3.7.1 Faculty competence

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 its faculty. (See Commission guidelines “Faculty Credentials.”)

Judgment of Off-Site Review Committee

Non-Compliance

Comments of Off-Site Review Committee

The college provided its faculty roster and supportive information online. The supportive information included additional qualifications related to courses being taught. A listing of faculty, along with their degrees, is also found in the college catalog. Official transcripts and vita of all faculty are reported to be available in the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Human Resources.

The Off-Site Committee reviewed the institution’s faculty qualifications in relation to teaching assignments and concluded that all faculty reviewed met the expectations of this standard except for the four faculty members separately listed (see Appendix).

Bennett Focused Response

Bennett College employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution.  The four faculty members in question are qualified to provide instruction for the courses listed in the Commission’s Faculty Roster Form with one exception.  Ms. Sharon Stanfield was not specifically qualified to teach the physical education course nor was she hired to do so.  The decision to place Ms. Stanfield in the course was made by the Interim Chair of Teacher Education who was seemingly unaware of the specificity of the credentialing requirements.  The Interim Chair responsible for this oversight is no longer with the College. 

The instructor specifically credentialed to teach physical education is Ms. Joyce Spruill.  Ms. Spruill has taught and continues to teach physical education courses in curriculum and instruction. 

Please see the attached Focused Report Faculty Roster Form for additional information on the four faculty members.  You will notice that the other three faculty members were properly credentialed and qualified to teach the courses referenced by the off-site committee.

Supporting Documents

SOURCE	LOCATION/Special Instructions
Focused Report Faculty Roster Form	Office of Academic Affairs