I.

Goal

The University will promote an environment in which faculty can continue to develop as teachers and scholars.

Objectives

1. Evaluate the University’s current culture and resources and identify changes that may be needed to facilitate the achievement of the goal.
2. Support faculty development activity that is based on or that fosters the achievement of development goals consistent with the mission of the college/school and university. See The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice Goal I, Objective C1.
3. Consider further the implementation of individualized development plans for all faculty.
4. Encourage the research and scholarship activity of faculty through both recognition and resources (e.g., faculty travel to scholarly meetings, the Internal Research Grant program). See Financial Responsibility Goal IV, Objective D.
5. Create a culture and structure that promotes interdisciplinary work among faculty, e.g. the perpetuation of interdisciplinary faculty seminars.

II.

Goal

The University will increase the use of pedagogical methods that facilitate active student learning.

Objectives

1. Create an environment in which faculty emphasize student-centered learning, which encourages students to participate actively in and to assume personal responsibility for the learning process. See The Environment for Learning Goal I, Objectives A-F, Goal II, Objective A, and Goal III, Objectives A and B.
2. Increase the capacity for faculty to use technological tools in classroom instruction. See Technology Goal II, Objectives A-C.
3. Increase the use of alternative methods to evaluate student performance, e.g. group projects and student presentations.
4. Provide resources to increase student research that is mentored by or done in collaboration with faculty, including the Faculty-Student Research Program (FSRP), and to increase other forms of individualized study. See The Environment for Learning Goal III, Objective A.
5. Support faculty involvement in student-centered service (e.g. advising, mentoring, moderating clubs, and participating in learning communities). See The Environment for Learning Goal I, Objectives C and E, Goal III, Objective B, Goal IV, Objective E, and Goal V, Objectives A-C; and Enrollment Management Goal IV, Objective C.
6. In light of emerging trends, support and encourage faculty and departments to adapt present academic programs and to develop innovative programs. See Public Image Goal II, Objective D; Enrollment Management Goal III, Objective D; and Technology Goal III, Objective C.
7. Provide adequate resources, training and on-going support for faculty to meet these objectives. See Technology Goal II, Objective C.

III.

Goal

The University will develop a greater sense of commitment among faculty to teach freshmen and general education courses.

Objectives

1. Foster an enhanced sense of value for these activities through increased rewards and recognition of faculty working with freshmen and in general education. See The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice Goal I, Objective C3; and The Environment for Learning Goal I, Objectives A and C, and Goal IV, Objectives A and B.
2. Devote particular attention to the way in which mentoring and advising welcome freshmen into the academic community. See The Environment for Learning Goal I, Objectives A-C, Goal IV, Objective A, and Goal V, Objectives A and C; and Enrollment Management Goal IV, Objective C.

IV.

Goal

Reassess and clarify the standards contained in the Faculty Handbook for teaching, scholarship and service in the rank and tenure process, including a consideration of the weights assigned to each of these areas.

Objectives

1. Clarify the relationship of teaching, scholarship and service to one another and to the University’s mission.
2. Clarify what constitutes faculty service. See The University and the Community Goal II, Objective A.
3. Consider any recommended adjustments to these weights with applicable involvement from the Faculty Affairs Council (FAC), Faculty Handbook Committee, Faculty Senate and the Academic Policy Council (APC). See The University and the Community Goal II, Objective A.

V.

Goal

The University will use full-time faculty efficiently in instruction.

Objectives

1. Increase the percentage of freshman and GE courses taught by full-time faculty.
2. Set standards for class size and teaching loads for full-time faculty, taking into consideration program-specific needs. See The Environment for Learning Goal VI, Objective A.
   1. Increase the racial diversity of the student body to at least 10%, from the current 5%. See Diversity & Globalization Goal II, Objective A