University of Maryland University College
Faculty Petition
Specific Proposals

With regard to the proposed common syllabi, we recommend the following as a way of collecting suggestions from all UMUC faculty members :
  1. Send all the proposed common syllabi in each discipline (and modules, if applicable) to every faculty member who teaches in that discipline (hard copy would be best).
  2. Enclose a detailed explanation of why UMUC administration feels that common syllabi and/or common exams are an improvement to our academic mission. The explanation should include a brief history of the issue, specific objectives to be achieved by common syllabi, any hitherto unmentioned motives underlying the common syllabus initiative (financial, political, internal and external pressure, etc.), and a rationale of support for each proposed syllabus (and its modules). Finally, include reports from other institutions of higher learning whose implementation of common syllabi/exams has advanced their educational mission.
  3. Solicit comments on the issue in general.
  4. Solicit specific suggestions for improving each proposed common syllabus.

Regarding the issue of fair and equitable compensation for faculty, we propose the following:

  1. Promulgate the current salary schedule so that it is readily available to all faculty--at Adelphi, in Europe, and in Asia. With regard to Europe and Asia, explain what effect UMUC's contracts with the Department of Defense have on salary distribution among faculty who are employed under these contracts, including such concerns as housing allowances, cost of living increases, etc.
  2. Prepare and promulgate a comparative study of salary schedules from analogous institutions, both stateside and under contract with the Department of Defense, showing how UMUC's salary schedules rank among them.
  3. Prepare a report to the faculty demonstrating the rationale underlying current compensation schedules for Distance Education teaching as compared with face-to-face instruction.
  4. Project future salary increases based on the above reports.
  5. Solicit faculty input regarding the adequacy and equity of all matters having to do with compensation.
  6. Establish a policy whereby instructors with satisfactory teaching performance in any division of the University are given hiring preference and equitable compensation by the other divisions.

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