1. 4/30/2014
RTP Information
Updated Summer 2016 ( )

2. The Advisory Committee on Retention,
Tenure, and Promotion
The Committee shall consist of five faculty members elected by the full Faculty on staggered terms of three years and the chief academic officer, who shall be a non-voting member of the committee. Only tenured faculty holding the rank of associate professor or professor are eligible for election to this committee.
The operating procedures of the Committee shall be those specified in “Policies and Procedures concerning Appointment, Reappointment, Termination, Dismissal, Tenure and Promotion”.

3. RTP Committee Voting Members (as of 7.11.16):
4/30/2014
RTP Committee
Voting Members (as of ):
Deborah Breiter - Professor of Chemistry, Dean of the College of Science, Mathematics and Nursing
William Gahan - Associate Professor of English
Joel Lynch - Associate Professor of Psychology
Tammy Schiek - Associate Professor of Physical Education
Open position to be elected Fall 2016
Non-Voting Member:
Belinda Wholeben - Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost

4. Probationary Appointments
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Probationary Appointments
Non-tenured (tenure-track) faculty will be evaluated according to the following schedule:
a. During the first, third and, possibly, fifth year, the appropriate department and college deans, along with the Provost, will evaluate the candidate and forward their recommendations to the President, with copies to the RTP Committee for its information.
b. During the second, fourth and, possibly, sixth year, the RTP Committee and the Provost will conduct formal evaluations.

5. Criteria for Formal Evaluation by
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Criteria for Formal Evaluation by
RTP and the Provost
The following qualities, especially excellence in teaching, shall serve as a guide for the RTP committee…(parts b-e are not ranked by priority).
a. EXCELLENCE OF TEACHING, the components of which are: (1) intellectual stimulation; (2) clear and organized communication; (3) explicit and appropriate assignments; (4) rapport with students; (5) extending one's knowledge of teaching methods; and (6) seeking to improve one's pedagogy.

6. b. SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, the components of which are: (1) successful advising of students; (2) satisfactory fulfillment of committee assignments; and (3) participation in campus activities. c. SCHOLARLY PUBLICATION AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY, which includes membership in professional organizations in one's discipline and presentations at professional meetings.

7. d. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: A faculty member is expected to display the following characteristics: (1) to conduct oneself professionally and ethically towards students and colleagues; and (2) to display emotional and intellectual maturity that will enable one to serve as a role model for students. 
e. PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: (1) membership and participation in organizations; (2) lecturing and consulting; and (3) undertaking civic responsibility

8. The following information is provided by the candidate
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The following information is provided by the candidate
for a formal evaluation:
a current dated curriculum vitae
a self-evaluation which addresses each of the five criteria (Maximum of 15 pages – double spaced)
Deadline for Self-Evaluation in the fall Tenure only: September 9, 2016 Reappointment only: September 21, 2016

9. Self-evaluation (helpful tips) Include discussion of the 5 criteria
(a. excellence of teaching, b. service to the university, c. scholarly publication and professional activity, d. professional conduct, e. participation in community activities)
Include not only your strengths but also your challenges, along with plans for improvement
Include an analysis of student evaluations
Fifteen pages maximum – double spaced - not including supporting material/evidence

10. Supporting materials provided by the candidate in a formal evaluation include evidence of:
teaching effectiveness, including a sampling of course syllabi
scholarly work, including publications, papers, and presentations of scholarly work at professional meetings
continuing faculty development
contributions to the university and the community
progress toward the terminal degree if that degree will be required for the granting of tenure
These materials should be provided in appendices. They are not included in the 15 page maximum for the self-evaluation.

11. A formal evaluation will also include
letters of evaluation from:
departmental peers or, in the case of small departments, at least two additional evaluations from peers in the college
the department chair, if appropriate
the college dean
The OAA will send a reminder memo to all faculty.

12. Recommendations and Notifications
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Recommendations and Notifications
Of Reappointment
RTP Recommendation - When RTP completes its deliberations, the committee presents its written recommendation to the President and the Provost.
Provost Recommendation - The Provost writes an independent letter to the President.
President Recommendation - The President makes the final decision regarding each reappointment, after the first year, prior to December 15.

13. The Granting of Tenure (Fall)
4/30/2014
The Granting of Tenure (Fall)
Tenure is interpreted to mean "reasonable expectation of permanency" in full-time service to the university.
When it considers a candidate for tenure, the RTP Committee will expect that person to have established a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to Rockford University.
Faculty not having the Ph.D. or terminal degree will ordinarily not be eligible for tenure, an exception possibly being made in a field having a shortage of qualified candidates.

14. The Granting of Promotion (Spring)
Promotion within the ranks is considered separately from the granting of tenure, there is no necessary connection between the two.
Service at the ranks of assistant professor and associate professor will ordinarily be six years each, including years served at a previous institution.

15. The Granting of Promotion (Spring)
Continued excellence in teaching and significant contribution to the University and one's profession will be important factors in the decision to promote a faculty member.
Promotion to a higher rank does not come automatically with years of service alone.
The RTP committee will consider the same criteria listed earlier. However, promotion to full professor entails something "above and beyond" the normal requirements of one's contract, something "extra", whether this be extraordinary teaching, scholarly publications, exceptional community or campus work or professional activities on the national level

16. Recommendations and Notifications Of Tenure and Promotion
Tenure - after RTP and the Provost write independent recommendations, the President presents his written recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who make the final decision at the December BOT meeting.
Promotion - after RTP and the Provost write independent recommendations, the President presents his written recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who make the final decision at the May BOT meeting.

17. 4/30/2014
FAQs
Q: Do I need to include student evaluations in my dossier? A: No, those will be provided by the OAA, but do include an analysis (quantitative and qualitative) of them in your self- evaluation. Q: Is it necessary to provide all of the published work (papers, chapter(s) in books, etc.)? A: No, a sampling is fine. Q: What type of activities would be considered community service? A: Board membership in organizations, tutoring/guest lecturing, volunteering, fund raising events, classroom events, etc.

18. FAQ’s continued.. Q: What are some examples of service to university?
4/30/2014
FAQ’s continued..
Q: What are some examples of service to university?
A: Active service on committees, academic advising, participation in ongoing projects of the department/college/university such as assessment reports, departmental annual reports, search committees, advising student clubs, attending campus activities
Q: Do I need to provide all of my syllabi since my first semester at RU?
A: No, a sampling is fine, maybe include a few from the first year(s) and a few from the current year and discuss in your self-evaluation to show growth.
Q: How can I provide evidence of “Professional Conduct”?
A: Unsolicited materials such as s, cards, notes from students and colleagues may be used as evidence.

19. 4/30/2014
Tips and Hints
Have a colleague/ friend review your self-evaluation and supporting materials before submitting it to the OAA.
Review sample dossiers available in the library.
Do not hesitate to contact RTP members if you have any question about the review process.