LOGAN — Two Utah State University departments have received special recognition — and cash — for teaching excellence. The departments of geology and political science were selected after a review of campus programs to identify those that are fulfilling the university's objectives.
USU president Kermit Hall calls it "putting our money where our mouth is." In very tight budget times, the state's institutions of higher education have been encouraged to focus on their most productive programs and put resources where they will be most effective.
"We don't often enough take account of collective teaching efforts," Hall said. While individual teachers often are singled out for honors, this is an effort to identify and reward those whose combined efforts are especially effective, he said.
Each of the winning departments received a $15,000 annual budget increase and $5,000 in one-time money.
"That's not a lot of money," said Randy Simmons, head of the political science department, but after watching always-limited funds dwindle in two years of budget cuts, it's "a major boost, a real benefit to our department. We haven't been able to promote anything." Being able to depend on the money year to year "really helps," he said. The department has purchased a projector and a laptop and may get one more of each — little things, but important assets for teachers, he said.
"We pride ourselves on creating a small college atmosphere inside a big research university," Simmons said.
The political science department was lauded for "fostering a culture of learning excellence that is based on inspiring its students to become independent and critical thinkers," program reviewers said. It is noted for "effervescent collegiality" that shows up in lively discussions "inside the classroom and out."
The geology department also was praised for creating a learning environment that encourages students to become engaged in their own learning. They get first-hand experience in the natural world through field and lab experiences that expose them to discovery processes central to scientific inquiry. The department also nourishes new teachers, providing mentors who help them improve teaching skills. All faculty are encouraged to attend workshops and meetings and to share the insights gained with their colleagues, the reviewers said.
The money that comes with the recognition is very important in a department whose "operating budget is tiny," said department head John Shervais. His department relies heavily on outside support and non-university sources to fund its program. The $15,000 "bonus" will be "a big help." His faculty is still discussing how the money will be used, but there are a number of attractive options, including upgrades for the computer lab and classrooms, as well as new equipment to help students.
An award that recognizes teachers as a group "is practically unheard of," said Shervais. But collegiality in a department has very positive fallout for the entire group. He praised his instructors as "a good group of people who do a very good job in the classroom and then go the extra mile outside the classroom."
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