Introduction
The Mentoring Program for the School of Architecture at Washington State University has developed as a result of workshops organized by the Provost's Office and the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ASCA). The program is not only designed to give each faculty an overall approach to their tenure and/or promotion, but to give an annual structure and process to ensure that timely progress is being made. It is important to prepare the School of Architecture faculty in ways that will be commensurate with faculty of other colleges and programs on campus.
Mentoring Objectives
The purpose of the mentoring program for the School of Architecture is to provide a framework for full-time, tenure-track faculty to proceed with their tenure and/or promotion process in accordance with Washington State University procedures and to formulate appropriate strategies for each individual given the unique nature of the School. An objective of the mentoring program is to review each candidate's original agreement with WSU and to identify the teaching, research, community service and creative work expectations. The School is encouraging each faculty to choose two mentors—one who is familiar with University procedures and another who is familiar with the candidate's field of scholarship. Following is a listing of mentoring objectives:
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Clarify initial contractual expectations
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Support selection of appropriate mentor for university procedures
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Support selection of appropriate mentor for field of scholarship
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Develop an annual strategy within framework of Annual Progress Review
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Ensure that proper documentation is being accomplished
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Successfully prepare candidates for their 3rd year and final reviews
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Establish mentor training program annually
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Go for full professor
Annual Progress Review
The annual tenure progress review process is designed to provide important information, initiate and reinforce the mentoring process, and to establish critical goals and targets for each participating faculty member. Key University, college and school requirements for tenure and promotion are identified as outlined below:
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Policy for Tenure and Professional Advancement, Updated Feb. 5, 1997
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Supplementary Procedures and Criteria for Tenure and Promotion, College of Engineering and Architecture, Sept., 1997
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WSU Faculty Manual, pages 28-32.
Diagram for Annual Progress Review
The following diagram describes the typical annual progress review in five steps. It is assumed that the annual review process will parallel the tenure progress review. It is important for faculty to initially review their contracts, establish their areas of emphasis, update their vitaes, choose their mentors, and initially establish a plan with a time schedule.
Going for Full
The Going for Full program is designed to encourage faculty at the associate professor's level to proceed ahead toward full professor rank. In the School of Architecture several full professor faculty will be retiring and it will be important for the school to develop new leadership. Within two years the school will be down to three full professors while there are eleven associate professors. The aim of the program is to, first of all, encourage promotion, and second, to help create a process with a positive experience and outcome. Other goals include:
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To encourage participation
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To set appropriate standards
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To create a schedule of candidates
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To generate plan and a case
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To establish mentors