Contents Executive Summary Situation Statement The OSU Innovations Introduction to the Study The questionnaire Study Findings Results by Theme Integration Scholarship Innovations P&T Guidelines Results Breakouts Activities Responsiveness Flexibility Resources Outcomes Discussion Recommendations

Innovations Related to Scholarship One of the key features of the OSU innovations is a new definition of scholarship which was developed at the initiative of the College of Agriculture but has been applied University-wide by action of the Faculty Senate. From the OSU Extension perspective, the definition of scholarship is part of a new expectation regarding Extension scholarship: Extension professionals – both field- and campus-based – became subject to an expectation to devote part of their time to scholarship activities each year. This expectation is usually included in Extension position descriptions, typically with a time allocation of 15%, or in some cases 20%, for scholarship activities. Features of the innovations intended to promote scholarship activities that will enhance Extension programs Extension faculty members are expected to devote a percentage of their time to scholarship – usually 15%, sometimes 20%. The University’s new definition of scholarship (1995) broadened the previous definition of scholarship and provided a basis for annual and P&T reviews of the scholarly activities of Extension faculty members. Revised University-wide promotion and tenure guidelines provided additional detail about how the definition of scholarship should be understood and applied. Those guidelines required a position description, updated annually, for each faculty member, which would serve as the basis for evaluating the faculty member’s performance. Some colleges and program areas provided specific guidance to their faculty members to help them prepare for annual and P&T reviews, either as candidates for review or as P&T committee members. Some colleges and program areas established mentoring relationships to guide their faculty members through reviews. New Definition of Scholarship The new University-wide definition of scholarship, approved by OSU’s Faculty Senate in 1995, is: Scholarship is creative intellectual work that is validated by peers and communicated – including creative artistry and the discovery, integration, and development of knowledge. This definition (from Weiser & Houglum, 1998, p. 1)is the basis for promotion and tenure proceedings. Because it includes creative artistry, it has served to clarify the nature of scholarly activity for faculty in music and other arts. Because it encompasses the integration and development of knowledge, it includes Extension program development activities ranging from assessment to materials development to program evaluation that is carried out as creative intellectual work, validated by peers, and communicated. previous page top of this page next page