The following policies, determined by the senior faculty of the College of Business, govern the implementation of The University of West Alabama Promotion and Tenure Process within the College of Business.

TERMINAL DEGREE

The appropriate terminal degree for the disciplines of Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Management, Marketing and Technology is the Doctor of Philosophy or the Doctor of Business Administration in the respective area. (Exception can be made by the department in cases where a doctoral program of a different designation clearly follows the traditional pattern of a Doctor of Philosophy program).

I.          DEMONSTRATED ACHIEVEMENT CRITERIA

TEACHING/ADVISING

A.     Teaching Effectiveness

Ø      Knowledge of subject matter, including current developments in one's discipline(s).

Ø Ability to plan and organize assigned courses, including preparing appropriate syllabi in a timely fashion, selecting appropriate textbooks, and designing assignments that are relevant to course content and objectives

Ø     Effective classroom instruction, including presenting material in a clear and organized manner, using appropriate examples, illustrations, and audio‑visual aids, and creating an atmosphere in which students feel free to ask questions and express ideas.

Ø     Clear explanation of grading policies and expectations at the beginning of the course.

Ø      Maintenance of high academic standards.

Ø     Fair and timely evaluation of student performance, with the final grade based upon an adequate number of graded assignments.

Ø     Providing, through conferences, individual assistance to students when needed.

B.     Academic Advising and Career Counseling

Ø      Availability to academic advisees through regular and convenient office hours.

Ø      Knowledge of program requirements and academic regulations.

Ø      Awareness of advisees' progress and needs.

Ø      Sensitivity to advisees' abilities and academic goals.

C. Recruitment

Ø      Knowledge of career opportunities for majors and minors.

Ø      Identification of potential majors and minors and appropriate communication with such students.

Assessment

In order to qualify for promotion in rank, a faculty member is expected to maintain a consistently high level of performance in teaching and related activities appropriate to the rank in question. The performance will be assessed through the Teaching and Related Activities section of the Annual Achievement Report, through student evaluations of courses and instructors, through relevant written comments from recent alumni and questionnaire responses from students completing degree requirements, and through Chairperson evaluations. Chairperson evaluations may include classroom visitation as requested by the faculty member or deemed useful by the Chairperson. Classroom visitation by the Chairperson is mandatory during the academic year in which a faculty member becomes eligible for tenure or promotion.

II.                SCHOLARLY/CREATIVE ACTIVITY

A.     Teaching - related Research

Ø      Research aimed at improving teaching skills or understanding of course subject matter.

B.   Publications, Papers, Presentations

Ø      Academic research leading to publications, papers or presentations.

C.   Other Research

Ø      Research addressing a University service area concern.

Ø      Research addressing a University issue.

Ø      Research related to participation in professional organizations or programs.

Ø      Research required for preparing grant applications.

Assessment

Research and creative activity is assessed though the Faculty Portfolio, which contains documentation in the form of proposals, bibliographies, outlines or drafts of current research, copies of publications or papers, official programs, news accounts, or any other data that will help to determine the nature and quality of the faculty member's research and creative efforts.

Promotion in rank requires evidence of achievement in the following: 

Associate Professor

And one or more of the following:

Ø    Publications, Papers, Presentations

Ø    Research addressing a University service area concern

Ø    Research addressing a University issue

Ø    Research related to participation in professional organizations or programs

Ø    Research required for preparing grant applications

III.       LEADERSHIP/SERVICE

A.     University Service

Ø      Institutional Service includes grant writing and directing; University, Senate, College, or Departmental committees; University Senate representative or officer; institutional representative; participation in organized student activities.

Ø      Professional Affiliation and Service includes membership and active participation (attending meetings, holding office, presenting programs, etc.) in appropriate professional organizations; active participation in area or state competitions; workshops.

Ø      Administration includes administrative duties on University, College, or Departmental levels.

B.     Public Service

Ø      Public Service includes active participation in or presentations to appropriate organizations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club).

C.     Leadership

Ø      Leadership includes leadership position in professional organizations, Chair of University committees, Advisor to student organizations, etc.

Assessment

Leadership and service is assessed through the Faculty Portfolio, which contains documentation in the form of letters of appointment to positions in professional organizations, letters of appreciation for public service, outlines of workshops presented, or other such evidence.

Promotion in rank requires evidence of achievement in the following:

And two or more of the following:

Ø      Publications, Papers, Presentations

Ø      Research addressing a University service area concern

Ø      Research addressing a University issue

Ø      Research related to participation in professional organizations or programs

Ø      Research required for preparing grant applications

Criteria for Tenure

In addition to serving the required number of probationary years as specified in The University of West Alabama Promotion and Tenure Process statement), faculty members approved for tenure in the College of Business shall, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

Ø      They shall possess the academic credentials necessary for promotion in rank.

Ø      They shall have demonstrated a commitment to professional development by having met the minimal criteria in the categories of teaching, scholarly/creative activities, and leadership/service required for promotion to the next rank.

Ø      They shall perform an essential role in carrying out the Department's current mission.