music administrative leadership as well as degree coordinators, graduate coordinator, and a representative from large ensembles.
2026-2027 DAC Members
- Jenny Snodgrass
- Chris Combest
- Will Perkins
- Chris Dye
- Jamila McWhirter
- Deanna Hahn
- Jamey Simmons
- Josh Bedford
- Bryan Hayslett
- Paul Osterfield
- Reed Thomas
Promotion and Tenure Committee
In compliance with MTSU Policies 204 and 205, the purpose of the Promotion and Tenure Committee of the School of Music is to (1) review and evaluate candidates for promotion and tenure annually and make recommendations concerning promotion and tenure to the College; and (2) review and evaluate the progress of tenure-track faculty toward tenure annually and conduct pre-tenure (third-year) reviews.
In compliance with MTSU Policies 204 and 205, the committee will be elected by secret ballot of the tenure-track and tenured full time members of the Music faculty each spring semester for the upcoming academic year.
The Promotion and Tenure Committee shall consist of seven full-time tenured members of any academic rank within the Music faculty. The seven full-time tenured members of the Music faculty receiving the highest number of votes in the election shall serve on the committee. In the event of a resignation, long-term absence, or withdrawal of a committee member for any reason, an alternate member shall be elected to fill the vacancy. The Director of the School of Music cannot be a member of the Promotion and Tenure Committee. Faculty members wishing to be considered for promotion may not serve on the Promotion and Tenure Committee in the academic year of their application for promotion.
Additional information regarding the Promotion and Tenure Committee process can be found at https://faculty.mtsu.edu/tenpro_policies/
School of Music Scholarship Committee
A five-member standing committee (four on staggered two-year terms and one on a one year term) comprises tenured and tenure track faculty members that are elected by the full-time faculty. This committee is charged to evaluate applications on both the undergraduate and graduate level and distribute funds fairly, while also establishing policies and procedures for the scholarship allocation and distribution, including creation of content on scholarship letters, timelines, and other policies as necessary. This committee is voted on by all members of the full time faculty at the beginning of the academic year.
Curriculum Committee
A five-member standing committee (four on staggered two-year terms and one on a one year term) comprises tenured and tenure track faculty members that are elected by the full-time faculty. The EPC shall consider and determine any changes in the music curriculum in both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This committee is voted on by all members of the full time faculty at the beginning of the academic year.
Graduate Advisory Council
The School of Music Graduate Advisory Council will consist of 5 to 7 graduate faculty members as appointed by the School of Music Director of Graduate Studies. The appointed graduate faculty will be representative of the Master of Music concentration areas of Collaborative Piano, Theory/Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Musicology, Performance, and Music Education. One of the appointed graduate faculty members should also be a large ensemble director. The members of this committee serve for one academic year, but may be appointed and serve consecutive years.
Ad Hoc School of Music Committees for 2026-2027
The Special Events Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of our signature events throughout the year. This committee helps the main office to better plan logistical aspects of our major events with coordination from the director, SOMSAC, and faculty community.
Waldecker (chair), Arndt, Davila, Nies, Baker, Perkins
The Community Engagement Committee focuses on building and strengthening relationships between the MTSU School of Music and outside partners. This committee will be charged to develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, arts councils, and cultural institutions. We are also hoping this committee can help to identify and pursue opportunities for collaborative programming between the School of Music and the broader community, including the Nashville Symphony and Opera as well as performances and residencies at K–12 schools, libraries, senior centers, hospitals, and other community venues.
Spring (chair), Cancryn, Dawson, Dent, Hahn, Hayslett, Morgan, Nadgir
The Programs/Programming Committee is charged to discuss our current processes for program development for consistency across all performances, including conversations on the physical programs and livestreaming, but also the programming that is brought into the School of Music in order to better reach audiences. This committee will be asked to help identify relevant programming and advise the director on financial needs for such programming while working to establish new policies for program outlines.
Sorrels (chair), Aliquo, DeBoer, Loucky, Simmons, Thomas
The Scheduling Committee is charged to look through the existing course schedule to have a better understanding of how and if changes can and need to take place in order to better accommodate the needs and requirements for our School of Music. This committee will be charged to create a schedule that avoids conflicts, maximizes participation, and ensure that all degree areas and ensembles are set up for success.
Braue (chair), Clark, Dye, Han, Taylor, Stoltz
The Awards Committee oversees the entire awards lifecycle, from setting criteria and soliciting nominations to selecting recipients and coordinating recognition ceremonies.
McWhiter (chair), Bedford, Combest, Ko, Smith, Osterfield (spring only), Mueller
Funding Requests for Faculty
Link to Funding Request Form 2026-2027
Please submit all requests for funding well in advance of any travel, event, or guest artists. The request form is also to be used for repairs, supplies, and anything that requires funding through the main office. Expenses lower than $50 do not need approval through this form and can be sent to Debi Goodwin directly for purchasing. Funding is not approved until an email confirming approval is received stating the operating index and amount that is awarded.
Decisions on funding will be made on a weekly basis and communicated back to you via email. If you have any questions on this process or need to expedite a request, it is imperative that faculty set up a meeting with the Director of the School of Music.
Travel funding requires an additional travel authorization form. Debi Goodwin will need exact information on dates, registration fees, location, and accommodations in order to help process these authorization; however, you may choose to complete these on your own. Please note that requests for student travel also must be submitted through the funding request form.
Funding priorities for 2026-2027 include the following:
1. Professional Development for Junior Faculty
2. Experiences that impact the entire School of Music
3. Recruiting and Marketing
4. Student Run Outs and Additional Travel
Faculty Workload
Workload Requirement. Within the requirement of a minimum of 37.5 hours per week, faculty are required to carry a full workload, which shall be fifteen (15) workload units (WU), per term. Fifteen WU represents 100% of a faculty member’s load. Each WU represents 2.5 hours.
Magic Hours. All tenured/tenure-track faculty are provided three (3) WU for “typical” activities for which faculty are responsible including advising/mentoring, research/creative activity, institutional/public service, other professional service, and academic administrative duties. For tenured/tenure-track faculty, the approved three (3) WU should reflect the duties being performed by the individual faculty member.
Research Creative Activity. Tenured/tenure-track faculty members with an active research agenda will typically teach nine (9) WU per semester. For non-research active, tenured/tenure-track faculty, the maximum teaching responsibility is twelve (12) WU each semester. For tenured and tenure-track faculty, the department chair/director may assign a reduced instructional load of up to three (3) WU without the approval of the dean. The department chair/director will monitor the workloads of faculty within his or her department or school to ensure compliance with the University’s workload policies and provides notice to the respective college dean of all faculty members not in compliance with the University’s workload requirement.
Calculating workloads-Traditional Courses
Courses are calculated based on formulas outlined in the Faculty Workload Reporting Documents.
Workload for MUAP Courses
Workload for MUAP (applied music courses, i.e. private instruction and degree recitals) are addressed in the university policy: “Courses providing private instruction in music will provide .33 WU per one-half hour of instruction or .33 WU for each enrolled student. Courses providing private instruction in music will provide .67 WU per one hour of instruction or .67 WU for each enrolled student. For junior and partial senior recital courses (MUAP 3800 and 4800), a faculty member is provided .17 WU per student. For the senior recital course (MUAP 4900), a faculty member is provided .34 WU per student. For the graduate recital course (MUAP 6670), a faculty member is provided .67 WU per student.”
Table: workload calculation for MUAP courses
| Course Number | Workload Calculation |
| MUAP 2xx1, 4xx1, 5100 | .33 WU per student |
| MUAP 2xx2, 2xx4, 4xx2, 4xx3, 4xx4, 5020, 6xxx | .67 WU per student |
| MUAP 3800, 4800 | .17 WU per student |
| MUAP 4900 | .34 WU per student |
| MUAP 6670 | .67 WU per student |
Faculty teaching MUAP sections also, in most cases, provide a weekly hour of contact in a studio masterclass. This is given 1 WU of instruction, though it is documented as OTIS on Part B of the workload or as extra compensation for adjunct faculty teaching MUAP and a studio masterclass.
Workload for Classes with High Enrollment or Low Enrollment or Course with Contact Hours in Excess of Credit Hours
Low enrollment and High Enrollment Calculations
Multiplier for high enrollment (1.4 for 50-59 students, 1.6 for 60-69, 1.8 for 70-79, and 2.0 for 80+). Low enrollment courses not cancelled are calculated by student enrollment x credit hour x .1(undergrad) or .2(graduate student)
Classes with Contact Hours in Excess of Credit Hours
Credit hour value + ½ value of difference in contact hours and credit hours
Example
MUTH 1110 Theory I
•5 hours per week face to face with the students
•Students take the course for a 4 hour credit.
•Courses with Contact hours in Excess of credit hours.
•5 Contact Hrs. – 4 Credit Hrs. = 1 Excess Hrs. x 0.5 Factor = .5 + 4 Cr. Hr. = 4.5 WU
•4.5 x 2.5=11.25 hours per week dedicated to the course
Workload for MUEN
The only music ensembles addressed in MTSU workload policy are Jazz Combos, described as such: “Small jazz ensemble courses with 4 to 8 students awarding one hour of credit will be calculated as two adjusted WU in recognition of the preparatory, rehearsal, and performance work required of the faculty member.”
Ensembles intersect with multiple workload policies. With the exception of 0 credit hour sections in large ensembles allowed by permission of department for music education majors and others with extenuating circumstances, all ensembles are given 1 credit hour. However, most have additional contact hours for rehearsal and all have varied additional contact hours for dress rehearsals, sound checks, recording sessions, and performances. Large ensembles are also subject to the multiplier for high enrollment (1.4 for 50-59 students, 1.6 for 60-69, 1.8 for 70-79, and 2.0 for 80+).
All ensemble workloads are discussed directly with directors and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and evaluated each year.
Workload Units assigned for Service
Faculty in School of Music leadership roles (administration, chair, degree/area coordinator) will be required to provide documentation of responsibilities for leadership roles each year to the Director of the School of Music. In consultation with the Director, a fair credit hour equivalency will be applied towards the total workload units each academic year. Each workload unit is equal to 2.5 hours of additional work per week so service/leadership workload unit
Office Hours
Faculty in the School of Music are expected to establish, post (on office door and syllabus), and maintain a minimum of five (5) scheduled office hours where faculty are available to students for conferences and special instruction.
Email Signatures
As of 2026, the university has adopted specific policies for email signatures. Faculty are asked to include the following template in all of their email responses.
NAME
Title
School of Music
150 Wright Music Building
Middle Tennessee State University
1301 East Main Street | Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Phone: 615-xxxxxxxx
Faculty Absence Reporting
MTSU faculty members must submit a Request for Faculty Absence to their department chair at least one week before a planned absence (e.g., conferences). Faculty are responsible for finding coverage and receiving prior approval. All School of Music faculty will need to submit any planned absences using the following form.
Outside Employment Approval Process
See Policy 814 – Outside Employment, Extra Compensation, and Dual Services Agreements
Full-time employment with Middle Tennessee State University demands an individual’s full-time professional expertise, commitment, and energies. All full-time personnel, including faculty (employee unless otherwise specified), shall be required to devote a minimum of 37.5 hours per week to the institution. The assigned faculty work load of an academic year, nine (9), ten (10), or eleven (11) month term, or a twelve (12)-month term faculty member constitutes a full-time assignment.
MTSU also recognizes the value to its students, personnel, and the citizens of Tennessee arising from external activities in which members of faculty, administrators, and staff may engage. Such activity contributes to the quality of instruction, enhances the competency of the individual, contributes to the economic development of the state, and brings credit to the institution. These activities also create valuable links between the University and the surrounding community.
Nevertheless, the employee must at all times place his/her primary emphasis on contributing to the University’s mission and be prepared to forego any external activities when they interfere or conflict with assigned duties. See Policy 12 Conflict of Interest. All outside professional activities for which there is remuneration must be disclosed by the employee to his/her supervisor.
Guest Artists
It is highly encouraged that members of the faculty invite guest artists to perform and interact with our students. All guest artists who require payment for their services must be submitted through the funding request form. Typically all guest artists should be paid under $500 unless additional approvals are granted from administration. The following process must be followed in order for guest artists to be paid in a timely fashion. Please note that no guest artist can be paid by paper check at the time of service.
- Submit a funding request for Guest Artist. Provide the guest’s name, email address and phone number as well as visit dates. If the artistwill be interacting with students during their time here at MTSU, please include the scope of the interaction, i.e. private lessons or master class.
- Debi Goodwin contacts the artist directly to secure required W-9 and any additional paperwork. We would ask faculty to also help to secure this if it is not sent in a timely fashion. The guest must submit these documents to add them as a vendor prior to any contract or payment authorization submission.
- Debi Goodwin creates the Music Performance Agreement Contract and submits to the contracts office. Please note that any travel expenses must be included in the contract and will not be paid separately, nor in advance, with the exception of university housing.
- Following the guest artist residency, Debi will notify and approve the final payment which is then sent to accounting.
- The artist will need to be made aware that we do not pay at the time of service; payment is made after the service, within 30 days after receipt of a valid invoice or form with all correct information for the payment.
- In some instances, the guest artist will need to submit an invoice for their visit; the guest artist will be notified if that is the case.
Distinguished Lecturer Grant
Distinguished Lecturer Fund Information
The Distinguished Lecturer Committee seeks to promote appearances by nationally and internationally known speakers who focus on the timely discussion of regional, national, and global issues in a variety of fields.
We highly encourage all faculty to submit for funding through this grant process. Applications are due in April for the Fall semester and in November for the Spring semester.
Distinguished Lecture Funds are by reimbursement only. The funds are only good for the semester in which they are awarded. All reimbursement requests must be submitted by the deadline of each semester in order to guarantee reimbursement. All receipts should be uploaded into the Distinguished Lecture Fund Reimbursement Request form.
Please note that at the conclusion of all distinguished lecturer events, the following must be submitted to the main music office:
- Description of the event
- Estimate of the number of people that attended both in person and online
- How many students the event affected
- One to two pictures of the event
- Please send all distinguished lecturer grants to the main office so we can place in your file
