How to Choose a Staffing Formula
Staffing Formula Worksheet
Staffing Formulas, also known as Course Classifications, determine the character and size of your class. Because the choice of Staffing Formula also has consequences for faculty workload, be sure to consult with the chair of your department before submitting your course proposal.
The most commonly used Staffing Formulas include:
- C1: Large Lecture – Courses in any discipline. 1 class hour per unit of credit per week.
- C2: Lecture discussion – Lecture courses in any discipline in which class participation is a planned portion of the instructional method. 1 class hour per unit of credit per week.
- C4: Discussion – Courses in any discipline in which student participation (discussion) is the primary instructional method. 1 class hour per unit of credit per week.
- C5: Seminar – Courses in any discipline using seminar methods of instruction. 1 class hour per unit of credit per week.
Increasingly useful for departments proposing or revising High Impact Practice courses are Staffing Formulas such as:
S1, S2, or S3 (formerly S48/S36/S25): S-Factor courses are assigned when the mode of instruction involves direct one-on-one contact between faculty and student. The average amount of faculty time per student referenced in the definitions includes faculty preparations, evaluation, travel, and liason with agencies when necessary. An S-2 category, for example, would be chosen for a course that requires of the instructor an average of one hour per week of activity with each individual supervised student. The faculty member would receive one-half WTU for each student. Please see page 4 of this worksheet for further information.
C78: Non-traditional instruction, examination, or evaluation (workload is assigned). Courses which generate credit by examination, or evaluation, or which are taught in modes described by the formulas. Faculty workload is assigned. Weekly class hours per unit of credit varies.
Supervision Course Categories and WTU Generation
| Category | Number of students per | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| New | Old | 1 WTU | 12 WTU* |
| S-1 | S-48 | 4 | 48 |
| S-2 | S-36 | 3 | 36 |
| S-3 | S-25 | 2 | 24 |
| S-4 | None | 1.5 | 18 |
| S-5 | S-23 | 1 | 12 |
For coding purposes on curricular proposal forms, APDB and Class Schedule, the following CS numbers need to be used:
- S-1 = S-48
- S-2 = S-36
- S-3 = S-25
- S-4 = S-24
- S-5 = S-23
* Each number in this column is the S Factor (by category) to be used in the workload formula for Supervision classes, based on 12 WTU standard.
Memorandum of Understanding
The California State University and the California Faculty Association agree that in the calculation of faculty workload, the following definitions shall be used in describing instruction involving one-on-one contact between faculty and student.
S-Factor Definitions
S-Factor courses are assigned when the mode of instruction involves direct oneon-one contact between faculty and student.The average amount of faculty time per student referenced in the definitions includes faculty preparation, evaluation, travel, and liaison with agencies when necessary.
S-1. This category maybe used for any supervision that requires of the instructor * an average of three-quarters of one hour per week of activity with each individual supervised student. The faculty member would receive one-third WTU for each student.
S-2. This category may be used for any supervision that requires of the instructor an average of one hour per week of activity with each individual supervised student. The faculty member would receive one-third WTU for each student.
S-3. This category is restricted to supervision as a primary technique of instruction in requiring of the instructor an intensity of supervision resulting in an average of on and one-half hours per week with each supervised student or in liaison with school or agency personnel. The faculty member would receive one-half WTU for each student.
S-4. This category is restricted to supervision as a primary technique of instruction in which the instructor assumes direct responsibility for the activities of the student, and that requires of the instructor an intensity of supervision resulting in an average of two hours per week with each supervised student or in liaison with agency personnel. The faculty member would receive two-thirds WTU for each student.
S-5. This category is restricted to supervision as a primary technique of instruction in which the instructor assumes direct responsibility for the activities of the student, and that requires of the instructor an intensity of supervision resulting in an average of three hours per week with each supervised student or in liaison with agency personnel. The faculty member would receive one WTU for each student