Final Deadline to Define "Unacceptable" Performance

January 17, 2017

Dear BGSU Faculty Colleagues:

This past fall, as per the collective bargaining agreement (Article 14, Section 5.3.1), academic units began establishing clear definitions of what is “unacceptable” performance in each performance area: teaching/librarian effectiveness, research/scholarly activities, and service and how it is distinct from current definitions of “fails to meet expectations for merit” in existing merit policies. The deadline to complete this task and receive approval from the Dean and Provost was December 31, 2016.

Although some academic units met the deadline and others are close to completing the approval process, a considerable number have not submitted their definitions. In light of this, both parties have agreed to extend the deadline as per an MOU signed at the end of December, 2016. The final deadline for units to send their definitions to the Dean is February 15 so that the Colleges have time to provide feedback and submit to the Provost for final approval by March 15.

A few points to remember when creating your definitions:

1. “Failure to meet expectations” for merit does not necessarily indicate an “unacceptable” rating. An “unacceptable” rating “is presumed to occur infrequently as it indicates a pattern of performance that is below an ordinary and acceptable level and warrants attention” (Article 31, Section 3.1).
2. Criteria used to define “unacceptable” should be based on information available in existing merit dossiers.
3. The time period in which to determine a “pattern of performance” must be within the current merit review year (e.g., a concerning pattern of performance across courses taught during the merit period; a concerning pattern of performance across research efforts and outcomes).

Please feel free to contact Steve Demuth (demuth@bgsu.edu) or Bill Balzer (wbalzer@bgsu.edu) if you have questions.

This joint communication and the MOU will be archived on the Provost website.

Best wishes for a great spring semester.

Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President

David J. Jackson, Ph.D.
President, BGSU Faculty Association