Tenure: Myth and Reality Tim Bralower, Penn State Kurt Friehauf, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Role of Tenure Protection of Creative License Early Career Hurdle/Test Involving Ability to Contribute in Teaching/Research/Service

Myths You can Attain Tenure at a R1 University Even if you are a Lousy Teacher You can Attain Tenure at a 4-year College Without a Strong Research Portfolio The Process is Opaque The Faculty Member is a Hostage

Disclaimer from Kurt and Tim These Words of Wisdom Represent our own Experiences and by no Means the Rules and Regulations for every Field or Institution! Critical for you to find out those Rules and Regulations at the Institution you are Considering

Reality Your Role as a Junior Faculty Member is to Request Yearly Evaluations that Address your Progress with Respect to the Tenure Decision If you get such Evaluations, the Ball is in your Court If you cannot get such Evaluations, Tenure Surprises can Happen

Case Study: Penn State Tenure Process Six Year Decision Yearly Evaluation from Department P&T Committee and Department Head Second and Fourth Year Review by College Committee and Dean Very Structured File Materials Very Transparent Process

Penn State (R1) Expectations Excellence in Teaching (Curriculum Development, Quality Teaching Evaluations (Peer and Student), and Supervision of Graduate Students) Excellence in Research: Major Contributions to Field through Regular High-Quality Publication, Success at Funding and Recognition by External Reviewers Contributions to Service at Departmental and Professional Levels

Case Study: Kutztown University Tenure Process Five Year Decision Annual review evaluations from department Annual review evaluation is basis for department rehire recommendation each year for first four years Unstructured File Materials (tenure narrative, course materials, student evaluations, publications, letters from external reviewers, other materials) Very Transparent Process

Kutztown Expectations (Undergraduate-only department in a 4-year university) Excellence in Teaching (Curriculum Development, Quality Teaching, Supervision of Research Students) Excellence in Research: Contribution to Field through Regular Publication and Recognition by External Reviewers Contributions to Service at Departmental and University/Professional Levels

Clock Stoppages and other Issues Birth/Adoption Major Illness Some possibilities (institution-specific) –Course Reduction first year (set up lab) –Junior-research leave –Course Reduction year before file goes in

Managing Stress Work Steadily/Productively Cut out Non-Productive Endeavors Maintain Balance Use Campus Resources if Necessary

Departing Words of Wisdom Know the Tenure System Before you Accept a Job Offer Make Sure you Know the Metrics and the Expectations Talk to Other Faculty Often Talk to your Unit Leader AT LEAST Once a Year Listen to what you hear EXPECT Written Reviews Once a Year