Faculty Council | University of Houston

Welcome to the University of Houston Faculty COUNCIL

Welcome to the pages of the UH Faculty Council website. Here, we hope you will find the informational resources you are looking for. Our goal when developing and managing this website is to bring under one umbrella a variety of links and resources that might impact the day-to-day work of a faculty member. Of course, we wish to also provide information on the workings of the faculty council itself and on all the proceedings and documents related to the council committees. In that sense, the council website is designed to be both “outward-looking,” that is, a resource for UH faculty and “inward-looking,” that is, a resource for faculty council members.

Read our Message from the Faculty Council Presiding Officer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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FEATURED EVENTS

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UH Together

👋 Faculty Council – Meeting Q&A

Simple Syllabus

Features. A request was made to explore whether the course location feature in Simple Syllabus could be disabled. After reviewing the system’s capabilities, we confirmed that the feature cannot be turned off. It is also important to note that course locations are already publicly available through University of Houston resources such as the Enrollment Services Class Schedule. To support security and access control for online learning, faculty are encouraged not to post Zoom or Teams links in the Simple Syllabus so that only registered students can enter virtual classrooms. Additional resources available to faculty include UHPD’s Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training and the Dean of Students’ training on managing disruptive student behavior.

Forward Facing Document. Simple Syllabus is a forward-facing document designed to communicate essential course information to the students and community we serve. As a public institution, the University of Houston has an obligation to maintain transparency and provide accurate, accessible information that supports student preparation and community trust. Forward-facing documents—such as syllabi, catalog entries, and official schedules—help us meet this responsibility by clearly communicating expectations, resources, and course details. They play an essential role in ensuring accountability to our stakeholders while supporting the University’s mission to serve the public with clarity and openness.

UHPD’s Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) (https://www.uh.edu/enrollment-services/registrar/courses-enrollment/class-schedule/index.php)

Dean of Students’ training on managing disruptive student behavior. (https://www.uh.edu/dos/behavior-conduct/disruptive-students/)

Administrators at Faculty Council Meetings

The Faculty Council welcomes administrators to its meetings and extends an open invitation to join the conversation when their schedules allow. At the same time, we recognize that the demands on administrators' time make it unrealistic for all leaders to attend every meeting. The Faculty Council’s structure—outlined in its bylaws—ensures that it is a faculty-driven body designed to represent faculty perspectives, raise faculty concerns, and advance faculty interests, regardless of whether administrators attend. Administrators provide valuable partnership and insight, but the Council’s mission remains centered on faculty governance and faculty voice.

📋 Policy and Procedures Highlights

Each week, we shine a light on a key SAM or MAPP policy that directly affects faculty. This week’s focus: 02.A.20: Hours of Work, Work Locations, and Work Schedules.

This memorandum outlines the University of Houston System’s expectations regarding work hours, work locations, and telework eligibility. While faculty are subject to the standard 40-hour workweek requirement, the policy acknowledges that teaching, research, and service often extend beyond the traditional 8:00–5:00 schedule, allowing flexibility in how faculty meet their responsibilities. The document clarifies that faculty must normally work on campus unless specific conditions—such as approved remote instruction, research assignments, or Telehealth duties—justify telework. Overall, it provides guidance to help faculty understand how state law and university policy shape when and where their work may be performed.

If your department or college would like more direct information related to your academic area, please note that you can schedule a time to meet with a representative of the central administration, such as the Office of the Provost or the Office of General Counsel.