Overview of Academic Affairs John Volin, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs August 23, 2017

Academic Affairs Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (John Volin) Enrichment Programs (Jennifer Lease Butts) Honors Program Undergraduate Research National Scholarships and Fellowships Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program Center for Career Development (James Lowe) Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Peter Diplock) Institute for Student Success (Maria Martinez) First Year Programs / Learning Communities Academic Center for Exploratory Students Academic Achievement Center

Academic Affairs Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – John Volin Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Peter Diplock Enrichment Programs – Jennifer Lease Butts Institute for Student Success – Maria Martinez Center for Career Development – James Lowe

Excellence in Teaching and Learning The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is dedicated to the support and advancement of best practices in teaching and learning. The staff of CETL work with individual faculty, teaching assistants, students, departments and the academic administration to create a culture which values teaching and learning, supports and rewards faculty for innovation in teaching, encourages respect for differences in learners and provides an environment where faculty, staff, and students work together to accomplish the learning objectives.

Enrichment Programs Enrichment Programs provide enhancing experiences for UConn students, encouraging them to elevate their studies. Honors (Invitation Only) Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program National Scholarships and Fellowships Undergraduate Research Pre-Medical/Dental and Pre-Law University Scholars

Student Success The Institute for Student Success provides one-on-one holistic support, strengthens student readiness, increases access to higher education and research opportunities, and promotes the recruitment, transition, retention, and graduation of UConn students. Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES) Center for Academic Programs (CAP) First Year Programs & Learning Communities (FYP & LC) Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Academic Achievement Center (AAC)

Career Development The Center for Career Development is dedicated to excellence through offering the highest levels of service to our students across all schools, colleges, campuses, and disciplines. We support the intellectual growth of our students by providing programs and experiences that promote self-awareness and engagement as they identify a course of study and pursue opportunities to become contributing members of the state, national, and world communities. Through partnership with employers, alumni, faculty, and staff, we connect students to quality career development resources, internships, experiential learning, and post-graduate opportunities.

UConn’s Core Beliefs Outstanding faculty are the most critical element of our status as a world-class university. Our goal is to recruit and develop that outstanding faculty.

Faculty Categories We value all faculty and welcome different talents and areas of expertise — but there are many categories of faculty: - Tenure-Track, Visiting Instructor, Assistant Clinical Professor, Visiting Assistant Professor, Assistant Research Professor, etc.

Promotion and Tenure Realities The probability of success is high. Most faculty who remain at UConn and apply for promotion with tenure receive it. Some faculty leave UConn before applying for tenure, or in the case of promotion to professor – choose never to apply.

Standards for Tenure and Promotion Standards must be met in teaching, scholarship, and service. The activity weight of each depends on the faculty member’s position description.

Factors Considered Teaching, Scholarship, Service These factors combine to reach a decision, but the specific combination varies widely across the institution and is related to specific positions and departmental requirements.

University By-Laws “Tenure and promotion in the professorial ranks will be granted only to persons of outstanding achievement consistent with standards expected of a top public research university. Specific evidence of superior performance in scholarship and in teaching is of primary importance. As a minimum standard for tenure and/or promotion, there must be evidence of strong performance in both scholarship and teaching and superior achievement in at least one of these areas. In addition, other contributions to the University will be considered” (University By-Laws, XIV.D.1).

Publications or Creative and Artistic Products Demonstrate contributions Provide evidence of productivity and impact Numbers and types vary among disciplines Different expectations at different promotion points Used to assess the quality of work produced Citations, Impact Factor, Journal Quality

Grants and Presentations Important national review of work Demonstrate ability to secure funding for research Presentations Invitations reflect status and engagement in the field Reflect on level of focus in work and, if broad, engagement of multiple communities

Teaching Effectiveness Innovation/Creativity Often evaluated by students (SET) but other information is valued (peer observations, CETL observation, student letters, products, awards, model syllabi, teaching prizes). Ask assigned or selected mentor to provide review Innovation/Creativity Engage students Assess broadly (beyond multiple choice tests/quizzes)

Teaching Maintain a teaching portfolio with teaching philosophy and: Teaching innovations (new courses developed) Undergraduate and Graduate courses taught and SET Other evidence of teaching success Undergraduate Major Advisees Undergraduate Research or Independent Study Honors Mentoring

Service, Outreach, Engagement Department School / College University National organizations Civic/K-12/Arts Make selections carefully, wisely, and make a difference.

Resources Office of the Provost http://provost.uconn.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/promotion-tenure-and-reappointment/ By-Laws of the University of Connecticut http://policy.uconn.edu/2011/05/17/by-laws-of-the-university-of-connecticut/ Departments and Schools/Colleges often have their own PTR information or websites

Faculty Should Understand Department, School / College, and University guidelines. Specific responsibilities Percentage teaching, research, service Impact of leaves (medical, research) on probation period. The tenure clock can be extended through a medical leave or emergency or by taking a leave without pay.

Intensive Pre-Tenure (Third-Year) Review Usually in fall of third year Formal feedback before tenure (procedures vary across departments) Provost’s Office reviews dossier, weighing whether the faculty member is on track for tenure

Tenure and Promotion Very thorough Usually in 6th year Similar procedures are used for promotions

Early Review “Faculty who wish to be considered for promotion and tenure before the end of the probationary period will be evaluated by the same standards applied to faculty who have taken the full probationary period” (XIV.C.4)

Tenure and Promotion Procedures The faculty member assembles a file Curriculum vitae Teaching information Research information Engagement and service information Exhibits

External Letters At least 4-5 external letters are solicited (in the summer) This may be optional for clinical track faculty (check department and school/college) Candidate and Department Head both suggest names Writers are distinguished professors with no personal or professional (usually) relationship with the candidate

Departmental Review (September - October) The Department considers the file. The faculty PTR committee meets and votes about the case. The department head independently summarizes the file and sends it to the dean.

College/School Review (October - November) The Deans Advisory Committee votes. The Dean summarizes the case for the Provost. A recommendation that is inconsistent with the department will most likely be closely reviewed at the next level.

Provost Review (December- January) The Provost can disagree with the prior decisions, but rarely does.

Further Review and Appeal If a tenure and/or promotion decision cannot be made or if questions emerge, the Provost will refer the file to the Faculty Review Board within 30 days. Following the FRB, unresolved cases can be appealed to the Committee of Three, then the President, and finally the Board of Trustees.