Email Accounts
You will receive your login information and a temporary password from the Office of Human Resources. This cannot occur until individuals submit all paperwork to human resources.
All instructors are expected to use OTC email for work and class-related communication. The expectation is that email will be read frequently, as the college will use email to provide timely communications with faculty.
OTC email can be accessed anywhere there is Internet access by going to MyOTC and using the email login button.
The OTC Acceptable Use Policy governs all electronic communications and provides user advisories regarding user responsibilities, privacy expectations, privacy protections, privacy limits and security considerations. Individuals should consider this as a starting point. The college strives enhance the communication capabilities for students, faculty and staff.
Human Resources Documents
Please contact the human resources department at HR@otc.edu for all the forms that should be completed prior to employment. Employee benefits are explained on their webpage.
Canvas
Canvas is a learning platform, or learning management system (LMS), used to deliver course materials via the Internet. Courses can be delivered entirely online, taught partially online as hybrid courses, or enhanced using selected its features.
Instructors can access Canvas through the MyOTC portal. For more information or assistance logging into MyOTC, please contact the OTC Help Desk by email at helpdesk@otc.edu or at 417.447.7548. For Canvas support, contact OTC Online by email at online@otc.edu or at 417.447.8200. For instructional design support, contact the Center for Academic Innovation by email at facdev@otc.edu or 417.447.4800. This contact information is valuable and instructors should include this information in their course syllabi and course resource area. Other resources for Canvas can be found for students at the OTC Online website. Additional resources for faculty can be found at the Center for Academic Innovation website
MyOTC
MyOTC is a portal that offers fast and easy access to resources at OTC, with a secure single login. Individuals can find information about MyOTC on Intra and through Online Help. MyOTC is an essential tool to the OTC community and contains the following resources:
- MyOTC provides information to faculty, staff and students. Faculty can submit grades and other important class-related information within MyOTC. They can also submit class, student advisement and personal information here. Employees will access their pay advices and W-2 forms here.
- Storage is an area where individuals can save documents. Projects can be worked on anywhere there is Internet access and stored in this location. After uploading a file, it is important to remember when making changes to the file, the file should be saved and re-uploaded into the MyOTC storage area to have the most recent copy stored.
- Resources is a tab that provides access to various library research databases and IT resources.
- Emergency Notification is a messaging system which alerts faculty, students and staff to school emergencies and closings.
- Webmail is an avenue to access your email.
- Blackboard is OTC’s online learning platform.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar for the year can be viewed at the academic calendar link. Occasionally, changes to the calendar are not necessary. Please check this link periodically.
Course Syllabi Creation
Each instructor will prepare a course syllabus for every course taught.
Instructors must post all course syllabi to the Canvas site for each course two (2) days prior to the beginning of class. Please remember, instructors cannot post a syllabus to Canvas until the department chair/program director and/or lead instructor approves it. After which, they should send a final copy to the appropriate dean’s office.
Instructors provide the syllabus to the students as a guide for the expectations of the course. Both students and instructors should consider this document as contract of the course. Examples of policy statements can be found in the Syllabus Template.
Testing Services
The Testing Center, which is located in the Information Commons East, Room 123A&B, is a resource available for faculty members who have students that need to take online proctored exams and students with disabilities who require testing accommodations through the Disability Support Services (DSS) office.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Testing Services staff through email at testingservices@otc.edu or by phone at 417.447.8187.
Grading Scale
OTC uses common grading scales within divisions. The grading scale for each course appears on the course abstract template which is available on the Curriculum Development forms. Please reference Policy 2.70 – Grading System for information on grades provided by the institution.
Cancellation of a Class
Instructors are not to cancel a class session.
If you are aware of an absence ahead of time OTC expects the instructor to make educationally sound alternative assignments or have another instructor meet the class. If you become ill, please contact your division office so that arrangements can be made for your class. Upon returning, you will be expected to request Sick Leave through the Time Clock Plus system.
The course abstract includes the course title, number, number of credit hours and course objectives. Instructors will use all of this information when developing a course syllabus. Please click Course Abstracts to access them.
Complete attendance requirements are explained in Policy 2.61. OTC requires all instructors to keep an electronic gradebook through Canvas.
Policy 2.20 explains the need for comprehensive final examinations.
The final exam schedule can be located on the webpage. OTC expects instructors to utilize the final exam period scheduled for each course section that they teach.
Administrative Withdrawal
Please refer to Board of Trustees Policy, Administrative Withdrawal from a Course, for complete information.
Please refer to the Attendance and Administrative Withdrawal Resources website for procedures of Administrative withdrawal.
For more information, contact Dr. Gavin O’Connor at oconnorg@otc.edu.
Note: Students should be aware that administrative withdrawal for lack of attendance or non-participation may reduce the amount of financial aid they receive, delay their graduation, or necessitate repayment of aid already received and does not relieve their obligation to pay all tuition and fees due to the College.
Academic Integrity
OTC expects students and faculty of Ozarks Technical Community College to behave as responsible members of the college community as well as honesty and ethical conduct in their academic work. OTC faculty strive to provide students with the knowledge, skills, judgment, and wisdom they need to participate meaningfully in society as educated adults. To falsify or fabricate the results of one’s research; to present the words, ideas, data, or work of another as one’s own; or to cheat on an examination corrupts the essential process of higher education.
Guidelines and more information related to academic integrity are available in the College Catalog/Student Handbook, on the OTC Academic Integrity website and in Board of Trustee’s Policy, Standards of Student Conduct.
Payroll & Benefits
All OTC employees must have payroll directly deposited into a personal checking or savings account. Payment will not be issued until all the necessary paperwork has been completed through the Human Resources Offices. If you are not sure if your paperwork is complete, contact Human Resources at 417.447.2632. All pay dates are posted on OTC website on the Payroll Department webpage.
Each semester, final pay will be withheld until final grades have been reported.
Benefits are explained on Human Resources’ Employee Benefits webpage or by contacting HR@otc.edu.
Tobacco-Free Policy
OTC became a tobacco-free campus August 1, 2003. Please review the Tobacco-Free Campus Policy for further information.
Unlocking Classrooms/Key
Classroom keys are available to faculty for the rooms(s) in which they teach. You may request a key by contacting your department chair, program director or through your division office.
Instructors must keep classrooms and labs locked when not in use.
OTC requires faculty to turn in classroom keys to the Human Resources office if they no longer teach in the room for which it was issued or if they leave employment with the college.
Instructor Evaluations
Because the college cares about the quality of student learning as well as continuous improvement of instruction, each employee will be evaluated on a regular basis. Information regarding the procedures related to performance evaluations and deadlines will be provided by the Human Resource office.
Supply Requisitions
Your dean will coordinate all requests for classroom supplies and equipment. Individuals must obtain a purchase order before they make any purchases. Consumables, such as pencils and paper, will be available in the division office.
Electronic Grade Book
OTC requires all instructors to keep an electronic gradebook through Canvas.
Questions about Canvas Gradebook? Contact online@otc.edu or 417.447.8198.
FERPA
In 1974, Congress passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment. It applies to all educational agencies or institutions, including Ozarks Technical Community College, that receive funds under any program administered by the Secretary of Education. FERPA governs what information instructors may release. However, it does not require the release of any information.
It grants four specific rights to a postsecondary student. They have the right to:
- Inspect and review his or her education record
- Seek to amend his or her education record
- Consent to disclosure of his/her records
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA
It’s Your Responsibility
As a faculty or staff member, you have a legal responsibility under FERPA to protect the confidentiality of student educational records in your possession. You have access to student information only for legitimate use in the completion of your responsibilities as a college employee. Need to know is the basic principle.
As a faculty or staff member, you have a legal responsibility under FERPA to protect the confidentiality of student educational records in your possession including those in electronic format. You have access to student information only for legitimate use in the completion of your responsibilities as a College employee. Your access to student information, including your own grade book information, is based on your faculty or staff role within the college. You may not release student information to any third party outside your departmental unit.
The law considers student educational records (other than college defined directory information) confidential. Therefore, instructors are not to release information without written consent of the student.
Some practical things to keep in mind:
Grades:
Grades
Instructors should not display students’ scores or grades publicly. Even with names obscured, the law considers numeric student identifiers personally identifiable information. Therefore, teachers must not use them. Grades, transcripts or degree audits for purposes of advisement should not be placed in plain view.
Papers:
Papers
Instructors should not leave out grades, papers or tests in plain view nor should students sort through the documents of other students in order to retrieve their own work.
Class rosters/grade sheets:
Class Rosters/Grade Sheets
Instructors should handle these and other reports in a confidential manner. Moreoever, teachers should not disclose the information to any third party.
Parents:
Parents
Parents, spouses and other relations do not have a right to information contained in a student’s education record.
This information is intended to provide general information and to acquaint faculty and staff with some of the privacy issues surrounding students’ educational records. OTC does not intend this as a substitute for legal advice on any particular issue.
If you are in doubt about a request for student information, contact the Office of the Registrar at 417.447.6903.
Sexual Harassment
IMPORTANT: All adjunct and full-time faculty members must complete an online anti-harassment training each year.
The Preventing Sexual Harassment Exam is found on the Human Resources portion of the website. Individuals should send the completed certificate to the Human Resources Office before receiving your first payroll. Employees should complete the exam on an annual basis in January.
In addition, OTC requires full-time faculty members to attend “live” anti-harassment presentations. Adjunct faculty members may view a video presentation on Blackboard.
Please see the Sexual Harassment policy in the Policies and Procedures Manual.
Please see the Personal Relationships policy in the Policies and Procedures Manual.
If you have additional questions concerning OTC’s Sexual Harassment Policy, please contact Human Resources at 417.447.2631 or the Office of Equity and Compliance at 417-447-8188.
Behavior Intervention Team/Counseling
OTC encourages faculty to call on OTC’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) when a student’s behavior rises to a level of concern. The BIT provides our faculty, staff and students a vehicle to more easily identify students in distress and report a student’s behavior(s) of concern in a very simple, confidential manner using an electronic reporting system. Detailed information about recognizing, responding to and referring students in distress as well as how to report students whose behaviors are of concern can be found at the OTC Cares pages . You may also contact the BIT help line at 417.447.6697.
In addition, Counseling Services provides numerous supportive resources to assist members of the OTC Community. OTC offers services on a regular basis at the Springfield and Richwood Valley campuses, with distance counseling for the Table Rock, Lebanon and Waynesville locations. The main office location in on the Springfield Campus in ICW 219. They can be contacted at 417.447.6974 or via email at counseling@otc.edu.
Emergency Notification
Emergency Notification is a messaging system that OTC put into place to alert students, faculty and staff of school emergencies and closings. Participation in this system is voluntary but OTC highly recommends it. To sign up, go to MyOTC and click on the “Emergency Notification” tab.