Faculty Resources

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We promote and support faculty learning and success in a collaborative environment by providing transformative academic advising and educational programming. We empower faculty to make informed decisions about their academic experiences and professional aspirations.

Teaching Resources:

• Course Syllabus Guidelines
• Course Schedule
• Canvas Help
• FGCU instructional design or e-Learning team
• Service Learning Faculty
• Academic Early Alert System

Syllabus Guidelines:

Faculty are required to include the following key elements in every syllabus—either directly within the document or clearly posted in the Canvas learning management system:

• Course number, CRN, title, semester/year, credit hours
• Meeting times and locations
• Instructor details—name, rank, credentials, office contacts, email, office hours
• Course description, pre/co-requisites, and department/college
• Student learning outcomes
• Required/recommended materials, textbooks, and resources
• Final exam date and time (if applicable)
• Grading scale, grade categories and weights
• Schedule of topics, activities, assignments, and due dates, with note that schedule may change
• Delivery modality (online, hybrid, etc.) if applicable
• Gordon Rule writing requirement, if applicable
• FGCU’s Core Syllabus Policies

Teaching Development & Training Opportunities:

• Faculty Handbook
• Adjunct Faculty Handbook
• Lucas Center
• USASBE

Research, Professional Development, & Travel:

• DKSOE Travel Process Form
• Professional Development Fund Grants
• Lucas Center for Faculty Development
• Grant Funding Sources

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Professional Development Leave
• Sabbatical

Administrative Resources:

• CBA
• FPED

Annual Performance Evaluation Process:

At Florida Gulf Coast University, the faculty evaluation cycle is designed to align individual performance with departmental, college, and university goals while supporting professional growth. The process includes two key components: the Professional Development Plan (PDP) and the Annual Professional Development Report (APDR).

Professional Development Plan (PDP)

• • Purpose: The PDP is a forward-looking document in which faculty outline their goals, planned activities, and strategies for the upcoming academic year.

  • Content: It typically addresses teaching, scholarship/research, service, and professional growth. Goals are expected to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

  • Timing: The PDP is developed in collaboration with the faculty member’s supervisor and is submitted early in the academic year—generally within the first month of the fall semester.

  • Function: Serves as the roadmap for the year, providing a clear framework against which performance will be assessed.
    
    

Annual Professional Development Report (APDR)

• • Purpose: The APDR is a reflective, end-of-year document in which faculty report on progress toward the goals set in the PDP.

  • Content: Includes a summary of achievements, challenges, and outcomes in the areas of teaching, scholarship/research, service, and professional growth. Supporting documentation—such as student evaluations, publications, presentations, and service records—is often included.

  • Timing: Submitted near the end of the academic year or early summer, prior to the annual evaluation meeting.

  • Function: Provides the basis for the Annual Performance Evaluation conducted by the faculty member’s supervisor, ensuring a transparent link between planned objectives and actual performance.

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Evaluation Meeting & Outcomes

• • Following submission of the APDR, the supervisor and faculty member meet to review accomplishments, discuss areas for improvement, and set preliminary goals for the next cycle.

  • The evaluation results in a formal performance rating in accordance with FGCU’s Faculty Performance Evaluation Guidelines and may inform decisions related to merit increases, promotion, and tenure.

• • Interfolio
  • Professional Development Plan (PDP) Goal-Setting Workshop

DKSOE Important Documents:

• Benefits

• Employee Perks
• Insurance Options
• Personal Leave Donation Form
• Securian Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form
• Tuition Reimbursement Form
• Tuition Voucher Form
• Flexible Work Schedule Request Form (Faculty and Staff)
• Outside Employment Activity Approval Request Form (Faculty and Staff)
• Telecommuting Agreement (Faculty and Staff)
• Rehire Employee Formstack
• Remote Work from Outside the U.S.
• International Meals Form
• New P-Card and T-Card Request Form
• Cardholder Agreement
• Direct Pay Form