Chapter 2: Governance

• The designations, “Marine Corps University” and “Education Command” refer to the same organization and subordinate elements; the difference is in regards to
  the scope of responsibility. Normally, the President, Marine Corps University is an active duty general officer and also exercises command authority as the
  Commanding General of Education Command. When the President, Marine Corps University is a civilian, however, the Chief of Staff exercises command authority
  as Commander, Education Command.

  The President, Marine Corps University is accountable to the Commandant of the Marine Corps for the development and implementation of Professional Military
  Education policy and programs for the Marine Corps and oversees all operations and affiliated directorates. Additionally, the President has been delegated by
  the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant of the Marine Corps as the hiring authority for all faculty members. The President also has classification authority
  for all Title 10 position descriptions, and serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Visitors. A complete description of the President’s role is provided in the
  MCU Organizational Handbook.

  As Commanding General, Education Command, the President, Marine Corps University, is responsible for the accomplishment of the University’s mission, the
  promulgation and execution of Marine Corps policies within the University, and the establishment and maintenance of good order and discipline among
  University members.

  Command Policies. The Commanding General, Education Command has established policy statements related to violence prevention; equal opportunity, which
  includes sexual assault prevention and response; and the unit, personal, and family readiness programs, which apply to both military and civilian faculty.
  More information about these and other administrative policies can be found on the University’s website: https://www.usmcu.edu.

Vice Presidential Functions

• Brief descriptions of vice presidential responsibilities are provided below. Further information about each vice presidential position is contained in separate staff
  regulations.

  Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA is the chief academic officer of the University. The VPAA manages Marine Corps University’s registrar,
  student services, and accreditation operations. Additionally, the VPAA supports academic policy development and provides oversight of curricular development
  and delivery.

  Vice President for Business Affairs (VPBA). The VPBA manages Marine Corps University’s business operations to include administration, manpower, facilities
  and logistics, and financial management.

  Vice President for Education Integration, Operations, and Plans (VPEIOP). The VPEIOP is responsible for coordinating academic operations, strategic planning,
  and institutional effectiveness (IE) for all Marine Corps University entities and retains tasking authority for the planning, synchronization, and conduct of
  educational activities throughout the enterprise.

  Vice President for Distance Learning (VPDL). The VPDL manages the design, delivery, and resourcing of the distance education programs within the Training
  and Education Continuum and provides informational and educational technology research, development, and support to the University.

Boards, Committees, and Councils

• The President, Marine Corps University directs the activities of Marine Corps University by means of executive authority informed by the policies and suggestions
  of the Board of Visitors, the Executive Steering Committee, the President’s Planning Council, and the Faculty Council.

  Board of Visitors. The Board of Visitors is chartered to provide advice and recommendations on the educational policies and activities of Marine Corps University.
  The Board of Visitors meets semiannually. Board members, who come from the fields of education, business, public service, industry, and the military professions,
  normally serve one-year renewable terms up to a maximum of four years. Faculty members in addition to the Faculty Council Chair are welcome and encouraged
  to participate, as meetings are open to the public. The Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as the Federal Officer for Board of Visitor affairs.

  Executive Steering Committee (ESC). The ESC membership consists of the Chief of Staff and the four University vice presidents. The Chief of Staff serves as
  the Executive Vice President. The Committee offers advice on academic and business plans, the feasibility of projects, and achievement of outcomes; ensures
  the scope of institutional plans align with stakeholder interests and that effort and expenditure are appropriate to stakeholder expectations; provides direction
  on academic and business projects and issues; evaluates project risks; performs risk management and mitigation; controls the effect of emergent issues;
  and reconciles differences in opinion and approach and resolve disputes arising from them.

  President’s Planning Council (PPC). The effectiveness of the University depends on the ability to anticipate change, conduct long-range planning, and monitor
  progress of the University’s Strategic Plan, which is the key to the growth of the University and serves as its roadmap for the future. The PPC is chaired by the
  President and consists of all ESC members, the directors of the PME programs and staff directorates, and the Chair of the University’s Faculty Council.
  The PPC is the mechanism by which the MCU Strategic Plan is approved and reviewed. The PPC also serves as the principal policy body within Marine Corps
  University for the integration of planning, budgeting, and evaluation. The PPC meets periodically to discuss requirements set forth in the MCU Academic
  Regulations. Faculty members are encouraged to consult this handbook for more information on the PPC.

  Faculty Council. A fully engaged faculty is essential for the ongoing intellectual development and governance of Marine Corps University. Faculty input in the
  form of creative ideas and innovative policy recommendations are absolutely critical to the future growth and development of the University. Consequently,
  the Faculty Council was established in order to give voice to the unique character of the input Marine Corps University’s civilian scholars and outstanding
  military professionals bring to the University community, and to take better advantage of the resources that this body collectively provides while serving as a
  vehicle for faculty input to the President, Marine Corps University. Within the University’s predominantly military culture, civilian faculty members and education
  staff offer academic excellence that broadens and deepens the character of the educational experience for students, faculty, and administrators alike.
  Military faculty provide a wealth of real-world, relevant operational expertise and leadership experience. The Faculty Council meets at least twice a year, or
  as needed, in order to identify faculty concerns and develop recommendations that may warrant presentation to the President, Marine Corps University during
  the PPC. More information on the Faculty Council can be found in the MCU Academic Regulations.

Academic Policies

• The MCU Academic Regulations should be referenced for a complete description of the overarching academic policies of Marine Corps University academic
  programs. Portions thereof are contained in this handbook.

  Academic Integrity. Academic integrity is a belief in academic honesty and an intolerance of acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception. It is the
  standard at Marine Corps University, for it rests upon an expectation that students and faculty will adhere to the core values and ethics embraced by the
  Marine Corps. Values such as honesty, fairness, and respect form the basis of academic integrity. Honesty encourages a free exchange of ideas to achieve
  intellectual enlightenment and fosters a willingness to engage collaboratively in the learning process, which involves sharing ideas in the quest for knowledge.
  Fairness is the foundation of educational inquiry. Respect allows for civility in public discourse. These values are fundamental elements sustaining the
  reputation and credibility of this institution’s students and faculty and the value of the education it delivers and the degrees it awards. Marine Corps University
  will pursue appropriate corrective courses of action for faculty or student cases of academic dishonesty. Further information regarding the University’s
  standards for academic integrity can be found in the MCU Academic Regulations.

  Academic Freedom. Academic freedom allows faculty, students, and staff within the University to pursue knowledge, speak, write, and explore complex and
  often controversial concepts and subjects. Academic freedom is an essential component for the exchange of intellectual ideas at MCU and is fundamental
  and essential to the health of the academic institution. The MCU Academic Regulations further clarify the University’s policy on academic freedom.

  Non-attribution. Non-attribution prevents any statement, comment, or remark from being attributed to participants (faculty, staff, students, or guest speakers)
  engaging in academic discourse in public media or forums, or knowingly transmitting attributed statements, comments, or remarks to persons who will enter
  statements into the public arena, unless specifically authorized to do so. Open expression requires trust that those thoughts and opinions are treated as
  privileged information not to be shared in other forums nor attributed to a specific individual. To facilitate candid expression and learning, the non-attribution
  policy applies to all Marine Corps University programs, sessions, and distributed materials in which guest speakers participate. The MCU Academic
  Regulations further clarify the University’s policy on non-attribution.

Administrative and Business Policies

• Applicable extracts from the University’s administrative and business policies are contained in this handbook. For a complete description, the appropriate
  policy should be referenced.

  Copyright Policy. All faculty members must adhere to the guidance in Marine Corps University’s copyright policy when making copyright determinations,
  when seeking copyright protection, and before submitting articles or materials for copyrighted publication. Questions related to specific copyright
  determinations will be addressed by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) legal office. Policy related to copyright protection for
  material created by faculty, staff, and students and for the use of copyrighted material within PME curricula can be found in the MCU Academic
  Regulations and in the University’s administrative and business operations policies which are accessible through the MCU Command Policies link on
  the MCU website:

  https://www.usmcu.edu/content/mcu-command-policies

  Human Resource Policies. Marine Corps University adheres to the applicable policies of the US Office of Personnel Management, the Department of
  Defense, and the Department of the Navy Civilian Human Resources regarding the appointment, employment, and evaluation of all civilian employees.
  The appointment, employment, and evaluation of Marine personnel are conducted in accordance with the Marine Corps Personnel Assignment Policy
  and the Marine Corps Performance Evaluation System. In addition, personnel assignment policies and performance evaluation systems of the Army,
  Navy, and Air Force may be applicable to other faculty and staff administrators and will be used accordingly. At a minimum, all military and civilian
  employees, faculty, and administrators will be evaluated annually in accordance with the appropriate performance review system.

  a. Equal Opportunity Employment. Marine Corps University fills its civilian positions based on merit and qualifications without discriminating on the
  basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, and national origin. Marine Corps University strives to promote an environment of professional growth, dignity,
  mutual respect, and moral integrity that is an inherent right to all military and civilian faculty members. This belief is incorporated in a command climate
  that inspires trust, collaboration, and satisfaction. The attitudes and actions of faculty members are critical in sustaining this climate. Faculty members
  should remain alert to potential violations, conscientiously avoid favoritism, and unhesitatingly address issues brought to their attention through the
  appropriate channels. Unfair treatment or unlawful discrimination of any kind at any time will not be tolerated.

  b. Code of Ethics. Employment at Marine Corps University is a public trust, requiring a sense of duty, selfless service, integrity, and the placing of public
  service before one's private or personal interests. Faculty members are expected to uphold the highest standards of public service. Faculty members
  appointed under Title 10 provisions are subject to the standards of conduct applicable to all federal employees covered in 5 CFR Parts 2635 and 3601,
  and Department of Defense Directive 5500.07. Failure to adhere to these standards of conduct may be cause for disciplinary action, including
  non-renewal and termination of a Title 10 appointment.

  c. Title 10 Employees. Chapter 4 provides key information applicable to staffing and managing civilian faculty members hired under the provisions of
  the Title 10, United States Code (USC), such as hiring procedures, academic ranks and qualification, appointment and reappointment,
  non-reappointment, termination and resignation, salary schedule, performance appraisals, promotions, and benefits. The Education Command
  On-boarding Guide, given to all new employees of Marine Corps University, provides specific information pertaining to new employee action items,
  time and attendance, required training, performance management, base information, and manpower management. The Civilian Management Office
  should be consulted for additional information pertaining to Title 10 employee positions.

  d. General Benefits Package for all Federal Employees. Title 10 civilian faculty members are entitled to leave, retirement, health insurance, life
  insurance benefits, and incentive awards on the same basis as other Federal employees. Title 10 civilian faculty may obtain information about all of
  their entitlements for Federal benefits by contacting the DON Employee Benefits Line at 1-888-320-2917 or by visiting the Employee Benefits
  Information System (EBIS) at http://www.civilianbenefits.hroc.navy.mil. Information is also available at http://www.opm.gov. Additionally, federal
  employees may contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and obtain information about that program at http://www.tsp.gov/index.shtml. Any faculty
  member converted from Title 5 to Tile 10 will retain all benefits as previously accrued. The office of the VPBA will direct faculty inquiries to the
  Human Resources and Organizational Management Office Quantico (HROMQ).

  e. Attire. MCU faculty are expected to dress in an appropriate and professional manner.

  (1) Military Faculty. Seasonal service uniform of the day is required for daily activities. Other military dress or civilian dress codes may be required
  depending on the activity or circumstances.

  (2) Civilian Faculty. Professional business attire is appropriate for daily activities. Other civilian dress codes may be required depending on the
  activity or circumstances.

  IT Environment. The primary information technology (IT) network support for Marine Corps University (MCU) is provided through the Education
  Network (.EDU). The .EDU provides a Local Area Network (LAN: current speed 1GBps) supporting the entire Quantico campus, computer
  workstations, specialized software along with all related infrastructure and support. The .EDU is connected to the wider world wide web by a
  Commercial Internet Service Provider (C-ISP: current speed 1GBps). The primary e-mail system for .EDU customers is Google Apps for
  Government (GAfG) whose use is governed by MCU policy letter 5-15. Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN, aka .MIL) access is
  provided primarily to staff who require .MIL access to fulfill their duties. The University also provides wireless Internet access (CampusNet)
  for faculty, staff, and students to support the MCU Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) decision, which affords personnel the use of personal
  electronic devices in the course of their duties. Additionally, at the GRC is a wireless commercial Internet access portal installed and maintained
  by Marine Corps Community Services that is available for connection of personally owned devices by library patrons. In addition to the
  information on user responsibilities and procedures provided below, administrative and business operations policies should be reviewed for a
  complete description of the IET directorate and its associated policies.

  a. User Responsibilities. All computer users at Marine Corps University, whether permanent staff and faculty or students, must abide by DoD,
  DON, Marine Corps, and Marine Corps University policies concerning the use of computer assets at the University. Due to the volume and
  dynamic nature of these policies, they are not provided in this document, but are made available through numerous sources, as required.
  The security of our official networks is critical to the uncompromised operation of those networks and all users bear a responsibility to help
  maintain that security.

  b. User Procedures. To provide the required level of IT support at Marine Corps University and comply with higher headquarters policy, the
  following procedures will be followed by all Marine Corps University personnel:

  (1) . All faculty members assigned to Marine Corps University who require a .EDU (or MCEN) user account must check in with IT in Room 1124,
  Warner Hall. This ensures that all accounts are properly assigned to Marine Corps University and that all user access and training requirements
  are met. Students should check in with their respective schools using procedures put in place by IT (this is normally a “one-stop” at the
  beginning of the AY). All permanent personnel with MCEN accounts departing Marine Corps University must also check out with IT.
  Failure to do so will result in deactivation of the user’s MCEN account.

  (2) Troubleshooting Computer Problems. The IT helpdesk is manned 12 hours a day to answer routine and non-routine IT issues.
  For assistance, users can fill out a trouble ticket request via the IT Help Ticket System or call the IT helpdesk at 432-4866.