Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of Executive Committee?
- Serves as the central planning body of the school
- Considers administrative matters referred to it by the Dean and advises the Dean thereon.
- Reviews proposals pertaining to academic matters and formulates recommendations for full Faculty action.
- In accordance with GSE’s Faculty Personnel Manual, reviews proposals for searches submitted by divisional chairs for candidates for standing faculty positions. If a proposal is endorsed by the Executive Committee, it is forwarded for discussion and vote by the full voting membership of the Faculty of Education.
What is the graduate group chair (and who is the grad group chair?)
The Graduate Group in GSE is comprised of all Standing and Secondary Faculty. The Graduate Group Chair oversees the Ph.D. degree and its specializations. Penn GSE’s Graduate Group Chair is Matt Hartley.
Who votes on academic policies?
Only Standing Faculty vote on academic policies. Professional Faculty carry no voting rights related to personnel matters in the Standing Faculty but may have voting rights on curriculum and instructional matters. Voting privileges may be extended at divisional level by a vote of the Standing Faculty of that division.
Who votes for new faculty hires?
Only Standing Faculty vote on faculty new hires. Professional Faculty carry no voting rights related to personnel matters in the Standing Faculty.
What are the different faculty lines (e.g. standing, practice, lecturer/sr. lecturer, senior fellow)?
Standing Faculty
The Standing Faculty is composed of three ranks: Assistant Professor of Education; Associate Professor of Education; and Professor of Education. All members of the Standing Faculty are appointed full-time with tenure or in tenure probationary status (i.e., all are "tenure track").
Practice Faculty
The role of Professors of Practice is to provide graduate instruction in the professional practice of educators, including the supervision of internships and other field experiences. The Professors of Practice are recommended for an appointment following a search, using the same teaching criteria as for the Standing Faculty, with an emphasis on potential for teaching professional practice courses, and for having a critical awareness of current controversies in educational research and practice. Professorships of Practice are full-time appointments.
Adjunct Faculty
This group is composed primarily of faculty members whose primary careers are outside of the University, whether self-employed or with other institutions of higher education, venues of educational practice, business or non-profit organizations, or government agencies. Such persons are appointed to part-time academic status while continuing their principal associations or careers elsewhere. Such individuals may teach no more than three course units per academic year. Appointments may also be used for academically qualified persons employed by the University for non-academic or administrative duties.
Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturers are responsible for teaching and contributing to academic programs, especially in areas where relevant expertise cannot be sustained on the standing faculty. They plan, supervise, and evaluate students' performance; they work with faculty and staff to provide a supportive learning environment; they contribute to course development and revisions; they lecture in their area of expertise; and they participate in advising and recruitment activities. Unlike Lecturers, Senior Lecturers are eligible for reappointment for as long as the need persists, and retirement benefits.
Lecturers in Educational Practice
Practice Lecturer appointments are reserved for scholars not otherwise eligible for membership in the Standing Faculty who undertake full instructional and supervisory functions with the Graduate School of Education. These appointments may extend from one year to three years and beyond, subject to reappointment reviews in three-year cycles.
Lecturers
Lecturer appointments are reserved for scholars not otherwise eligible for membership in the Standing Faculty who undertake full-time (maximum of 3 academic years except), part-time instructional (maximum of 3 course units per academic year).
Senior Fellows
A person appointed as a Senior Fellow in Education is a senior administrator who also has teaching responsibilities in the School. The appointment as Senior Fellow is usually co-terminus with their administrative appointment.
How are adjuncts appointed?
No search is required. Appointments are made upon approval by the Division, Faculty Personnel Committee, Dean, and Provost. For consideration, the Division Chair should submit to Faculty Affairs a letter to the Dean, outlining the reason for the proposal, and the candidate's full credentials, including at a minimum:
- current curriculum vitae,
- 3 letters of recommendation from standing faculty, and
- publications.
The relevant Division Chair consults with the divisional faculty concerning the appointment or reappointment to be proposed. The Division Chair then submits to the Dean a proposal. The Division Chair can consult with the Program Chair about the appointment or reappointment. The Program Chair may assist in drafting the proposal, and may also co-sign the proposal, if appropriate.
How are professors of practice hired?
The Division Chair submits a written proposal to Faculty Affairs, addressed to the Dean. The proposal is reviewed by the Executive Committee for faculty needs, fiscal base, and conformity with academic plans and objectives of Penn GSE. If the proposal is endorsed by the Executive Committee, it is forwarded for discussion and vote by the voting membership of the Faculty of Education (the Standing Faculty and those Secondary Faculty accorded a vote by the Faculty Personnel Committee). Appointments of Professors of Practice require a search committee and a formal (limited) search, candidate interviews, three intramural, three extramural reviewer letters, a report to the Faculty Personnel Committee, and a vote of the Standing Faculty.
How are Lecturers/Lecturers in Educational Practice hired?
The initial appointment requires a search and the approval of the Dean upon the recommendation of the Division.
How are Senior Lecturers hired?
The Division Chair submits a written proposal to Faculty Affairs, addressed to the Dean. The proposal is reviewed by the Executive Committee for faculty needs, fiscal base, and conformity with academic plans and objectives of Penn GSE. If the proposal is endorsed by the Executive Committee, it is forwarded for discussion and vote by the voting membership of the Faculty of Education (the Standing Faculty and those Secondary Faculty accorded a vote by the Faculty Personnel Committee). Appointments of Senior Lecturers require a search committee and a formal (limited) search, candidate interviews, three extramural review letters, a report to the Faculty Personnel Committee, and a vote of the Standing Faculty.
How are Senior Fellows hired?
We usually do not advertise for Senior Fellows. It is usually an “add-on” or promotion, after a person is hired.
How are standing faculty hired?
The Division Chair submits a written proposal to Faculty Affairs, addressed to the Dean. The proposal is reviewed by the Executive Committee for faculty needs, fiscal base, and conformity with academic plans and objectives of Penn GSE. If the proposal is endorsed by the Executive Committee, it is forwarded for discussion and vote by the voting membership of the Faculty of Education (the Standing Faculty and those Secondary Faculty accorded a vote by the Faculty Personnel Committee). Appointments of Standing Faculty require a search committee and a formal search, candidate interviews, three extramural review letters, a report to the Faculty Personnel Committee, and a vote of the Standing Faculty. If a candidate is hired with tenure, a complete tenure review, requiring review by extramural consultants, is required.
Who evaluates faculty and how? (Who is responsible for evaluating standing faculty, adjuncts, etc.)
The Dean evaluates standing faculty. However, each Division Chair is responsible for evaluating the Professional Faculty in their respective Divisions.
Where can I go if I have a problem with a faculty member (or the chair of my department?)
If there are such issues, please feel free to approach the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or HR for assistance.