UVA General Faculty - 2004 Resolutions

GENERAL FACULTY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

Printable Version

October 1, 2004

V. General Faculty Professional Development

Issue. The teaching general faculty usually teach as many hours as or more hours than tenure-track faculty and often have at least as many students. When the University initially articulated differences between general and track teaching faculty, it was decided that general faculty teach more courses to qualify for full time than track faculty because general faculty did not have the same research obligations as track faculty. In addition, it was assumed that general faculty would not need the same access to professional development as track faculty because general teaching faculty were usually adjunct, teaching occasional classes and maintaining professional lives off grounds.

The reality today is quite different. More than half of the faculty are general faculty. Most non-track teaching faculty are employed full time and are also
expected to engage in research. Indeed, these faculty are evaluated on
their research in addition to teaching and service to the community - that
is, by the same criteria as track faculty. Despite their commitments to teaching, to students, and to research, general faculty often lack the professional development opportunities available to track faculty. To name a few examples: reimbursements for student activities; travel funds for professional conferences; and eligibility for grants and fellowships. The University has become increasingly dependent on its general faculty (while there has been a 3% increase in track faculty over the past ten years, there has been a 43% increase among the general faculty), and these inequities fail to recognize the substantial contribution of teaching general faculty to the quality of instruction at the university.

For administrative and professional general faculty, similar inequities exist. The general faculty recognizes that its members are ineligible for tenure, but all faculty should have opportunities for professional development. It is in the best interest of the entire University that its general faculty, without whom the University could not function, be given equitable opportunities for professional development.

Resolution: The GFC requests that the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement review, with the assistance of the GFC, all current professional development opportunities for teaching and research faculty and revise policies regarding faculty development to make them fair and equitable to all members of the faculty. In addition, the GFC requests that the Vice Provost for Management and Budget undertake the same review for administrative and professional faculty.

I:	Policy on the General Faculty
II:	Temporary Disability Leave Benefit for General Faculty
III.	Benefits for Sponsor-Supported General Faculty and Staff (Primarily Research Faculty and Professional Research Staff) Issue #1 – Paid Temporary Disability Leave
IV:	Benefits for Sponsor-Supported General Faculty and Staff (Primarily Research Faculty and Professional Research Staff) Issue #2 – Eligibility for Employer Contributions to Health Benefits
V:	Professional Development
VI.	Resolution on Salary Increase Equity