Academic department heads are encouraged to review syllabi and read student evaluations for their part-time faculty during the course table planning process. Those who want to dive in deeper are encouraged to employ the form titled "Collegial Meeting between academic department head and part-time faculty" to meet with their adjunct faculty during the first year of service for new-to-RISD faculty, the year prior to the first multi-year contract and during the first year of any multi-year contract.
The form is intended to guide the collegial discussion, provide a forum for development, and facilitate and standardize methods of documentation in support of transparent and collegial processes. Click here to link to the form and a description of the context for its development.
The faculty member or department head may elect to invite a third party to participate in the meeting.
In the interest of consistency and equity it is recommended that department heads and deans use the following talking points:
Student evaluations—effectiveness & discussion of results of student evaluations
Syllabi—review according to Curriculum Committee’s Syllabus Guidelines
Discussion of teaching interests
Department Curriculum needs and course consistency
What’s happening in the faculty member’s professional practice that could inform curriculum
If applicable: College or departmental service/additional duties or expanded role assignments
Collegial meetings should be scheduled for days on which the faculty member would normally be on campus to teach or at a time mutually convenient for the faculty member and department head.