Promotion and Tenure at Ohio University Martin Tuck PhD Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

What Do We Plan to Accomplish During This Workshop ?  Educate faculty regarding the Promotion and Tenure process.  Cover changes which can occur in the process (i.e. probationary period extensions, early tenure etc.).  Discuss expectations at the department/school/college and administrative levels.  Answer Questions

Useful Web Site  -Cover (signature) sheet to accompany the P&T dossier -Cover (signature) sheet to accompany the P&T dossier -Promotion and Tenure Procedure (link to the Faculty Handbook, Section II.C.5,6) -Promotion and Tenure Procedure (link to the Faculty Handbook, Section II.C.5,6) -Quick guidelines (checklist) for colleges submitting P&T materials to the Executive VP & Provost Office -Quick guidelines (checklist) for colleges submitting P&T materials to the Executive VP & Provost Office Other Faculty Handbook Sections Related to P&T Probationary Appointments II.D.2 Loss of Tenure II.D.5 Grievance Procedure for Denial of Tenure and/or Promotion II.F

Tenure  “Tenure is awarded to those individuals whose records indicate that they are likely to continue to make significant positive contributions to the academic life of the University throughout their professional careers.” (Ohio University Faculty Handbook, section II.C.6.a)

Facts About Tenure at Ohio University  Tenure can only be awarded to Group I faculty (full or part time).  Tenure is granted by the President upon recommendation by the department/school, chair/director, dean, (Executive Dean of the regional campuses if applicable) and the Executive VP & Provost.  Criteria for Promotion/Tenure must originate at the department/school level in consultation with the dean.

Terms Related to Promotion and Tenure  Dossier- Collection of materials used to evaluate a candidate’s case for tenure/promotion.  Teaching  Research/Creative Activity/Scholarship  Service (department/ college/ university/ society/ discipline)  Probationary Period- Length of time by which a faculty member is evaluated for Tenure/Promotion (typically, 7 academic years). Your appointment letter should contain the date your probationary period ends and the date a tenure decision must be made.  Penultimate Year- Academic year prior to the end of the probationary period.  Faculty must start the tenure/promotion process by this year.

Promotion and Tenure Annual Evaluation  “…every person with a teaching or research appointment of any kind shall be informed each year in writing of the department’s evaluation of the individual’s performance and progress towards tenure” (Faculty Handbook, II.D.1.c)  Evaluation should be performed by the department/school P&T committee (makeup may vary, see Faculty Handbook, Appendix A, section F for guidelines)  Evaluation letter should be specific with regards to the faculty member’s performance as it relates to P&T expectations  Chairperson should provide the evaluation to the faculty member by February 1 st, after consultation with the department/school P&T committee.

Promotion and Tenure Timeline  Dates and specifics of the initial timeline will vary from department/school/college  Late summer/early fall, candidates will provide the chair with a list of possible external references (additional names may be added by P&T committee).  Fall quarter (of the penultimate academic year), candidate prepares dossier.  Department or P&T Chair contacts references, collects letters.

Promotion and Tenure Timeline (cont.)  January/February- Department/school P&T committee reviews the dossier and reference letters and votes to recommend tenure/promotion.  Departments must make decisions before February 15 th.  February- Cases/dossiers are forwarded to the college.  February/March- College Advisory Committees (in certain colleges) are appointed and meet to recommend tenure/promotion to the dean.  Early April –Cases/dossiers are forwarded to the Executive VP and Provost.  Mid April- Executive VP and Provost makes recommendations to the President.

Promotion and Tenure Timeline (cont.)  Late April – President completes review of the recommendations and grants promotion/tenure to the candidates.  Late April/Early May – Candidates are informed of the President’s decision by letter from the Executive VP and Provost (copied to chair/director & dean).  A spreadsheet is sent (from Executive VP & Provost Office) to Institutional Research, Payroll & HR, informing these offices of the decisions.  June – List of faculty receiving promotion/tenure are added to the Board of Trustees Agenda as an informational item.

Tenure Clock Extensions  Extensions are granted by the Faculty Senate P&T Committee upon the recommendation of the Department/School, Dean and Executive VP & Provost.  Common Reasons (Criteria):  Extended illness of the faculty member  Pregnancy/Childbirth  Other forms of reduced capacity  Procedural error  Unpaid Leave (six months or longer)  Extensions are typically made for only one year

Grievance Procedure For Denial of Promotion and Tenure  Dates:  February 15 th – Notification in writing of a negative decision by department/school  April 1 st - Notification in writing of a negative decision by the Dean  May 1 st - Notification in writing of a negative decision by the Provost  An appeal of a negative decision is initiated at the level the decision was made.  Appeals must be made within 45 days from the date of notification.  Responses to the appeals must be made within 30 days.  Summer quarter and intersessions are excluded in the deadlines for faculty.  Positive decisions on appeals means the case is sent back to the level where the case was denied for additional consideration.

Grounds for Promotion and Tenure Appeal  Inadequate Consideration  Denial of Due Process (Procedural Error)  Denial of Academic Freedom

Grievance Procedure For Denial of Promotion and Tenure Flow Chart of Steps in an Appeal Flow Chart of Steps in an AppealDepartment/School College Executive VP & Provost College Executive VP & Provost Faculty Senate P&T Committee Faculty Senate P&T Committee Formal Proceeding President

Common Questions Regarding the Promotion and Tenure Process 1.Are tenure and promotion to Associate Professor always coupled? Answer: Usually, but not always. 2.Do unpaid leaves count towards the probationary period? Answer: They can, but do not have to. 3.How would a faculty member go up for tenure early? Answer: Get the “blessing” of the department/school P&T committee.

Common Questions Regarding the Promotion and Tenure Process (cont.) 4. How does a faculty member know the “time is right” to apply for promotion to the Professor rank? Answer: Consult the Department/School P&T guidelines and communicate with the department/school chair and the P&T committee. 5. If a faculty member who applied for early tenure is denied, can they try again the next year (the penultimate year)? Answer: Yes 6. Could a faculty member wait until the final year of their probationary period before they apply for tenure? Answer: No 7. Would a record of positive evaluation letters from the department/school P&T committee “guarantee” tenure/promotion? Answer: No

Questions ???