(effective beginning AY 2021-22)
Overview
The College of Liberal Arts (COLA) awards endowed chairs, professorships, and fellowships as a means of recognizing excellence in research and teaching. It also awards endowments as an incentive to recruit faculty members to the University and as a means of retaining outstanding faculty. Based on donor criteria, some endowments are designated for faculty in specific departments and may be assigned by the dean to be managed by those departments, although authority for final approval of appointments and renewals remains with the dean and provost. Other endowments have award criteria that span multiple fields or departments and are available to faculty across the college. Holders of endowed academic positions are stewards of the endowment for a defined period of time and are subject to periodic evaluation to ensure continued excellence in all areas. Endowed chairs and professorships are intended to have holders; however, unfilled chairs and professorships may be used to support faculty fellows, according to the purpose of the endowment. Faculty may also be appointed as a fellow supported by funds available from a filled endowed chair and professorship.
Endowed Chair: Endowed chairs are supported by major endowments and recognize faculty with very high levels of scholarly achievement. While appointed to an endowed chair, the holder is expected to maintain a higher than average level of scholarly productivity, and to be a recognized leader in their area of research or scholarship. Chair holders are also expected to build and support departmental and university programs, support students, mentor junior faculty, and contribute positively to the teaching and service missions of the University.
Endowed Professorships: Endowed professorships are intended to recognize faculty for high levels of scholarly achievement. An endowed professor is expected to sustain a productive research program, publications, support students, mentor junior faculty, and contribute to the teaching and service missions of the University.
Faculty Fellowships: Endowed faculty fellowships are intended to recognize successful faculty members as their careers progress and to support scholarly work that contributes to their development as prominent scholars. These are intended for faculty at any academic rank whose productivity and promise are strong.
Stewardship: Every endowment holder and fellow is expected to be a good steward of their endowment resources. This includes the productive and strategic use of resources as well as annual reporting to donors on their achievements in research, teaching, and service and use of endowment-related resources.
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