eFARS Update!

Late January 2009

Announcements

New Evaluation Scale Set for 2008 Performance Review

When the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences began using eFARS, faculty were given feedback on their performance using a four point scale. Based on the input received, for this evaluation cycle the college will move to five point rating scale developed by a the Department Heads, District Directors and AREC Directors . In addition to a fifth rating category, the scale also includes associated definitions to guide unit leaders and faculty in the evaluation process. The rating scale will be applied to each of the relevant evaluation elements (teaching, research extension, etc.) and to the overall category.

The rating scale for the calendar year 2008 faculty reports are:

Exemplary

Performance is consistently above expectations. Results and outputs clearly show an extraordinary level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect unique and creative contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups.

Excellent

Performance is often above expectations. Results and outputs show a high level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect significant contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups.

Successful

Performance meets expectations. Results and outputs show a satisfactory level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect positive contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups.

Needs Improvement

Performance does not always meet expectations. Results and outputs show low level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect minimal contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Specific actions are required to improve performance to be successful.

Unacceptable

Performance consistently fails to meet expectations. Results and outputs do not demonstrate an acceptable level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts make no contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Immediate and substantive actions are required to improve performance to be successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

I thought that eFARS closed down after January 19th, but I see that it is still open. Why?

Unit leaders were provided files containing their unit's faculty reports from eFARS as of Monday January 19 at 7:25 pm. However, after that file "snapshot" was taken, eFARS was not closed down. It remains open to allow faculty who have been granted an extension to input their data and for faculty to enter changes that have been requested by their unit leaders. The eFARS system will close in May of each year and no further changes to either reports or evaluations can be made. (Specific deadlines will be published.) The eFARS system will archive the evaluations and reports will be available to faculty and Unit Leaders as part of the evaluation history in eFARS. The system will reopen in the summer of each year for the next cycle.

How will I know when my unit leader has reviewed and commented on my eFARS report?

Once your Unit leader has read your annual report he/she will select ratings for individual performance elements as well as an overall performance rating and write a "Unit Leader Statement" on your performance. When this is completed, an email will be generated by eFARS to notify you that the ratings and statement are available for you to review.

How do I see and respond to my evaluation?

Once you receive an email that your unit leader has completed your evaluation, you should log in to eFARS system and go to the "My Reports" tab. This page lists the reports available for download and a link to “View and Acknowledge Evaluation.” The faculty member should review the evaluation. You have the option of commenting on the evaluation. You then select "Acknowledge" to confirm that you have read the evaluation and to send comments to the Unit Leader. Once acknowledged, the evaluation will be available to the faculty member under “Current Year Reports” in the “My Reports” tab as a PDF document.

After acknowledging that I read my evaluation, what's the next step?

After acknowledging the evaluation, you should meet with your Unit Leader to discuss the report and the evaluation and to address any concerns. During this meeting, any inaccuracies in the report or the evaluation can be discussed. Changes to your report to correct inaccuracies can be allowed by the unit leader. Once those changes are made by the faculty member and reviewed by the Unit Leader, the Unit Leader may then edit the evaluation in eFARS and resend the faculty member an evaluation notification. The faculty member would then acknowledge in eFARS that they have received and read their updated evaluation.

Technology resources provided by Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources Information Technology, Virginia Tech

eFARS - electronic Faculty Annual Reporting System Tracking Faculty Performance and College Progress
eFARS Update! Late January 2009 Announcements New Evaluation Scale Set for 2008 Performance Review When the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences began using eFARS, faculty were given feedback on their performance using a four point scale. Based on the input received, for this evaluation cycle the college will move to five point rating scale developed by a the Department Heads, District Directors and AREC Directors . In addition to a fifth rating category, the scale also includes associated definitions to guide unit leaders and faculty in the evaluation process. The rating scale will be applied to each of the relevant evaluation elements (teaching, research extension, etc.) and to the overall category. The rating scale for the calendar year 2008 faculty reports are: Exemplary Performance is consistently above expectations. Results and outputs clearly show an extraordinary level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect unique and creative contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Excellent Performance is often above expectations. Results and outputs show a high level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect significant contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Successful Performance meets expectations. Results and outputs show a satisfactory level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect positive contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Needs Improvement Performance does not always meet expectations. Results and outputs show low level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts reflect minimal contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Specific actions are required to improve performance to be successful. Unacceptable Performance consistently fails to meet expectations. Results and outputs do not demonstrate an acceptable level of productivity. Outcomes and impacts make no contributions to the unit, college, university and/or relevant clientele groups. Immediate and substantive actions are required to improve performance to be successful. Frequently Asked Questions I thought that eFARS closed down after January 19th, but I see that it is still open. Why? Unit leaders were provided files containing their unit's faculty reports from eFARS as of Monday January 19 at 7:25 pm. However, after that file "snapshot" was taken, eFARS was not closed down. It remains open to allow faculty who have been granted an extension to input their data and for faculty to enter changes that have been requested by their unit leaders. The eFARS system will close in May of each year and no further changes to either reports or evaluations can be made. (Specific deadlines will be published.) The eFARS system will archive the evaluations and reports will be available to faculty and Unit Leaders as part of the evaluation history in eFARS. The system will reopen in the summer of each year for the next cycle. How will I know when my unit leader has reviewed and commented on my eFARS report? Once your Unit leader has read your annual report he/she will select ratings for individual performance elements as well as an overall performance rating and write a "Unit Leader Statement" on your performance. When this is completed, an email will be generated by eFARS to notify you that the ratings and statement are available for you to review. How do I see and respond to my evaluation? Once you receive an email that your unit leader has completed your evaluation, you should log in to eFARS system and go to the "My Reports" tab. This page lists the reports available for download and a link to “View and Acknowledge Evaluation.” The faculty member should review the evaluation. You have the option of commenting on the evaluation. You then select "Acknowledge" to confirm that you have read the evaluation and to send comments to the Unit Leader. Once acknowledged, the evaluation will be available to the faculty member under “Current Year Reports” in the “My Reports” tab as a PDF document. After acknowledging that I read my evaluation, what's the next step? After acknowledging the evaluation, you should meet with your Unit Leader to discuss the report and the evaluation and to address any concerns. During this meeting, any inaccuracies in the report or the evaluation can be discussed. Changes to your report to correct inaccuracies can be allowed by the unit leader. Once those changes are made by the faculty member and reviewed by the Unit Leader, the Unit Leader may then edit the evaluation in eFARS and resend the faculty member an evaluation notification. The faculty member would then acknowledge in eFARS that they have received and read their updated evaluation.
	eFARS Electronic Faculty Annual Reporting System Help Desk: (540) 231-9409 hunnings@vt.edu
Technology resources provided by Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources Information Technology, Virginia Tech