MEMORANDUM

TO: Dr. Greg Winland, Connie Dale, Tom Danford, Dr. Bob Honeman, Jeanne Ann VanFossen, Dr. Tony Vavra

FROM: President Hunter

DATE: April 2, 2001

SUBJECT: Baseline for Merit Increases This Year

I am not positive about it yet, but we are continuing to give emphasis to faculty increases in the FY 2003 Budget albeit at a lower level than last year's $1,500 - $1,900. I have read again your Merit Salary Policy Recommendation in which you outline first year "adjusted scores" using current faculty evaluation system. If this were possible to do, I would accept it, but your comment on standardized evaluations score - "adjusted by averages-to equalize differences among the Centers (requires complete evaluation data by Center for calculation)" is a great deal of work which raises the tedium of the current evaluation system even higher. I have consulted with the Center Directors to look at how this work can be accomplished . Our conclusion is that it is not possible to achieve all of this calculation, and we need to have another option for establishing a merit base.

For this year, it is suggested that to be considered for merit the individual faculty member will have achieved minimally the following:

1. First expectation: An upgraded and re-authorized course syllabus for all courses taught that has a significant number of outcomes, beyond the 3-5 currently required, agreed upon by the faculty who teach the course; and a mounted web page linked with the course syllabus.

2. Evidence of adherence to at least one of the following: (a) participation on college committees, (b) participation as advisor or sponsor of student/co-curricular activities, (c) leadership role in community service.

These, of course, are quite basic and going forward we shall need more defined criteria. The first essential is to justify any increases we make on the basis of a merit plan, and therefore as an expedient measure for this year, I propose this approach.

Please let me know of your response.

c: Academic Directors

Garnet Persinger