12: Approaching Faculty Development Support From the Grassroots: Establishment of an Innovative, Formal, Untenured Faculty Organization

Abstract

This chapter describes an innouatiue faculty support program designed for un-tmur~dfaculty andfUll-time lecturers. Working closely with members ofthe administration, untenuredfilmlty and[ull-time lecturers established and created a voluntary. formal. cross-departmentalfamlty organization called the ULO (Untmured Faculty and Full-Time Lecturer Organization). TheVLO hasformalbylaws.~/ecud officers. and a mission that initiatedactivities alldesigned to support junior pculty and filII-time lecturers within the college. Even within its initial year. thisorganization offired a significant variety ofmeaningfu! support activities withpositive outcomes. Theactivities includefonnation ofa Research Writing Workgroup. u.orkshops on thetenure andpromotion process. teaching brown bags. greater opportunitiesfor leadersbip development and service. reduced sense offizculty isolation {Fullan, 1993) and stress. and enhanced collegial social opportunities. Discussed hae are activities, current accomplishments. strengths. c!ulllenges. caveats, and recommendations. 189 10Improve theAcademy