Departmental Self Review - UCLA Academic Senate

3. Student EnrollmentThese data are available in their aggregate in Appendix D (Student Enrollment, Attrition,Certification, NCLEX Scores, etc) for all programs at the UCLA SON from 2006 through 2008. Inaddition, these data are also integrated in the specific programs within the body of this report.A. Faculty1. Faculty StructureThe SON has outstanding nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are active in research,teaching, and professional service. Currently, the SON has 60 Faculty FTE (see Appendix E, FacultyListing and Faculty FTEs by Fund Source); an increase of 22 FTEs since our last review. Of these FTEs,31 are occupied currently by ladder track faculty, reflecting an increase of 9 ladder track faculty since1997. The SON has also experienced a loss of ladder track faculty (n = 14); the majority of whom retired.For the first time in almost half a decade, with the addition of the new Dean (Professor) in the summerof 2008, and two new Endowed Chairs at the full professorial rank (in 2004 and 2006, respectively),senior faculty now outnumber junior faculty (assistant professors). In 2008, over half of the SON facultymembers (54.8%) are either full professors (10) or associate professors (7). In addition, three AdjunctFaculty occupy 2.2 FTEs and 14.97 FTEs are filled by 27 lecturers.Since the last Academic Senate Review in 1997, there has been significant change in faculty seniority.Despite the number of retirements and/or resignations, active recruitment of senior faculty members andpromotion of junior faculty members (assistance professors) in rank has increased the number of facultyat higher ranks to 17 of 31 faculty (54.8%). Associate and full professors now make up 23% and 31% ofladder track faculty, respectively. The School has a strong record of successful promotions of careerladder track faculty; 87% of assistant professors have been tenured and 97% of associate professors havebeen promoted to full professors.The SON functions as a single department with faculty assigned to one of two functional academicunits: Acute Care and Primary Care sections. Given the current and anticipated increase in the number offaculty, a new organizational structure may be needed to address teaching assignments, interdisciplinaryand collaborative research efforts, as well as the needs for more efficient communication mechanisms.Since the last Academic Senate Review, the UCLA SON Faculty By-Laws (See Appendix F) have beenrevised to expedite evaluation of faculty dossiers by changing the committee structure. Currently, theCommittee on Appointments, Promotions and Appraisal (CAPA) evaluates new faculty appointments andall promotions and landmark reviews (4 th year, tenure, Professor Step 6). A second committee Merit,Appraisal Committee (MAC) evaluates all other reviews.With the re-establishment of the generic baccalaureate program and the implementation of the newMECN program (a pre-licensure program), 22 new FTEs were added in 2006 to the faculty’s presentcomplement of 60 FTEs. Of the 22 new FTEs, five FTE have been filled with ladder track faculty and 13FTE are held for active recruitment for career ladder track positions. The remainder is saved for lecturerfaculty and clinical liaisons at the various clinical facilities where our students are prepared for clinicallearning experiences. Clinical liaisons, expert Masters-prepared nursing staff employed by theirrespective clinical agencies, serve as joint faculty for the SON. Funding for these joint faculty are paiddirectly by the SON to their clinical agencies when they are working directly with our students.The SON is engaged in recruiting outstanding faculty candidates who are skilled and active scientificinvestigators with expertise in health services, mental health, biological sciences, and community health.Recruitment efforts have included national advertising, aggressive networking, targeting of specificscholarly venues, and use of specialized search committees. New and junior faculty are mentored through6