Workload Policy and Workplan FAQs
For whom does the Workload Policy apply?
Each full-time (1.0 FTE) faculty member, and appointed for longer than one year, is required to have a Work Plan, which includes a percentage of responsibility in teaching, research/creative activity, patient care and related clinical responsibilities (if applicable), and service. The workplan must include goals for each of these responsibilities. Part-time and temporary faculty will be required to record a percent distribution of responsibilities.
What is the Annual Workplan?
An individual plan for each full-time faculty member that identifies specific outputs and effort a faculty member is expected to complete in the next academic year. Work plan weights and goals should align with the ECU Strategic Plan, the Unit Code and build towards a faculty member’s next comprehensive review (e.g. advancement, reappointment, promotion, tenure, post-tenure review).
Where do faculty input their workplan?
Faculty will enter their distribution of responsibilities percentages and goals in Faculty180. The following user guides may be helpful:
How to enter workload percentages in Faculty180
How to enter workplan goals in Faculty180
When do faculty need to input their workplan?
In academic year 2024-2025, faculty must input their workplan weights and goals into Faculty180 no later than January 1, 2025.
In a typical academic year, faculty should enter their future academic year workplans during the annual evaluation review cycle in the Spring prior. Faculty hired in the Fall semester should create a plan with their unit administrator immediately following their start date.
Will my workplan appear on my annual report I submit to my unit administrator?
Yes.
Do new faculty, or faculty hired mid-year, need a workplan?
Yes. Tenure track faculty members and full-time faculty members who are appointed for longer than one year must have an annual workload plan. One year equates to 9 months for 9-month faculty and 12 months for 12-month faculty. A fixed term faculty member with consecutive one year contracts must have an annual workload plan after the conclusion of the first one year contract.
What is a Faculty Success Plan?
A faculty member who does not adequately satisfy their workplan expectations in a review cycle is subject to a faculty success plan. A rating of Does Not Meet Expectations in one area warrants a success plan. Faculty Success Plans will be developed by the unit administrator in coordination with the faculty member and include specific steps for improvement, a timeline, and clear consequences. Faculty Success Plans, if applicable, will be attached in the annual review packet in Faculty180.
How is the annual evaluation changing?
The faculty annual evaluation form integrated into Faculty180 has been updated with three assessment categories – Exceeds Expectations, Meets Expectations, and Does Not Meet Expectations. Unit Administrators will rate faculty in each category of responsibility (Teaching, Research, Patient Care and Related Clinical Responsibilities (if applicable), and Service) and an overall rating with one of these three assessment categories.
Is there criteria for how a faculty member meets, exceeds or does not meet expectations?
Over the next year units are encouraged to develop criteria for each of these ratings and update the unit code accordingly.
Will all faculty, including temporary faculty, be evaluated using this new form?
All faculty, including temporary and part-time faculty, will be added as users to Faculty180 and will be evaluated in Faculty180 Reviews.
As a unit administrator, how can I review the workplans in my unit prior to the annual review cycle?
Once the faculty member has entered their goals and weights in Faculty180, the unit administrator can generate them in an individual vita format or as a summary report. This can be done at any time throughout the year. During the annual review period, unit administrators will be reviewing current workplans and approving future academic year workplans, simultaneously.
Faculty180 Administrative Reports – Viewing Faculty Workplans
Are there defined deadlines for unit administrators to review the workplan?
In a typical year the unit administrator will review the current year’s workplan and the proposed workplan for the next year during the Spring evaluation cycle. Deadlines for the annual evaluation cycle are pending approval in the Faculty Manual Part X. Proposed timelines differ for 9-month and 12-month faculty.
Can a unit administrator set an earlier deadline for the faculty member to submit the annual report and future workplan?
Unit administrators can suggest earlier deadlines to their faculty but may not set a deadline later than the defined deadline in the Faculty Manual. Unit administrators must consider that faculty need time to meet expectations on a workplan goal. Early deadlines cannot hinder a faculty member from meeting their goal.
Are Administrative Duties still be evaluated?
Under the new UNC Workload Plan Administrative Duties are defined as “Service.” In Faculty180, faculty are able to enter a unique weight and goal for their Administrative Duties, but the unit administrator will evaluate administrative duties within the Service category in the annual evaluation.
Can I utilize the “other” category when entering workplan weights?
No, you can no longer enter a percentage in the “other” category.
What if my Administrative Duties increase my Service weight over Teaching and Research?
The ECU Faculty Manual that states that Service cannot be greater than teaching and research except when that total includes administrative duties.
What is the Self-Assessment on Teaching Effectiveness?
The Self-Assessment of Teaching Effectiveness is a new category in Faculty180 and is a narrative statement on the faculty member’s teaching effectiveness. The self-assessment is required for faculty in each academic year that they are assigned a teaching responsibility and will generate within the annual report submitted to the faculty member’s unit administrator.
How to enter the Self-Assessment on Teaching Effectiveness in Faculty180
What is a Peer Assessment?
A peer assessment is an observation of instruction, review of teaching portfolios or discussion regarding pedagogical goals and methods between a faculty member and peer. Peer assessments must occur once an appointment period and once between the second and third year after granting tenure or the previous post-tenure review interval.
How to enter the Peer Assessment in Faculty180
Does a Peer Observation satisfy the Peer Assessment requirement?
A peer observation that occurs during an appointment period or post-tenure review interval satisfies the Peer Assessment requirement. More information on the peer observation process, or to complete training to become an observer, can be found on the OFE Peer Observation webpage.