Helps external reviewers of academic departments draw on the experience of those who have learned by trial and error. Outlines the steps taken by an external reviewer. Considers the particular task for an external reviewer and presents some notes on self-preservation for the external reviewer. Discusses the external reviewer's responsibility of…

Presents guidelines regarding graduate student recruitment and application, advising and course work, standards for teaching and other professional experience, and grievances. (SG)

Considers how excessive reliance on an adjunct faculty can damage individual faculty members, students, institutions, and the profession. Urges college and university administrators to make new and concerted efforts to eliminate excessive and irresponsible adjunct faculty appointments, to improve employment conditions for essential adjunct faculty…

Presents guidelines that deal with digital media and the hiring, reappointment, tenure, and promotion processes. Notes that these guidelines are designed to help departments and faculty members implement effective evaluation procedures. Concludes when institutions seek work with digital media, and faculty members express interest in it, the…

Presents guidelines for maximum class size and workload in English. Presents recommendations for the number of students in writing courses and the number of students in literature courses. Considers recommendations for hours of instruction, variety of courses, variable workloads, administrative duties, and part-time and temporary appointments. (SG)

Investigates the issues and procedures of assessment in English and considers what advice the Association of Departments of English can usefully offer to departments and chairs engaged with the problem of developing assessment initiatives, especially initiatives focused on the documentation of student learning. Discusses comments from the field in…

Presents guidelines that specify the kinds of information that will assist modern language faculties to identify and rectify problems in their graduate programs before it is necessary to justify the size or existence of those programs. Focuses on programs leading to the PhD degree, although questions relating to master's degrees are included where…

Presents a checklist for departmental self-study. Considers the role of aims, courses and programs, faculty, students, resources, and operations. Addresses many different considerations within these ideas. Draws conclusions focusing on strengths, areas of concern, and unrealized opportunities. (SG)

Discusses the study of literatures, cultures, and languages of people of color in the United States and Canada. Considers recruitment, mentoring, and evaluation of junior faculty members of color. Presents guidelines which are designed to assist departments that have not yet adopted or are in the process of developing such procedures. (SG)