Academic Resources for Faculty
The resources below support faculty and department chairs in fulfilling their academic responsibilities, promoting student success, and advancing Southwestern Adventist University’s mission of Knowledge, Faith, and Service.
Review the key performance indicators that define institutional expectations for faculty. These guidelines provide a shared framework for excellence in teaching, student engagement, professional development, service, and support of the university’s mission.
Explore the key performance indicators established for department chairs. This resource outlines expectations related to academic leadership, faculty support, departmental planning, student success, program quality, assessment, and institutional collaboration.
View important academic dates for the 2026–2027 school year, including registration deadlines, the first and last days of instruction, census dates, holidays, advising periods, final examinations, and commencement.
Access the official university catalog for information about academic programs, degree requirements, course descriptions, institutional policies, and graduation expectations. Faculty should consult the catalog when advising students or reviewing academic requirements.
Syllabus Template and Guidelines
Use the university’s syllabus template and accompanying guidelines when preparing or updating course syllabi. These materials help ensure that students receive clear, consistent, and complete information about course expectations, learning outcomes, grading, policies, and available support services.
Consult the Academic Handbook for policies and procedures governing academic programs, faculty responsibilities, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and academic decision-making. It serves as a primary reference for faculty members and academic leaders.
Find frequently used academic and campus resources in one convenient location. This page provides access to Canvas, class schedules, the university portal, faculty grants, advising resources, campus services, and other essential tools.
Connect students with academic and personal support through the Office of Student Success. Available services include academic advising, tutoring, success coaching, career development, peer mentorship, transfer support, and first- and second-year experience programs.
Use SWAU’s internal retention platform to identify students who may need additional support and connect them with the appropriate campus resources. Timely faculty engagement through Roeh helps strengthen communication, coordinate intervention, and improve student persistence and success.
Access institutional data and reports that support planning, assessment, accreditation, and evidence-based decision-making. These resources provide insight into areas such as enrollment, retention, graduation, student demographics, and institutional performance.
Faculty Grants and NetVUE Opportunities
Explore funding and professional development opportunities available to SWAU faculty and departments. Current opportunities include faculty mini-grants, Department Purpose and Practice Retreats, and course-release support for curriculum innovation projects through the university’s NetVUE initiative.
Review major university events scheduled for the 2026–2027 academic year. Faculty and departments should use this calendar when planning courses, meetings, programs, travel, and other activities to support coordination across the university.
2026 Colloquium Presentation Resource Page
Access presentations, handouts, and supporting materials shared during the 2026 Faculty and Staff Colloquium. These resources reinforce our “Taste and See” theme and support continued collaboration, professional growth, student engagement, and mission-focused work throughout the academic year.
Academic Travel Approval and Off-Campus Activities Form
All SWAU-sponsored academic student travel and risk-related off-campus activities must follow the university’s established approval process.
The Academic Travel Approval and Off-Campus Activities Form provides the process for requesting and reviewing proposed activities, travel budgets, student financial responsibilities, and required approval timelines.
Faculty and staff should submit the form during the planning or ideation stage and before making financial commitments or finalizing travel arrangements. This allows Academic Administration to review the proposed activity, assess potential risks, and approve the associated budget.
The Department Chair Resource Folder is a centralized location for department chairs to access and submit important departmental materials, including meeting notes, departmental plans, syllabi, and other academic documentation. This resource is restricted to SWAU Department Chairs and is intended to support consistent documentation, planning, and communication across Academic Administration.