PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCE DIVISION
Criteria for Tenure
For the concept of academic freedom to remain viable, the
professional educator must exhibit a high level of academic
responsibility. Tenure, a mechanism for assuring academic freedom,
is not and should never be a shield for mediocrity, incompetence, or
academic irresponsibility. The Pure and Applied Science Division,
as an associated group of professional educators, has established
minimum standards of performance and of acceptance of responsibility
within the division. If the division is to grow in professional
stature, it must accept as additions to its membership only persons
who manifest sufficient dedication and professionalism to assure
future performance at and above these standards.
I. QUALIFICATIONS
CONCERNING TENURE
A. A
Master’s Degree or its equivalent, and/or appropriate certification.
B. Evidence
of particular knowledge or skill appropriate to the appointed
position and consistent with hiring expectations and current program
needs.
C. Demonstrated
effectiveness as a teacher at the college level.
D. Demonstrated
service to the college and/or profession
The first of these qualifications should have been addressed during
the hiring process. The Tenure Working Committee will consider all
qualifications in making its quarterly recommendations regarding
continuance and tenure to the Tenure Review Committee. The Working
Committee will evaluate the instructor using criteria including but
not limited to the following items.
II. TEACHING
A. The instructor must meet classes as listed in the
official class schedule and demonstrate proper preparation. The
instructor must abide by the college catalog, the contract, policy
statements and procedures of the institution.
B. The
instructor should challenge learners intellectually. This includes
maintaining course content at a generally accepted level, consistent
with that taught at four-year colleges in the case of transfer
courses, or sufficient to meet vocational standards.
C. The
instructor should communicate effectively. The instructor should
use appropriate pedagogical techniques and ensure that course
objectives and evaluation methods are clear to students.
D. The
instructor should show commitment to student learning. One should
create an interactive, cooperative, and mutually respectful
environment, consider alternative methods of teaching and
assessment, and provide opportunities for students to show that the
course objectives are met. The instructor should provide
opportunities to interact with the students individually.
E. The
instructor should demonstrate personal and professional
integrity. It is expected that instructors are truthful and ethical
in selecting course content, interacting with students and
colleagues and in self-assessment.
III. PROFESSIONAL
GROWTH
A. Instructors should show evidence of staying current in
their discipline or program and demonstrate an expertise in
pedagogy.
B. Further
evidence of growth may include participation in faculty development
opportunities related to one’s discipline, program or methods of
teaching.
C. Further
evidence of growth may include application of one’s discipline or
program through work in business and industry.
D. Further
evidence of growth may include design, review and revision of
courses, reflecting developments in one’s academic and/or
occupational areas.
IV. SERVICE
Faculty shall provide evidence of service
to the college and their profession.
A. Service
to the college may consist of participating in committee work and
curriculum development, performing appropriate administrative tasks,
fostering collegiality among faculty, supporting student-centered
extracurricular activities, speaking to student groups, recruiting
and recommending students, outreach to the community and
participation in community events sponsored by the college.
B. Professional
service may include participation in professional organizations and
accrediting activities, service on regional, national or
international committees and boards, giving presentations or
lectures, doing field research, authoring publications and exploring
innovative pedagogy.
V. ADDITIONAL DIVISIONAL INPUT TO THE TENURE PROCESS
The working committee will seek recommendations and evaluations.
These shall include but not be limited to the following.
A. Quarterly
reports by each member of the working committee evaluating the
probationer’s instructional performance.
B. Quarterly
student evaluations from all classes taught.
C. A
report from the probationer's department during the 3rd and 6th
quarters concerning how well the probationer is meeting the division
tenure criteria.
D. An
annual recommendation from the division chair.
All reports and recommendations must be submitted according to the
time lines established by the Tenure Review Committee.
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Rev.
05/21/08
Last updated:
May 22, 2008
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