Course Pools
Classes at WSU are organized into Course Pools, as per our Collective Bargaining Agreement. According to Article XV: Course Pools, Section A:
- A Course Pool consists of a course or group of courses or labs. Courses or labs may be
grouped in pools when they call for related content and/or methodology to teach or
supervise. - Courses or labs that require substantially different content or methodology of teaching should be grouped in different pools within a Department or Hiring Unit.
- Courses should be grouped into as few pools as is pedagogically sound.
- Each Department or Hiring Unit will define and maintain Course Pools.
Departments are expected to post a list of classes within each Course Pool. If a PTF is uncertain in which Pools they teach, we recommend they contact their Department Chair or Unit Supervisor.
Time toward promotion is counted in semesters and earned within each Course Pool. If a Part-Time Faculty teaches one class within a Course Pool, they are considered eligible to teach all of the classes in that pool. Each time they teach in a Pool, they will earn a semester toward promotion in that pool. (If they teach more than one class in the same Pool simultaneously, it will only count as one semester, sadly.)
Once a PTF is in their fifth semester of teaching in a Course Pool, they may request an evaluation for promotion. The evaluation will then occur in the sixth semester of teaching. PTF in their sixth (or later) semester may request an evaluation. So long as they request the evaluation before the eighth week of the semester, they will be evaluated that semester.
In order to determine the number of semesters taught within a Course Pool, we recommend that PTF consult the Course Pool Seniority List, which is linked at the bottom of the Provost’s website for Collective Bargaining Agreements. The University posts the Course Pool Seniority List online annually. It should be accurate through Spring/Summer semester in the year in which it was posted.
Promotion Process
In order to start the promotion process, the PTF needs to email their Department Chair or Unit Supervisor and request an evaluation. The email can be as simple as this template:
Dear Department Chair or Unit Supervisor:
Based on the number of semesters I’ve taught at WSU, I believe I am eligible for promotion to the next PTF rank. I am requesting a promotion evaluation. Please share the departmental evaluation process for Part-Time Faculty with me. I look forward to scheduling an evaluation this semester.
Thank you,
PTF
The Department Chair or Unit Supervisor should then share the procedures with the PTF. The procedures should include a list of information the PTF is required to submit (which can include the PTF’s updated CV, relevant syllabi, graded student work, or voluntary information such as recent publications or service). The information should also include the criteria used to evaluate the PTF. The PTF will be given 10 business days to provide the materials. The Department Chair or Unit Supervisor may also schedule a classroom evaluation. They may attend the class themselves or send a designee. Once the evaluation is complete, the PTF should be notified within 30 days.
PTF Ranks
Part-Time Faculty have three promotional ranks. They are PTF1, PTF2, and PTF3. All new hires are PTF1. Once a PTF has reached the highest rank, they can become eligible for Merit Pay.
- PTF1:
- Probationary, “at will” employees
- PTF2:
- Assigned classes before PTF1.
- Salary increase
- PTF3:
- Courses assigned first to PTF3, in order of seniority based on promotion to PTF3.
- Salary increase
- Retirement benefits at 62
- access to the university’s retiree vision & dental insurance (fully paid by the retired employee)
- lifetime email
- library borrowing privileges
- Merit Pay:
- Salary increase to next step level.