Core Requirement #2.8 (Faculty)

The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support the mission of the institution. The institution has adequate faculty resources to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic programs.

Compliance Certification

The College of William and Mary is in compliance with this requirement.

Explanation

The College of William and Mary has sufficient faculty to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic programs. Over the past eleven years, the number of full-time faculty at the College has remained rather stable, averaging 571 per year. The number of part-time faculty has increased, adding 45 part-time faculty members since 1994. This growth in qualified part-time faculty has helped fortify the academic program as student enrollments rose especially at the undergraduate level and as the research and public service demands of the full-time faculty increased.

College of William and Mary Faculty by Tenure Status
(% by Row for Full-Time Faculty)
Full-Time
Tenured On-Tenure Track Non-Tenure Track Total Part-Time Total
# % # % # % # # #
Fall 1994 326 57.6% 124 21.9% 116 20.5% 566 115 681
Fall 1995 333 58.3% 119 20.8% 119 20.8% 571 119 690
Fall 1996 332 57.7% 121 21.0% 122 21.2% 575 121 696
Fall 1997 355 61.4% 128 22.1% 95 16.4% 578 138 716
Fall 1998 370 65.8% 117 20.8% 75 13.3% 562 137 699
Fall 1999 382 66.4% 111 19.3% 82 14.3% 575 136 711
Fall 2000 364 64.0% 130 22.8% 75 13.2% 569 149 718
Fall 2001 364 63.1% 128 22.2% 85 14.7% 577 148 725
Fall 2002 362 63.8% 129 22.8% 76 13.4% 567 170 737
Fall 2003 367 65.2% 116 20.6% 80 14.2% 563 166 729
Fall 2004 376 65.3% 122 21.2% 78 12.5% 576 160 736

Full-time faculty teach 80% of all course enrollments. Part-time faculty members are responsible for 12% of the total student course enrollments, with the remaining 8% taught by administrative and professional staff with faculty credentials, teaching assistants, and other staff.

The table provides evidence that the undergraduate student to faculty ratio is well within standards, with William and Mary in the middle of our peer group (9th out of 20 institutions).

In addition to the peer evidence, the College believes that the great success of its students, as demonstrated by its 16th highest graduation rate in the nation, supports our claim to having adequate faculty resources. Much of the credit for student success can be attributed to the academic quality of our students. Without sufficient faculty numbers and quality to teach, advise, and mentor students, they would not be able to succeed at such a high level.

Rank Institution Name Control Undergraduate
Student to Faculty
Ratio
1 Emory University Private 6/1
2 Duke University Private 8/1
2 Tulane University of Louisiana Private 8/1
4 Brown University Private 9/1
4 Dartmouth College Private 9/1
4 Vanderbilt University Private 9/1
7 Wake Forest University Private 10/1
8 Georgetown University Private 11/1
9 College of William and Mary Public 12/1
10 Boston College Private 13/1
10 University of Delaware Public 13/1
10 University of Notre Dame Private 13/1
13 University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Public 14/1
13 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public 14/1
15 Boston University Private 15/1
15 University of Tennessee Public 15/1
17 University of California-Riverside Public 18/1
17 University of Connecticut Public 18/1
19 SUNY at Binghamton Public 21/1
20 SUNY at Albany Public na

References