Applies to:	Original Policy Date:	Date of Last Review:	Approved by:
All Adjunct Faculty; All Academic Program	07.15.2024	07.15.2024	Dr. John Z. Kiss, Provost and Senior VPAA

Policy Owner: Office of the Provost

Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish a comprehensive and consistent process for evaluating adjunct faculty performance, ensuring instructional quality and supporting ongoing professional development.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all adjunct faculty members teaching courses at the Florida Institute of Technology, regardless of course level, modality, discipline, academic program, or location.

Policy Statement

The Florida Institute of Technology is dedicated to maintaining excellence in teaching and fostering the continuous improvement of its adjunct faculty. Regular evaluation of the adjunct faculty is crucial for ensuring high-quality instruction, supporting professional growth, and making informed decisions about future appointments. Performance of all adjunct faculty will be evaluated every semester they teach. This policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for adjunct faculty evaluation based on administrative review and student survey.

Procedures/Guidelines

Evaluation Criteria for Teaching Performance

The teaching effectiveness of the adjunct faculty is evaluated with a rating of "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory".

Satisfactory – Recommended for Rehire: The adjunct faculty member

• maintains well-organized teaching materials,
• meets the requirements of the Syllabi Policy and the Minimum Use of LMS Policy,
• encourages student participation,
• provides timely and constructive feedback on assignments and exams,
• maintains prompt and effective correspondence with students,
• manages class time effectively and meets posted office hours and appointments,
• maintains an organized and conducive learning environment,
• demonstrates a positive and respectful attitude,
• provides academic assessment data in an organized and timely manner (if applicable),
• is regarded as an effective teacher.

Unsatisfactory – Not Recommended for Rehire: The adjunct faculty member

• consistently fails to meet academic standards or contractual obligations,
• demonstrates unprofessional conduct or violates institutional policies including but not limited to the Syllabi Policy and the Minimum Use of LMS Policy,
• fails to treat students fairly and maintain conducive learning environment,
• is the subject of frequent verified and valid complaints,
• exhibits poor communication skills with students, staff, or administration,
• fails to provide academic program assessment data (if applicable).

Evaluation Report:

• The Academic Unit Head/Supervisor submits the completed Adjunct Faculty Teaching Evaluation Form to the Dean's Office and the Office of the Provost within four weeks of the start of the subsequent semester.
• When an adjunct is contracted to teach online courses for two consecutive semesters, a single performance evaluation covering both terms is sufficient.
• The evaluation is expected to include the evaluator’s feedback on strengths, areas for improvement, and weaknesses.
• The adjunct faculty member receives and acknowledges receipt of a copy of the final evaluation report.
• The teaching evaluation of a full-time faculty hired as an adjunct to teach an online course will be completed as part of the annual faculty evaluation.

Definitions

Adjunct Faculty: Part-time instructors employed on a semester-by-semester basis to teach specific courses, without a continuing contract.

Semester: 16-week or 8-week terms.

Student Survey: End-of-term survey open to students during the last three weeks of the semester and administered online through the university's learning management system.

Compliance Reference

SACSCOC Standard 6.3

Responsibilities

The Office of the Provost implements the policy and develops procedures for communication, compliance, and enforcement of this policy.

The Dean’s Office, in collaboration with academic unit head/chairs, is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy.

Academic unit head/chair, in collaboration with the Dean’s Office, Office of the Provost and Human Resources, is responsible for archiving the completed evaluations.

Adjuncts who do not participate in the evaluation process may be deemed ineligible for future teaching assignments.