Academic Leadership Toolkit

Faculty Performance Concerns

 

Overview:

Faculty Performance Concerns flowchart

 

Goals:

  • To resolve faculty incompetence issues (i.e., when a faculty member is not fulfilling their duties) that cannot be resolved informally
  • To resolve faculty misconduct issues (i.e., when a faculty member is taking actions that are contrary to university policy, state or federal law, or the best interests of the university) that cannot be resolved informally

Authority and Responsibility:

  • The FSU President has final authority to enact disciplinary measures in faculty cases. Typically, this authority is delegated to the Provost.
  • The process for investigating alleged instances of incompetence or misconduct, determining just cause for discipline, and providing notice and an opportunity for the faculty member to respond is governed by the FSUBOT-UFF Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 16.
  • Consideration of the case by a panel of peers occurs through the measures set forth in Section 16.5 (of the FSU BOT-UFF CBA).

Common Pitfalls:

  • Failing to distinguish between faculty discipline and non-renewal of faculty members who do not hold tenure
  • Not using the annual evaluation process effectively to try and correct performance problems in a progressive manner
  • Not distinguishing between an informal written or spoken warning and a disciplinary action.
  • Believing (and acting in accordance with) the myth that faculty members are impossible to remove from their positions when necessary.

Resources: