Summary
The University Teaching Fund attracted nearly 30 proposals from across the University this year. This followed an extensive re-evaluation and restructuring of our guidelines toward strengthening the applicant pool last year; we have been successful in this regard. In addition, we took steps to improve and evaluate the UTF, including a structured integration with the University Advisory Council on Teaching and the development with that council of a universitywide survey on UACT and UTF effectiveness to be distributed to all faculty next academic year.

Members of the Committee
Arri Eisen, College, Biology, Chair
Christine Loflin, Oxford
Gary Smith, Law
Bill Branch, Medicine
Deborah McFarland, Public Health
Marcene Powell, Nursing
Jonathan Strom, Theology
Benn Konsynski, Business
Harriet King, ex officio, Provost’s Office

Funding across Emory
In its two funding cycles, the UTF received 27 proposals total. These proposals came from five different schools, Oxford College, and 18 different departments and programs—a typical and strong diversity of proposals— and requested a total of over $400,000. The Committee funded 16 of these proposals for a total of $124,718.

Integration and Evaluation
Faculty are sometimes confused about the sources of funding for teaching on campus. To both alleviate this confusion and better coordinate university teaching activities and support, the UTF and the University Advisory Council on Teaching (UACT) concluded that an effective solution would be to have the chair of each of these committees serve ex officio on the other committee. One immediate and positive result of this arrangement was the development of a UACT/UTF evaluation survey that will be sent to all faculty via email next academic year. This survey, in a quick and efficient manner, thanks to assistance from the University Research group, will give both UTF and UACT data to ensure we are fulfilling our missions in these more difficult economic times.

In sum
The UTF Committee is strong and satisfied with our progress and positive effects on furthering the University’s mission. We are unanimous in the need for continued significant support for teaching and continue to encourage conversation on how this support is best apportioned.