Investing in new tenure-line faculty positions

In the first phase of the institution’s academic investment program – Building Capacity for Improving Student Success and Expanding Innovative Research, the University has allocated 21 new tenure-line positions, including 12 positions with shared responsibility for teaching in University Studies. “It is rewarding to have this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to strengthening the ranks of tenure-line faculty,” reported Roy Koch, provost.

The positions were selected based on college and school priorities, criteria developed through discussions in the Council of Academic Deans, and additional recommendations from the University Studies program regarding the programmatic impact of those positions. Approximately $1.045 million was allocated for these positions in addition to $0.785 million from the existing University Studies budget.

“We allocated a total amount in excess of the $1 million originally reserved for phase one because many of the positions that were recommended, and several that were selected, can also directly contribute to phase two of our investment program—Advancing Our Contributions in Sustainability Toward National Leadership,” said the provost. To review the list of new positions allocated in phase one, please read here.

Phase two of the investment program will advance the University’s growing expertise in sustainability to national prominence. Advancing leadership programs is one of the institutional goals identified through last year’s priority-setting activities. The recent selection of sustainability first received strong advocacy as the initial programmatic focus for advancement during an October administrative retreat. It was later selected and approved by the Provost and the Council of Academic Deans. With new investment, this focus can help define PSU regionally and beyond. In January 2008, the Office of Academic Affairs convened a work group of faculty to assess the University’s existing strengths in sustainability and identify opportunities where additional faculty positions can have the greatest benefit. Recommendations are being reviewed by the Council of Academic Deans.

Listing of tenure-line faculty positions funded in Phase One of Academic Investment Program.