In Spring 2016, the University revised its policy on External Professional Activity. The policy defines external professional activity as “compensated or uncompensated activity that (a) is performed outside the scope of the faculty member’s primary responsibilities at Boston University and (b) relates to the research, creative work, teaching, or service for which the faculty member is compensated by the University.” The revised policy requires advance permission by the Dean of any external teaching or course development by a faculty member employed by Boston University for at least 50 percent time.
To comply with this policy, faculty looking to participate in external teaching or course development should submit the CAS External Teaching Approval Form to the Office of Faculty Actions for approval as soon as practicable after the faculty member is offered an external teaching or course development opportunity to allow time for review—and before acceptance of such an offer is made.
There are two exceptions to this policy. First, the requirement for pre-approval does not apply to single guest lectures, seminars, or workshops. Second, in the case of summer activity, pre-approval is still required, but it will be based solely on factors (2) and (3) if the applicant is not being compensated by BU for work conducted during the summer.
For faculty members employed by Boston University for at least 50 percent time, but less than 100 percent time, it is reasonable that a strict 20 percent limitation should not apply; the Dean will rely instead on other explanatory language in the policy (e.g., whether the time commitment required by the outside professional activities prevents fulfillment of primary responsibilities).