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Section V:  Woodring College of Education

I.            Mission and Vision

 

Mission:  The Woodring College of Education mission statement provides context and purpose for our actions.

Woodring College of Education facilitates learning that prepares and advances quality educators and human services professionals throughout their careers.  As academic leaders, educators, mentors, and scholars, we seek to:

Model best practices in teaching and learning which, in turn, leads graduates to use best practices in their professions;

Cultivate student competence through extensive field experiences with exemplary practicing professionals;

Construct, transform, and convey knowledge by integrating research, theory, and practice;

Act with respect for individual differences;

Develop collaborative partnerships that promote the learning and well-being of individuals, families, and the community; and

Evaluate processes and outcomes to assure continual program improvements.

Vision:  The vision of Woodring College of Education frames our future.

Woodring College of Education fosters community relationships and a culture of learning that advances knowledge, embraces diversity and promotes social justice.

II.          Organization

              The Dean is the chief administrative officer for the Woodring College of Education, reporting to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean provides support to the Dean and serves as Acting Dean in the Dean’s absence. 

The Woodring Administrative Council advises the Dean with respect to all matters of common interest to the College including, but not limited to, organizational structure, mission and vision, long-range planning, budget priorities, policy relative to faculty evaluation and employment, and program admission and retention.

The Chair of a Department is appointed on the joint recommendation of the Dean and the Department to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.  A Department Chairperson generally serves a three-year term.  No later than November of the third year, the Dean will determine whether or not the incumbent is willing to serve another term as Chairperson.  In the event the incumbent is willing to serve another term, the Dean will poll the Department to ascertain whether the members wish to change or to retain the incumbent.  If the incumbent is not willing to serve another term or if one-third of the Department members favor change, nominations will be solicited and an election held until at least a majority of the Department supports one candidate.  When there is a majority within the Department, the Dean shall accept the judgment of the Department unless, in the Dean's estimation, there are compelling reasons not to do so.  In such a case the Dean shall communicate these reasons to the Department or its elected representatives and appoint an acting Chairperson.  When there is no majority, the Dean shall ask that the Department continue its search for a Chairperson and he/she shall appoint an acting chairperson.

              The major responsibility of the Chairperson is to coordinate efforts to build a Department strong in teaching, scholarship, research, and other creative activities.  The Department Chairperson shall consult with Department members concerning matters affecting the Department and regarding new appointments, curriculum, space, budget, and discretionary/merit raises.  The Department Chairperson normally presides at regular departmental meetings.

III.        Governance

        Initial review of all Woodring curricula and programs is done by the Woodring Curriculum Council.  Policies and curricula for teacher education students are routed to the all-campus Teacher Curricula and Certification Council (TCCC), which has approval authority for all teacher education certification programs.  The TCCC is an affiliated body of the Academic Coordinating Commission, which acts upon recommendations of the Council. Undergraduate curricula and program items for Woodring programs other than teacher preparation go directly from the Woodring Curriculum Council to the Academic Coordinating Commission.  Graduate program items are approved by the Woodring Graduate Committee and then routed to the University Graduate Council.  

        The Professional Education Advisory Boards serve as major liaisons between the teacher, principal, and school counselor certification programs and the state education agencies and P-12 schools.

        A Teacher Education and Academic Departments Commission also exists, consisting of representatives from units on campus offering courses and programs for school personnel.  This committee is chaired by the Dean of the Woodring College of Education or by his/her designee and is designed to provide an avenue for communication throughout the University as well as a vehicle for identifying individuals responsible for carrying out specific tasks related to professional education.

IV.   Relationship to Other Colleges at Western Washington University

        A.   Admissions

              1.   Residency Certification

                    Since the Woodring College of Education is primarily an upper-division, professional school, admission to WWU for undergraduate students of teaching is in conformance with, and under the administration of, the Office of Admissions of Western Washington University.  Admission to professional education programs is under the auspices of the Woodring College of Education.

              2.   Professional Certification

                    Admission to professional certification programs is administered by the Woodring College of Education.

              3.   Graduate Degree Programs

                    Admission to graduate degree programs is overseen by the Graduate School.  Applications and admission to these programs will conform to the procedures and standards of the Graduate School with the appropriate and expected involvement of the respective program advisers, department chairpersons, and dean.

        B.   Registration

              The responsibility for registering all undergraduate and graduate students in professional or advanced degree programs rests with the Registrar's Office of Western Washington University.

        C.   General Education Requirements

              All students seeking certification will be required to comply with Western's general education requirements of the collegial divisions in which they pursue their disciplinary major. 

V.     Woodring College of Education Faculty

        A.   Appointments

              Woodring College of Education faculty in state-supported and self-sustaining programs must be reviewed and recommended by the Dean of the Woodring College of Education, or designee, and hiring procedures must comply with Affirmative Action and Reduction in Force (referred to in Appendix I) policies and procedures.  Appointment review and recommendation for Woodring College of Education faculty outside the departments of Woodring College is a joint action with the dean or deans of the collegial divisions at WWU.  Procedures for appointment must conform to the accepted procedures for the respective collegial divisions at WWU. 

        B.   Termination of Service

              See general provision of the Faculty Handbook.

        C.   Tenure and/or Promotion Regulation

Recommendations for tenure and/or promotion are forwarded by the department chairperson or appropriate dean to the Dean of the Woodring College of Education, who examines and makes recommendations on all applications for promotion and/or tenure from all faculty at Western Washington University involved in teaching methods or methods/content courses for school personnel.  These recommendations are forwarded to the Provost for consideration along with the recommendations from the dean of the appropriate academic unit.

        D.   Tenure and Promotion Procedures and Criteria

              The procedure and criteria for tenure and promotion in the Woodring College of Education fall within the general framework of the University section of the Faculty Handbook and the Woodring College Unit Plan for Faculty Development and Evaluation.  The faculty member applying for tenure and/or promotion presents evidence upon which qualitative judgments are made by colleagues, the chairperson, the College-wide Tenure & Promotion Committee, the Dean of the Woodring College of Education, the Provost, the President, and the Board of Trustees.  Guidelines for the presentation of evidence for tenure and promotion application are available in the departmental offices.

        E.    Grievance Procedures

              The Woodring College of Education carefully follows and implements institutionally established grievance procedures.

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