The Robert W. Van Houten Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes outstanding tenured faculty at the university.  (See Teaching and Research page for other NJIT faculty teaching awards.)  The voting population is a randomly drawn computer generated list from the last five graduating classes, as it is felt that their recent experience is the most valid in judgment.  A statistically valid number of alumni are randomly chosen to complete the ballot and they are asked to consider their selections based on the following criteria:

1) The Award is for current teaching excellence rather than past performance.

2) Excellence in teaching implies a high level of success in leading students to knowledge and understanding.  It must be judged accordingly to the degree and quality of inspiration transmitted to the students as well as the example of intellectual integrity demonstrated by the instructor.

3) Attributes not directly related to teaching should be considered only insofar as they affect the quality of the instruction.

4) Past recipients of the Award are ineligible for selection.