Resolution 97/98-04

Faculty Review of Deans, Chairs, and Faculty

Whereas the University of Southern California should benefit from periodic review of both its faculty and academic leaders in relation to the goals and purposes to which their efforts are directed, and

Whereas periodic review of faculty occupying administrative positions is required by the Faculty Handbook and has been recommended in the recent Academic Senate white paper on Leadership Accountability, and

Whereas periodic peer review by the faculty of their own efforts to carry out their responsibilities, as described in the Faculty Handbook and as practiced in many, but not all academic units of the university, has been recommended in the recent Academic Senate white paper on Faculty Accountability be extended to all faculty.

Therefore, it is resolved that the Academic Senate recommends that a joint committee be appointed by the Provost and the Executive Board of the Academic Senate with the charge of developing

1. methods for review and evaluation of all academic leaders, including deans, associate and assistant deans, directors, division heads, and department chairs by faculty and administrators, and

2. methods for a consistent, university wide system of faculty review and evaluation of faculty that is in consonance with the criteria described in the Faculty Handbook, white papers of the Academic Senate, and other relevant documents of the University or the faculty member's unit.

It is further recommended that these reviews occur within a timetable that allows constructive feedback regardless of the academic position. The herein described coupling of faculty and administrative review is viewed (1) as an instrument leading to faculty being able to improve on their effectiveness as teachers and their success in carrying out research and other responsibilities and (2) as an instrument for those in leadership positions to improve on their performance in a collegial environment, especially their ability to communicate and to lead their faculty effectively toward goals stated in the Mission and the Strategic Plan of the University and toward goals central to their respective units.