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4.2.1.1.1 Classroom Observation of Teaching

*Classroom visits by senior members of the Faculty are considered an essential and

regular aspect of peer evaluation of teaching. It is hoped that increased awareness of

different styles and methods of teaching, as will happen when visits are made, will lead to

an improvement of teaching in all academic ranks.

[Revised per Faculty Motion 14-20]

*Peer observation is typically of two kinds: formative (faculty member is observed and

provided feedback which only he/she sees) and evaluative (untenured faculty member is

observed and provided feedback in a formal report by observer). The procedures

identified below are primarily, but not exclusively, to be used for evaluative observation.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-20]

*4.2.1.1.1.1 An untenured faculty member may choose to initiate and to undergo

formative observation in his or her first year, and is, in fact, encouraged to do so. But

normally, no evaluative observation will be conducted during the first year. Normally,

at least 50 % of all tenured members of the department should observe untenured

colleagues at least once before the midterm review, and ideally, all tenured members

of the department will observe the untenured colleagues before the tenure review;

the exact number of observations may vary depending on the size of the department.

The Department Head shall make every effort to ensure that these visits are

scheduled appropriately so as not to become burdensome.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-

20]

*In the case of untenured faculty with interdisciplinary program appointments, the

untenured faculty's advisory committee, as established in his/her MOU and in

accordance with Appendix M.1.5.4 of the Faculty Handbook, will perform the

responsibilities of tenured departmental colleagues.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-20]

*Evaluative observations should be designed to address both breadth and depth of

the candidate’s teaching. Breadth is achieved when a balance of course types

(introductory, survey, upper level, interdisciplinary, etc.) are observed over the

probationary period, both pre- and post-midterm. To achieve depth, departments

should attempt to have at least some tenured faculty visit the same course both pre-

and post-midterm. Members of the candidate’s conference committee may be ideal

candidates for visiting multiple class sessions over the course of the probationary

period.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-20]

*Each academic department shall prepare guidelines stating how the College

classroom observation procedures will be followed within the department. Such

guidelines shall identify, given departmental size and relative numbers of senior vs.

untenured colleagues, the preferred timing and frequency of evaluative observations.

The Department Head shall provide a copy of the guidelines to each department

faculty member and to the Provost and the Promotion, Tenure, and Review

Committee. The Dean of the Faculty, in consultation with the Teaching and Learning

Committee and Provost, shall review each department’s guidelines to ensure their

consistency with the College procedure, and upon approval, shall post them on the

Provost’s website. Whenever a new faculty member joins a department, the

Department Head shall provide him/her with a copy of the Classroom Observation

guidelines.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-20]

*These guidelines should be reviewed at least every five years. If departmental or

program guidelines change, the new guidelines should be sent to the Dean of the

Faculty’s office for review in consultation with the Teaching and Learning Committee.

[Added per Faculty Motion 14-20]

Classroom Observation Of Teaching

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