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Karen Adsit, Steering Committee Chair
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Home / SACS Accreditation / 3.7.3 Faculty development...

3.7.3 Faculty development

The institution provides ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.

Judgement of Compliance:

Compliance

Narrative:

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) provides ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. Faculty development opportunities at UTC fall into four broad categories:

grants for activities that enhance faculty teaching and research;
research and study leaves;
activities for pedagogical improvement; and
grants to bring academic speakers and events to campus.

Many faculty development opportunities are coordinated through the Grayson H. Walker Teaching Resource Center, the mission of which is "to initiate and maintain alliances with UTC faculty and other educators throughout the region to create and improve student learning and educational and instructional activities by offering information, learning sessions, and consultation in the areas of TEACHING, LEARNING, and TECHNOLOGY integration." Other opportunities are coordinated by the Faculty Development and Research Grant Committee, formerly the Faculty Development Committee and the Faculty Research Committee. These two committees were combined by the Faculty Senate, beginning with Fall 2010.

Grants for activities that enhance faculty teaching and research
These grants are administered by faculty committees and deans. They include:

Faculty development grants for full-time faculty to enhance professional competency, to attend short term or extended workshops, etc. (Up to $1,500; administered by the Faculty Development and Research Grant Committee)
UC Foundation faculty research grants for full-time faculty to undertake well-defined and purposeful research, curricular revision, or creative activities. (Up to $3,000; administered by the Faculty Development and Research Grant Committee)
Summer fellowships for full-time faculty to undertake purposeful research, curricular revision, or creative activities ($2,500 for half-time; $5,000 for full-time; administered by the Faculty Development and Research Grant Committee)
Travel funds for full-time faculty to participate in professional conferences (Amounts vary by college and department; administered by academic deans and department heads)
Library enhancement initiative to purchase needed resources for the Lupton Library that will be used to enhance faculty and curriculum development. (Up to $750; administered by Dean of the Library)

In 2009-2010, 79 faculty members were awarded grant funds through these programs. There were 76 Faculty Development Grants awarded. 11 faculty members made successful UC Foundation Faculty Research Grants. 7 faculty members are completing summer fellowships in 2010. These programs resulted in a total of $119,580 awarded to faculty in the most recent academic year. The full list of accepted Faculty Development Grants, Faculty research Grants, and Summer Fellowships can be found in the Faculty Development Committee Report.

This year the library spent $10,621.88 on library enhancement grants. In fact, more faculty requested materials this year than any other. The Library Committee meeting minutes provide a full list of the materials requested and the department/professor making the request (p. 6).

Research and study leaves
There are two kinds of leaves available to faculty: "sabbatical leaves" for research and renewal or for instructional improvement, and "study leaves" for pursuit of the terminal degree.

Sabbatical leaves are available to tenured faculty with at least six years of outstanding service in a full-time teaching position. Application must be made to the department head, dean, and provost. Sabbaticals may be taken for a term of one semester at full salary, or two semesters at half salary
Study leaves for pursuit of the terminal degree are available to full-time faculty with at least two consecutive years of service. Application must be made to the department head, dean, and provost, in accordance with the process described in the Faculty Handbook, Chapter 7

A review of sabbatical and study leaves for AYs 2005–2010 shows that 56 full-time faculty members were awarded leaves(an average of 11.2 per year).

Activities for pedagogical improvement
These activities range across a variety of subjects and formats (seminars, workshops, colloquia, retreats, etc.). Most of these opportunities are administered by The Grayson H. Walker Teaching Resource Center. Among the most significant are:

Faculty orientation programs to help new full-time and part-time faculty be effective University citizens
Teaching and technology seminars on subjects like classroom technology, hardware and software resources, course and lesson design, student learning styles, classroom management, etc.
Instructional Excellence Retreats are held each May, bringing together nationally-recognized experts and UTC faculty to read, learn about, and discuss an important topic in higher education teaching and learning.

Grants to bring academic speakers and events to campus

These grants are available via application to the Faculty Senate's Speakers and Special Events Committee. A report on speakers and events funded from student fees is available for the 2009-2010 academic year.