XVII. Grant of Tenured Appointments

A. Tenure Appointment Processes for Faculty Members with Tenure-Track Appointments

Note: Please review Section II. General Principles before reading the following procedures

1. External Reviewers’ Processes

a. Selection. Not later than the first Monday of November of the fall semester of the year preceding the Application Year, the faculty member applying for tenure and the Reviewing Faculty will each Deliver to the Department Chair a list of at least five individuals for consideration as External Reviewers. External Reviewers must be appropriate for the discipline and be external to the College. The Department Chair will then hold a meeting with the applicant and the Reviewing Faculty to review the lists and compile a final list of at least ten individuals for consideration as External Reviewers. The Department Chair may also suggest individuals for the list. Not later than the end of the fall semester of the year preceding the Application Year, the Department Chair will Deliver the list of at least ten potential External Reviewers to the School Dean. The School Dean, in consultation with the Department Chair, will then select at least three individuals from the list and ask them to serve as External Reviewers (see Example B). Should any of the selected individuals decline to serve, the School Dean will select other individuals from the list, as needed, until at least three External Reviewers are secured. If the list of individuals is exhausted before three are secured, the School Dean may, in consultation with the Department Chair and, as needed, members of the Reviewing Faculty, solicit individuals not on the list. Not later than May 31 of the year preceding the Application Year, the School Dean will Deliver to Academic Personnel a list of committed External Reviewers.

b. Evaluation. The External Reviewers will evaluate the faculty member’s performance in the area of scholarly or creative endeavor (as outlined in Section V). This evaluation will consist of a review of the faculty member’s curriculum vitae and evidence that the faculty member has provided to demonstrate the faculty member’s activity and performance in scholarly or creative endeavor (see Example C). This evidence must be Delivered to Academic Personnel not later than May 31.

c. Reports. Upon completion of the External Reviewers’ evaluation, each Reviewer will prepare a written report (the “External Reviewer’s Tenure Report”) that (i) identifies all materials reviewed in the preparation of the Report, and (ii) sets forth conclusions as to the faculty member’s past performance regarding scholarly or creative endeavor.

d. Distribution. The External Reviewers will each Deliver a signed External Reviewer’s Tenure Report and a copy of their CV to Academic Personnel not later than August 15. The School Dean may choose to provide an External Reviewer with a deadline extension, where possible. All Delivered External Reviewer Tenure Reports will be appended to the Tenure Dossier after the faculty member submits the Tenure Dossier as described below. If less than three External Reviewer Reports are Delivered, the Tenure Dossier will move forward in the review process regardless.

2. Application. Not later than the fourth Monday of September of the Application Year, the faculty member will Deliver an application for tenure (the “Tenure Dossier”—see Example D). The failure of a faculty member to Deliver a Tenure Dossier will be deemed notice of the faculty member’s resignation from the College at the end of the Application Year. The Tenure Dossier will contain information and materials that the faculty member believes will assure full and appropriate consideration of (a) the faculty member’s performance and accomplishments during the period of the faculty member’s tenure-track employment at the College in each of the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments, and (b) the faculty member’s short- and long-term professional plans and aspirations, particularly in each of the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments, as described in a written statement of no more than two pages.

3. Department Processes

a. Evaluation. The tenure-track faculty member’s Department Chair and a designee selected by the Department Chair from the Reviewing Faculty will manage the department processes of the tenure application process. Upon receipt of a faculty member’s Tenure Dossier (on the fourth Monday of September), the Department Chair and the Reviewing Faculty will independently evaluate the applicant’s performance in each of the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments. This evaluation will consist of (i) a review of the Tenure Dossier and materials concerning the applicant’s performance and accomplishments during the faculty member’s Tenure-Track Period; (ii) a review of the External Reviewers’ Tenure Reports; and (iii) a vote of the Reviewing Faculty, recommending whether or not the applicant should be granted a Tenured Appointment. If the tenure applicant did not undergo a Comprehensive Mid-Track Review, the evaluation must also include an interview of the tenure applicant by the Reviewing Faculty (see Section XV.E.1.).

b. Reports. Upon completion of the Department’s evaluation, the Reviewing Faculty and the Department Chair, acting independently, will each prepare written reports (the “Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report” and the “Department Chair’s Tenure Report”) that (i) set forth an assessment of the applicant’s past performance and planned activities in the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments; and (ii) present reasoned recommendations as to whether the applicant should or should not be granted a Tenured Appointment. The Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report will also (iii) outline the procedures that took place, and (iv) include the numerical results of their vote.

The Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report will be written by a member of the Reviewing Faculty selected by them for this task. The number of persons among the Reviewing Faculty, if any, who disagree with the conclusions and recommendations in the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report will be noted in the Report. All members of the Reviewing Faculty will sign the Report. (A faculty member’s signature will affirm only that the faculty member has read such Report.)

Any member of the Reviewing Faculty who disagrees with any conclusion or recommendation in the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report may append to the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report a signed statement setting forth the nature and extent of such disagreement. Each member of the Reviewing Faculty should receive a copy of the appended statement.

c. Distribution. Not later than the first Monday of November, the writer of the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report will Deliver the Report to the Department Chair. On the same day, the Department will Deliver the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report, the signed Department Chair’s Tenure Report and the Tenure Dossier to the School Dean. On the same date the Department will Deliver copies of both Reports to the applicant.

4. School Dean's Processes. The School Dean, after review of the Tenure Dossier and other such materials as the School Dean deems appropriate, will prepare a written report (the “School Dean’s Tenure Report”) that (a) evaluates the applicant’s past performance, and assesses the faculty member’s planned activities in each of the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments, and (b) presents a reasoned recommendation as to whether the applicant should or should not be granted a Tenured Appointment. The School will Deliver the signed School Dean Tenure Report and the Tenure Dossier to the Chair of the All College Tenure Committee (ACTC), as defined in Section XXIII of this statement, not later than the first Monday of December. On the same date the School will Deliver copies of the report to the applicant and the Department Chair.

5. Applicant’s Response. Not later than the second Monday of December, the applicant will Deliver to the Chair of the All College Tenure Committee (ACTC) any written comments the applicant may have on the Reviewing Faculty’s Tenure Report, the Department Chair’s Tenure Report, and the School Dean’s Tenure Report. This is not an opportunity for the applicant to add materials to the applicant’s Tenure Dossier. On the same date, the applicant will Deliver copies to the Department Chair and the School Dean.

6. ACTC Processes

a. Report. Based solely on the materials in the Tenure Dossier, the ACTC will prepare a written report (the “ACTC Report”) that (i) evaluates the applicant’s past performance, and assesses the faculty member’s planned activities in each of the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments and (ii) presents a reasoned recommendation as to whether the applicant should or should not be granted a Tenured Appointment. The number of persons on the ACTC, if any, who disagree with the conclusions and recommendation in the ACTC Report will be noted in, and all members of the ACTC will sign, such Report. (An ACTC member’s signature will affirm only that the faculty member has read such Report.) Any member of the ACTC who disagrees with any conclusion or recommendation in the ACTC Report may submit to the ACTC Chair a signed statement setting forth the nature and extent of such disagreement. The Chair will append any statement to, and make such statement a part of, the ACTC Report.

b. Distribution. The ACTC Chair will Deliver the ACTC Report and the Tenure Dossier to the Provost not later than the second Monday of February. On the same date the ACTC Chair will Deliver copies of the Report to the applicant, the Department Chair and the School Dean.

7. Provost’s Processes. Upon receipt of the Tenure Dossier, the Provost will decide, based on the Provost’s independent evaluation of the best interests of the College and in light of the recommendations and all materials then available, whether or not to grant the applicant a Tenured Appointment. In making this decision, the Provost may consult about the qualifications of the applicant with any person who (a) participated in the formulation of a recommendation as to whether or not to grant such faculty member a Tenured Appointment or (b) is from the Office of the General Counsel. The Provost may also consult with any person who is a member of (a) the President’s Cabinet or (b) the College’s Board of Trustees. Not later than the third Monday of March, written notice of the Provost’s decision will be Delivered to the applicant, with copies to the Department Chair and School Dean.

In the event the applicant is not granted a Tenured Appointment, the Provost will additionally state the criterion or criteria that was/were not met. The applicant’s Tenure-Track Appointment will not be renewed, and a non-renewable, one-year appointment at current rank will be offered to the applicant for the following academic year. The applicant may challenge or seek review of the Provost’s decision solely in accordance with Section XXII (Review of Nonrenewal, Denial of Tenure, or Termination of Faculty Appointments).

8. Record Retention. All materials developed in the course of the Tenured Appointment process will be retained in the Office of Academic Personnel.

B. Expedited Process for Granting Tenure to Faculty Members at the Point of Hiring

1. Granting a Tenured Appointment to a Candidate Who Already Holds a Tenured Appointment or Its Equivalent at Another Institution of Higher Learning. Circumstances may arise in which the College seeks to hire as a full-time faculty member a candidate who already has tenure or its equivalent at another institution of higher learning. In such circumstances, the search committee may include, as part of its written recommendation to the School Dean, a recommendation that the candidate be hired with tenure. Upon review of the recommendation from the search committee, the School Dean will prepare a written report stating whether or not the School Dean supports the recommendation of the search committee. The School will Deliver the signed report to the Provost. Upon receipt of such a recommendation from the School Dean, the Provost is authorized, at the Provost’s sole discretion, to approve the offer of a Tenured Appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor rank to the candidate. The Provost’s decision not to extend such an offer is not subject to challenge or review on any basis.

2. Granting a Tenured Appointment to a Candidate Who Does Not Hold Tenure or Its Equivalent at Another Institution. Circumstances may arise in which the College seeks to hire and grant tenure to a candidate for a full-time faculty position who does not hold tenure or its equivalent at another institution of higher learning but who has clearly demonstrated superior performance and accomplishments in relation to the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments. In such circumstances, the Provost may commence an expedited process for the granting of a Tenured Appointment and enforce the appropriate deadlines. The candidate’s application for expedited granting of a Tenured Appointment (the “Expedited Tenure Application”) will be Delivered to the appropriate Department Chair. The Department Chair will circulate the Expedited Tenure Application to the appropriate Reviewing Faculty and the appropriate School Dean. Such an application will contain materials that the candidate believes will ensure full consideration of the candidate’s performance and accomplishments in the criteria in each of the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments. Support letters that address the candidate’s scholarly or creative endeavors that were provided for the position search will be used in lieu of external letters.

After receipt of the Expedited Tenure Application, (a) the Reviewing Faculty, (b) the Department Chair, and (c) the School Dean will each prepare written reports with reasoned recommendations as to whether the candidate should or should not be granted a Tenured Appointment on an expedited basis. Not later than ten Business Days after receipt of the Expedited Tenure Application, the three reports and the Expedited Tenure Application will be Delivered to the ACTC Chair.

The ACTC will then prepare a written report with reasoned recommendations as to whether the candidate should or should not be granted a Tenured Appointment on an expedited basis. Not later than ten days after receipt of the Expedited Tenure Application and reports, the ACTC Chair will Deliver the Expedited Tenure Application and the four reports to the Provost.

The Provost is authorized, at the Provost's sole discretion, to approve or deny the offer of a Tenured Appointment to the candidate. In making this decision, the Provost may consult about the qualifications of the applicant with any person who (a) participated in the formulation of a recommendation as to whether or not to grant such faculty member a Tenured Appointment or (b) is from the Office of the General Counsel. The Provost may also consult with any person who is a member of (a) the President’s Cabinet or (b) the College’s Board of Trustees. Not later than ten Business Days after receipt of the Expedited Tenure Application and reports, the Provost will notify the candidate in writing of the Provost’s decision. Copies of the decision will be Delivered to the Department Chair and the School Dean. The Expedited Tenure Application will be returned to the candidate. The letters of support and all of the reports generated during the process, including the Provost's decision, will be Delivered to the Office of Academic Personnel. The Provost's decision to approve or deny such an offer is not subject to challenge or review on any basis.

C. Expedited Process for Granting Rank and Tenure to Persons Whom the College Employs in Senior Academic Administrative Positions

1. Appropriate Circumstances. Given circumstances in which the College seeks to hire a senior academic administrator at the level of School Dean or higher, the College may grant a Tenured Professor Appointment to the individual on the basis of a review of the candidate’s credentials by the Provost and the President. In such cases, these candidates will have held rank and tenure or its equivalent at another institution, or will have clearly demonstrated superior performance and accomplishments in relation to the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Professor Appointments or in positions of senior academic administration. In such circumstances the Provost may commence an expedited process. The Provost's written recommendation for expedited grant of a Tenured Appointment (an “Expedited Rank and Tenure Recommendation”) will be Delivered to the President.

2. President’s Decision. Upon receipt of such a Recommendation from the Provost, the President is authorized, at the President’s sole discretion, to extend such an offer to the candidate. The President’s decision not to extend such an offer is not subject to challenge or review on any basis.

D. Expedited Process for Granting Rank and Tenure to the Provost

1. Appropriate Circumstances. Given circumstances in which the College seeks to hire a senior academic administrator at the level of Provost, the College may grant a Tenured Professor Appointment to the individual on the basis of a review of the candidate’s credentials by the President. In such a case, the candidate will have held rank and tenure or its equivalent at another institution, or will have clearly demonstrated superior performance and accomplishments in relation to the criteria in the Evaluation Areas for Tenured Appointments or in positions of senior academic administration.

2. President’s Decision. Upon review of the candidate’s credentials, the President is authorized, at the President’s sole discretion, to extend such an offer to the candidate. The President’s decision not to extend such an offer is not subject to challenge or review on any basis.