Title: #IV-23.
Faculty Development
Date: June 9, 2006 (Replaces version dated April 29, 2002)
DEFINITION
The purpose of faculty development is to
increase the ability of individual faculty members to improve the
teaching/learning process and in general to increase the overall effectiveness
of the college in achieving its mission.
In accordance with West Virginia University
Board of Governors Policy
26 on Employee Development, faculty development at WVU at
A.
Workshops,
seminars, self-study, or projects designed to improve the teaching/learning
process.
B.
Additional
college or university study in one's teaching field.
C.
Study
designed to facilitate a person's new teaching field.
D.
Training
in auxiliary academic skills such as student advising, curricular development,
academic evaluation, etc.
E.
Participation
in workshops, in-service meetings, or lectures brought to the campus to serve a
wide audience.
F.
Participation
in off-campus workshops or professional meetings in one's teaching or
responsibility area.
G.
Designing
and implementing special projects or research designed to enhance
teaching/learning.
H.
Pursuing
any of the above activities while on approved sabbatical leave.
I.
Faculty
members engaging in development activities are responsible for sharing their
new learning or skills with other colleagues via publication, report, seminar,
workshop, tutoring, or other appropriate ways of communicating among
professionals.
ADMINISTRATION
Planning and administration of faculty
development activities is a joint function of the full-time faculty, division
chairs, the Faculty Senate, the Dean's Council, the Dean of Academic Affairs,
and the President. College-wide
administration is indicated as a means of assuring quality of programs, understanding
and appreciation of all activities, and maintenance of equity in the use of
resources.
Faculty development proposals shall be a
function of divisions and their members.
Coordinating Committee. A Faculty Development Coordinating Committee
shall consist of one faculty representative from each academic division.
The Coordinating Committee shall be
responsible for the following activities:
1. Notifying faculty of
the guidelines for the preparation of applications and the deadlines for their submission.
2. Receipt, evaluation,
and funding of faculty development grant proposals.
3. Maintenance of equity
in awarding of funds.
4. Assurance that
recommended activities fulfill the understandings outlined in the statement of
Definitions.
5. Recommend requests
which relate to the mission statement and goals of the institution.
6. File a report with
the Dean of Academic Affairs which details the expenditure of Faculty
Development funds.
The Coordinating Committee shall select its
own chair and shall meet as needed. The
Committee may, if it chooses, establish certain deadline date or dates for
receipt of funding requests. It may set
budgetary parameters for use of funds; i.e., a percentage of annual budget for
broad categories of development activities (e.g., on-campus functions, graduate
study, off-campus workshops).
DEADLINES
Graduate Study. Requests for funding of graduate study must
be processed and approved prior to the start of any term during which study is
to occur. If graduate study will involve
a reduction in a faculty member's teaching assignment or a total absence from
campus, such requests must be approved not later than February 15 of the
academic year preceding the year in which study will occur so that class
schedules can be accommodated. Graduate
study which will not affect a faculty member's teaching assignment must be
approved not later than the time of registration for such study.
On-Campus Activities. Requests for funding of on-campus workshops
or lectures must be approved in sufficient time that required contracts and
other authorizations may be processed.
As a guideline, such approvals should occur at least six weeks before
the activity is scheduled. Special
considerations may require additional advance planning. For advice on setting approval deadlines in
specific cases, persons should consult the Dean of Academic Affairs or the
Chief Financial Officer.
Off-Campus Workshops. Requests for funding of off-campus workshops
must be approved in sufficient time that required travel requests may be
completed before the individual is scheduled to leave campus. As a guideline, such approval should occur at
least six weeks before the off-campus activity is scheduled to begin. Special considerations or state travel
restrictions may require additional advance planning. For advice on setting approval deadlines in
specific cases, persons should consult the Dean of Academic Affairs or the
Chief Financial Officer.
Activities to Occur in Subsequent
Year. The Coordinating Committee may take action to
recommend approval of activities which will occur in a subsequent fiscal year;
however, such recommendation shall be governed by the actual availability of
funds in the fiscal year that the activity will occur.
Setting of Specific Deadlines. The Coordinating Committee may, if it sees
fit, establish specific deadlines for receipt of applications for any of the
activities outlined above. Such
deadlines shall be circulated throughout the institution, allowing ample time
for prospective applicants to prepare requests for recommendation and approval.