2.5 Procedures for Evaluation of Faculty

2.5.1 Teaching

Local academic units evaluate regularly the teaching effectiveness of their faculties. In doing so, they are expected to incorporate data from both peers and students. Whatever additional methods may be used to gather information from students, the process should provide for their anonymous participation in course evaluations and should allow for comparisons among faculty teaching similar courses. Peer evaluation is expected to include, at a minimum, data on the development and implementation of new courses and programs, the appropriateness of course materials currently used, and the level and quality of student advising. Additional forms of peer evaluation are expected. These may include, but are not limited to, peer observation of classroom teaching, evaluations by mentors, assessments of teaching performance by colleagues, and teaching portfolios.

The evaluation process requires both quantitative and qualitative data. The methods by which such data are gathered and incorporated into the final evaluation should be well-defined and made available to those who are being evaluated, as well as to those who are using the evaluations in personnel decisions. Specific guidelines for the procedures to be used in the evaluation of teaching effectiveness will be those determined by the office of the Provost in consultation with the University Faculty Standing Committee on Effective Teaching.

2.5.2 Scholarship

The systematic evaluation of a candidate's theoretical or applied scholarship begins in the local academic unit with a peer review of the candidate's work. In tenure and promotion cases the faculty will make independent judgments and will also seek and give consideration to external evaluations from qualified referees who are not associated with the University. Each local unit will develop its specific guidelines with respect to the selection and use of external referees. These guidelines must be fair to all parties concerned and be publicized among the faculty in a timely manner. The local unit administrator has a specific responsibility to monitor the scholarly activity of probationary faculty and to discuss perceived deficiencies with them on an individual basis.

2.5.3 Professional Service

Procedures for the evaluation of external professional service are similar to those employed in the evaluation of scholarship.

2.5.4 University Service

The evaluation of university service is based on a peer review of the candidate's contribution to the life and governance of the local academic unit and the larger organizational units of which it is a part.