9 Months

The University of Florida is committed to hiring and retaining unique and talented faculty. Deans and Department Heads need to be committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment that is free of unhealthy behaviors or norms.

Organizational Health and Culture

• Meet with faculty regularly to provide and receive feedback
• Conduct satisfaction surveys
• Conduct “state of the department” surveys
• Examine data related to faculty appointments, promotions, and resignations for any gaps
• Review decision-making processes for any issues or assumptions
• Assess any behaviors or norms creating barriers to healthy cultures

Welcoming Climate

• Warm and supportive environment
• Policies and practices that create the desired culture
• Transparency
• Follow-through on grievances or concerns
• Mentoring structures to connect faculty to the community

Professional and Leadership Development

• Hold regular feedback meetings
• Provide tools and skills for success
• Provide opportunities for training, programs, conferences, campus governance, etc.

Faculty Career Stages and Opportunities

Junior Faculty	Midcareer Faculty	Senior Faculty
Hold annual tenure and promotion process trainings/information sessions. Communicate available resources. Hold regular meetings for college or unit-wide new faculty cohorts.	Have thorough conversations with faculty to make sure they are meeting research checkpoints to meet tenure requirements. Hold high-level tenure and promotion process trainings/information sessions. Discuss the importance of mentorship of junior faculty.	Discuss ways to expand senior faculty’s research. Connect new faculty with senior faculty. Communicate that you value the new ideas that “junior” faculty bring to the institution.

 

For a full text version of the 9 Month Best Practices that can be customized: Onboarding101_Faculty_6_NineMonths