RESOLUTION: GBR-201231 Revised Guidelines for the USTCAF Teaching Excellence Award

Resolution
GBR-201231

Title
Revised Guidelines for the USTCAF Teaching Excellence Award

Content
This is the first amendment to GBR-2004012 (Guidelines for the USTCAF Teaching Excellence Award) in response to the need to improve the coverage of the USTCAF Teaching Excellence Award (TEA).

(Note: AF is a shorthand name for USTC Alumni Foundation (USTCAF); GB stands for the governing board of USTCAF. The usage of AF or GB is exclusive in this article; no other interpretation is acceptable.)

(1) THE GOAL

To recognize members of the USTC faculty dedicated to teaching, and to increase the awareness of the importance of fundamental courses teaching at USTC.

(2) THE PROCESS

The Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) is awarded annually to up to five (5) qualified members of the USTC faculty, each with a total cash amount of RMB 10,000, depending on the credentials of candidates and the availability of funds. Applications of no less than six (6) candidates are submitted by USTC to USTCAF at least one month before the start of a new academic year. The GB first makes a preliminary decision on winners of this award and notifies USTC, then amends this preliminary decision if necessary based on the feedback from USTC. The GB announces the recipients at the beginning of a new academic year. The award is given out in one installment.

(3) QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the TEA, a candidate MUST fulfill all requirements as listed below:

(a) Be an active member of the USTC faculty at the HEFEI campus,
(b) Be nominated by USTC based on achievements in teaching (especially the teaching of undergraduate fundamental courses), and recognition among USTC students, 
(c) Has served on USTC faculty for at least 5 years,
(d) Has taught at least one fundamental course each school year in the past three (3) school years,
(e) Maintains on the USTC faculty during the academic year when receiving the award.

The application to TEA must include:
(a) A listing of courses taught by the applicant within the last 3 years with the dates of the teaching,
(b) A curriculum vitae,
(c) Other supplemental materials that the applicant deems helpful in his/her application. For example, any text books the candidate has published.

(4) RESPONSIBILITIES OF USTC

It is the responsibility of USTC to make public the selection criteria of this award to all eligible candidates. It is the responsibility of USTC to submit the list of candidates and
their applications to GB in time for it to make the necessary decisions. It is the responsibility of USTC to verify the information provided in the applications including the letters of recommendations. It is the responsibility of USTC to distribute the award money and certificates to awardees when an official AF representative is not able to be on site. All eligible candidates should contact USTC for issues regarding nomination. AF welcomes comments and feedback from candidates and faculty members/students. AF is not liable for any dispute due to failure of USTC to comply with its above-mentioned responsibilities.

GB realizes that the standards and information used in the selection process as provided may not be the best or complete but will assume no liability for such and will reserve the
right to reject any candidate based on its best judgments.

(5) STATUS OF AWARDEES

This award is intended to recognize USTC faculty members who are dedicated to teaching at USTC, and to promote the excellence of USTC. If the recipient terminates his/her association with USTC for any reason during the academic year of the award, USTCAF reserves the right to withdraw the award from such a recipient. The recipient of AF's awards should bear high moral and merit standards. If a recipient is found to have serious misconduct, such as forging merit documents or participating in criminal activities, AF reserves the right to revoke the certificate of the recipient, to publicize and notify concerned parties, or to seek further legal actions if applicable. The revoked recipient will be permanently banned from receiving any future AF awards. The decision to revoke an award has to be approved by 2/3 majorities of GB members.

(6) BILL OF CONFLICTS

AF is the only legitimate organization in providing such an award. AF is entitled to make final decisions on the awards and revoke an award if the actions of a recipient violate the
spirit of this award.

Were there any conflict of interests, AF will reserve the final rights to interpret this article. The decisions by GB on matters related to this award are final. AF bears no legal obligations to recipients of this award, USTC or concerning parties.

(7) EXEMPTIONS

Any exemption from the guidelines listed in this article or modifications concerning this award will need to be approved by at least 2/3 GB members.

Add'l info

Author
Xiaohua Gong

Sponsors
Xun Li, Dawei Bai

Last Change
2012-07-03