Adjunct Faculty Toolbox

About UNC

On April 1, 1889, the governor of Colorado signed the bill creating the State Normal School to train qualified teachers for the state's public schools. Greeley citizens raised the necessary money for the first building, and the cornerstone was laid on June 13, 1890. The school opened its doors on October 6 with a staff of four instructors and 96 students. Certificates were granted upon the completion of a two year course. In 1970 the final name change, to University of Northern Colorado, took place.

Approximately 13,000 students attend UNC, including over 10,000 undergraduate students and more than 2,000 graduate students, from 61 of 64 counties in Colorado, all 50 states, and 28 countries. The student population is 62 percent female, 38 percent male and 19 percent minorities. UNC's student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. Sixteen hundred full- and part-time faculty and staff members value personal attention as a key to learning, and dedicate themselves to providing an environment for university students in which such attention receives a central pedagogical focus.

UNC's diverse student groups create a broad and varied mosaic that patterns every facet of university life. In addition to traditionally-aged college students, UNC serves nontraditional students - including adult learners, working adults, and professionals - who constitute 12% of the student population. Of UNC's student population, 34% are first generation students. UNC affords all of its students life-long learning opportunities in convenient, high quality, flexible learning environments, from on-campus degree programs, to individual online courses, to complete online degrees, licensure and certificate programs, many offered in accelerated formats to fit students' varied lifestyles.

 Schools and Colleges

• College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) 
• Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)
• Monfort College of Business (MCB)
• Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) 
• Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) 
• University Libraries (UL) 
• Graduate School 
• Extended Campus  

Bear Number 

Your Bear Number is a permanent, unique, nine-digit number that identifies you as a member of the University community. It is used to identify you in University computer systems. Your Bear Number never changes and is never reused. Please see the administration assistant(s) in your hiring department for information about acquiring your Bear Number.

UNC Card 

Your UNC Card is much more than just a normal identification card - it's the UNC employee's connection to campus life and community amenities. All faculty members can use the card as a banking card, library card, and door access (key) card, among other conveniences. To obtain the UNC card, you will need to have written communication initiated from your hiring department sent to the UNC card office. Once the card office receives authorization, you may visit the UNC card office and get your ID card. Be sure to take your Bear number with you and be ready to have your picture taken.  For those faculty working strictly off-campus or online, card issuance must be obtained through the appropriate college’s Dean’s office by request.

Ursa 

Ursa is the University of Northern Colorado's online single point of access to find information and resources for students, faculty and staff.  Instructors use Ursa’s Faculty Tab and Faculty Dashboard to review class rosters, enter grades, edit syllabi and office hour information, email students enrolled in their courses, and perform degree evaluations for advising, which supplements other available faculty, advising, and employee benefits tools. You need your first.last to gain access to Ursa.

Canvas

Canvas is UNC's Learning Management System (LMS).  Canvas can be used to deliver instructional content, collaborate and communicate online, track and assess student work, as well as facilitate course administration. Canvas serves as a powerful tool to all classroom types from fully online courses to hybrid classroom models such as blended and flipped classrooms.  Canvas is also helpful as a tool in traditional face-to-face classes.  If you are new to using Canvas take some time to review the Canvas User Guides.

This section of the toolkit will link you to employee services . To get started, go through the New Employee Checklist to make sure that you have your bear number, email address, ID card, parking pass, and keys. Links to the necessary offices and contact information are included in this section of the toolkit.  

• Bookstore 
• Dining Services 
• Human Resources 
• Information Management & Technology 
• Library 
• Office of Research 
• Parking 
• Payroll 
• Campus Recreation 

In Case of Emergency

• Emergency Preparedness 
• Campus Police 

This section will guide you to offices that can help support your work in the classroom, from managing students to curriculum and assessment.  

Instructor Support

• Dean of Students 
• Disability Resource Center 
• Registrar
• Final Exam Schedule
• Grades

Teaching Resources

• Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning
• Instructional Design & Development 
• Office of Assessment 
• Teaching Toolkit 
• Assessment Toolkit 
• Syllabus Resources for Faculty 
• UNC Bookstore

Library Services for Faculty

Course Reserves and Library Instruction Requests  

This section guides you to offices on campus that can help support your students.  Students have access to Disability Resource Center and free counseling services.  Students also have access to the library, writing center, and various tutoring services.

• Disability Resource Center 
• Counseling 
• Library 
• Math Tutoring Lab 
• Tutoring Services 
• Writing Center

The Board Policy Manual and University Regulations outline UNC's policies and procedures concerning employment and University governance.

FERPA  

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.