6.0 FACULTY AWARDS, HONORS AND GRANTS

6.1 Honorary Degrees (Board of Trustees, May, 1987) (amended by SD5500S and SD0289F)

Honorary degrees are awarded by UNCA in three categories:

1. Recognition of scholarly or intellectual achievement and contribution to the world of arts, letters, science, drama, music, etc.
2. Recognition of contribution to the civic, political, economics, or cultural leadership of the Asheville community and/or specific interests in the development of UNCA.
3. Recognition of a speaker at a major university event such as commencement, special convocation, etc.

Doctoral degrees honoris causa are granted by the University with the approval of the UNCA Board of Trustees who would act on the recommendations of the Chancellor.  The "Delegation of Duty and Authority to Boards of Trustees," adopted 7/7/72 by the UNC Board of Governors, provides as follows with regard to honorary degrees, awards, and distinctions:

The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for approving the names of all individuals on whom it is proposed that an honorary degree or other honorary or memorial distinction be conferred by the institution, subject to such policies as established by the Board of Governors.

Nominations or suggestions of persons to receive honorary degrees are welcomed from all persons interested in the welfare and stature of the University: faculty, trustees, students, and others. The names of persons nominated or suggested are to be reviewed by the Chancellor who submits them to the Board of Trustees.  Initial responsibility for receiving and reviewing the recommendations is delegated to the External Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees. At its discretion, however, the Board may elect to act as a Committee-of-the-whole in considering nominations for honorary degree recipients.

The Board of Trustees awards the honorary degrees and the Chancellor has the responsibility of notifying the proposed recipients of this action. If for any reason the Chancellor were unable to arrange for the degree to be awarded at the scheduled time, he is authorized to postpone the awarding of the degree for no more than one year if the recipient were unable to appear at the previously scheduled time. A maximum of three honorary degrees may be awarded by the institution in any calendar year, unless an exception were made by the Board of Trustees.

6.2 Special Awards/Professorships

6.2.1 Breman Professor

The Sara and Joseph Breman Foundation and the Helen and Coleman Zageir Foundation have provided a permanent endowment for the Sara and Joseph Breman Professorship of Social Relations. This professorship is awarded for a two-year term to a faculty member residing in one of the Social Science departments listed in the endowment document.  A call for applications is made during the fall semester of the Breman Professor's second year. Applications are reviewed the following spring by the VCAA in consultation with the chairs of the named Social Science departments.  The Breman Professor is named in the spring and his or her term begins the subsequent fall.

6.2.2 Feldman Professor (formerly 6.2.6) (SD2493S)

Each year the full-time, ranked faculty of UNCA shall select two of its members for receipt of the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship Fund prize. This award will honor those faculty who have excelled in one or both of the following fields:

1. Service to the community and to UNCA; and,
2. Demonstrated competence in the areas of teaching, research and published writings.

The selection of these two individuals is the responsibility of the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship Review Committee whose composition and procedures are described in Section 10.3.4. The awards are bestowed at the final spring faculty meeting. Recipients of the award will be listed in the UNCA catalog in a section describing the Ruth & Leon Feldman Professorship Fund.

Money from the Ruth & Leon Feldman Fund shall not be used to support the UNCA Distinguished Teacher Award.

6.2.3 NEH Professor

Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the title of NEH professor is bestowed as a reward for scholarship and teaching in the Humanities. The NEH professor teaches a reduced class load (typically 2 courses each semester) and assists with faculty development in the Humanities area. The appointment is made by the VCAA for a term of 3 years. The title currently is held by the Director of Humanities Program.

6.2.4 Teaching Awards

UNCA selects seven faculty each year for recognition of teaching excellence.  The first award listed, the UNCA Distinguished Teacher Award, was created by UNCA's Faculty Senate in 1981 (SD3381).  The remaining awards are derived from UNC Administrative Memorandum #343 (4/29/94) as specified in SD0194F.

All teaching award activity (i.e. calls for nominations, review of applications) are conducted by a Teaching Awards Committee, composed of teaching award winners during previous years.  The Teaching Awards Committee solicits nominations from students, faculty and alumni each fall and spring.  Applications are reviewed and awards are bestowed each spring.

6.2.4.1 UNCA Distinguished Teacher Award (SD3381)

This is UNCA's original teaching award, presented during Spring Commencement to a member of the Faculty who is judged a "Distinguished Teacher." A monetary award accompanies this recognition and all Distinguished Teachers are listed in the UNCA catalog. This award reflects the high priority and importance placed on teaching at UNCA.  Any full-time faculty member (Lecturer, Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor) shall be eligible, except for those faculty who have previously won the award.

The concept of a Distinguished Teacher Award carries with it certain assumptions, among which are:

1. Teaching is an art; no exact measurement or measuring devices can ever assure an objective determination of successful teaching since no definition of good teaching is ever wholly accurate or even desirable; effectiveness in the classroom carries with it the indefinable factors of character, personality, enthusiasm, and creativity.

2. The selection of an outstanding teacher by one's peers and one's students will always involve a degree of subjectivity; there can be no guarantee that in any given year, the award will recognize the single best instructor on campus; instead, the award will recognize one outstanding teacher; over a period of years, the probability is that a variety of good instructors from various fields will have an equal opportunity for recognition.

3. The selection process requires a trust in our colleagues; we must assume that those on the Review Committee will act professionally and in the best interest of the faculty and the university. 

4. In spite of inherent flaws in attempting to offer an award where total objectivity cannot be guaranteed, such an award is highly desirable; merit always deserves recognition, and the university benefits from the public acknowledgement that we value and emphasize quality in the classroom.

6.2.4.2 Board of Governors' Award for Teaching Excellence (UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, 4/29/94) (SD0194F)

UNC Administrative Memorandum #343 (4/29/94) created a set of system-wide teaching awards known as the Board of Governors' Awards.  Each one bestows a monetary award of $7,500 on the faculty member selected by the constituent institution as the Board of Governors' Distinguished Teacher.  The award is presented each spring in a ceremony at the Board of Governors office.  Eligibility is restricted to tenured faculty who have taught at their constituent institutions for at least seven years.

6.2.4.3 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities (SD0194F)

One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Humanities division department with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Humanities Division includes the following departments: Art, Classics, Drama, Foreign Languages, History, Humanities, Library, Literature and Language, Mass Communication, Music, Philosophy (UNCA Faculty Handbook 1.5). Award amount: $1,750.

6.2.4.4 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Natural Sciences (SD0194F)

One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Natural Sciences division department with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Natural Sciences Division includes the following departments: Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Physics (UNCA Faculty Handbook 1.5). Award amount: $1,750.

6.2.4.5 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences (SD0194F)

One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Social Sciences division department with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Social Sciences Division includes the following departments: Economics, Education, Health and Fitness, Management, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology (UNCA Faculty Handbook 1.5). Award amount: $1,750.

6.2.4.6 Award for Excellent Teaching by an Untenured Faculty Member (SD0194F)

One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time untenured faculty, regardless of appointment status, with a rank of lecturer or higher are eligible for this award. Award amount: $1,750.

6.2.4.7 Award for Excellent Teaching by a Non-Full-Time Faculty Member (SD0194F)

One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all non-full-time faculty, regardless of appointment status, are eligible for this award. Award amount: $1,750.

6.2.5 Distinguished Service Award (SD0700F)

Because faculty service is integral to every aspect of our campus's operations, and because it complements teaching and research in the overall development of individual faculty members and the faculty as a whole, the Faculty Senate established the University Service Council (see Section 10.3.7) and included as part of its charge the establishment of an annual award for distinguished service.  Procedures and criteria are in development.

6.2.6 Oliver Max Garner Award - Board of Governors

The Oliver Max Garner Award is a distinction granted yearly by the Board of Governors to a faculty member on one of the sixteen campuses who has "made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race" during the year.  Nomination of a UNCA faculty member for this award is made to the Chancellor by the Distinguished Scholars Committee (see Section 10.3.1).

6.3  Visiting Professorships

6.3.1 Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educator (formerly 6.2.2)

The Verna E. Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educators Fund brings persons of distinguished achievement in education to interact with faculty, students and the general public.  The Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educator is selected by the Education Department faculty in consultation with the VCAA.

6.3.2 Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Professor (formerly 6.2.7)

The Allene and William E. Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund brings persons of distinguished achievement for residency at UNCA, at which time they will interact with faculty, students, and the community and will be a source of intellectual stimulation for both campus and community. The Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar is selected by the Distinguished Scholars Committee (see Section 10.3.1).

6.4  Endowed Professorships

6.4.1 Belk Professor (Humanities)

The Carol G. Belk Distinguished Professorship in Humanities was endowed by Irwin Belk in honor of his wife. Subtitled "Ethics In Contemporary Cultures," the Belk Professorship is given to an individual who can share his or her knowledge of the history, development and function of ethics and ethical systems in contemporary world cultures. The Belk Professor may come from any discipline and must have substantial accomplishment in undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship, and campus and community leadership. Duties include teaching two classes per semester, including courses in the Humanities program, scholarship, support of undergraduate research and faculty development activities. No term of appointment is specified.

6.4.2 Carson Professor (Natural Sciences)

The Phillip G. Carson Distinguished Professor in Science may be awarded in any discipline in UNCA's natural sciences division, preferably to an individual whose specialty area stresses interdisciplinary learning. Identified as both a teacher and a scholar, the Carson Professor must have a strong commitment to undergraduate education and to undergraduate research, and is expected to have a wide impact on the university community and the state. Duties include regular teaching of both upper and lower level courses (number of courses not specified), scholarship, support of undergraduate research, faculty development activities, and some public responsibilities. The appointment also provides separate funding for additional expenses. No term of appointment is specified.

6.4.3 Glaxo Professor (Natural Sciences)

The Glaxo Wellcome Professorship in Undergraduate Research may be awarded in any discipline in the physical and natural sciences, preferably to an individual whose expertise can enhance interdisciplinary learning and scholarship. The Glaxo Wellcome Professor is expected to take the lead role in facilitating interdisciplinary science and undergraduate science research. Evidence of commitment to undergraduate education, undergraduate research, and the liberal arts is essential. Preference is given to those with a proven record of securing external funds. Duties include teaching four courses a year (lower and upper division), scholarship, support of undergraduate research, faculty development activities, and some public responsibilities. The appointment is for five years, renewable for a second five years.

6.5  Institutional grants

6.5.1 University Research Council Grants (formerly 6.2.8)

Intramural Faculty Research Award Policies (1982-83)

1. All proposals are to be received by 4:30 p.m. on February 14 or the next business day following the 14th whenever the 14th falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
2. Proposals will be submitted to the Office of Special Academic Programs (SAP) within the Department of University Relations.
3. Anyone who submits a proposal will receive notification of receipt of his/her proposal from SAP.
4. Publicity of the Intramural Faculty Research award opportunity will be the responsibility of the University Research Council (URC) and selection of proposals for funding will be made by the URC members with the approval of the VCAA.
5. Faculty members receiving Intramural Faculty Research awards will be notified by the VCAA.
6. Support should be acknowledged in publications resulting from intramural faculty research grants and one copy of each such publication should be donated to the URC.
7. When the grant period is completed, a final report must be submitted to the URC within thirty days. Requests for extension of the grant period must be received in writing by SAP on or before the end of the grant period.
8. Committee members serving on the URC who submit a proposal to the Intramural Faculty Research Program will be disqualified from the proposal review process. The disqualified members will be replaced by past URC committee members from the same or a closely related academic discipline.

6.5.2 University Teaching Council Grants (formerly 6.2.9)

Each year, if funds are available, the University Teaching Council accepts requests for funds for teaching related activities. Contact the University Teaching Council for more information.

6.5.3 Computer and Telecommunications Committee Grants (formerly 6.2.3)

Each year on a funds available basis, the Computer and Telecommunications Committee awards computer hardware and software to faculty on a competitive basis. A notice is distributed to all faculty asking them to apply for these funds. Priority is given to those requests that relate to classroom use and student involvement.

6.6 FORMS for Section 6.0

No forms for this section.