COMPLIANCE AUDIT REPORTS

Section 3: Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1
The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of all its faculty.

Statement of Compliance: Dyersburg State Community College is in compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1.

Rationale for Judgment of Compliance:

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. As of Spring 2007, all full-time and part-time faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level have a doctoral or a master's degree in the teaching discipline, a master's degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline or related education and experience in the teaching discipline [Ref 1].

All advertisements for faculty positions that include teaching general education courses and courses that transfer to senior institutions clearly specify minimum qualifications of the master’s degree and 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline [Ref 2].

The Director of Human Resources forwards to the chair of the search committee the completed files of all applicants. Applicants must complete an application, submit official transcripts, and provide at least three letters of reference. Each search committee for faculty members is “charged” by the Vice President for the College, which includes reviewing the Guidelines for Search Committees [Ref 3]. Where it is determined by the administration that a faculty member best qualified to fill the position does not hold the appropriate formal academic preparation, the dean of the division will document experience or any other special circumstances that would qualify the faculty member for the position advertised [Ref 4].

Authored by Dr. Mary Ann Sellars in coordination with the SACS Leadership Team

Documentation: