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Regents take first read on expanding faculty awards to include non‑tenure‑track faculty and university staff
Summary
The committee held a first reading of proposed changes to the board’s Faculty of the Year awards policy that would add a category for non‑tenure‑track faculty and create a parallel nomination path for staff. The item received stakeholder support and will return for a second reading next month.
The Board of Regents Governance Committee took a first reading of proposed changes to the board’s Faculty of the Year awards policy that would expand eligibility and nomination processes.
John Urie, presenting the item, said the draft makes two primary changes: (1) add a category for non‑tenure‑track (NTT) faculty, and (2) include a mechanism for staff to be recognized by creating a staff award nomination path. Under the draft, NTT faculty would be eligible alongside tenured and tenure‑track faculty; staff nominations would be submitted by university chief executive officers to the board on the same timeline. The proposed criteria language was broadened to list teaching, research, extension, libraries, clinical duties, service and other roles so those activities can serve as bases for nomination.
Why it matters: Regents and presenters said the change responds to feedback from campus faculty and staff governance bodies and would allow recognition of contributions that fall outside traditional tenure‑track roles. Matthew Muther, a Council of Faculty Senate Presidents representative, told the committee the council “fully endorses these changes” and that several campuses are already soliciting nominations for excellent NTT faculty this year.
Process and next steps: Because this was a first read, committee members said they did not require an immediate committee vote. The committee chair and staff indicated the item will return for a second reading next month to allow any remaining stakeholders to offer feedback. General Counsel John Urie said he did not believe additional legal review would prevent a second reading at next month’s board meeting.
Stakeholder input noted in committee: Muther said faculty senates at multiple campuses (WGUs named in discussion: WSU, Pitt State, KU) are already moving forward to solicit nominations for NTT faculty. Committee members also reported outreach to staff senates and campus administration supporting a staff award category.
No formal committee action was taken; the committee will schedule a second reading and staff will bring a revised policy for committee consideration and then to the full board if approved.
