Incentivize academic faculty and staff who mentor academically challenged students

Task Force Recommendation: Close the Gap in Retention and Persistence to Graduation

Task Force Project: Re-formulate the underrepresented faculty incentives program and spousal hire  policy  to ensure transparency, clear guidelines, and accessibility to all underrepresented faculty groups , administrative   p rofessionals ,  and  c ivil  s ervice staff .  

Champion: Sam Catanzaro

Status: Ongoing

Implementation Team Actions

• The Office of the Provost ramped up efforts to increase transparency of the Education Diversity Enhancement Program (EDEP). The effort offers matching funds for up to three years for newly recruited faculty. The funds can be used for teaching, research, and the creative arts.
• In FY20, nearly 26 percent of nearly hired faculty received funds. Administrators involved in hiring approvals also took the step of recommending the program to faculty if department chairs did not request. 
• Cluster hiring for interdisciplinary programs is on hold during COVID-19, but the Provost's office plans to resume the program in the future. 

Next step/Timeline

• The Office of the Provost will continue to advocate for the EDEP, and increase communications with search committees and department chairs.
• Continue to work with Human Resources on training for search committees.