Following a Faculty Senate resolution that was in favor of keeping the existing faculty rewards system, the Faculty Affairs Committee looked at increasing the amount of potential awards that faculty can receive. The committee focused on increasing the number of awards given out in contracts.

The review of the system follows direction from the Kansas Board of Regents that centers on improving the faculty development system. “The resolution said ‘We like what we’ve got…now we want to help you figure out what the next piece looks like,’” said Sheryl Lidzy, chair of FAC and associate

professor of communication and theater.

That next piece might be adding more rewards for staff at ESU. “Not only provides encouragement for junior faculty, but (gives them something to) put on their (curriculum vitae) when they go up for tenure,” said Brendan Fay, associate professor in the school of library and information management.

A curriculum vitae is a record of accomplishments used to apply toward professional research or education careers, according to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It is the academic equivalent of a resume.

Fay also said that some professors going up for tenure don’t have anything to show for their career at ESU. Another issue discussed was development for non-tenure track professors. “We need to have some provision to accommodate (them), without watering down the tenure process,” said George Durler, professor of business administration.

“Is there a way to give them more job security?” Some professors had on-hand experience with job insecurity. “We’ve always had one or two instructors,” said Majorie Bock, professor of elementary and special education.

“It was a year by year contract and both of (them) felt such insecurity that they felt they had to take on every single assignment thrown at them by administration…They felt that they were overburdened and overused.”

Durler suggested a multiyear contract for non-tenure track instructors. “I think a dean…should be able to say ‘Okay, next time it’s going to be a two-year contract,” Durler said.

Durler worked at Kansas State as a non-tenure track professor. “You never knew if you had a job until May…and I had to cover my own insurance during the summer,” Durler said. “Eventually I said ‘Screw it.’” The committee also considered merit pay for non-tenure track instructors.

FAC meets again at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Roe Cross Room in the Memorial Union