Robert Fine Faculty Endowment
Established by Peter Fine to benefit junior untenured faculty members at SUNY Cortland who require additional financial support to improve teaching techniques, enhance the classroom experience, provide student-faculty interactions beyond the classroom, or support research and publication efforts, with preference given those activities that involve undergraduate students. The fund is also intended to recognize in perpetuity the generosity of former Cortland student Peter Fine, and his subsequent academic and career accomplishments, particularly in providing affordable housing for New Yorkers. The fund is named in honor of the donor’s father.
Additional Details
The Robert Fine Faculty Endowment Award supports pre-tenure, tenure-track faculty by allowing for a one-course, one semester reduction in teaching load. The successful applicant may choose whether the course reduction will take place in the fall or spring semester. The award is funded by the Robert and Bette Fine Faculty Development Fund, established in 2003 by Dr. Peter Fine.
The Robert Fine Faculty Endowment Award is a competitive award that allows for a decrease in course load to accommodate the pursuit of superior teaching practices, methods or techniques for use in the classroom. Application materials are usually due each year mid-March. In the event that the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due the following business day. (This year applications are due Tuesday, March 24, 2026).
Eligibility
Eligibility is open to pre-tenure, tenure-track faculty teaching at the graduate or undergraduate level who carry a tenure-track teaching load as defined by SUNY Cortland, and have completed at least two semesters of teaching at SUNY Cortland prior to the year of application. There will be a one-year waiting period before an unsuccessful candidate may apply again.
Criteria for Selection
The FDC Committee serves as the peer review body for this award. In making determinations regarding the award, the FDC evaluates applications based on the following criteria, listed in order of importance:
- The intellectual quality of the project
- The potential significance and impact on students
- Clarity of the stated objectives
- Thoroughness and detail of planning
- Feasibility of the project’s completion in one semester
Selection Process
Use this link for the Robert Fine Faculty Endowment Award Application (Adobe). Applications will be sought through a campus-wide email announcement approximately 30 days prior to the application due date this year - March 24, 2026.
This adobe application link above is an online application that requires attachment of application materials, as well as the requisite signatures. At submit, the application will be sent electronically to the required signers/approvers (Department Chair/Dean). After all required signers/approvers have reviewed and approved the online application, it will automatically be sent to the Faculty Development Center (FDC) for further review by the Faculty Development Committee which serves as the peer review body for this award. This year the application must be completed and received by the FDC by March 24th, 2026. Questions regarding the process should be directed by email to Faculty Development Center. The Faculty Development Center is located in Brockway Hall, Room 215L.
The committee will complete its deliberations in early to mid April, and all candidates will be notified of the outcome immediately. The successful candidate is required to share teaching practices during a sandwich seminar outlining the results of the project at the end of the award period.
Documentation Required of Candidates
The following information in this order is requested through the online Adobe application:
- Completed online Robert Fine Faculty Endowment Award Application (Adobe) signed (online) by the applicant, department chair and dean or division head.
- Attachment to Adobe Application: Narrative of the project. A two to three page summary of the project should include the following:
- Specific teaching method, technique or project you plan to pursue
- Significance of the project with special regard to its use in the classroom
- Long-term effect of the project on future classroom populations
- Attachment to Adobe Application: Curriculum Vitae - 2 page maximum
- Attachment to Adobe Application: Statement of Teaching Philosophy - no more than 1 page