Faculty retention is vital to the success of the University of Florida. Department Chairs contribute to this success through proactive best practices to improve the climate for everyone, leading to increased productivity and faculty satisfaction. Departments should begin preparing for faculty 1-2 months prior to arrival to ensure faculty don’t feel overwhelmed and are ready to hit the ground running when they arrive. Whenever possible, communications to new faculty should come from both the Chair and the Office Manager to set the tone that both are equally committed to faculty success.
- Share the mission, vision, and goals of the department.
- Set clear expectations of what success looks like and how performance will be measured.
- Clearly communicate departmental policies and processes.
- Value faculty’s diverse contributions made through teaching, research, service, extension, and critical care.
- Share information openly to ensure transparency.
- Foster a welcoming climate, make use of accommodating practices, and recognize excellence can be achieved in many ways.
- Have faculty member acquire a parking decal.
- Send instructions on where the faculty member is to report on their first day.
- Add faculty member to contact lists.
- Prepare faculty member’s work area with computer, software, phone, name plate, and supplies.
- Connect faculty with disability resources, if applicable.
For a full version of the “Offer Accepted” document with a Quick Start Resource Guide that can be customized click here: Onboarding101_Faculty_1_OfferAccepted