Make Data-Informed Faculty Line Requests Using APS

Instructional staff are an institution’s most valuable resource, but also one of its largest investments. As such, leaders across campus need to have a better understanding of how faculty lines impact budgeting and resource use across departments – areas that data can help illuminate. Including the right data in faculty line requests tells a more comprehensive and compelling story about why a new faculty line is needed and complements qualitative observations. Not only can data establish need for a new faculty line, but it also showcases current efficiencies and highlights impact of a new faculty line.

The Faculty Line Requests Toolkit includes seven tools to support your institution in developing a data-informed faculty line request process using Academic Performance Solutions (APS).

Tool 1: Milestones (pg. 6)
Use this timeline to guide and track your progress as you design and implement a new faculty line request initiative.

Tool 2: Talking Points Worksheet (pg. 8)
Once your institution has established goals and ownership for the new initiative, fill out the worksheet to prepare for questions you may receive from department leaders.

Tool 3: E-mail Template to Introduce New Initiative (pg. 11)
To ensure a new initiative is positively received across campus, it is important to first introduce the topic and use of data in person. This allows for discussion and clarification, which can be difficult to achieve over e-mail. After the verbal introduction, we recommend sending an e-mail in follow up.

Tool 4: How-to Guide for Supporting Faculty Line Requests (pg. 13)
Use this guide to locate metrics in the APS platform to complete the faculty line request template. If your institution selects metrics different from the ones included in this guide, work with your dedicated consultant to determine the best ways to use APS metrics.

Tool 5: Faculty Line Request Worksheet (pg. 19)
Once your institution has selected metrics to include in faculty line requests, create a templatized worksheet for them to easily provide metrics.

Tool 6: Results Worksheet (pg. 21)
After completing the process, measure results of your faculty line request process. Ensure your institution is measuring and keeping track of the information asked in the following questions throughout the process.

Tool 7: Reflection Guide (pg. 25)
Once your institution has completed the new faculty line request process and filled out the Results Worksheet, use this guide to reflect. This will help you proactively prepare for next year.