Welcoming New Faculty Colleagues
Departments and programs play critical roles in welcoming new faculty colleagues. Thank you for all of your efforts to ensure that our incoming colleagues have a smooth and successful transition. The following list of key items will assist you in helping new faculty to settle in.
Early Conversations
A number of matters should be discussed soon after the arrival of new faculty colleagues:
Initial Welcome on Campus
Please arrange for one or two colleagues to be available within the first day or two of the new faculty member’s arrival on campus. The colleague(s) should be available to show the new colleague around the building and their office and to answer any questions that they may have.
Office-Related Items
Office Space and Furniture: The need for office space and furniture should be discussed with Amy Klotz, Director of Academic Operations, soon after the new colleague is hired. The department/program should arrange for updates to any office door name tags or department/program mailboxes with the new colleague’s name in advance of their arrival to campus. Prior to the arrival of the new colleague to campus, office furniture should be requested. This normally includes a desk and chair, bookcases, and filing cabinets. Questions can be directed to Amy Klotz (klotza@lafayette.edu) in the Provost’s Office.
Keys (Facilities): Notify new colleagues of the locations of their offices and classrooms. In advance of your new colleague’s arrival, arrange for keys to be created for these spaces. Departments and programs can submit work orders for keys to Facilities (see https://facilitiesops.lafayette.edu/servicerequests/lock-and-key-policy/) at any time after the hiring process is completed. New faculty should be directed to pick up their keys at 901 Bushkill Drive. Questions can be directed to Roy Bollinger (bollingr@lafayette.edu) in Facilities.
Computer, email, and telephone (ITS): Prior to the arrival of the new colleague, a computer and functional telephone line should be in place, ready for use on arrival. An email account is normally created shortly after the hiring process is completed. Questions can be directed to Chris Koch (kochc@lafayette.edu) in ITS.
Campus directory (Communications): After the office, email, and phone number are set up for the new colleague, the department/program should contact the Provost’s Office with this information and ensure that it is listed in the online campus directory. Updated information should be sent to Nancy Williams (williamn@lafayette.edu) in the Provost’s Office.
Building Connections and A Sense of Belonging
Consider ways to help new faculty to form connections within the department or program and more broadly at the institution so that they can build their networks. For example, having a departmental colleague serve as an informal mentor or buddy that they can contact if they have questions is strongly encouraged. Additionally, faculty taking turns inviting them to coffee or an informal chat, walking with them around campus or downtown, and checking in to see how they are doing can provide other connection opportunities. Whenever possible, having you or a colleague present the day a new colleague arrives on campus can be a warm gesture of welcome.
We also encourage you to help new colleagues build connections across campus by engaging in CITLS’ new faculty community of practice, attending monthly faculty meetings called by the clerk of the faculty, and engaging in campus social events such as Friday Club meetings and informal get-togethers hosted by the President, Campus Life, and student organizations.
Routine Reminders
Orientation & Professional Development
The Center for the Integration of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship coordinates a multi-day orientation for all faculty new to the College. New faculty also have the opportunity to engage in a number of professional development sessions during the year on Fridays at noon to support their transition to the College and to build community with colleagues in their cohort. Please make every effort to schedule new faculty teaching schedules and department/program activities at times other than Fridays at noon.
Mentoring Clusters
In their first year, new tenure-track faculty will be grouped in mentoring clusters with two mentors not from their department/program and a small group of first-year or more advanced pre-tenure colleagues. Mentoring clusters meet about three times a semester and offer new colleagues with varied perspectives on faculty life related to being on tenure-track and life around campus, Easton, and the Lehigh Valley.
Resources for Full-Time Faculty
Although new faculty will have received information about resources to support faculty, we urge that you remind them about these resources when they arrive on campus and periodically during their first year. A list of resources, including faculty conference travel support and research support (e.g., the Excel Scholar program*, preparation/publication/production grants*, faculty research grants, Mellon and Scott faculty research fellowships, advanced study grants, research and travel grants for mentored students*) is available on the Provost’s website.
*visiting faculty are eligible for these programs
Matters Pertaining to New (and Continuing) Visiting and Adjunct Faculty
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of visiting (and adjunct faculty) is to teach their contracted course load at Lafayette. Unless specified in their contracts or if they volunteer of their own accord, they should not be asked to perform service for the department or program or individualized instruction (e.g., independent study, thesis supervision). Service in a department or program includes faculty searches, work on curriculum, organizing department/program events, or advising departmental/program student organizations (Section 4.1.5.4.2 of the Faculty Handbook). We thank you for supporting them in fulfilling their primary obligation of teaching their assigned course load for your department or program.
Career Support
Many visiting faculty seek tenure-line positions; teaching at Lafayette supports their career trajectory. Visiting faculty may welcome informal teaching observations and/or opportunities to speak about their area of expertise in guest lectures. Some visiting faculty may also need to keep up with their scholarship in order to secure a tenure-line position and will appreciate support from the department or program as they prepare for these future appointments. Connecting visitors with potential faculty collaborators and students who can work with them as Excel scholars or research assistants may also be valuable. Like all of our faculty, these colleagues benefit from demonstrations of appreciation for their efforts in supporting their respective departments or programs.