Press Release
Raleigh, N.C. – Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Richmond) has filed Senate Bill 593 – Improve Professor Quality/UNC System to enhance the quality of education in the University of North Carolina (UNC) system by ensuring that professors continue to fulfill their primary role of course instruction.
The legislation would require professors to teach at least eight college courses during an academic year – helping ensure that students attending UNC system schools actually have professors, rather than student assistants, teaching their classes.
While professors at most UNC system institutions are meeting the eight-class threshold by teaching approximately four courses per semester, tenured faculty at some of the largest universities within the UNC System are only teaching around two courses per semester on average.
“There is no substitute for a professor in the classroom to bring out the best in our students,” said McInnis. “I look forward to the debate that will be generated by this important legislation.”
While the bill directs that the teaching requirement be used when determining a professor’s salary, it also provides that a professor’s salary can be supplemented from the school’s foundation funds, if their academic research requires modifications to their teaching responsibilities. The proposal would not affect student assistants conducting labs.
*Attached data provided by UNC System from 2014 UNC Faculty Teaching Workload Report:
https://app.box.com/s/gnm5v1a96kgisbojx6us3quv2c1oe1nx
