Letter from the chair of the Faculty Senate
This is my second opportunity to serve PTC faculty and the Senate as chair. I am humbled and challenged at the opportunity. As we enter the 2011 – 2012 academic year, we have many opportunities and challenges.
First, faculty will have an opportunity to take the next step with the Achieving the Dream Initiative as PTC becomes a Leader College. ATD has become the driving force in American Two Year Colleges for improvement based on data. “Data” has become the mantra in almost every facet of education and PTC has been on the cusp of moving forward as a data driven institution. Now, ATD has invited Pulaski Technical College to become a mentor to other institutions. An interesting note, along with the success PTC demonstrated in the advising and developmental math ATD projects, Dr. McPhail, one of our two ATD coaches and mentors, stated that one of the things that makes PTC unique is the collaborative role our faculty plays through Shared Governance. She believes that our Shared Governance is a story that we should share.
Second, AQIP, Academic Quality Improvement Program, is our new method of maintaining accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. Several of our faculty are involved in writing the portfolio and each of us will have an opportunity for input. More importantly, AQIP is a new process of continuous development that encourages us to think of program improvement as a process rather than a destination. There are at least three AQIP action projects at all times. If you see an area that you want to improve, all you have to do is submit a proposal. When selected by the steering committee, you will have the moral support of the institution without fear of failure. Even if the results are something less than you projected, that too is considered a valuable experience in this learning process.
Third, cost containment is now a huge item as mandated by the legislature and the office of the Governor. Even though PTC is a lean machine, faculty have an opportunity to participate in the process of suggesting areas for improvement.
Fourth, Performance Funding may well be the state’s most pressing and challenging issue and PTC faculty have an important role. By 2017 – 2018 up to 25% of our baseline funding will come from our success in meeting performance measures which are presently being established. I have the opportunity and challenge to serve on the AATYC and ADHE committees which are formulating suggestions for those measures. When 25% of everyone’s salary is on the line, you can imagine that I am treating this as very serious business. However those measures may evolve, I am confident that PTC faculty will measure up. We merely have to document the outstanding job that you are doing in spite of the challenges and barriers that are so common to our students.
That brings me to number five and the last of my points. This year PTC is “breaking new ground” in assessment. We are piloting assessment with an Assessment Faculty Liaison rather than a coordinator. There is a very important distinction. An Assessment Faculty Liaison, AFL, is a recognition that the best assessment occurs when faculty are motivated through encouragement to achieve their best and are recognized for their outstanding efforts. When faculty’s good work is used as “best practice” examples in synergic, collaborative departmental sessions, assessment becomes proactive and positive. I am convinced that this will be another uniqueness to be shared with other colleges as we move into our role as an Achieving the Dream Leader College.
I so appreciate the important role that all past Faculty Senate’s have played in bringing us to this convergence of opportunity. This is an important year and together we will lay the ground work for the future.
Tom Hunt, Chair
Faculty Senate
2011 – 2012
2008 - 2009