University Distinguished Teacher Program

1.3.13 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED TEACHER PROGRAM

The University Distinguished Teacher Program recognizes faculty members who are distinguished teachers. A faculty member identified as a University Distinguished Teacher will receive an honorarium and will prepare a course in an area of special interest and expertise. Where possible, the course should be of wide interest, at the 100 or 200 level and meet a general education requirement. The course will be widely advertised by the Administration and taught during the academic year following receipt of the award. During the year in which the course is offered, the Distinguished Teacher will have available to him or her a budget to be used for enrichment in the area of the course at his or her discretion for travel to meetings, for a student assistant, for scholarly materials, for supplies, or for other relevant purposes.

1.3.13.1 Procedure

Tenured faculty members who have a long and distinguished record of teaching at Montclair State University may be nominated by another member of the university community holding faculty rank for consideration in the University Distinguished Teacher Program. Candidates must provide evidence of a consistent record of outstanding teaching in the form of student evaluations, peer evaluations, syllabi of courses taught (i.e., undergraduate and graduate, upper and lower level), letters from alumni, innovative curriculum initiatives, and any other supporting documents and materials.

1.3.14 UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED TEACHER COMMITTEE

1.3.14.1 Composition

The University Distinguished Teacher Committee will consist of one (1) elected tenured faculty member from each College/School holding the rank of associate professor or above. The Union and the administration will each appoint a member without vote to serve as observers and as resource persons. The Committee will elect its own chairperson from among the voting members.

1.3.14.2 Term

The members of the University Distinguished Teacher Committee will serve for one (1) year. No voting member of the Committee may serve more than three (3) consecutive years.

1.3.14.3 Function

The University Distinguished Teacher Committee shall review the materials forwarded from the College/School Distinguished Teacher Committees and will recommend no more than two (2) candidates deemed most worthy of the designation of University Distinguished Teacher to the President. The initial University Distinguished Teacher Committee shall develop and disseminate a clear statement of the form in which supporting materials are to be submitted and the procedures for evaluation of candidates, including procedures to be used at the college/school level. All procedures developed by the Committee must be submitted to the Overview Committee for approval.

The Committee will specify the manner by which Distinguished Teachers will report on the results of their course development activities.

Changes in the procedures may be proposed by the outgoing Committee.

1.3.15 COLLEGE/SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED TEACHER COMMITTEE

1.3.15.1 Composition

Each College/School Distinguished Teacher Committee will consist of five (5) elected tenured faculty members holding the rank of associate professor or above. A maximum of two (2) faculty members can be elected from any one department. No one may simultaneously serve on a College/School and University Distinguished Teacher Committee. The Committee will elect its own chairperson.

1.3.15.2 Term

The College/School Distinguished Teacher Committee will serve for one (1) year. No member of the Committee may serve more than three (3) consecutive years. No person may serve on two levels of review in the same academic year.

1.3.15.3 Function

Each College/School Distinguished Teacher Committee will annually evaluate materials submitted by nominated faculty members from the College/School. Up to 25% or a maximum of three of the nominated candidates considered may be forwarded, without ranking, from each College/School to the University Distinguished Teacher Committee. The College/School Distinguished Teacher Committees must follow the procedures established by the University Distinguished Teacher Committee, and will prepare and forward a short statement in support of each recommended candidate. A copy of the statement must be provided to the candidate and accompany the College/School's material going forward to the University Distinguished Teacher Committee.

1.3.16 DEAN'S ROLE

The Dean will, independently of the College/School Distinguished Teacher Committee, annually evaluate materials submitted by faculty members from the College/School. Up to 25% or a maximum of three (3) of the nominated candidates considered may be forwarded, without ranking, from each College/School to the University Distinguished Teacher Committee by the Dean. The Dean will prepare and forward a short statement in support of each candidate recommended by the Dean. A copy of the statement must be provided to the candidate and accompany the College/School's material going forward to the University Distinguished Teacher Committee.

1.3.17 LIST(S) OF RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES

The College/School Distinguished Teacher Committee and the Dean shall consult and endeavor to present a single list of candidates to the University Distinguished Teacher Committee. If agreement does not occur, two lists will be submitted. The list(s) of candidates shall not be ranked.