Evaluation of Faculty

Valdosta State University helps faculty members develop successful, productive careers by regularly evaluating their performance, providing constructive feedback, and facilitating their professional growth. Consisting of a structured, flexible process of continuous planning, communication, and feedback, faculty evaluation begins at the point of initial employment, it guides the promotion and tenure process, and it informs the years of post-tenure service. See VSU's Faculty Evaluation Model for details.

Faculty members at Valdosta State University are evaluated both by themselves and others numerous times over the course of their careers:

1. Every semester, students are given the opportunity to express their opinions about classroom instruction through the Student Opinion of Instruction (SOI). (https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/sois/)
2. Each year, faculty members evaluate themselves through an Annual Faculty Activity Report and Action Plan to which their department/unit head adds an Annual Evaluation. (Documents available at https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/faculty-resources.php).
3. When funding is available, faculty members are evaluated according to individual departmental standards for the award of merit pay.
4. During their third year of full-time service at VSU, tenure-track faculty members and non-tenured lecturers are also evaluated by departmental committees as well as their department/unit heads when they participate in a Pre-Tenure Review. Non-tenured lecturers are also reviewed during the third year.
5. Beginning in their fourth year of full-time university service (if hired as an Assistant Professor or the fifth year if hired as an Associate Professor), tenure track faculty members or lecturers are eligible to apply for Promotion, and tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply for Tenure in their fifth year. In both these processes, faculty must show the results of their earlier evaluation processes to departmental colleagues, department/unit head, the appropriate dean, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. (The University policy as well as the different college policies are available at https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/tenure-and-promotion-procedures.php). According to the Board of Regents, the maximum time individuals in a tenure-track position may serve without the award of tenure is as follows:
6. Except for the approved suspension of the probationary period due to a leave of absence, the maximum time that may be served at the rank of assistant professor or above without the award of tenure shall be seven years, but a terminal contract for an eighth year may be proffered if a recommendation for tenure is not approved by the President.
7. The maximum time that may be served in combination of full-time instructional appointments (instructor or professorial ranks) without the award of tenure shall be ten years, but a terminal contract for the eleventh year may be proffered if a recommendation for tenure is not approved by the President.
8. Except for the approved suspension of the probationary period due to a leave of absence, the maximum period of time that may be served at the rank of full-time instructor shall be seven years. (BOR Policy Manual 8.3.7.6).
9. Every five years after the award of tenure (unless interrupted by another personnel action such as promotion), faculty members participate in a Post-Tenure Review. During this review, they are evaluated by their departmental colleagues and their department/unit head.