Guidelines for Selection of Recipients
of the University's Outstanding Teaching Awards

(Approved on November 20, 2008)

Initial Role of the Faculty Affairs Committee

The Faculty Affairs Committee shall:

1.     use information provided by the Provost’s office to determine the number of nominations to which each college is entitled (based on faculty size);

2.     send a memo to each college dean, informing them of the number of nominations that the college can forward to the Faculty Affairs Committee;

3.     send to each college dean this document—Guidelines for Selection of Recipients.

Role of the College Deans

The dean of each college shall:

1.     solicit nominations for the award;

2.     deliver those nominations to the college screening committees by the sixth week of the spring semester.

3.     give the college screening committee the Guidelines for Selection of Recipients.

Role of the College Screening Committees

The committees shall receive from their respective deans by the sixth week of the Spring Semester, the nominations submitted in their colleges, the Guidelines for Selection of Recipients, and the number of nominations to which the college is entitled (i.e., the number of nominees that the committee is to select from the total number of nominations received by the committee).

The Committee shall prepare and forward the following written nomination materials by the tenth week of the semester:

·       College Screening Committee's Nomination(s)

o      Include as preliminary materials to the College packet

§    Summary of selection criteria used

§    List of faculty considered for the award

§    Names of committee members participating in the evaluation

§    College Screening Committee's suggestions for improving the process

§    College Screening Committee's Nominee Evaluation for  each Nominee

·       College Screening Committee's Nominee Evaluation for each Nominee

o      Evaluation

§    Specific requirements for form and substance may be found in "Guidelines for Selection of Recipients of the University's Outstanding Teaching Awards" posted at http://www.utulsa.edu/facultysenate/outstanding_teacher.htm .

The committees shall prepare a written evaluation of each nominee whose name is to be forwarded to the Faculty Affairs Committee. The evaluation, which must not exceed three single-spaced, typewritten pages, should be in narrative form and describe:

·       Summary of student course evaluations for past 4 semesters.

·       Summary of actual grade distribution for past 4 semesters.

·       Description of level and variety of courses taught.

·       Description of length of teaching career in general and years of teaching at TU.

·       Description of innovative teaching methods used.

·       Any other information the Committee considers relevant to the nomination.

o      Evaluation Appendix 1. Nominee Course Evaluations

§    For each course taught during the preceding 4 semesters:

·       Student Statistical Evaluation

·       Student Comments

·       Actual Grade Distribution

o      Evaluation Appendix 2. Other Materials (Optional)

§    Other (optional) materials used in the selection process, e.g.,

·       Nomination forms submitted on behalf of nominee.

·       Nominee's CV

·       Nominee's Teaching Statement

Final Role of the Faculty Affairs Committee

The Faculty Affairs Committee shall review the nominations submitted by the colleges (a total of ten) and select the three faculty members considered most deserving of the Outstanding Teaching Award.

In its decision-making the committee will give weight to the following criteria:

1.     numerical rankings on course evaluations that are consistently above the mean of the department and college and recurring comments on course evaluations that are indicative of superior teaching;

2.     rigor of the courses, as reflected at least in part by grade distribution;

3.     teaching at several levels, e.g., courses for non-majors as well as majors, courses for first year students as well as upperclass students, and, if applicable, graduate courses as well as undergraduate courses.

4.     a reputation as an outstanding teacher sustained over a long period;

5.     use of innovative teaching methods that may show an unusual dedication to providing an optimal learning situation for students.

The Faculty Affairs Committee shall forward to the Office of the Provost by the 13^th week of the spring semester, the names of three persons selected to receive the award.


Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Faculty Affairs Committee

1.     A member of the Faculty Affairs Committee who is a nominee for the award shall not participate in Faculty Affairs Committee deliberations related to consideration of the nominees or selection of the recipients of the award.

2.     Upon learning that a member of the committee is a nominee for the award, the Chairperson of the Faculty Affairs Committee shall so notify the President of the Faculty Senate. The President of the Faculty Senate may replace the member by an alternate person who shall participate as a member of the Faculty Affairs Committee only during discussions of the committee directly related to the selection of the recipients of the award. If the President of the Faculty Senate does not appoint this alternate within seven days of a direct written or e-mail request by the Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, only regular members of the Faculty Affairs Committee who are not nominees for the award shall participate in deliberations related to the consideration of nominees and the selection of recipients of the University Outstanding Teacher Award.

3.     A member of the committee who is a nominee for the award shall continue to participate in all issues before the Faculty Affairs Committee that are not directly related to consideration of nominees and selection of award recipients.