New Faculty Mentoring Checklist
School of Education
Chico State University
The School of Education New Faculty Mentoring Checklist is designed to guide mentors as they address
orientation topics to be addressed with new faculty. Since most of the items are primarily about
orientation to faculty work at CSU, Chico, it is not intended to be a strict blueprint for a rich
professional mentoring experience but rather a broad overview of policies and practices combined
with need-to-know practical operations about the organization. As you discuss these items with your
assigned new faculty member, please be as specific as possible to the unique ways the program,
department, and college address these issues. Items marked with an asterisk should be addressed
within the first month. Please meet a minimum of once per week at a mutually agreed upon time and
make arrangements to meet with the director once per semester.
Teaching
☐ Assistance available from department staff, including classroom procedures for department
classrooms (keys, equipment, supplies, etc.) ordering books and making copies / book packets,
electronic reserves / scanning articles *
☐ Important policies and syllabus template/elements (add/drop period, course withdrawal,
academic dishonesty, disabled students, etc.) *
☐ University catalog with grading system and policies (i.e., Proper use of “Incomplete” grade,
etc.),
Grade posting policies / FERPA/PeopleSoft/STEPS
☐ Overview of courses within program and programs within the unit
☐ Departmental initial and advanced program candidate advising
☐ Program Assessment Reports and CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing program
standards, as needed
☐ Administration of Student Evaluations of Teaching (SETs)
☐ University Libraries (electronic resources, tour, meet with CME librarian) *
☐ Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and available workshops and BbLearn trainings
(CELT) Blackboard (basics and available training) *
☐ Other teaching support, such as the ESL Resource Center, Wellness Center, ARC, and Student
Learning Center
Also consider regular discussions about teaching, the sharing of assignments and techniques,
and reciprocal classroom visits.
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Research/Professional Development
☐ Establish professional development agenda and research goals for year one and two; assist in
connecting new faculty with others who share areas of expertise
☐ University policies, practices and procedures, including expectation for tenure and promotion
(FPPP) *
☐ Department expectations for teaching, scholarship, and service, including documentation expected
for promotion/tenure * (SOE PPP)*
☐ C o l l e g e R T P deadlines and calendar for submitting evaluation documents *
☐ Dossier format for department/college/university *
☐ Processes for accessing and reviewing your Personnel Action File in the CME office (PAF)
☐ Opportunities for funding sources (CELT Teaching Scholarship Grants/Learning Enhancement Grants, etc.)
☐ ORG and RESP support and services available (Internal research Grant Competitions (IRG), etc.).
☐ Professional development monies and travel (policies, funding, forms, etc.)
Also consider attending department/college/university RTP workshops.
Service
☐ Discuss opportunities for service
☐ Guide new faculty in requirements and requests for department, college, and university committees
☐ Suggest ways to document service in the curriculum vitae
Official Policy Documents and Locations
☐ SOE Faculty Handbook
☐ Faculty Personnel, Policies, and Procedures (FPPP)
☐ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
☐ School of Education Personnel, Policies, and Procedures (SOE PPP)
☐ School of Education Constitution
☐ Written Departmental Policies
☐ SOE BBLearn Community and SOE website, including program handbooks
Other Opportunities and Resources
☐ Campus orientation, including dining facilities, AS children’s Center, AS Bookstore etc.
☐ Campus resources, including Teaching and Learning Program (TLP), Fitness center, Wellness Center,
Office of Diversity and Inclusion, cultural and athletic events, California Faculty Association (CFA),
etc.
☐ Community resources
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