Dr. Solie Fott Faculty Senate Leadership Award
Award Criteria
- Subcommittee Excellence: Demonstrated exceptional contribution to Faculty Senate subcommittee work, showing initiative, thorough and timely preparation, and productive engagement.
- Meeting Participation: Consistent, thoughtful contributions during monthly Senate meetings that advance discussion, demonstrate careful consideration of issues, and help build consensus.
- Faculty Representation: Outstanding commitment to gathering input from and representing the perspectives of faculty constituents from their department or college.
- Senate Initiative: Taking on additional responsibilities beyond required attendance, such as volunteering for committee work, special projects, or representing the Senate at university events.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to work constructively with diverse viewpoints to find practical solutions to faculty concerns.
Award Structure
The recommendation is a combination approach:
- The Kaleidoscope Award: A permanent individual keepsake (kaleidoscope) for each recipient
- Each recipient receives a high-quality kaleidoscope with an engraved plaque.
- Traveling Display: A traveling display piece that moves between recipients' offices annually
- The traveling display would be an elegant, eye-catching piece representing Dr. Fott's appreciation for kaleidoscopes and the spirit of faculty leadership.
- Each recipient keeps the display in their office for one academic year.
- The recipient presents the award to the new recipient the following year in April.
This traveling display would serve as a conversation piece and a visible reminder of faculty governance excellence throughout campus as it moves from one recipient's office to the next.
Documentation Elements
- Wooden Wall Plaque: A permanent display next to the Faculty Senate President plaque, updated annually with each winner's name, department, and year.
- Digital Recognition: Feature recipients on the Faculty Senate website with a brief biography highlighting their contributions.
Selection Process and Timeline
- Start Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 (after Spring Break)
- Duration: Two weeks
- Process: Score nominees on each criterion using the rubric, providing specific examples and evidence to justify each score you assign. Include a brief narrative (1-2 paragraphs) explaining why this senator deserves recognition. Email your completed rubric and narrative to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee Secretary. No self-nominations are allowed.
- Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm
- Timing: March 31 - April 3, 2025
- Duration: 4 days to review nominations
- Action: Apply a standardized rubric to select the winner
- Completion: Results finalized by Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Timing: Thursday, April 24, 2025 (Full Senate meeting)
- Announcement: Public announcement of inaugural winner
- Ceremony: Dr. Fott presents the award (if possible)
- Documentation: Photos taken for the website/archives during the ceremony
Notes for Inaugural Year
- This modified timeline accommodates the first-year implementation.
- Future years will follow a more standard timeline, with nominations beginning in mid-to-late-February.
- This compressed schedule ensures the award can still be presented during the current academic year.