Faculty Handbook
This Handbook was developed with the objective of summarizing the College's Human Resource procedures for all employees into a usable guidebook. Such a guide promotes consistency, continuity and mutual understanding. It should be viewed as an orientation guide by new employees. Please read through it and then retain it for future reference. It is essential that employees understand and follow these guidelines and policies. It is the responsibility of each and every supervisor to administer these guidelines in a consistent and impartial manner.
This Handbook reflects current rules, policies and procedures pertaining to employment and is not a contract or a legal document. In case there is a conflict between the information outlined in this Handbook and legal documents, such legal documents will take precedence over the printed version issued today.
Continued employment is neither promised to the employee nor guaranteed by the College. Employment is “at will” and either the employee or Wilmington College may terminate the employee relationship at any time with or without cause in accordance with policies described herein.
Offers of employment are valid only when appropriate parties, including the President, have approved the employment offer. No supervisor or representative other than the President has the authority to make any promises or commitments regarding changes in conditions of employment.
Wilmington College may modify, amend, suspend or terminate any provision or policy in this Handbook without prior notice or consent. Any changes will supersede previous policies, benefits or provisions described herein.
In keeping with its mission statement, Wilmington College seeks to employ faculty members who are committed to its ideals and who maintain an active interest in the growth and development of their students as well as in their own academic disciplines. While faculty members must be well-qualified in their field of specialization, it is equally important for them to meet students at their own level of development and to help them grow intellectually both in their own understanding of each faculty member's particular discipline and of the inter-relatedness of academic disciplines. While scholarly research and publication are valued and appreciated, they are not a prerequisite for employment at Wilmington College.
Wilmington College was founded by and is affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends. Friends value community. But a spirit of Quaker community can be maintained only as long as all members participate actively in the life of the College. Formally, faculty members may encourage community by cooperating in the governance of the College and informally they may cultivate an atmosphere of collegiality by resolving disagreements in a friendly manner, by respecting honest differences of opinion and sometimes a willingness to "stand aside" in a consensus process when complete agreement cannot be reached on an issue. Quaker consensus on an issue does not require a complete agreement, but it does require the complete understanding and cooperation of each participant.