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POLICY 06:01:10

FACULTY PROFICIENCY IN ORAL AND WRITTEN ENGLISH

  1. Purpose
    Pellissippi State recognizes that the ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill necessary for all academic personnel to perform successfully in the classroom.
  2. Policy
    In accordance with TBR policy 5:02:01:03, Pellissippi State ensures all faculty members are proficient in oral and written English.
    Through the application and interview process, candidates for all faculty positions shall demonstrate the following:
    1. An ability to speak and write English clearly,
    2. An ability to understand written and spoken English,
    3. An ability to communicate effectively in an academic environment.
    For full-time tenure track faculty positions, the chief academic officer reviews the written application materials, interviews, and recommends candidates. The chief academic officer certifies in writing that the selected candidate is proficient in written and spoken English and that the candidate can communicate effectively in an academic environment.
    For adjunct or temporary full-time faculty positions, academic department deans, assistant deans, discipline chairs, or program coordinators review the written application materials, interview, and recommend candidates. The academic department dean or designee certifies in writing that the selected candidate is proficient in written and spoken English and can communicate effectively in an academic environment.
    The criteria are to be used strictly as a measure of the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively as an instructor and will not be used arbitrarily to disqualify applicants of certain nationalities.

Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 25, 2002
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, April 2, 2007
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, April 2, 2007
Editorial Changes, July 2008
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 31, 2014
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., March 31, 2014
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, August 10, 2020
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., August 10, 2020

Pellissippi State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), status as a protected veteran, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs and activities. View the nondiscrimination policy. 

Any Pellissippi State employee, applicant, or student who has reason to feel that they have been harassed or affected by discrimination, or who has any other concerns or questions about equal opportunity, should contact the following: Executive Director of Institutional Compliance, Title IX Coordinator/Title VI Officer/ADA Officer/ Pellissippi State Community College Goins Administration Building, Room 258 10915 Hardin Valley Road P.O. Box 22990 Knoxville, TN 37933-0990 Office: (865) 539-7354. Questions about services and facilities for students with disabilities should be directed to the following: Director of Disability Services Pellissippi State Community College Lamar Alexander Building, Room AL 136 10915 Hardin Valley Road P.O. Box 22990 Knoxville, TN 37933-0990 (865) 539-7153