Economics And International Business, Department Of
Goal
Outstanding Programs
Have outstanding Economics, International Business, and Business Analysis Programs
Objective
Develop Outstanding Economics International Business, And Business Analysis Programs
Excellence in Teaching, Research & Service
Indicator
Majors
Increase the number of department majors
Criterion
Department Majors Constitute At Least Two Percent Of Total Enrollment
At least two percent of the students enrolled in the university have declared economics or international business as a major.
Finding
Number Of Majors
Currently, there are 21 economics and 93 international business majors. This represents approximately 1% of undergraduate majors.
Indicator
Student Research
Student research is submitted each year for competitive awards.
Criterion
Two Student Papers Submitted Per Year
Papers submitted to conferences or journals
Finding
Student Papers
There were no student submissions to conferences or journals during the academic year.
Action
Student Recruitment And Mentoring
We will need to participate in some informational fairs and publish some informational materials that extol the career possibilities of graduates with a degree in economics or international business. Likewise, we will need to recruit students to mentor in research for presentation and/or publication.
Objective
Excellence In Teaching
Faculty will demonstrate their commitment to integrity in teaching by:
Devoting adequate time preparing for each class presentation.
Arriving at class on time with material sufficiently designed to last the entire class period.
Adopting textbooks that are challenging, current, and reflect the learning abilities of our students.
Making class assignments that will challenge students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and the textbook.
Experimenting and developing new teaching techniques that will improve student learning.
Encouraging and working with our students to help develop their study skills to improve learning.
Using a grading scale and assigning grades in a way that reflects student learning.
Treating each student with respect and dignity
Indicator
Scores On IDEAS System
Every faculty member has a Discipline Adjusted score above 45 for the IDEA Diagnostic Form Report in all main categories
Criterion
Each Faculty Has A Discipline Adjusted Score Of At Least 45 On IDEAS
Each Faculty member has a discipline adjusted score of at least 45
Finding
IDEAS Results
During the academic year, the department consisted of 24 instructors: 20 tenure/tenure-track faculty members and 4 lecturers/adjuncts. During the academic year, one of the tenure-track/tenured faculty members failed to attain discipline-adjusted rating of 45.
Indicator
Academically Qualified Faculty
All tenured and tenure-track faculty should be academically qualified
Criterion
All Full-time Faculty Academically Qualified (AQ)
All probationary faculty are AQ; all tenured faculty with at least 2 refereed articles and 2 refereed presentations are AQ
Finding
Academic Qualifications
Currently, there are three faculty members who do not meet the AACSB-defined standards of "Academically Qualified."
Action
Chair Consultation
As part of the annual faculty evaluation process, the department chair reviews faculty progress toward departmental, college, and university goals. During this review, each faculty member will be informed of their IDEAS performance, both absolute and relative. Further, the requirements for "Academic Qualification" will be explained and a timeline will be set for attaining AQ status.
Objective
Excellence In Research
Research informs teaching. Every member of the department is expected to be intellectually active. Contributions to intellectual activity may include journal articles; presentations to conferences, seminars, and outside groups; funded grants for research; and works of practical application such as consulting.
Indicator
Faculty Intellectual Contributions
Includes refereed journal articles, presentations, and other published work
Criterion
Published Articles
Each faculty member will submit at least one article or case study to a refereed journal each year
Finding
Journal Article Submission
The department did not meet this criteria: two faculty members failed to submit journal articles for publication.
Hiranya Nath received the 2010-2011 University "Excellence in Research" award.
Indicator
Articles In Tier 1 Or 2 Journals
The department is committed to increasing the quality of its intellectual contributions
Criterion
Published Articles In Tier 1 Or 2 Journals
The department seeks to have at least 6 tier 1 or 2 journal articles published each year
Finding
Number Of Tier 1 Or Tier 2 Articles
During the academic year, the 7 articles were published in either Tier 1 or Tier 2 journals.
Specifically, articles were published in the following journals:
B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy
Journal of Macroeconomics
Economic Inquiry (on two occasions)
The European Journal of Finance
Applied Financial Economics
Social Science and Medicine
Indicator
Invited Presentations
Invited presentations indicate that the faculty have made contributions noteworthy enough to draw the interest and financial support of our colleagues at other institutions
Criterion
Number Of Invited Presentations
We hope to have 5 invited presentations at outside venues each year
Finding
Number Of Invited Presentations
During the academic year, 3 faculty members presented a total of 4 invited lectures.
Indicator
External Grants
The department seeks funded research to support faculty intellectual inquiry and to obtain release time.
Criterion
Number Of External Grants
The department seeks to have at least three faculty working on external grants
Finding
Number Of External Grants
Although faculty have submitted proposals for external grants, only one faculty member was funded by an external grant during the year.
Action
Increase Focus On Research Productivity
As part of the initiative to increase faculty research, all faculty members will be required to present research in a departmental seminar series during the upcoming academic year. Faculty members who do not meet this requirement will not be eligible for travel reimbursement.
Objective
Excellence In Service
Service is an important component of departmental contribution to the college and to the university. The department seeks to follow the Sam Houston State University motto of "A Measure of a Life is its Service."
Indicator
Officer Or Leadership Position With Professional Organization
The department encourages the faculty to seek leadership roles in professional organizations. This is also one of the University President's indicators
Criterion
Percentage Of Faculty Serving As Officers Or In Leadership Roles In Professional Organizations
At least 20 percent of the faculty will hold a position as officer or other leadership position in a professional organization related to their teaching/research field.
Finding
Leadership Positions In Professional Organizations
The department does not meet this criteria. Currently, only one faculty member holds an officer position in a Professional Organization.
Indicator
Scores On FES 4
FES 4 is the measure of service used for faculty merit and promotion
Criterion
Scores On FES 4
All faculty will score at least 100 on FES 4
Finding
FES 4 Performance
Overall, the department provides excellent service to the university, as measured by FES 4 scores. However, the variability of service within the department is substantial: although the majority of faculty members scored 100 points on FES 4, three faculty members scored less than 50 points.
Indicator
Representation On University Committees
The department gains from the visibility of service on University Committees
Criterion
Percentage Of Faculty Serving On University Committees
At least 50 percent of the faculty will serve on University Committees
Finding
University Committee Service
Twelve of the twenty (60%) tenure/tenure-track faculty members served on University Committees during the academic year.
Indicator
Professional Organizations
The department encourages faculty to join professional organizations in their fields.
Criterion
Percent Of Faculty As Members Of Professional Organizations
Each member of the faculty will be a member of a professional organization
Finding
Faculty Membership
All faculty are members of at least one professional organization.
Action
Review Departmental Service Goals
Currently, most faculty members are focused on improving research productivity and teaching effectiveness. However, faculty within the department need to be aware of the specific service goals listed above. There are two specific actions the department will employ to improve university service:
Since younger faculty are underrepresented on university committees, the department chair will ensure all tenure-track faculty indicate their willingness to serve on the faculty senate survey.
During the scheduled beginning of semester meeting, the chair will stress the importance of serving the academy by taking leadership positions within professional organizations.