Dear Colleagues,

The Task Force on the Evaluation of Faculty Work for Promotion, Tenure, Post-Tenure Review, and Hiring had a productive summer. Based on the strengths and gaps identified in the Gap Analysis Report we released in March 2009, and using the ad hoc Committee on the Evaluation of Teaching’s draft as a framework, the Task Force crafted an initial draft of our recommendations for a revised faculty evaluation process. The recommendations represent a comprehensive revision of Chapter III of the Faculty Handbook. [ad-hoc committee report]

With the beginning of the new academic year, we have begun rolling-out the initial draft for faculty review and discussion. Due to the comprehensive nature of the recommendations, the initial draft is a somewhat lengthy document. Therefore, in an effort to ensure full consideration of the various parts of the recommendations, the Task Force decided to structure the review and feedback sessions around a few key sections at a time. In this way, over the course of the fall, we will gather input on the entire set of recommendations in a focused and more deliberative manner. Once we have gathered feedback on the entire initial draft, we will craft a revised draft for a final round of faculty review and comment. Our aggressive goal is to have the final draft completed by December.

Currently, we have focused on the initial sections that outline responsibilities and components of evaluation. At the sessions we are hosting, we have been providing faculty with an overview of the recommendations in order to provide a “big picture” view, as well as seeking comment on the draft recommendations.

To date we have held dialogue and feedback sessions at the Senate Faculty Retreat, the September Senate Faculty Meeting, four colleges/schools, three community campuses, and an all-faculty session via CAFÉ. Approximately 200 faculty and administrators participated in these sessions, including a few faculty members who have participated in more than one session. We have additional sessions scheduled in October with a few more colleges, and have solicited feedback from a number of programs, initiatives, and committees that could provide insights and suggestions regarding specific areas of the document.

We are still in the process of assisting departments and colleges in arranging feedback session. If you would like to arrange such a meeting for your department or college colleagues, please feel free to contact me. We also welcome you to send your feedback, suggestions, and questions directly to the Task Force by contacting any of the members, or by emailing me at aflcf@uaa.alaska.edu

Regards,

Letitia Fickel, Task Force Chair