Higher Ed’s Illusions

Theme 2: The Teacher Scholar Model

Abstract

This essay begins by recognizing that though Cal Poly is teaching-centered institution, scholarship has taken on a greater importance as the mission of the institution has evolved.

CURRENT IMPEDIMENTS TO IMPLEMENTING THE TEACHER-SCHOLAR MODEL

Cal Poly faculty members have indicated that lack of time due to workload is the greatest impediment to fully implementing the teacher-scholar model. Tenure-track faculty respondents to the COACHE survey rated their satisfaction for the amount of time they have allocated to conduct research/produce creative work 0.90 points lower on a 0.0-5.0 scale than faculty from all other participating universities.

CURRENT IMPEDIMENTS TO IMPLEMENTING THE TEACHER-SCHOLAR MODEL

Some additional evidence corroborates this perception. The 2002 CSU Faculty Workload Report found that 46.3% of Cal Poly respondents received assigned time (time released from teaching) to pursue scholarship, averaging 4.9 weighted teaching units (WTUs) ..

In order to create more time for scholarly and creative activity, faculty/staff survey respondents slightly preferred hiring lecturers over student teaching assistants as replacements for permanent faculty on release time. About 80% of respondents would agree or strongly agree with the use of discretionary funds to support scholarly activities.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR FACULTY AT CAL POLY REGARDING TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP?

Cal Poly must be careful not to hire as if it were a research institution and then support scholarship as if it were a community college. By doing so, we risk creating a generation of disenchanted faculty members who are dissatisfied with their careers.

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Public Public Public Private Private Public Private

Com Coll Bachelors Masters Bachelors Masters Research Research

5,215 7,975 7,430 14,508 10,827 16,832 32,678

Instruction 4,805 6,166 6,355 8,423 7,232 10,139 20,032Research 63 455 418 756 563 6,130 11,420Student Services 1,184 1,659 1,442 3,919 2,820 1,395 3,432Public Service 323 503 609 615 423 2,052 1,286Academic Support 919 1,442 1,541 2,099 1,738 2,943 5,663Institutional Support 1,684 2,361 2,048 5,024 3,862 2,508 6,857Operations & Maint 1,042 1,555 1,372 2,095 1,421 1,804 4,020

Net Scholarships 1,622 1,254 1,307 1,734 1,396 1,390Auxiliary/Hospitals 1,365 3,419 3,018 4,952 8,800 16,103