SLIM Instructor Manual

The purpose of this manual is to provide various guidelines for those persons contracted by the School of Library & Information Management to serve as instructors in the different degree and certificate programs offered by the school.The intent is not to limit or restrict, but simply to make routine matters flow as easily as possible so that you can concentrate on teaching classes.This manual primarily addresses issues unique to teaching for SLIM and faculty are encouraged to also review the Emporia State University Policy Manual at http://www.emporia.edu/acadaff/employee_policy_manual.htm

The students in the School of Library & Information Management (SLIM) are adult learners. The typical SLIM student is between thirty-five and forty years of age and was out of school for at least five years before starting the MLS program. More than 90% of our students live at least 50 miles from our home campus and more than 80% are working full-time outside of their home.Students tell us that being able to access the syllabus and readings well in advance of the course meeting dates and that receiving timely replies to inquiries made by telephone or e-mail is extremely important to them.

SLIM uses a learning model best suited to the needs of our students through which we take the campus to the students rather than asking the students to come to the campus.The model thus requires more of the instructors in terms of travel and adaptability.The goal of the SLIM administrative team and the Directors of various programs is to make sure that teaching and learning is not a stressful experience for instructor or student.