The following is a brief summary of selected major portions of the University Procedure on Faculty Evaluation. This procedure applies to tenured, tenure-track and ad interim faculty, but not to adjunct faculty. Adjuncts are evaluated on a semester basis by the relevant department head. (For the full text, see A&M-Commerce Procedure A12.20).

The annual faculty evaluation process at the university has two major goals: to provide (1) a system to facilitate the development of teaching, research or other scholarly and creative activities (RSCA) and service to the university profession/community and (2) an annual evaluation (review of performance) of teaching, RSCA and service for the purpose of making decisions regarding the terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the faculty and the university, including merit pay, promotion, tenure and post-tenure review.

The calendar year will be utilized for annual evaluations. Annual goal setting will occur simultaneously with the evaluation process. From January 5 to January 20 faculty members will meet with their department heads to formulate their goals for the year and a supporting plan of action. A copy will be submitted by the department head to the dean of the college for review and approval by January 25. By December 1 of each year, the faculty member will submit to the department head a report of achievement for the goals agreed upon for that year. The department head will write an assessment of the degree to which the goals were achieved and include a recommendation for the merit rating (with highest rating as 1 and the lowest as 5) for the three areas of evaluation as well as an overall merit rating. The department head will then have a conference with the faculty member to discuss the assessment and furnish him or her with a copy of the recommendation.

The department head will forward a copy of the faculty reports and merit recommendations to the dean of the college by January 25. The dean will review the materials and if the dean wishes to revise a faculty member's overall merit rating he/she will have a conference with the faculty member's department head. The faculty member will be informed of any change in the overall merit rating. The dean will forward the materials submitted along with his or her recommendations to the Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs by February 1.

The Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs will review the recommendations. Should the Provost and Vice President not concur with the dean's recommendations, the Provost and Vice President will consult with the dean. Any changes will be communicated to the department head and the faculty member. The Provost and Vice President will make merit recommendations to the President by March 1.

Each department will conduct student evaluation of instruction for the annual evaluation. A copy of the department's evaluation document, approved by the dean, shall be submitted to the Provost/VPASA for approval.

Appeals of adverse decisions will follow regular administrative channels beginning at the first level at which the adverse decision was made. Regular A&M System and university grievance policies and procedures are available for use by the faculty member.