Section 3.7.3: Faculty

Judgment of Compliance

Requirement

Narrative

McNeese State University is in compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.7.3.

The University is committed to ongoing professional development for its faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. This expectation is outlined in the Faculty/Staff Handbook regarding Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Employee Evaluation. The Faculty Annual Performance Review (APR) serves as the basis for merit pay, promotion, and tenure. As indicated in the employee evaluation process, scholarly/professional activity is a significant component of the APR. The importance of professional development is reinforced by the University's provision of a variety of opportunities for its faculty. The University follows the University of Louisiana System policy for leaves of absences for faculty and the University Policy. Outside employment and consulting opportunities that benefit the University, the state, or the private sector are also supported through policy.

A number of specific programs and offices provide significant support to faculty professional development:

Sabbatical Leave

The Faculty/Staff Handbook outlines the purpose of sabbatical leave for faculty:

For the purpose of professional or cultural improvement, or renewal, this leave may be granted for two semesters (52 weeks for 12-month employees). It may be granted following any six or more consecutive fiscal years of active service in the institution where such individual is employed. An individual may not accumulate time in an attempt to qualify for more than one consecutive year of such leave. Leave also may be granted for one semester (26 weeks for 12-month employees) following three or more consecutive years of such service by an individual, provided that absence due to sick leave shall not be deemed to interrupt the active service provided for herein. A sabbatical leave taken during a Summer session shall be considered a semester for leave purposes. (Section 221.2a)

Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs

The Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs processes and administers all grants and contracts, maintains a library of grant and contract sources, provides assistance to faculty in grant preparation and submittal, and disseminates grant information regularly to faculty via email. An overview of the grant writing policy is easily accessible to all faculty on the University website. The Office of Research Services identifies its mission in relation to the overall mission of the University:

The Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs seeks to increase the capability and competitiveness of McNeese State University faculty and staff to receive internal and external funding for research, creative expression, faculty and student enrichment, and program development. In accomplishing this mission, Research Services:

• Encourages faculty and staff to write and submit proposals;

• Educates faculty and staff on grantsmanship by offering regularly scheduled training sessions and workshops;

• Assists faculty and staff in identifying potential funding sources by publishing a monthly newsletter, emailing RFPs, and conducting individual searches;

• Provides faculty and staff with guidance on proposal content and submission procedures by editing rough drafts and generating constructive feedback;

• Aids faculty and staff in the internal proposal review process assuring compliance with Federal, State and University policies, procedures and regulations;

• Submits grants to the funding agencies on behalf of the author(s) and McNeese State University;

• Aids faculty and staff with contract administration once funding is received.

In the 2006 Master Plan, the Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs identified the following grant-writing activities performed by faculty across the campus:

• Seven proposals for Federal grants were submitted during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Twenty-three proposals for State grants were submitted during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Eleven proposals for Private/Foundation or other grants were submitted during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Six Federal grants were received during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Eleven Federal grants were active during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Seventeen State grants were received during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Thirty-six State grants were active during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Ten Private/Foundation or other grants were received during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Seventeen Private/Foundation or other grants were active during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• 58.54% of the submitted proposals (24 out of 41) were funded during the 2005-06 fiscal year. Six of the submitted proposals will be funded in the 2006-07 fiscal year;

• Three of the submitted proposals are still under review;

• One submitted proposal will be funded in the 2007-2006 fiscal year;

• Only seven proposals submitted in 2005-2006 have been designated as not being funded;

• $2,523.665 in total new grant funding was awarded during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• $6,946,177 in active grants was in place during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• $135,129 was received in indirect costs during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Grant proposal applications were submitted to thirty-two different funding sources during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Eleven proposals were submitted to new funding sources (sources not tapped before). (2006 Master Plan, 971)

In its efforts to provide grant-writing support, the Office provided the following workshops and other support for faculty:

• Four workshops were provided by ORSSP staff for MSU faculty and staff during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• One web conference was provided by professionals external to MSU during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Twenty-four faculty members attended regional or national symposia during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• One staff member from the Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs attended two national meetings during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Ten newsletters were published and distributed to faculty during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Approximately sixty-five faculty members were contacted/assisted (office visits, telephone communication, mail-outs, and email communication other than the RSSP newsletter) during the 2005-06 fiscal year. During these encounters, they; a) were provided with current and timely information about upcoming research opportunities (external and internal) and recent grant awards to MSU faculty, b) were provided with info about the services available at the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services, or, c) were assisted with editing, budget formatting, forecasting, justifying and modifying grant proposals;

• One hundred and thirty students were hired through RSSP during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Seventeen (out of 31) academic departments were assisted during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Five other departments/programs within MSU were assisted during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts submitted six grant proposals during the 2005-06 fiscal year;

• Four grants, submitted by faculty from the College of Liberal Arts, were funded during the 2005-06 fiscal year. (2006 Master Plan, 972-73)

The Lake Area Industries/McNeese Engineering Partnership

The Lake Area Industries/McNeese Engineering Partnership provides opportunities for faculty to develop seminars for local engineering industries.

The Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education

The Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education provides teacher training workshops, consulting, research services, and materials related to economic education throughout Southwest Louisiana. Faculty members, primarily in the Colleges of Business and Education, have regularly participated in center activities. The mission of the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Development supports the University mission to facilitate life-long learning:

Institutional Mission Reference:

Functioning as an institutional entity, the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education parallels the purpose of the Burton College of Education and McNeese State University. The Center brings together university resources into an efficient, cohesive production unit for the purpose of accomplishing its stated mission. Services provided by the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education extends the Burton College of Education philosophy of lifelong learning, diversity, collaboration, and reflection. (2006 University Master Plan, 128)

The following data provide insight into the outreach activities of faculty members associated with the Center for Economic Education:

• Number of school and/teacher contacts increased by 73% over the previous year;

• Outreach and curriculum support was increased to Cameron Parish by 100% over the previous year;

• Number of business/industry activities increased by 150% over the previous year;

• Annual Business/Industry Symposium was conducted;

• Community agency activity increased by 33% over the previous year. PK-16+ Council meetings were included in this increase. (2006 Master Plan, 129)

The Louisiana Environmental Research Center

The Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC) was established in 1990 to conduct research focused on the environmental problems of importance to Southwest Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico Region. As part of the Center, the University maintains a Wetlands Station that serves as a focal point for its research. Summaries of recent grants and projects are available on the McNeese website. A list of recent projects is below:

• Wetland Restoration and Remediation in Southwest Louisiana Marshes. Project Period: February 1, 2002 - January 31, 2005.

• Productivity and Carbon Sequestration in Created and Natural Salt Marshes, & Monitoring of Spartina alterniflora Dieback in a Southwestern Louisiana Salt Marsh. Project Period: October, 2001 - September, 2004.

• A Comparison of Metals Concentrations in Soils and Selected Species from Natural and Restored Marshes in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Project Period: October, 2001 - September, 2004.

• Developing Methods for Identifying Suitable Donors for Wetland Plant Restoration through Transplantation. Project Period: October, 2001 - September, 2004.

The H.C. Drew Center for Associate Studies and the H.C. Drew Institute

The H.C. Drew Center for Associate Studies and the H.C. Drew Institute provides yearly endowment funds to support proposals, primarily related to economic development, from faculty specific to their respective missions. Proposals are competitive and reviewed by the Drew Endowment Panel. While total funds vary each year due to the nature of the endowment, generally $150,000 to $200,000 in grants are funded each year. In 2005, 16 proposals were funded for a total of $150,000.

The McNeese State University Foundation

The McNeese State University Foundation annually provides faculty development and academic enhancement awards as well as undergraduate research awards, in which undergraduate students receive a stipend for conducting research under the tutelage of a faculty member. Currently, two major competitive programs are the Endowed Professorships and the Endowed Scholars Programs.

Faculty are encouraged to apply. Application guidelines are provided to each academic department head via hard copy each year and are also available in the Faculty/Staff Handbook. During the 2004-2005 academic year, 47 $1,000 professorships were awarded. In 2005-2006, 43 $1,000 professorships were awarded

Juliet Hardtner Women in Science and Technology Endowed Chair and Juliet Hardtner Women in Arts and Humanities Endowed Chair

Beginning with the 1999-2000 academic year McNeese State University may award the Juliet Hardtner Women in Science and Technology Endowed Chair and the Juliet Hardtner Women in Arts and Humanities Endowed Chair. These endowed chairs serve as a link to the economic development of Southwest Louisiana by providing future employees and leaders for relevant industries and professions. One chair holder must be associated with a designated discipline related to the arts and humanities and one must be associated with a designated discipline related to the sciences and technology.

Travel Funds for Conference Attendance and Other Relevant Activities

The Vice President of Academic Affairs and each college dean maintains a budget item to support faculty professional development through conference attendance, presentations and other relevant activities. Faculty request funds through their respective departments and colleges. Over the past five years, total amounts have ranged from $48,641 to $74,476, with an average of $58,580.

The Shearman Research Initiative Fund

The Shearman Research Initiative Fund provides financial support for faculty efforts to conduct pilot studies or pursue creative expression. Since 1985, awards have been provided to faculty in 19 of 21 academic years and have averaged over $24,600 each year. During 2004-2005, 13 awards totaling $17,000 were made. During the 2005-2006 academic year, 11 awards totaling $17,000 were made. Guidelines and a history of award recipients are included in supporting evidence.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Technology

The Center for Teaching and Learning Technology (CTLT) offers all university faculty and staff training opportunities related to technology usage and application. (

Office of Special Services and Equity

The Office of Special Services and Equity offers regularly scheduled faculty and staff training in areas related to employment and supervision of employees. The scheduled training is posted on the University website. Notices are also sent via email and regular campus mail. One regularly scheduled training program is the orientation provided new faculty just prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Burton College of Education

Faculty within the Burton College of Education have the opportunity to utilize funds from the Burton Endowment. While the total amount available varies each year due to market fluctuations, a significant amount is available each year ($40,000 in 2004-05 and $35,000 in 2005-06) to support professional development opportunities that enhance teacher education programs. The list below illustrates the support provided by this endowment:

• In 2004-2005, 31 faculty within the Burton College of Education received a total of $8,254.53 for individual professional development activities (presentation and/or attendance at local, regional, or national conferences);

• In 2005-2006, 36 faculty received a total of $15,064.53 for individual professional development activities;

• Funds are also utilized from the Burton Endowment to provide major professional development to the college faculty and other stakeholders each year;

• In 2003-2004, the BCOE hosted an NCATE Accreditation Institute for the universities throughout the state of Louisiana;

• In 2004-2005, the BCOE sponsored a conference on New Teacher Induction featuring Annette Breaux;

• In 2005-2006, the BCOE sponsored a one-day training for all McNeese faculty on Course Embedded Performance Assessment featuring David Kelley. Each of these were funded by the Burton Endowment.

Supporting Evidence

H.C. Drew Proposal Guidelines (2005)

H.C. Drew 2005 Proposals - Results

List of Endowed Professorships/Scholars for 2004-2005

List of Endowed Professorships/Scholars for 2005-2006

VP and Deans' Office Support for Professional Development

Shearman Research Initiative Fund Guidelines

Shearman Research Initiative Fund Award Recipients - 1985-2006

Burton Fund Endowment Guidelines - 2005-2006

Listing of Endowed Professorships