Criteria, Performance Expectations and Department/School Procedures Relating to Merit Awards

Merit Awards are established pursuant to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Procedures and timelines for determining Merit Awards for any given year shall be conducted in accordance with guidelines issued by the Office of the Provost. 

As determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the University establishes additional salary increment pools in specified years to recognize documented Merit in achievement, performance, and contribution.  Three broadly-defined areas of demonstrated Merit, consistent with the mission of the School are recognized:  (1) documented meritorious performance in research and/or creative activities; (2) documented meritorious performance in teaching; and (3) documented meritorious service (CBA 2015, XII.4.A, p. 59).

The Fashion School determined that following percentage of the merit award pool shall be used to support awards in each of three (3) categories; 50% for Research, 30% for Teaching, and 20% for Service.  If any the category has no qualified candidate(s), the available funding of that category is to be distributed between the other categories in the categories’ pre-assigned ratio.

When the Dean notifies the Director of the amount of money allocated to the School from the College Of The Arts salary increment pool, the Director will divide the amount into the designated categories as specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement in effect at the time, reserving 10% for appeals.  If there are no appeals, the reserved amount will be divided in weighted percentage to the applicants.  Appeals are limited to a maximum of the 10% reserved.

In years when the Merit Awards are available, the FAC will establish, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Office of the Provost, the departmental application process, evaluative criteria, and method for distribution of the awards approximately one month prior to the university deadlines.