1. Achieving Tenure and Promotion
University of Oklahoma, Spring 2016
Kyle Harper
Senior Vice President and Provost

2. Recruiting and Hiring
OU seeks to hire tenure track faculty who understand and enjoy their roles as scholars, teachers, and colleagues; these faculty have responsibilities for teaching, for research/creative activity and for service.
Renewable term faculty
Research faculty

3. Probationary Period Tenure-track position
Length of the probationary period is noted in your job offer letter.
Generally 6 years w/o prior job experience at the rank of Assistant Professor.
Evaluation for T/P occurs during the 6th year.
Dossier preparation during the summer after the 5th year.
JUNE

4. Performance Evaluation During Probationary Period
Annual faculty evaluation (January) for the prior calendar’s year activities- Mini vita prepared by the faculty member and Provost’s form for summarizing evaluation of performance by committee A.
Annual progress-towards-tenure letter which reviews your entire probationary period to date prepared by the academic chair/director.
Some colleges have three-year review which can include external evaluators.

5. Know the T/P Criteria Faculty Handbook
Reread section 3.2.2, “Academic Responsibility” annually
Reread section 3.3, “Faculty Accountability” annually
Reread section 3.7, “Faculty Tenure” annually
Reread section , “Advancement in Rank” annually
College and Department/School Level Guidelines
Reread your academic department, school or division’s criteria for achieving tenure and promotion

6. Resources to Assist You During the Probationary Period
Vice Provost for Faculty Development
Writing Center
Office of Assessement
Center for Research Program Development & Enrichment
Faculty Mentor
Center for Teaching Excellence

7. Special Circumstances
Requests to extend the probationary period for tenure, section (H) of the Faculty Handbook
Extenuating Circumstances – Family or personal
Child-bearing
Seek advice from the unit Director and Dean first before formally requesting an extension.

8. A Note…
Academic tenure is not the ultimate goal. It is not a routine award either.
It is…
A milestone on one’s career path.
Confirmation of professional competence and performance.
A stamp of approval of one’s contribution to the mission of the university.
Next milestone – Promotion to Full Professor
Every 5 years – Post-tenure Review (FH 3.7.6)