Caucuses and Committees
Teaching and Pedagogy Caucus
This caucus is charged with addressing faculty members’ experience in the classroom. In 2022-2023, the Teaching & Pedagogy caucus focused on equity in course assignments and course releases, accommodating students with disabilities, issues of pedagogical freedom with respect to course design, and the role of student evaluations in the merit review process.
Chairs: Nina Kang
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Caucus
This caucus advocates on behalf of faculty on all issues related to inclusive excellence. This year, the DEI caucus’ primary charge will be to implement the 2021-2022 proposal for a permanent peer-to-peer Cross-Cultural Learning Community, which would provide faculty with support related to inclusive course design and classroom practices.
Chairs: Keasha Worthen
Faculty Affairs Caucus
This caucus is concerned with most aspects of our faculty’s professional lives outside of the classroom, including research, professional development (merit review, promotion, and tenure), university policies, and pay and benefits. In 2022-2023, the Faculty Affairs caucus analyzed the data from a faculty-wide survey that informed the Dornsife Faculty Council’s recommendations on best practices for merit review. This year, they will play a key role in helping departments implement those recommendations.
Chairs: Dion Dickman
RTPC and Part-Time Caucus
This caucus addresses issues that uniquely affect research, teaching, practice, clinical, and part-time faculty. In previous years, the RTPC/Part-Time caucus has focused on equitable teaching loads for part-time faculty, securing professional development funds, and formalizing faculty onboarding and mentoring practices.
Chairs: Gayle Stuart Fiedler-Vierma, Eden Goldman, Richard Jones
Salary and Compensation Committee
This caucus addresses issues concerning salary and compensation affecting faculty members. We attempt to advocate on behalf of our constituents by providing an in-depth understanding of concerns relating to earnings.
Chair: Lodovico Pizaati
DFC & Senate Joint Task Force - Academic Integrity
This committee is tasked with responding to the recent changes to operating procedures at the Office of Academic Integrity, in order to ensure that faculty remain appropriately supported by the office when reporting academic misconduct.
Chair: Jim Clements
Getting Involved
If you are interested in serving as a co-chair or member for any of these caucuses (or know someone who would make a great advocate for the interests of Dornsife faculty), please submit your nomination(s) to DFC President Anastassia Tzoytzoyrakos at tzoytzoy@usc.edu.