Article IV. Standards and Criteria for Personnel Reviews, Recommendations and Decisions

Article IV. Standards and Criteria for Personnel Reviews, Recommendations and Decisions

Section 4.1

High professional standards must be the basis for all personnel decisions. Personnel recommendations and decisions shall be made only after a review of all of the qualifications and all the contributions of the individual in the areas of teaching; of research; creative or professional activity; and of service. All three areas must be considered, but the relative weight to be given to each may be determined in the light of the duties of the faculty member.

Section 4.2

For personnel recommendations and decisions, consideration must also be given to the relationship of the recommended personnel action to the following:

  1. Program plans at the department, college, campus, and University level.
  2. Flexibility as affected by rank and tenure distributions and anticipated retirement dates.
  3. Departmental affirmative action goals, considering the nature of the positive contribution that affirmative action is able to make to the diversity of perspective that is essential to the well-being of the department and the University community.

For new appointments, reappointments through the tenure decision year, and for the award of tenure, these considerations must be given in writing as established in Section 6.4 (e).

Section 4.3

The standards and criteria described in this document and any standards and criteria established in Trustee-approved campus personnel policies shall be the only standards and criteria used in making and reviewing personnel recommendations.

Section 4.4

Regular academic appointments at the University are made for full-time service at the ranks of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. The following general criteria shall apply to all candidates for such appointments:

  1. For an appointment as an Instructor a candidate must," have made substantial progress toward the, completion of all requirements for the terminal degree in his or her field of, academic specialization, or possess equivalent professional experience that is appropriate to the position to be filled. The candidate must also give promise of academic or professional development and achievement.
  2. For an appointment as an Assistant Professor, a candidate must possess the appropriate terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience. If the candidate has held a faculty appointment at another college or university, he or she must also have a record of achievement in the field of academic specialization. In addition, the candidate must show promise of continuing professional development and achievement.
  3. For an appointment as an Associate Professor ,a candidate must possess the appropriate terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience, and must have had considerable academic or professional experience beyond the level which would warrant an appointment as Assistant Professor; must have a record of achievement sufficient to have gained recognition on and off campus from scholars or professionals in his or her field; and must show promise of continuing professional development and achievement.
  4. For an appointment as a Professor, a candidate must possess the appropriate terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience; and must have a record of achievement sufficient to have gained substantial recognition on and off campus from scholars or professionals in his or her field; and must show significant potential for continuing professional achievement.

Section 4.5

The general criteria for reappointment at regular academic ranks shall be the following:

  1. Evidence of continuing achievement and growth since initial appointment.
  2. Reasonable assurance of continuing professional development consistent with the ability to reach the level for eventual promotion to the next higher rank.
  3. Consideration of the relationships as stated in Section 4.2.

Section 4.6

Recommendations for promotion shall be based on qualifications and contributions in the areas of teaching; of research, creative, or professional activity; and of service; and on the following considerations:

  1. For promotion to Assistant Professor, the faculty member must possess the appropriate terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience, and have a record of achievement in the field of academic specialization. In addition, the candidate must show promise of continuing professional development and achievement.
  2. For promotion to Associate Professor, the faculty member must have a record of achievement sufficient to have gained recognition on and off campus among scholars or professionals in his or her field; and must show promise of continuing professional development and achievement.
  3. For promotion to Professor, the faculty member must have a record of achievement sufficient to have gained substantial recognition on and off campus from scholars or professionals in his or her field; and must show significant potential for continuing professional achievement.

Section 4.7

All appointments and reappointments to regular academic positions without the award of tenure are probationary. The probationary period is an opportunity for the faculty member to demonstrate the qualifications for reappointment, promotion, and the award of tenure. During the probationary period, the faculty member should have access to information on the substantive and procedural standards generally employed in decisions affecting reappointment, promotion, and the award of tenure.

Section 4.8

No regular academic appointment without tenure shall carry with it any assurance, explicit or implicit, of a reappointment, a promotion, or the eventual award of tenure. Such actions must be based on a positive recommendation in accordance with procedures and standards established in Articles II, III, IV, and VI.

Section 4.9

The award of tenure can be made only by the president with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees. Consideration of a candidate for tenure shall be based on the following:

  1. Convincing evidence of excellence in at least two, and strength in the third, of the areas of teaching; of research; creative or professional activity; and of service, such as to demonstrate the possession of qualities appropriate to a member of the faculty occupying a permanent position.
  2. Reasonable assurance of continuing development and achievement leading to further contributions to the university.
  3. The relationships as stated in Section 4.2.

Recommendations for the granting of tenure without promotion to Associate Professor must be accompanied by compelling reasons stated in detail.

Section 4.10

The criteria for an initial appointment with tenure shall be those established for the rank involved and those for the award of tenure.

Section 4.11

Special academic appointments include appointments, with the titles of lecturer, adjunct (all ranks), clinical (all ranks), and visiting (all ranks). Each campus may develop definitions, criteria, and procedures for making special academic appointments subject to the concurrence of the Board of Trustees and within the following University wide guidelines:1

  1. Special academic appointments are not considered probationary and holders cannot be awarded tenure.
  2. The responsibilities of a faculty member on a special academic appointment need not include the three functions of teaching; of research; creative or professional activity; and of service; but may be limited to any one of these areas as determined by mutual agreement between the faculty member, the Department Chairperson/Head and the Dean.
  3. In most cases, the term of a special academic appointment does not exceed one year, and in no case shall it exceed five years.
  4. Full-time, salaried, special academic appointments cannot usually extend beyond a total of six years.
  5. In the event that the holder of a special academic appointment shall apply for a regular academic appointment, the criteria for initial appointment to that rank shall apply. In that case, full-time and/or part-time service, subsequent to the award of the terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience may count toward the tenure decision year.
  6. The prerogatives of holders of specia1 academic appointments shall be determined on each campus.

Section 4.12

Subject to, the availability of funds, there are provisions for salary increments for professional advancement, awards for exceptional contributions, and adjustments for promotions and adjustments of salary inequities. Within the guidelines set for these categories by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, in accordance with the appropriate governance procedures, shall determine the criteria and procedures for implementation of salary policy.

Section 4.13

In addition to the provisions of University sabbatical leave policy (T66-049 as amended by T73-065), the general criteria for the award of sabbatical leaves, subject to the availability of funds and a request by the faculty member, are the following:

  1. A record of achievement, service, and contribution during the years of service prior to the leave period that provides reasonable expectation that the objectives of the sabbatical project will be achieved.
  2. A sabbatical leave project which promises to contribute to the development of the faculty member in areas of teaching; of research; creative or scholarly activity; and/or of professional service capability, and hence contribute to the institution as a whole upon the return to the University for at least one year following the academic year in which the sabbatical leave takes place.

Section 4.14

Leaves without pay may be granted by the appointing authority for reasons of health, for advanced study and research, or in connection with temporary employment or service which will be of value to the faculty member and the University. They are not normally granted for more than one year. An extension beyond the second year must be with the approval of the President.

  • 1

    Until the Trustees adopt a specific policy on part-time status, all part-time appointments shall be governed by the provisions of 4.11.