Future Faculty Task Force Report, Fall 1995

In spring 1993, Lane Community College (LCC), in Oregon, established the Future Faculty Task Force to develop a vision of the faculty the college would like to have and make recommendations for achieving that vision. This report describes characteristics of the ideal future faculty developed by the Task Force and provides recommendations for hiring and sustaining quality faculty. Following background information on the Task Force, the report describes characteristics of faculties in general, arguing that they should form a learning community, be integral to college governance, reflect the diversity of the larger community, and be substantially full-time. The next section describes desirable characteristics of LCC's future faculty, indicating that they should have the following qualities: (1) adequate preparation in their discipline; (2) a commitment to enhancing student success; (3) innovation and creativity; (4) communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills; (5) leadership experience or potential; (6) a commitment to the community college; and (7) involvement in community service. Next, five recommendations for achieving a substantially full-time faculty are presented, highlighting the need to establish a college-wide plan. Nine recommendations are then provided for improving the recruitment, selection, and hiring of faculty, identifying the need to adopt a college-wide recruitment procedure. Finally, 10 recommendations for sustaining quality faculty are provided, focusing on professional development. Appendixes include a hiring calendar and description of the complete faculty hiring process. (TGI)