January is the month when faculty work on their annual review documentation. For IUPUI, “annual” means “the last calendar year” so if you started in August, this will really only cover half of a year.
The most important reasons for the annual review are to keep documenting what you are doing, and, to have a serious conversation with your chair about how you are doing. Chairs are responsible both for evaluating faculty, and, for providing guidance for their development and future success.
Each academic year’s salary is based on a merit increase that is assessed and assigned during the annual review. It is incorporated into the next year’s fiscal budget and takes effect in July (12-month) or August (10-month).
Focus your discussion with your chair on how you are spending your time. What are your goals? Why have you chosen to do this or that? Published here, rather than there? The cumulative effect of your time choices drives your promotion and tenure process. Each year, assure that you and your chair understand your effort and goals. Seek honest, open feedback.
How is the review done?
First, you will use DMAI. Technically this is now called Watermark Faculty Insight but IU has not changed its labeling. It’s a button on one.iu.edu. For an in-depth overview of DMAI, check out a short (12-minute) video introduction, and also a more detailed guide.
To import your publications, connect with your unit’s library liaison. There are a variety of methods to import citations and they can help you choose the most effective method. The feature called “CV Import” on the top menu bar within DMAI only allows item-by-item scrapings from your CV: it may be more clunky than simply typing everything in.
Many schools ALSO have a workload or report form. Ask your chair about that. Once you fill it out, it can be uploaded into DMAI for safe-keeping. Ask your chair how they want you to ‘turn stuff in.’ It would be awkward if they expect a PDF and you think, well, it’s in DMAI!
For more teaching information, check out The Forum Network.
