The Faculty of Engineering acknowledges the diversity of teaching, research, and service opportunities and experiences across our faculty. The following language applies generally within the Faculty of Engineering.
Each Department/School is required to have an Addendum to their Faculty Performance Evaluation Guidelines setting out the performance expectations in the Department/School for scholarship, teaching and service (MoA Article 13.5.1b). Departmental Addenda are required to clearly specify what constitutes less-than-satisfactory (a rating less than 1.0) and outstanding (a rating of 2.0) performances in each of scholarship, teaching and service.
A rating of 2.0 (“Outstanding”) in any category represents exceptional performance that clearly exceeds expectations for a faculty member at their rank and demonstrates leadership, impact, and distinction.
In teaching, a rating of 2.0 reflects performance that is exemplary and transformative. This may be evidenced by major instructional innovation; sustained excellence in teaching as demonstrated through peer review and student feedback; leadership in curriculum development or pedagogical practice; or recognition through significant internal or external teaching awards. Outstanding teaching contributes meaningfully to student learning, mentorship, and the advancement of learning at Waterloo or beyond.
In scholarship and research, outstanding performance is assessed using indicators appropriate to the discipline and career stage. This may include a sustained record of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications; the awarding of highly competitive and prestigious research grants; impactful knowledge mobilization or technology transfer; internationally recognized exhibitions or design work; or receipt of prestigious scholarly awards. Outstanding scholarship demonstrates clear impact, leadership, and recognition by the faculty member’s scholarly community.
In service, a rating of 2.0 reflects an extraordinary commitment of time, expertise, and leadership to the Department, Faculty, University, profession, and/or broader community. Outstanding service results in a substantive and positive impact, such as leading major initiatives, contributing significantly to governance or accreditation activities, advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, or providing exceptional professional or public service that enhances the reputation and effectiveness of the academic unit or the University.
A rating below 1.0 (“Less than Satisfactory”) represents performance that does not meet reasonable expectations over the assessment period.
Indications of less than satisfactory performance would typically manifest as persistent concerns that either span a number of key indicators or represent a deep issue in one key area
In teaching, less than satisfactory performance may be indicated by persistent concerns regarding course delivery, preparedness, or engagement, and by teaching outcomes, such as student course perception surveys or peer assessments that are significantly below Faculty or disciplinary norms, without evidence of meaningful improvement or responsiveness to feedback.
In scholarship and research, a rating below 1.0 may be appropriate when scholarly output or impact falls significantly below the norms of the discipline and career stage, and when there is insufficient evidence of an active and sustained research or scholarly program.
In service, less than satisfactory is characterized by a lack of engagement with the academic unit, or a consistent failure to contribute to departmental, Faculty, or University service responsibilities as expected of a faculty member.
Those responsible for conducting performance assessments (Chairs/Directors and the Dean) are expected to make judicious and appropriate use of the full range of scores. Where performance in a given area is clearly less than satisfactory, the assignment of a score below 1.0 is warranted. Similarly, ratings of 2.0 should be reserved for truly exceptional contributions that go well beyond normal expectations.
Approved by Engineering Faculty Council on September 22, 2026