The list of qualities or achievements is to be considered suggestive rather than exhaustive and is more specifically defined in each college's published tenure criteria. The categories are presented in priority order but without any assigned weight. Consequently, the basic consideration, both in initial appointments and matters pertaining to salary adjustments, promotion and tenure, is the extent to which high standards of teaching can be achieved and maintained. Effective teaching, among other things, consists of clearly and enthusiastically communicating special knowledge and expertise based on an understanding of curricular objectives and the learner's needs and abilities. Further, it entails selecting and using appropriate instructional methods and materials which lead to learning, and providing fair and useful evaluations of the quality of the learner's work.
Effective teaching requires a sensitivity to and rapport with the learner.
The evaluation of teaching cannot be totally objective, but such evaluation must include a conscientious effort to obtain and consider information bearing upon the work of the classroom and the activities which make effective classroom performance possible. These achievements refer to past and present professional and career experiences, professional recognition in the form of licenses, honors, degree attainment, and sustained effort directed toward professional and career updates. These include relationships with students and colleagues outside the classroom such as might be found in college and Institute committee work, student advising and student activities. These include activities linking the professional skills of members of the faculty to the world beyond the campus and other community service in the public interest. No faculty member can be deeply engaged in all of the foregoing activities at any one time.