II - 1.02 - Faculty Academic Credentials

I. Policy and Purpose

The policy of Bowie State University is that a person recommended for the initial appointment to its tenure-track or tenured faculty shall have his/her academic credentials verified. Each prospective faculty member must provide evidence of demonstrated proficiency an excellence in teaching, scholarship/research, or creative activity, and professional service to an academic institution or to the prospective faculty member's discipline. Thus, this policy articulates the means by which the University ensures the initial appointment of quality faculty to its ranks.

II. Applicability

A. Scope: This policy covers the scrutiny of prospective faculty members' academic credentials, for teaching, scholarship/research, and service during the search process and prior to an initial appointment to the University.

B. Eligibility: This policy applies to all full-time and part-time tenured track or tenured faculty.

C. Responsibility: Each prospective faculty must provide evidence of the academic credentials requested at each stage of the application/verification process, and the Department Chair, Dean, and Provost, in consultation, must verify the candidate's documentation.

III. Guidelines and Standards

A. The prospective faculty member must submit to the Office of Human Resources a curriculum vitae that is signed and dated by the faculty member and contains a statement by the prospective faculty member certifying that it is accurate and complete. The Human Resources Office will forward the same to the appropriate department chair.

B. The prospective faculty member must also submit to the appropriate department chair an official transcript or official certification of award of the degree from the institution that awarded the highest degree claimed by the prospective faculty member.

C. The prospective faculty member, consistent with the level of appointment, must submit letters from professional peers, former employers, and recognized experts attesting to his/her excellence in teaching and scholarship/research, and provide documentation of service to the community and his/her profession.

D. Additional requirements and procedures on faculty academic credentials are stated in the University's Policy on Appointment, Rank, and Tenure of Faculty. (Section V)

E. Upon completion of the credentials review, the Department Chair shall forward the prospective faculty member's curriculum vitae, official transcripts or official certification of the highest degrees awarded, and letters of recommendation from professional peers, former employers, and, if appropriate, recognized experts in the applicant's discipline to the Dean of the College, who will forward the above-referenced documents to the Provost for review.

F. Upon completion of the credentials review, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will forward the documents to the President for final review.

G. If the prospective faculty member is approved by the President and accepts the position, the Office of the President will forward the documents to the Office of Human Resources. The faculty's curriculum vitae, official transcripts, and supporting documentation will become a part of the faculty member's personnel record.

H. The newly appointed faculty member's documents will be maintained in accordance with law, including but limited to the Maryland Public Information Act.

IV. Result

Through scrutiny and assessment of a faculty member's academic qualifications, instructional performance, scholarship/research, and community and professional service records should ensure that the appointed faculty member meets the standards of excellence required for the position.

V. Exceptions and Deviations

None

VI. Definitions

None

Effective Date:  03/04/1998