The selection of new faculty is so important that it is appropriate to address it first. Each college should have a hiring process that ensures that faculty are chosen for their ability to perform their professional responsibilities and their understanding of the characteristics of the students they will serve. At a minimum, the hiring process should include a skills demonstration by the prospective faculty member. Knowledge of the subject matter should be assessed as well as ability to communicate including skillful presentation, enthusiasm, and attention to student response. The process for hiring part-time faculty should not waive any of the above elements.
Students demonstrably profit from exposure to a diverse faculty.
The hiring process should reflect that need by, at a minimum, observing the principles and goals mandated by Assembly Bill 1725. The percentage of the faculty who have a certain degree or quantity of experience is not an exact measure of quality, but it may indicate an area where further inquiry is appropriate. C. Staff Development 1. Fostering an excellent faculty requires providing adequate resources for staff development. Such programs should include opportunities to work on institutional issues but also opportunities to improve teaching skill and to keep current in the faculty member's discipline.