Guidance on faculty office hours

February 6, 2026 by Office of the Provost

student writes on white board while faculty member watches

Dear VCU faculty:

We hope your spring semester is off to a great start.

The purpose of this message is to address the topic of office hours. It is designed to complement VCU’s protocols on course modalities, which are posted to this blog and located in chapter 2 of the Academic Affairs Handbook.

Here are the primary points to know.

Deans may work within their academic unit structures to operationally define this guidance and review and approve exceptions to these guidelines. If needed, deans may consult with the Office of the Provost before making final decisions.

All full-time and part-time VCU faculty members who are teaching courses will maintain open office hours.
1. Excluded courses include clinical/practicum courses, independent studies, directed research or other types of courses where office hours do not apply.

“By appointment” office hours do not count as open office hours; they are considered additional office hours. Faculty are encouraged to be as accessible as possible to students by appointment who are unable to attend open office hours.

Open office hours must be offered in the same modality as the course.
1. In-person courses require in-person office hours.
2. Fully online courses require fully online office hours.
3. Hybrid courses require a mix of office hours that mirror how the course is delivered, with the preponderance of office hours having an in-person component.

As a general principle, faculty will offer a minimum of two open office hours weekly for each 3-4 credit course they are teaching.
1. Faculty are encouraged to spread the open office hours evenly throughout the week.
2. Department chairs are responsible for ensuring that faculty are maintaining open office hours in the appropriate modality, quantity, and frequency.

Office hours must be posted in the syllabus, the Canvas LMS and on the faculty member’s office door where students can readily locate them.

Open office hours are a crucial part of student success, and fundamental to the college experience.

Thank you for all you do to promote student success. We hope this office hours guidance will provide you with what you need to ensure a positive instructional experience.

Best regards,

Andrew T. Arroyo, Ed.D.
Senior vice provost for academic affairs

Kathleen Moritz Rudasill, Ph.D.
Senior vice provost for faculty affairs