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ideas. When evaluating a faculty member’s teaching, the Promotion and Tenure Committee will
rely on colleague evaluations, current and former student evaluations, and other relevant
materials.
Research, scholarship, and/or creative work
are vital to maintaining and advancing the
College’s academic mission and reputation. Appointment to the Faculty of Birmingham-
Southern College brings with it the expectation that all professors—whether assistant, associate,
or full—will not only remain current with developments in their chosen fields of study, but also
will continue to make academic and/or artistic contributions throughout their careers.
Birmingham-Southern College acknowledges that, unlike research institutions, the quantity of
such activities is limited by the demands of teaching and service; nonetheless, the College
expects its faculty members to be solid citizens of academic and artistic communities throughout
their careers. Academic and artistic contributions may be demonstrated in many ways, including
but not limited to, the publication of articles and books; presentations at professional meetings;
artistic creations or performances; service as jurors, referees, reviewers, organizers, or
commentators for publishers or conferences; and awards, whether in recognition of superior
work or in the form of grants or fellowships.
The College recognizes that different academic disciplines have different expectations;
thus the Committee will use the departmental research, scholarship, and/or creative work
guidelines for evaluating faculty members for tenure and promotion. To evaluate faculty
scholarship, the Committee will rely in part on reference letters requested from outside
reviewers.
Service
to the College is expected upon appointment to the Faculty. This is a broad and
important component of each professor’s appointment and is essential if the College is to run
smoothly and fulfill its roles within the local and academic communities.
Service involves student advising. This is a vital part of being a professor at the College.
All faculty members will serve as academic advisors providing timely and appropriate guidance
to students.
Service involves active participation in one’s department. These activities include, but are
not limited to, curriculum reviews and implementation of curricular changes, assisting in the
recruitment of new students and the hiring of new faculty members, supporting departmental co-
curricular activities, and assisting in the oversight or expenditure of library resources and
academic instructional/research funds. Service may include serving as Department Chair.
Service involves active participation in the governance of the Faculty and the College as
well. These activities include, but are not limited to, service on standing or elected Committees
of the Faculty or College, ad hoc committees, and task forces; regular attendance at department
and faculty meetings; assisting or providing leadership in appropriate co-curricular activities; and
generally participating in College functions that require faculty assistance. Faculty members are
also expected to work with other departments from time to time to assist in development,
evaluation, and recruitment.