Introduction
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University Goals and Expectations
The principal goals of the University are to enhance learning by students and instruction
by faculty; to enable scholars and researchers to discover, assimilate, and publish
new information and knowledge; to provide an environment for the creation and presentation
of the creative arts; and to serve the public and the academic world. The quality
of the faculty members' achievements in these areas determines the strength and
quality of the University. Faculty members are expected to teach, conduct research
(defined as also including scholarship and creative activity), and provide service.
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Faculty Assignments
Faculty assignments vary, but they are directed toward fulfilling the principal goals
of the University. Faculty assignments are given by the appropriate academic
officers, usually chairpersons or deans who have consulted with the faculty
members involved. Specific work assignments or documents of agreement are reviewed
by the faculty member with the appropriate administrative officer. In order to ensure that courses and off-campus programs are
offered and that support services are staffed, administrators may assign
faculty members to various related duties including teaching, research, and
service. Other duties may result from election or appointment to committees
(University, college, school,division or department), or to other academic
responsibilities.
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Faculty Academic Integrity
According to the West Virginia University Office of Academic Integrity, integrity
is an obligation of all who engage in the acquisition, application, and dissemination
of knowledge. Scholars are bound to maintain honesty and avoid deception in
all aspects of their work. This duty, rooted in personal and professional ethics,
is shared by all members of the University community. The duty to safeguard
academic integrity at WVU includes:
- Promulgating and reinforcing standards for the conduct of research and other forms of scholarship;
- Reporting potential instances of misconduct;
- Examining allegations of misconduct; and
- Imposing sanctions when appropriate.
Teaching
Teaching involves the dissemination of knowledge, the stimulation of critical thinking, and the development of artistic expression. Teaching includes not only traditional modes of instruction such as the classroom lecture, but also modes such as clinical, laboratory, and practicum instruction; thesis and dissertation direction; evaluation and critique of student performance; various forms of continuing education and nontraditional instruction; and advising, which is a special dimension of teaching, the success of which is essential to the educational process. Successful teaching is an expectation for all faculty who are assigned to teach, regardless of rank or tenure status. For more detail, see WVU Policies and Procedures for Annual Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure.
Faculty members' teaching assignments ideally grow out of the convergence of their competence and interests on the one hand, and the instructional and other needs of the program, school, or college on the other. Assignments will normally be reviewed with the faculty member by the appropriate administrative officer. Effective teaching depends on the professional effort and competence of the faculty. To ensure that standards will be maintained and that both faculty and students will be protected, the Faculty Senate and administration have established a number of instructional policies and practices that are to be followed. Faculty members design their own courses in keeping with the course descriptions in the University catalogs. They are expected to file their own course syllabi with their chairperson or dean. The official documents setting forth basic University policies concerning teaching are: the West Virginia University Undergraduate Catalog, the West Virginia University Graduate Catalog, and the West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Catalog.
Research
Research involves the creation and synthesis of knowledge, the creation of new approaches to understanding and explaining phenomena, the development of new insights, the critical appraisal of the past, artistic creation and performance, and the application of knowledge and expertise to address needs in society and in the profession. For more detail, see the Policies for Annual Faculty Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure.
Service
Service activities involve the application of the benefits and products of teaching and research to address the needs of society and the profession. These activities include:
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Service to the University
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Service to the profession
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Service to the state and to citizens or others at regional, national, and
international levels
In keeping with its tradition as a land-grant institution, the University is committed to the performance and recognition of service activities on the part of its faculty as an essential component of its mission. For more detail, see the Policies and Procedures for Faculty Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure. The definition of the nature and extent of acceptable service for purposes of promotion and tenure should be identified further in the appropriate unit's evaluation guidelines.
Awards, Fellowships, and Grants
The University administration generously supports faculty in their roles as scholars and researchers, teachers, and community partners through several internal grant programs supporting faculty travel/development, research and scholarship, community engagement, and academic conferences.
- Internal Awards, Fellowships and Grants
- External Awards, Fellowships and Grants
- Guidelines and Application Forms
Sabbatical Leave
Endowed Chairs and Professorships
Review of Deans and Administrators
Graduate Tuition Waivers
All full-time, benefits-eligible faculty are eligible to apply for a maximum of six hours of WVU graduate tuition waivers each semester (the faculty member must apply to and be admitted to WVU as a graduate or professional student).