Activities of the Faculty Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate (FACAS)

Due to the term extensions created with the change in election times, this report covers activities from January 2006 until April 2007

The FACAS primarily worked on three issues this term: the change in time of elections, the faculty background check policy, and the University promotion and tenure policy.

Constitutional amendment to change the timing of elections. It was decided that it would be beneficial to the Senate to bring terms of office for faculty representatives in line with the academic calendar, thus improving continuity and productivity of the Academic Senate throughout the academic year. This amendment to the Senate Constitution passed in April 2006.

Faculty background checks. In August of 2005, UD implemented a pre-employment background check policy that applies to all non-faculty employees and contractors. The effort to provide the same for our faculty members followed. The FACAS acted in consultation with the Provost’s office to development of a pre-employment background check policy and a set of procedures applicable to new faculty hires. This document was brought before the Senate in December 2006 for legislative concurrence which was supported.

University promotion and tenure policy. This academic year, much of the FACAS efforts have been aimed at developing the University Promotion and Tenure Policy. This policy establishes general guidelines that govern University-wide procedures for promotion and tenure review. These guidelines and procedures are designed to ensure communication, fairness, and due process throughout the review process. This policy includes opportunities to respond in the event of disagreements over promotion and tenure recommendations and provides an appeals procedure. Several open meeting have been held throughout campus to discuss this document and elicit feedback which would strengthen the document or assist in its adaptation across the units on the University. A sense of the Senate vote taken in March of this year was supportive of continued development of the current document, and the document will come forward for vote in the Senate today (4/20/07).

Respectfully submitted by

Carolyn Phelps

Chairperson of the FACAS