This is why we’ve been working with our faculty members and academic leaders over the last year to design a Career Development and Performance Feedback policy that encourages and supports academic performance. The policy aims to create an environment of mentorship and career development that recognizes the diverse strengths and roles of all of our faculty members.

Following broad consultation with faculty members, academic and institutional administrators and human resources, the Faculty of Medicine presented the first drafts of our new policy and performance guidelines at an Open Forum last April.

The policy is accompanied by performance guidelines in teaching, scholarship and scholarly activity (research), administration and clinical activity which are closely aligned with our Faculty of Medicine Promotion and Tenure Guidelines and accreditation standards.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Open Forum and to those who have provided on-going feedback. Based on your contributions we have updated the policy and related documents.

The latest draft of the policy strengthens our commitment to supporting the academic and professional success of our faculty members and recognizes that performance feedback is a mutual process between the Faculty and its faculty members. We are also working on developing a fair and objective appeals process to accompany the policy to ensure that faculty members are protected.

The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has provided comments and input into the policy and we will continue to work with them to develop a policy that meets the needs of the Faculty of Medicine as well as both our UMFA and GFT faculty members.

The first phase of policy implementation will occur in January 2014 for GFT faculty members, followed by a second phase that will include UMFA faculty members.

An updated draft of the Career Development and Performance Feedback policy is available to review here. A second Open Forum will be held on September 30, 2013 from 12:00 – 1:00 in Theatre B, to present and discuss this latest version of the policy. I encourage you to attend and to continue to provide feedback into this important project.