Promotion & TenureNew Faculty WorkshopDecember 7, 2012

Purpose of WorkshopReduce stressUnderstand the processPlot-out your strategy

RationaleHaving a great faculty is the key

to having a great universityWe try to develop that great

facultyRetention of faculty through

promotion and tenure is the pathway

The InvestmentYou were hired to be successful.

MTSU has a big investment in you.

◦Time, money and energy recruiting

◦Start up funds

◦Mentoring

P & T PoliciesTBR

◦Policy: 5:02:03:60 (Tenure)◦Policy: 5:02:02:20 (Promotion)

MTSU◦II:01:05B (Tenure)◦II:01:05A (Promotion)

DepartmentAll TBR and MTSU P & T policies

are in the Faculty Handbook

Probationary ReviewAnnual evaluationsThird Year:

◦Midpoint corrections◦Critical juncture

You should know where you stand in all three areas

When Can I Be a Candidate?To Associate Professor:

◦At beginning of your 6th year (fulfill five complete years in rank).

To Professor:◦After completion of 10 years in

combined ranks, 4 years as an associate professor (i.e., at beginning of your 5th year)

Application of past service credit upon being hired

To AssociatePromotion to the rank of

Associate Professor is based upon both demonstrated performance and potential

What have you accomplished since being hired?

To ProfessorPromotion to the rank of

Professor is based upon having achieved professional and scholarly distinction.◦Evidence of outstanding teaching, significant scholarship and professional growth, service

◦What have you accomplished since last promotion?

◦Concept of identity as a scholar

Threshold Concept

Teaching Scholarship Service

Review Process Spring announcement of upcoming

calendarIn the Fall:

◦Preparation of Candidate Information◦Review by Dept., Chair, College, Dean◦Review by Vice Provost

Winter-Spring:◦Review by Provost◦Review by President◦Submission to TBR◦Approval by TBR

TeachingPrimary variableNarrative statement by candidate

on teaching philosophyStudent evaluationsOptional peer evaluations

TeachingExceptional teachers will:

◦Show command of their subject,◦Be creative and imaginative,◦Be enthusiastic,◦Promote critical thinking,◦Stimulate their students to improved

performance,◦Engage in and use research, and◦Be outstanding communicators

Scholarship/Creative Activity

Focused approach to scholarship identity

Continuous growth through timeTrends from local to regional to

national and beyondArticles, Monographs, Paper

Presentations, Creative Works, Funded Research

No magic numbers

ServiceContinuous serviceDepartmental, College,

University, Professional Organizations

MentoringSome departments assign

mentorsSeek one out-does not need to be

from your departmentConsult your Chair and Dean

Promotion Exception RuleRarely allowedOften hinges on exceptional

scholarship recordNot been granted recently

AppealsRelated to any alleged error in

the review process leading to a negative recommendation

Violation of academic freedomViolation of TBR or University

policiesViolation of EEOFormation of Appeals Committee

TenureTo be eligible for tenure, must hold

rank position Five years in rank minimal

probationary periodCredit for prior service (max. 3

years)Stopping tenure clock (1 year)Consideration of teaching,

scholarship, serviceTermination of Tenure Policy

Myth 1Tenure is a right. I will

receive tenure if I do a reasonable job.◦Tenure is a long-term commitment

for the University.◦The University expects better than

average performance

Myth 2Getting tenure is tough. Most

faculty will not receive tenure.

◦Faculty are hired on the assumption that they will receive tenure.

◦Approximately 90% of those who come up for tenure and/or promotion receive it. Some faculty members leave the

University before standing for tenure.

Myth 3Only research and grant

funding count.◦Performance in teaching,

scholarship, and service all count.◦The exact factors and their weights

vary by department. Learn about your department.

Myth 4I’ll get tenure/promotion if I

have x papers.◦Teaching and service count◦Quality counts◦Level of contribution counts◦Other factors contribute to

scholarship (e.g., grant funding)◦No magic numbers!

Myth 5If Professor X got

tenure/promotion, I’ll get tenure/promotion.

◦Cases are judged on their merits relative to standards, not in comparison to others.

◦You may not know everything about Professor X.

◦Standards change over time.

Possible Policy ChangesLinking Tenure & PromotionRequired peer teaching

evaluationExternal analysis of scholarship

ConclusionsStay focused: craft an identity for

yourselfDemonstrate continuous growthTake to heart annual evaluationsWhat have you accomplished since

being hired or last promotion?Seek adviceRequest peer teaching evaluationKnow the guidelines/policiesApproximately 85% of candidates

successful annually for promotion