|
Purpose
In support of the University's policy of placing the highest priority
on programs of instruction and learning, the Quality of Instruction
Council (QIC) makes annual DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Awards.
The awards recognize significant achievement in teaching and commitment
to the teaching mission that can serve as University models. The awards
are announced at a University convocation event each autumn and individual
plaques are awarded. The awards
carry a taxable stipend of $2,000 each.
The Council encourages the recipients of an Excellence in Teaching
Award to share their experience with DePaul colleagues. Awardees may
be asked to participate in a forum or workshop devoted to improving
the quality of instruction across the university.
Eligibility
At the time of the award (the autumn following the nomination), faculty
members must have completed three full years of teaching at DePaul.
Faculty members who teach at least three degree-credit courses at DePaul
during an academic year are eligible for consideration. Each college
or school determines what constitutes a "course" for purposes
of this program.
The maximum number of awards made each year is as follows: up to three
in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; up to two in the College
of Commerce; and up to one each
in the School for Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information
Systems, the School of Education, the College
of Law, the School of Music, the School for New Learning and The Theatre
School. Academic units that do not wish to nominate faculty are not
required to participate in this program. Academic units that wish to
suggest alternative approaches to recognizing excellence in teaching
at the university level for their faculty are most welcome to do so
by writing to the Council through the Chair.
A faculty member who receives an Excellence in Teaching Award from
the Council may not be selected again in the three years immediately
following. Faculty members may receive teaching awards from their colleges
simultaneously with the QIC award.
Criteria for Selection
Each college or school determines its own nomination and selection
process, but the QIC reviews the criteria and procedures for
comparability, fairness, rigor, and consistency with University mission,
policy and practice. The Council reviews individual nominations for
consistency with the stated criteria of the school or college.
The selection criteria and procedures forwarded by the Dean's office must:
- be submitted to the Council for review by October 15;
- be distributed to all eligible faculty members;
- be based solely on teaching performance in degree-credit programs
at DePaul (including curriculum design and any extra-classroom activities
related to degree-credit instruction);
- refer to the academic year of the award and optionally
cover the two preceding years. Although consistency is given weight,
this is not a lifetime achievement award.
- take into account written student evaluations, particularly evaluations
over the most recent academic year;
- incorporate review by at least two faculty members;
- include endorsements by the Dean or Chair.
Nomination Materials
The nomination package must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) and be
received by the Council Chair by May 1. Materials submitted by each Dean to the Council should
include:
- a letter from the committee Chair highlighting the nominee's strengths
as a teacher;
- a copy of each nominee's current curriculum vitae;
- an edited selection of evidence illustrating the nominee's teaching
strengths including faculty peer reviews (at least two from the
nominee's department);
- some form of summary of student evaluations (not the individual
evaluations) and a sample evaluation form.
- a review of the year's selection process, including the members of
selection committees;
- include explicit endorsement by the appropriate dean in the form
of a brief citation suitable for public presentation.
This documentation is used by the Council both to study the qualities
and skills that distinguish the awardees as superior teachers and to
communicate their accomplishments to the University community.
The Award
Each Excellence in Teaching Award includes the following items:
- an honorarium of $2,000 (pre-tax) available no sooner than July
l of the year the award is made;
- an inscribed plaque;
- acknowledgment in University publications.
Calendar
September 15:
The Council Chair reminds each Dean to submit QIC Excellence in
Teaching Award criteria and procedures by October 15.
October 15:
Deans distribute the QIC Excellence in
Teaching Award criteria and procedures to their respective faculties.
QIC reviews the sets of material for comparability
(not uniformity), fairness, rigor, and consistency with University mission,
policy and practice. The Council may forward suggestions to the deans
for consideration in the future.
February 1:
QIC Chair sends reminders to the deans
about the May 1 deadline.
May 1:
The names of nominees and their supporting
material are sent electronically (via e-mail) to the Chair of the QIC.
QIC reviews materials for consistency with
stated criteria and procedures.
September:
Awardees are honored at a University convocation
event. |
