Caucuses and Committees

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:  Doug Becker & Tracie Mayfield

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:  Jennifer N. Swift & Andres Sanchez

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:  Monalisa Chatterjee & Dion Dickman

 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

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 

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

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.