Documentation:CTLT Resources/New Faculty Questions Department Heads Should Ask

Department Heads

A suggested format for meeting with new faculty, including questions, explanations, and suggestions.

Some questions Department Heads may want to ask include:

• Salary/Are you getting paid? What questions do you have about benefits?
• Do you have satisfactory office & lab/space and equipment?
• Have you met other faculty?
• What do you need to know about?
• What is your research focus?
• Are you aware of grants for new faculty and mentoring opportunities?
• What questions do you have about teaching?
• What questions do you have about tenure?
• What questions do you have about summer teaching?
• What questions do you have about University facilities?
• What questions do you have about orientation?
• What questions do you have about mentoring?
• What questions do you have about teaching support?
• What questions do you have about student behavior?
• What questions do you have about the Equity office?
• What questions do you have about teaching responsibility?
• What questions do you have about marking?
• What questions do you have about committee work?
• What questions do you have about course preparation?
• What questions do you have about office hours?
• What do you need to accomplish your job?
• What questions do you have about Support for faculty?
• What questions do you have about Student advising?
• What questions do you have about Academic regulations?
• What questions do you have about Practical concerns – keys/parking?
• Do you know what to do if a book you want students to read is out of print?
• Do you know about the Bookstore’s course packages’?
• Are you familiar with copyright?

Suggestions for Department Heads' "To Do" List

• Create a “Who’s Who” list for new faculty
• Provide new faculty with an orientation. Important units on campus for new faculty include:
  • Finance
  • Industry Liaison
  • Research Services
• Provide sessionals with an orientation.
• Create a ‘to do’ list for new Faculty/Sessionals
• Obtain keys
• Obtain Parking pass
• Take new Faculty on tour of all the facilities within the department.

2nd Term

• Explain colloquia opportunities to new faculty members.
• Inquire if they are prepared to give a talk this year. Explain preferred means of ongoing communications with new faculty member.