Faculty Handbook

• Mission and Traditions - Learn about UTRGV and the traditions we keep.

• UTRGV Administration Overview -An overview of the administration at UTRGV 

• Office of the President - Get to know Dr. Guy Bailey, our UTRGV President.

• UTRGV Organizational Charts - Organizational charts for UTRGV

• University HOP - Learn more about the policies and procedures for the governance of UTRGV.

• Office of the Provost - View information and resources related to the Office of the Provost, the chief academic officer responsible for overseeing UTRGV’s academic affairs, including faculty affairs, curriculum development, research initiatives, and the promotion of academic excellence across the university.

• Division of Health Affairs - View information about the newly incoming Division of Health Affairs at UTRGV that is integrating the university’s health related school and programs including: College of Health Professions, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Podiatric Medicine and the School of Optometry.

• Accreditation - Information about the university's accreditation status and accrediting bodies. 

• Sustainability Initiatives - Information about the university's sustainability efforts and programs.

• Calendars and Announcements - View a comprehensive collection of university calendars, including key academic dates, add/drop deadlines, final exam schedules, official holidays, institutional events, training opportunities, and more.

• Campus Safety - Information about the services and resources provided by The UTRGV Police Department. 

Employee 

• Office of Human Resources - The Office of Human Resources enhances organizational effectiveness at UTRGV in the pursuit of global excellence in teaching, research, health care, and service.

• Leave - View detailed information and guidance on the various types of faculty leave options, including FMLA, vacation, sick leave, and more.

• The Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity (OTIXEO) - OTIXEO Investigates and responds to internal and external complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and any related retaliation.

• Office for Advocacy & Violence Prevention - OAVP works with students, staff, and faculty, and community partners to strive for a campus free from interpersonal violence and to facilitate services for victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and any type of violence. 

• Office of the Faculty Ombuds - The Office of the Faculty Ombuds offers confidential and impartial support to help faculty navigate conflicts and promote fair, respectful resolution. 

• Institutional Compliance Office of UTRGV - View compliance resources, including the compliance hotline, outside activities and interests reporting, and the Standards of Conduct Guide to support ethical practices and institutional integrity at UTRGV. 

• UTRGV Employee Benefit - Work life benefits, retirement plans, health benefits, and employee assistance programs 

• Faculty Workload - View detailed information regarding faculty workload policies and expectations. 

• Faculty Appointments - Faculty Appointments include responsibilities for program coordinators, endowed faculty appointment requirements, retirement information, and more. 

• Faculty Reviews - View pathways for faculty reviews, including timelines, evaluation criteria, and resources for all faculty—tenured, tenure-track, and professional track—covering promotion, annual evaluations, and additional support.  
  • HOP ADM 06-503: Tenure-Track Faculty Appointments, Evaluations, and Reappointments.
  • HOP ADM 06-504: Tenured Faculty Evaluation. 

• Faculty Rights and Responsibilities - View the HOP policy that outlines the rights and responsibilities of faculty members at UTRGV. 

• Prospective Employees - View information and resources for individuals seeking employment opportunities. 

• School of Medicine Faculty Affiars - School of Medicine faculty can access dedicated support through the School of Medicine’s Office of Faculty Affairs, which provides tailored resources for professional development, academic advancement, and more.

Teaching

• Office of Student Success - Review comprehensive resources, guidelines, and rubrics for planning, assessing, and implementing the UTRGV General Education Core Curriculum.

• Center for Online Learning and Teaching Technology (COLTT) - COLTT, a department of the Office of Student Success, supports faculty by providing resources, training, and tools to enhance teaching through the effective use of technology in both online and traditional learning environments. 

• Learning Management System (LMS) Brightspace - Learn all about UTRGV’s LMS, D2L Brightspace. 

• Office of Bilingual Integration (OBI) - OBI offers multiple resources that will assist you in developing and executing your B3 (biculturalism, bilingualism, and biliteracy) courses.

• Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) - CTE offers a wide range of programming and services to promote teaching and learning. Some of their offerings include individual and departmental consultations in target teaching areas, and collaboration with faculty and staff across departments, programs, and schools on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to seek external grant funding.  

• Course Development Materials - Review essential guidelines and resources for developing courses, including policies on academic credit, textbook adoption and affordability, syllabus requirements, HB2504 compliance, and distance education standards.

• Course Syllabus- View essential information and resources—including the required syllabus template and Faculty Portfolio Tool (FPT) guidelines—to ensure compliance with House Bill 2504 by making course syllabi publicly accessible and submitted by the 7th day of each term. 

• Dean of Students - Faculty can collaborate with the Dean of Students Office to support student success by addressing issues such as student absences, assisting students who are undocumented or facing other challenges, and connecting them with essential campus resources and services.

• The Office of Curriculum and Institutional Assessment - The OCIA coordinates with the divisional areas and the academic colleges to maintain the University’s inventory of undergraduate and graduate academic programs and the institutional assessment process including academic program review.

• Standards of Conduct Guide - The UTRGV Standards of Conduct Guide provides directions and tools to help individuals at UTRGV make the right decisions, aligning with the institution’s purpose, guiding principles, and core values. 

• Vaquero Reporting - View Vaqueros Report It, an online system and related resources for reporting academic dishonesty, student conduct violations, Title IX concerns, and other student-related issues to support a safe and ethical campus environment. 

Student Success Resources for Faculty

• Admissions - View information related to student admissions.

• Student Government Association - The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the official representation of the entire student body. 

• International Students – Information and resources available for UTRGV’s current and future international students.

• Student Wellness & Support - Wellness and support services available to UTRGV Students 

• Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) - View essential resources and guidance—including Academic Dishonesty Violations, Sanctioning Guidelines, Drug-Free School Policy, Faculty Referral forms, and Presentation Requests—to identify, report, and address student conduct concerns through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. 

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) - View guidance and resources on implementing individualized accommodations to ensure equal access for students with disabilities in compliance with ADA and Section 504.

• Military & Veterans Success Center – The Military and Veterans Success Center (MVSC) assists military members and veterans with certifying education benefits, advocating for services, and providing additional support. 

• Academic Support - Resources such as tutoring services, writing centers, and academic advising to help students succeed academically.

Research 

• UTRGV Division of Research - The Division of Research at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) promotes, encourages, and provides assistance for research and scholarship and creative activities in all disciplines by the university faculty, staff, and students, contributing to our Strategic Plan's Core Priority of Research Impacting the Rio Grande Valley & Beyond. 

• Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) - The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research projects submitted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The goal of OSP is to assist faculty, researchers and professional staff in their efforts to secure external funding.

• Research Centers and Institutes - UTRGV is home to 19 centers and institutes that support faculty by providing valuable opportunities for research collaboration and access to specialized resources and expertise.These resources are designed to help you expand your scholarly impact and connect with others working toward shared academic goals. 

• Research Pathways - The Research Pathways offer faculty focused support and collaboration opportunities across seven strategic themes—ranging from health and sustainability to border studies and data science—providing the resources and infrastructure to advance high-impact, meaningful research. 

• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) - The IACUC is responsible for ensuring the humane care and treatment of animals used in research, training, teaching, and biological testing, in compliance with ethical standards. 

• Institutional Review Board (IRB) - The IRB at UTRGV ensures that all research participants are treated ethically and assists researchers in incorporating human subjects’ protections in their study designs and implementations. 

• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) - The IBC reviews research involving recombinant DNA and biohazardous materials, ensuring that researchers follow best practices and safety protocols in the use of biological agents at UTRGV. 

• Forms, Policies & Guidelines - A comprehensive collection of forms, policies, guidelines, and procedures necessary for conducting research. These documents ensure compliance, aid in grant applications, and clarify regulations, providing support to faculty, staff, and students. 

• ARGO - ARGO streamlines the Sponsored Program Intake process, offering a user-friendly system that enhances workflow efficiency and accuracy in research and grant management. 

• Faculty Seed Research Grants - The purpose of the Faculty Seed Research Grant (FSRG) is to provide seed funding for faculty beginning new research, scholarly projects and creative works intended for publication, presentation/performance, and/or getting preliminary data to strengthen new proposals for external funding. 

Development 

• Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) - The University of Texas System sponsors two UTRGV cohorts to participate in this evidence-based, 25-week online program.

• New Faculty Academy - This program welcomes new full-time faculty with an introduction to the university’s mission, culture, and resources, along with workshops that support teaching, research, and campus connections. 

• NCFDD - Activate your NCFDD membership and access tools and resources for professional and personal success—available through our institutional plan for faculty. 

• Faculty Development Leave - Learn more about Faculty Development Leave, including eligibility, application procedures, and opportunities for professional growth and scholarly

Service

• University Academic Committees - View the current membership of UTRGV’s Academic Committees and Councils.

• UTRGV and the Community - Online portal where students, faculty, staff, and the community may explore the many ways UTRGV serves and learns with the community. 

Wellbeing

• Employee Wellness - View a range of employee wellness resources designed to support your well-being at UTRGV.  

• Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) - The Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) offers eligible full-time faculty financial support to pursue further education and professional development, helping to enhance their skills and advance their academic careers at UTRGV.  

• Women’s Faculty Network (WFN) - Learn more about the Women’s Faculty Network—supporting female faculty through community, advocacy, and opportunities for professional and personal growth. 

• University Recreation - University Recreation offers faculty access to programs, services, and facilities that promote active, healthy lifestyles, supporting overall well-being and work-life balance.