RESOLUTION: GBR-2006019 Revised Guidelines for the USTCAF Young Faculty Career Award

(Note: AF is a shorthand name for USTC Alumni Foundation (USTCAF); GB stands for the governing board of USTCAF. The usage of AF or GB is exclusive in this article; no other interpretation is acceptable.)

(1) THE GOAL

To support promising young faculty members in their early career development at USTC.

(2) THE PROCESS

The Young Faculty Career Award (YFCA) is awarded annually to four qualified member(s) of the USTC faculty, each with a total cash amount of $1,000, depending on the credentials of candidates and the availability of funds. Applications of no less than five candidates shall be submitted by USTC to USTCAF at least one month before the start of a new academic year. The GB first makes a preliminary selection of recipients and notifies USTC, then modifies this preliminary selection if necessary based on the feedback from USTC and makes the final decision on recipients. The GB announces the recipients at the beginning of a new academic year. The award is given out in one installment.

(3) QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the YFCA, a candidate MUST fulfill all of the following list of requirements:

(a) Be an active member of the USTC faculty at the HEFEI campus,

(b) Be nominated by USTC based on promises in research,

(c) Be a Ph.D. holder from an accredited Chinese or international institution,

(d) Be of 35 years old or younger,

(e) Be an Associate Professor at USTC,

(f) Joined USTC faculty within the last 3 years,

(g) Has not previously received YFCA or YFAA,

(h) Has submitted all the application materials (see below), and

(i) Maintains on the USTC faculty during the academic year when receiving the award.

The application for YFCA must include:

(a) One page essay stating the applicant's career aspirations at USTC, and how your work and service contributed/will contribute to USTC significantly in the past and in the future,

(b) a curriculum vita,

(c) a list of four references, at least two are outside USTC, and

(d) other supplemental materials the applicant deems helpful in his/her application.

(4) RESPONSIBILITIES OF USTC

It is the responsibility of USTC to make public the selection criteria of this award to all eligible candidates. It is the responsibility of USTC to submit the list of candidates and their applications to GB in time for it to make the necessary decisions. It is the responsibility of USTC to verify the information provided in the applications including the letters of recommendations. It is the responsibility of USTC to distribute the award money and certificates to awardees when an official AF representative is not able to be on site. All eligible candidates should contact USTC for issues regarding nomination. AF welcomes comments and feedback from candidates and faculty members/students. AF is not liable for any dispute due to failure of USTC to comply with its above-mentioned responsibilities.

GB realizes that the standards and information used in the selection process as provided may not be the best or complete but will assume no liability for such and will reserve the right to reject any candidate based on its best judgments.

(5) STATUS OF AWARDEES

This award is intended to support promising young faculty members in their early career development at USTC and promote the excellence of USTC. If the recipient terminates his/her association with USTC for any reason during the academic year of the award, USTCAF reserves the right to withdraw the award from such a recipient. The recipient of AF's awards should bear high moral and merit standards. If a recipient is found to have serious misconduct, such as forging merit documents or participating in criminal activities, AF reserves the right to revoke the certificate of the recipient, to publicize and notify concerned parties, or to seek further legal actions if applicable. The revoked recipient will be permanently prohibited from receiving any future AF awards. The decision to revoke an award has to be approved by 2/3 majorities of GB members. Under such circumstances, there may not be awardees for a given year.

(6) BILL OF CONFLICTS

AF is the only legitimate organization in providing such an award. AF is entitled to make final decisions on the awards and revoke an award if the actions of a recipient violate the spirit of this award.

Were there any conflict of interests, AF will reserve the final rights to interpret this article. The decisions by GB on matters related to this award are final. AF bears no legal obligations to recipients of this award, USTC or concerning parties.

(7) EXEMPTIONS

Any exemption from the guidelines listed in this article or modifications concerning this award will need to be approved by at least 2/3 GB members.