<p>I’m going to take a modest issue with the notion that U of C is not committed to undergrad teaching. I would direct readers to Donald Levine’s wonderful book Powers of the Mind that chronicles U of C’s efforts in this area. Chicago has always been the leader and greatest innovator in providing the very best education to its undergrads, even when a reigning president from-time-to-time, would have liked to see them go. I believe that the concept of the undergraduate “major” was a Chicago invention. Chicago’s reputation is second to none in its historical and continuing commitment to undergraduate teaching. </p>
<p>Undergrad professors are separately appointed to the College by the Dean of the College. One can be a full professor and not have an appointment in the College (unlikely). The College has standing committees that continually assess and try and improve undergraduate teaching and all new appointments to the College typically attend teaching seminars. There is considerable effort put into how to teach as well as what to teach for both graduate assistants (TAs, etc.) and a center exists for this sole purpose, see for example: [CTL</a> | Faculty Resources](<a href=“http://teaching.uchicago.edu/faculty/facworkshops.html]CTL”>http://teaching.uchicago.edu/faculty/facworkshops.html) and <a href=“http://teaching.uchicago.edu/graduate/gradpreparing.html[/url]”>http://teaching.uchicago.edu/graduate/gradpreparing.html</a> . Approachability is one of the areas addressed, and its importance to undergraduate education.</p>