Senate Document Number 3404S

Date of Senate Approval 03/25/04

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

FWDC 9:         Annual Evaluation of Faculty (with focus on Department Chairs)
                       (Revision of Faculty Handbook Section 3.4)

Summary of proposed changes to procedures for annual evaluation of faculty

(1) Faculty will continue to be reviewed by their department chairs, however the AVCAA will now complete the Faculty Record Process, including salary recommendation to the VCAA.

Rationale: Since we have a new administrative structure including AVCAAs, we intend to include AVCAAs in the annual evaluation of all faculty. For faculty members, the AVCAAs will make recommendations based on department chairs' evaluations of faculty performance. The role of the AVCAA was conceptualized with this duty in mind.

(2) For Department Chairs and Program Directors who have the personnel responsibilities of Department Chairs, the AVCAA will both evaluate the chairs and complete the Faculty Record process, including salary recommendations to the VCAA.

Rationale: The AVCAAs are in the appropriate structural position to be well informed about activities and effectiveness of department chairs. This structure was discussed and approved by the department chairs at the November 17, 2003, meeting of the assembled department chairs and program directors, following a two-month process of deliberation. Because there are isolated instances in which a person functioning as a department chair is instead given the title "program director," the title "department chair" is defined as identifying any individual who directly evaluates faculty for purposes of merit, reappointment, tenure or promotion.

Specific changes to Faculty Handbook

Delete text of FACULTY HANDBOOK SECTION 3.4.2, Procedure

ADD new Procedure section as follows:

For the purpose of this section, the words "Department Chair" and "Chair" refer to any faculty member who directly evaluates faculty for merit, reappointment, tenure or promotion.

1 a. By the last day of January, each continuing faculty member submits a completed Faculty Record and supporting materials to his/her Department Chair covering activities from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year.

b. Department Chairs will submit their Faculty Record and supporting materials to their AVCAA.

2. a. The Department Chair reviews the Record along with student evaluation rating data, summaries of student comments, peer reviews of the faculty member's teaching and whatever other materials the faculty member chooses to submit. Note: Faculty teaching outside the department (e.g. in Humanities) should request that student/peer evaluation information be forwarded to the Department Chair.

b. For the review of the Department Chair, the AVCAA reviews the materials. The AVCAA reviews the Record along with student evaluation rating data, summaries of student comments, peer reviews of the chair's member's teaching and whatever other materials the chair chooses to submit. Note: Chairs teaching outside the department (e.g. in Humanities) should request that student/peer evaluation information be forwarded to the AVCAA.

3 a. After reviewing the materials for the faculty member, the Chair completes an evaluation form including a narrative discussion of the faculty member's activities and rating scales on teaching, scholarship/creative activity and service. The Chair also makes a recommendation regarding a salary increase including a rationale when required (e.g. high level of merit).

b. After reviewing the materials for the Department Chair, the AVCAA completes an evaluation form including a narrative discussion of the Chair's activities and rating scales on teaching, scholarship/creative activity and service. The AVCAA also makes a recommendation regarding a salary increase including a rationale when required (e.g. high level of merit).

4 a. The faculty member reviews the Chair's evaluation/recommendation and signs a statement to this effect (which does not imply endorsement of the Chair's evaluation).  The faculty member has the right to discuss the evaluation with the Chair prior to signing it for submission to the Office of Academic Affairs.

b. The Department Chair reviews the AVCAA's evaluation/recommendation and signs a statement to this effect (which does not imply endorsement of the AVCAA's evaluation).  The Chair has the right to discuss the evaluation with the AVCAA prior to signing it for submission to the VCAA.

5 a. The Faculty Record and Chair's Evaluation of faculty members are submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellors of Academic Affairs. After reviewing the documents and any other pertinent information, the AVCAA of the faculty member's program area recommends both the award and the amount of the award to the VCAA, who also serves as the faculty member's final appeal in the review process. The entire process is to be completed no later than the last day of the spring term, including any appeals.

6. The Faculty Record and AVCAA's evaluation of Department Chairs are submitted to the VCAA. After reviewing the documents and any other pertinent information, the VCAA decides on the merit category. The entire process is to be completed no later than the last day of the spring term, including any appeals.