Academic Policy 1405.11
Evaluative Criteria, Procedures and General Standards for Initial Appointment, Successive Appointments, Annual and Post-tenure Review, Promotion and Tenure
(Campus Faculty, May 3, 1990; Revised January 22, 1999; Corrected June 8, 1999; Revised August 20, 2001; Revised August 1, 2003; Revised May 21, 2010; Revised December 8, 2010; Revised April 14, 2011; Revised April 25, 2012; Revised October 8, 2012; Revised October 25, 2013; Revised June 18, 2014; Revised April 13, 2019; Revised May, 28, 2025). NOTE: The title “provost” as used in this document will be interpreted to mean both “the provost and the vice president for agriculture” and the title “dean” will be interpreted to mean both “dean and associate vice president(s) for agriculture” for employees of the Division of Agriculture for whom this document applies.These criteria, procedures, and general standards, adopted by the Campus Faculty and approved by the Chancellor and President, apply to implementation on the Fayetteville campus of Board of Trustees Policy 405.1. They are also designed to reflect the following statement of the University’s mission and vision:
The University of Arkansas is determined to build a better world by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture, nurturing creativity, and solving problems through research and discovery, all in service to Arkansas. In pursuit of its mission, the University of Arkansas encourages all of its members to strive for excellence in public higher education, advancing Arkansas while building a better world.
- Committees: Responsibilities and Service
- Definitions
- Unit and Department/Departmental are used interchangeably in this policy to refer to an academic department, administered
by a head, chair, or director in which tenure may be granted.
- For purposes of this policy, school refers to the Fay Jones School of Architecture
and Design and the School of Law.
- Unit and Department/Departmental are used interchangeably in this policy to refer to an academic department, administered
by a head, chair, or director in which tenure may be granted.
- Definitions of Committees and Responsibilities
- The Unit Peer Review Committee is an elected committee established to conduct the (state-mandated) annual peer review
of each full-time faculty member. This committee provides input to the Department
Head/Chair/Director or Dean for consideration in the faculty member’s Annual Review.
Annual Review refers to the review and evaluation of unit faculty by the department
head/chair or dean (see section III.C).
- Units may either elect a Unit Peer Review Committee or have the Unit Personnel Committee
(I.B.4) serve as the Unit Peer Review Committee. When a separate Unit Peer Review
Committee is established, all fulltime tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track
faculty are eligible to vote to elect the members of the committee, with two exceptions:
(1) visiting faculty and Executives-in-Residence are not eligible to vote and (2)
a faculty member who has received notification of non-reappointment or termination
is not eligible to vote.
- All full-time tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track Unit faculty above the rank
of assistant professor shall be eligible to serve on the Unit Peer Review Committee.
In addition, tenure-track and non-tenure-track assistant professors, having successfully
completed three academic years of service in that Unit, shall be eligible to serve,
with two exceptions: (1) visiting faculty and Executives-in-Residence are not eligible
to vote and (2) a faculty member who has received notification of non-reappointment
or termination is not eligible to vote.
- Members of the Unit Peer Review Committee may evaluate faculty of any rank or tenure
status.
- Additional procedures to be followed by the Unit Peer Review Committee are specified
in III.C.
- Units may either elect a Unit Peer Review Committee or have the Unit Personnel Committee
(I.B.4) serve as the Unit Peer Review Committee. When a separate Unit Peer Review
Committee is established, all fulltime tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track
faculty are eligible to vote to elect the members of the committee, with two exceptions:
(1) visiting faculty and Executives-in-Residence are not eligible to vote and (2)
a faculty member who has received notification of non-reappointment or termination
is not eligible to vote.
-
The Unit Tenured Faculty Committee consists of all tenured faculty in a department, excluding those in administrative positions from the department head/chair level and higher, unless specifically allowed by the college/school policy document. Such allowances, if made, must comply with the provisions of I.C. The Unit Tenured Faculty evaluates and votes on recommendations for promotion and/or tenure for tenure-track candidates. A member of the Unit Tenured Faculty may discuss but shall not vote on any candidate for a rank higher than that held by the member with the exception that tenured Professors shall be allowed to vote on candidates for University Professor or Distinguished Professor. Additional procedures to be followed by this committee are specified in V.B.13.
- The Unit Promoted Faculty Committee consists of all faculty (both tenure-track and non-tenure-track) in a department holding
the rank of associate professor or above, excluding those in administrative positions
from the department chair/head level and higher, unless specifically allowed by the
school/college policy document. Such allowances, if made, must comply with the provisions
of I.C. The Unit Promoted Faculty evaluates and votes on recommendations for promotion
for non-tenure-track candidates. A member of the Unit Promoted Faculty may discuss
but shall not vote on any candidate for a rank higher than that held by the member.
Additional procedures to be followed by this committee are specified in V.B.13.
- The Unit Personnel Committee is an elected committee that evaluates candidates for purposes of recommendations
on promotion and tenure (for exceptions to the elected committee see V.B.13.d.).
- Full-time unit faculty members at or above the rank of associate professor are eligible
to serve on the Unit Personnel Committee, with three exceptions: (1) department heads
or chairs, (2) a faculty member who has received notification of non-reappointment
or termination, and (3) visiting faculty members. The Unit Personnel Committee must
have at least one non-tenure-track member at the rank of associate professor or higher,
if the unit has at least two non-tenure-track faculty eligible to serve.
- When electing members of the Unit Personnel Committee, all full-time Unit faculty
are eligible to vote, with three exceptions: (1) department heads or chairs (unless
specifically allowed by the college/school policy document), (2) a faculty member
who has received notification of non-reappointment or termination, and (3) visiting
faculty members. If appropriate to the size of the department and consistent with
detailed consideration of matters by the committee, a unit may, through its approved
policies and procedures, designate that its Unit Personnel Committee shall include
all eligible tenured and non-tenure track faculty.
- Members of the Unit Personnel Committee shall not vote on any candidate for a rank
higher than the committee member’s rank, except that tenured professors shall be allowed
to vote on candidates for University Professor and Distinguished Professor. Non-tenure-track
Unit Personnel Committee members may participate in discussions but shall not vote
on the awarding of tenure or on the promotion of tenure-track candidates.
- The Unit Personnel Committee considering any candidate for promotion and/or tenure
must consist of not less than three eligible and voting members. See V.B.13.d-e for
procedures to be followed when three eligible and voting members for any candidate
are not available.
- Additional procedures to be followed by the Unit Personnel Committee are specified
in III.C.3-8.
- Full-time unit faculty members at or above the rank of associate professor are eligible
to serve on the Unit Personnel Committee, with three exceptions: (1) department heads
or chairs, (2) a faculty member who has received notification of non-reappointment
or termination, and (3) visiting faculty members. The Unit Personnel Committee must
have at least one non-tenure-track member at the rank of associate professor or higher,
if the unit has at least two non-tenure-track faculty eligible to serve.
- The College/School Promotion and Tenure Committee is an elected committee charged with evaluating candidates from that college/school
for purposes of recommendations on promotion and tenure (for exceptions to the elected
committee see section V.B.13.d.).
-
The University Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure is the elected university committee charged with making recommendations on policy and faculty status with regard to appointment, promotion, and tenure. The committee shall consist of 9 tenured faculty members and three non-tenure-track faculty members holding the rank of Associate Professor or higher of the faculty. Non-tenure-track members of the committee may fully participate in all discussions and deliberations of the committee, but may not vote on recommendations involving tenured/tenure-track faculty.
- The Unit Peer Review Committee is an elected committee established to conduct the (state-mandated) annual peer review
of each full-time faculty member. This committee provides input to the Department
Head/Chair/Director or Dean for consideration in the faculty member’s Annual Review.
Annual Review refers to the review and evaluation of unit faculty by the department
head/chair or dean (see section III.C).
- No administrator in the appointment, promotion, or tenure recommendation chain shall
serve on any unit/department or college/school or university committee described in
1405.11. All school/college policy documents shall comply with this provision.
- Definitions
- Initial Appointment
Appointments of all faculty are subject to applicable policies of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas System, and of this campus. In particular, all appointments are subject to Board of Trustees Policy 405.1 and Board of Trustees Policy 405.4, including, but not limited to, with regard to the provisions on appointment periods.
The faculty and chairperson/head of each department or equivalent unit shall adopt criteria and procedures for the initial appointment of all faculty members in the unit. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (hereafter referred to as Provost), the Chancellor and the President. The criteria and procedures adopted by the faculty and chairperson/head shall be consistent with applicable Board and UA System policies and the following criteria and procedures.
- Criteria for Initial Appointment at or Below the Rank of Assistant Professor
- An appropriate degree or professional experience is an essential qualification for
appointment to positions at academic ranks.
- Other important qualifications include experience in teaching, scholarship (research
or creative activity), and educational service either at other colleges and universities
and/or in non-academic settings.
- The academic rank awarded at the initial appointment shall be consistent with prior
professional experience as well as Board policies and criteria adopted by the faculty
and chairperson/head of the appropriate unit.
- Academic Policy 1435.50 provides detailed information about the criteria for faculty ranks and titles. Initial
appointments of non-tenure-track faculty should be consistent with the criteria described
therein and section D. below.
- An appropriate degree or professional experience is an essential qualification for
appointment to positions at academic ranks.
- Criteria for Initial Appointment at or Above the Rank of Associate Professor
In addition to the criteria specified under II.A., the following process shall be followed in making all initial appointments at or above the rank of associate professor:
Before a new tenured or tenure-track faculty member shall be appointed at a rank at or above associate professor, the relevant Unit Personnel Committee and Unit Tenured Faculty Committee (holding at least the rank to which the faculty member is being considered) must review the candidate’s curriculum vitae and other relevant supporting application materials and vote on appointment at the proposed rank. The results of both votes and letter describing the rationale for Unit Personnel Committee’s vote shall be submitted to the Unit head/chair and the College/School Dean and are to be considered in the appointment recommendation.
Before a new non-tenure-track faculty member shall be appointed at a rank at or above associate professor, the relevant Unit Personnel Committee and the Unit Promoted Faculty holding at least the rank to which the faculty member is being considered, must review the candidate’s curriculum vitae and other relevant supporting application materials and vote on appointment at the proposed rank. The results of both votes and letter describing the rationale for Unit Personnel Committee’s vote shall be submitted to the Unit head/chair and the College/School Dean and are to be considered in the appointment recommendation.
In addition, consideration for appointment at a rank at or above associate professor may require a vote and letter of rationale from the College/School Promotion and Tenure Committee if specified in the College or School policy document.
- Criteria for Initial Appointment with Tenure
In addition to the criteria specified under II.A and II.B, the following process shall be followed in making all initial appointments where tenure is granted:
Before a new faculty member is appointed with tenure, the relevant Unit Personnel Committee and Tenured Faculty Committee must review the candidate’s curriculum vitae and other relevant supporting application materials and vote on the granting of tenure. The results of both votes and a letter describing the rationale of the Unit Personnel Committee’s vote shall be submitted to the Unit head/chair and the College/School Dean and are to be considered in the tenure recommendation.
In addition, consideration for granting of tenure may require a vote and letter of rationale from the College/School Promotion and Tenure Committee if specified in the College or School policy document.
- Initial and Successive Appointments of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
- Duration of Non-Tenure Track Appointments Generally.
Any appointment, extension or renewal of an appointment of non-tenure-track faculty is at the sole discretion of the University. Considerations for successive appointments may include, but are not limited to quality of performance, the need for the position, and the financial resources of the relevant unit. Non-tenure track faculty do not have a right to a successive appointment but may be offered a reappointment after the expiration of a current appointment. Subject to the provisions below concerning merit-based, multi-year appointments, non-tenure track faculty who receive an unsatisfactory evaluation on the Annual Review should generally not be offered a subsequent appointment.
- Multi-Year Appointments for Non-Tenure Track Faculty.
Any term of appointment of non-tenure track in excess of one year, whether an initial appointment or a renewal, shall only be valid if expressly recognized as a merit-based, multi-year appointment (MYMB) and approved by the dean, as well as the Provost or a designee. In order to be approved, any such appointment must follow merit-based procedures established in departmental and college personnel documents approved by the President as well as criteria outlined in Section II.E. below. Such merit-based procedures must include an application for such an appointment and subsequent review and evaluation of the application materials by the Unit Personnel Committee and the department head/chair. Any such recommendations must address the criteria for appointment or reappointment reflected in the relevant personnel documents.
Multiyear, merit-based appointments are intended for faculty members hired in competitive searches or, on rare occasions with prior approval of the Provost, who have established a notable and consistently strong record of highly effective performance during their period of service at the University of Arkansas.
- Types and Duration of Non-Tenure Track Appointments
- Lecturer. Lecturers are defined as faculty hired part-time and on a semester-by-semester (or,
rarely, academic year) basis. Appointment as lecturer may be renewed based on a successful
merit-based review completed in accordance with department, college, and university
guidelines. Lecturers are not eligible for multi-year merit-based appointments.
- Instructor. Appointment as an instructor is a regular appointment at 50% or greater and is usually
on an academic year basis, though the appointment for a 100% appointed instructor
may be for up to a three-year term. These appointments may be considered for renewal
for successive periods of up to three years if the candidate has satisfied a positive
merit-based review process employing evaluative criteria, including evidence of highly
effective teaching, established in approved college and department personnel documents.
Instructors may seek appointment as teaching or clinical assistant professors but
must follow the normal appointment process for those positions, which includes a competitive search.
- Clinical, Teaching, and Research Faculty. Clinical faculty are defined as faculty members who hold clinical licenses/credentials
and whose primary responsibility involves instructing students in both academic and
clinical settings, supervising clinical experiences. Teaching faculty are defined
as faculty members whose primary responsibility involves instructing students. Research
faculty are defined as faculty members whose primary responsibility involves research/creative
activities.
Appointments of clinical, teaching, and research faculty may be part-time or full-time. Further, such appointments may be multi-year merit-based appointments for 100% appointed faculty if approved through the MYMB appointment process described above. The first MYMB appointment may be up to three years. If successfully completed, in accordance with approved college and department personnel documents, an initial MYMB appointment may be considered for renewal for an additional MYMB appointment of up to three years. After successful completion of a second three-year MYMB appointment (or after a total of six years of appointment), such appointments may be considered for renewal for periods of up to five years based on a positive cumulative merit-based review of annual performance. Subsequent renewals of merit-based five-year appointments must also be based on a cumulative review process. - Visiting Faculty. Visiting faculty are appointed to a teaching or research position on a short-term
basis and are typically made on an annual basis. If a visiting faculty member’s annual
appointment is successfully completed in accordance with approved college and department
personnel documents, such appointment may be considered for renewal, at the discretion
of the University following a merit-based review by the department personnel committee
and the department head or chair. Appointments in visiting faculty positions are not
renewable beyond a total of three years of service. In rare circumstances, visiting
faculty hired in competitive searches may be initially appointed for up to three years
based on merit review (see section II.D.3.E.)
- Professor of Practice. Appointments of professors of practice are reserved for practitioners in a specific
field and primarily for individuals with long-term, extensive professional/practitioner
experience rather than solely scholarly credentials. These faculty must be qualified
under APS 1435.50. Appointments of professor of practice faculty may be part-time or full-time.
In rare circumstances, professor-of-practice hired through a competitive search may be initially appointed for up to three years based on merit review (see section II.D.3.e.). If successfully completed, in accordance with approved college and department personnel documents, an initial appointment may be considered for renewal for an additional appointment of up to three years. After successful completion of a second three-year appointment, professor of practice appointments may be considered for renewal for periods of up to five years based on a positive cumulative review of annual performance. Subsequent renewals of merit-based five-year appointments must also be based on a cumulative review process. Colleges, schools, and departments shall specify policies for appointment, review, and reappointment of Professor of Practice so long as such policies are consistent with Board and University policies (see section II. E below) and approved by the President. - Executive in Residence. Appointments of the executive-in-residence are based on a distinguished record of
professional success, outstanding professional achievements, and/or honorary recognition
in specific fields. These faculty must be qualified under APS 1435.50. Appointments of professor of practice and executive-in-residence faculty may be
part-time or full-time. Appointments of executive-in-residence faculty are typically
short-term, i.e., one semester or a year, but may be potentially renewed up to three
years.
Faculty appointed as Executive-in-Residence may compete for appointment as Professors of Practice or non-tenure track teaching faculty but must follow the normal appointment process for those positions, which includes a competitive search. - While the foregoing criteria for different types of non-tenure track appointment may
be supplemented by discipline or unit criteria adopted by the College and School,
any merit-based appointment of more than one year shall only be recommended when the
candidate has consistently demonstrated record or, for initial appointment, shown
clear evidence of three years, of highly effective teaching as the instructor of record,
or highly effective research/ scholarship, as applicable, as well as the ability and
willingness to work productively with colleagues.
Again, any appointment in excess of one year must be merit-based and meet all criteria and procedural requirements addressed above. Any appointment not fully satisfying all such requirements shall not exceed one year.
- Lecturer. Lecturers are defined as faculty hired part-time and on a semester-by-semester (or,
rarely, academic year) basis. Appointment as lecturer may be renewed based on a successful
merit-based review completed in accordance with department, college, and university
guidelines. Lecturers are not eligible for multi-year merit-based appointments.
- Procedures for Merit-Based, Multi-Year (MYMB) Appointments. Any multi-year appointment
of non-tenure track faculty, whether an initial or successive appointment, shall include
the following merit-based procedures..
- For those seeking multi-year appointments upon initial hire or while holding a faculty
position at the university, the hiring and evaluation process should parallel the
process the unit uses for hiring and evaluating tenure-track professors. Multi-year
merit review process in all instances shall be cumulative.
- To be considered for an initial multi-year merit-based appointment at hire or while
holding a faculty position at the university, the candidate must indicate they want
to be considered for the multi-year appointment, provide evidence of three years of
highly effective teaching or research/scholarship experience as an instructor of record,
a current resume, a description of current or prior academic and other employment,
and supporting documentation of qualification for the multi-year merit-based appointment.
- Letter of interest for the multiyear merit-based appointment shall be submitted to
the Department Chair/Head, who will distribute it and all accompanying documents to
the Unit Personnel Committee.
- The Unit Personnel Committee shall review and evaluate the application materials based
on merit as determined by the criteria for multi-year appointment set out in the departmental
and college personnel documents and this policy. The Personnel Committee shall provide
the Department Chair/Head with the recommendation vote and a letter of rationale clearly
addressing the criteria for a multi-year appointment, including a discussion of the
evidence of highly effective teaching or research, as applicable. The chair of the
Personnel Committee will also forward form APS 1405.111a or APS 1405.111b, as appropriate,
that tracks recommendations and signatures.
- The Department Chair/Head shall conduct a vote by eligible departmental faculty before
providing the recommendation and a letter of rationale clearly addressing the criteria
for a multi-year appointment, including a discussion of the evidence of highly effective
teaching or research, as applicable, to the Dean. The Chair/Head will also provide
the dean with the letter from the Personnel Committee and the form (APS 1405.111A
or APS 1405.111B) that tracks recommendations and signatures.
- The Dean shall provide the Provost with the candidate’s application, or letter of
interest. The Dean provides their recommendation, and a letter of rationale addressing
the criteria for a multi-year appointment only after considering the recommendation
of the Unit Personnel Committee and the Department Chair/Head. Colleges may also choose
to include consideration by the College Personnel Committee.
- For those seeking multi-year appointments upon initial hire or while holding a faculty
position at the university, the hiring and evaluation process should parallel the
process the unit uses for hiring and evaluating tenure-track professors. Multi-year
merit review process in all instances shall be cumulative.
- Duration of Non-Tenure Track Appointments Generally.
- Required Notification
No later than 30 days after beginning employment in connection with a first appointment, each faculty member shall be advised in writing by their chairperson/head of the criteria, workload assignment, procedures, and instruments that are to be used in assessing their work.
- Criteria for Initial Appointment at or Below the Rank of Assistant Professor
- Successive Appointments, Annual Review, Peer Review, Third-Year Review, and Post-Tenure
Review
- Successive Appointments for Tenured and Tenured-Track Faculty
- Tenured faculty members have a right to a next successive appointment except for the
reasons for termination of a tenured appointment specified by the Board of Trustees.
- Non-tenured, tenure-track faculty do not have a right to a next successive appointment
but may be offered an appointment after the expiration of a current appointment, provided
it does not extend the time in probationary status beyond the limits set in Section
IV.A.4 and IV.A.12 of Board Policy No. 405.1.
- In the event that a non-tenured, tenure-track faculty member is not recommended for
reappointment, the procedure described in Section IV.B of Board Policy 405.1 shall be followed.
- Tenured faculty members have a right to a next successive appointment except for the
reasons for termination of a tenured appointment specified by the Board of Trustees.
- Annual Review for All Faculty
Each faculty member must be evaluated in writing by their chair/head, or other immediate supervisor on an annual basis in accordance with the following procedures as relevant to their assigned activities. This annual review contributes to personnel decisions such as reappointment and merit salary increases, and annual review results are also considered in making recommendations for promotion and/or tenure.
The annual review process for full-time non-tenure-track faculty should be consistent with that for tenured and tenure-track faculty. All part-time non-tenure-track faculty shall be evaluated in writing in a manner consistent with College and Departmental policies.
- The faculty and chairperson/head of each unit shall adopt criteria and procedures
for an annual review and evaluation of the work and status of each faculty member
in the unit. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost,
the Chancellor, and the President. The criteria and procedures adopted by the faculty
and chairperson/head shall be consistent with Board policies and the following criteria
and procedures.
- No later than 30 days after beginning employment in connection with a first appointment,
each faculty member shall be advised in writing by their chairperson/unit of the criteria,
workload assignment, procedures, and instruments that are to be used in assessing
their work.
- No later than May 1 of each year, the chairperson/head shall inform each continuing
faculty member in writing of their workload assignment and evaluation criteria for
the next academic year, as well as evaluation procedures and instruments for the current
calendar year. Each faculty member shall also be provided with any standard review forms upon which
the faculty member is expected to submit information regarding professional activities.
- To fulfill the educational mission of the University and in the best interest of each
unit, the chairperson/head may later modify a faculty member’s workload assignment
and evaluation criteria, if necessary. Whenever there is a change in criteria, procedures,
or instruments, each affected faculty member shall be informed by the chairperson/head
in writing.
- No later than March 30, each faculty member’s annual review shall be conducted and
completed on the basis of the previous calendar year's workload assignment and assigned duties and according to the criteria and procedures
stated herein. The department head/chair shall consider the results of the faculty
peer review when assessing annual performance.
- The performance of each faculty member shall be reviewed annually by their chairperson/head,
provided that any faculty member on a terminal appointment will not be evaluated in
their terminal year.
- As long as it is submitted by the deadline established by the faculty and chairperson/head
of the unit, each faculty member has the right to submit any material documenting
the quality of their professional performance in scholarship, teaching, and service
in the annual review.
- The results of the annual peer evaluation shall be made fully available to the faculty
member and those conducting the review.
- Student evaluations of teaching shall be made fully available to the faculty member.
The numerical ratings from student evaluations of teaching shall be made fully available
to any persons conducting the annual review. Students’ narrative comments from evaluations
shall be made fully available to the faculty member’s unit chairperson/head. The
unit chairperson/head shall complete training in the evaluation of these narrative
comments prior to conducting the review.
- Each annual review of faculty holding positions eligible for promotion should provide
feedback on their progress towards promotion and include the remedial steps, if any,
that are recommended.
- The annual review forms, recommendations, associated narratives, and all other relevant
materials used in or resulting from the annual reviews of that faculty member shall
be maintained as long as the faculty member is employed by the University and for
at least three years thereafter. These materials shall be made available to the faculty
member upon their request.
- The responsibility for the initiation of the annual review of each faculty member,
as well as recommendations regarding reappointment of each non-tenured faculty member,
lies with the chairperson/head or the dean of the School of Law.
- Prior to the chairperson's/head’s completion of the annual evaluation (including any
recommendations based on the evaluation) in any year, the chairperson/head shall meet
with the faculty member to discuss all issues related to the review. A tenured faculty
member receiving a satisfactory evaluation may waive this required meeting. A non-tenure-track
faculty member at the rank of associate professor or above receiving a satisfactory
evaluation may waive this required meeting. A copy of the chairperson’s draft of
the intended evaluation shall be provided by the chairperson/head to the faculty member,
who shall be given five working days to submit a written response before the chairperson/head
submits their final recommended evaluation to the dean. A copy of the chairperson’s/head’s
final recommended evaluations to the dean shall also be provided to the faculty member,
who shall be given five working days to submit a written response to be forwarded
to each subsequent level of review.
- Except for non-reappointment, dismissal, tenure, or promotion decisions, a faculty
member claiming that an evaluation or recommendation resulting from the annual review
process violates their rights under established University personnel regulations,
policies, or practices, has recourse through written appeal to the dean. This written
appeal may request reconsideration of the evaluation by the dean, based on specific,
articulated concerns. The dean shall make the final determination on the annual review and any associated
compensation decisions. For non-reappointment, dismissal, tenure, or promotion decisions, other University
policies and provisions are applicable.
- The faculty and chairperson/head of each unit shall adopt criteria and procedures
for an annual review and evaluation of the work and status of each faculty member
in the unit. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost,
the Chancellor, and the President. The criteria and procedures adopted by the faculty
and chairperson/head shall be consistent with Board policies and the following criteria
and procedures.
- Peer Review for All Full-Time Faculty
The purpose of the required annual Peer Review is to (a) provide feedback to the faculty member concerning their performance during that calendar year, and (b) to provide input advisory to the Unit Head/Chair in performing each faculty member’s annual review.
- Each year, the members of the Unit Peer Review Committee shall elect a chair from
among the members to coordinate the work of the committee.
- Members of the Unit Peer Review Committee may evaluate Unit faculty at any academic
rank.
- Members of the Peer Review Committee shall not participate in their own reviews or
for any colleague where there is a personal conflict of interest as defined by University
of Arkansas, Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 404.0.
- The committee as a whole shall have the opportunity to provide input into each peer
evaluation before it is forwarded to the Unit Head/Chair.
- All Peer Review discussions shall remain confidential. Committee members shall not
discuss deliberations outside of the meeting.
- Operation of the Unit Peer Review Committee shall be governed by the criteria and
procedures adopted by the unit and approved as provided for above, and must be consistent
with all applicable University policies.
- Each year, the members of the Unit Peer Review Committee shall elect a chair from
among the members to coordinate the work of the committee.
- Third Year Review for Tenure Track Faculty
A written review of progress toward tenure shall be made of each faculty on the tenure track during their third year of the probationary period. As a reminder, promotion and tenure are not automatic based on years of service or performance that is merely satisfactory. Rather, in the pursuit of excellence, promotion and tenure are based on high levels of achievement and the trajectory toward sustained success over a career.
Third year review dossiers should utilize standard promotion and tenure packets. All dossiers should include material documenting the following:
- Progress in teaching including student feedback (or progress in professional practice
in the case of faculty with non-teaching titles)
- Progress in all service activities
- Progress in scholarship including external funding if appropriate
Third year reviews should be conducted by Chairs/Heads of the academic unit after input from the faculty of that academic unit.
Assessment of performance in the third-year review includes three options:
- Currently making satisfactory progress - appointment is continued subject to the provisions
of BOT 405.1.IV.B, BOT 405.4.III.B, and other relevant University policies.
- Appointment is continued for the 4th year, subject to all University policies and a required 4th year review similar to the 3rd year review. Department Chair/Head will address weaknesses.
- Notice of non-reappointment, subject to procedures outlined in APS 1405.11. III. E.
and Board Policy 405.1.IV.B, with the 4th year as the terminal year.
- Progress in teaching including student feedback (or progress in professional practice
in the case of faculty with non-teaching titles)
- Reappointment and non-reappointment of non-tenured tenure-track faculty
- The chairperson/head shall make a recommendation regarding reappointment (including
non-reappointment) of each non-tenured tenure-track faculty member after considering
the most recent annual review and the vote of the Personnel Committee. A copy of the
chairperson’s reappointment/non-reappointment recommendation to the dean shall be
provided by the chairperson/head to the faculty member, who shall be given five working
days to submit a written response to the chair’s/head’s recommendation to the dean,
which shall be forwarded to each subsequent level of review.
- Consistent with the Board of Trustees policy 405.1.IV.B., a non-tenured tenure-track faculty member who has been notified of non-reappointment
by the dean may request, within ten working days after the receipt of the notice,
a meeting with the dean. The meeting shall be held within five working days or as
soon as practical thereafter. Following the meeting with the dean, if the dean reaffirms
the recommendation of non-reappointment, within five working days the employee may
request a meeting with the provost. Within ten working days following the meeting
with the provost, or as soon as possible thereafter, the provost will make the final
decision on any request that the non-reappointment be reconsidered.
- For non-reappointment recommendations of non-tenure track faculty with multi-year,
merit-based appointments please see section VIII.
- The chairperson/head shall make a recommendation regarding reappointment (including
non-reappointment) of each non-tenured tenure-track faculty member after considering
the most recent annual review and the vote of the Personnel Committee. A copy of the
chairperson’s reappointment/non-reappointment recommendation to the dean shall be
provided by the chairperson/head to the faculty member, who shall be given five working
days to submit a written response to the chair’s/head’s recommendation to the dean,
which shall be forwarded to each subsequent level of review.
- Post-Tenure Review
As described in Section V. A. of Board Policy 405.1, every year the performance of every tenured and tenure-track faculty member at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, is reviewed and evaluated by their academic unit. When the overall performance of a faculty member during the preceding calendar year is evaluated as unsatisfactory, the faculty member is informed by their department chair/head of this finding. Overall unsatisfactory performance means that the faculty member’s performance as a whole is unsatisfactory, taking into consideration the faculty member’s assigned workload (teaching/professional practice, scholarship, service) and overall contributions to the academic unit. Before making a determination of overall unsatisfactory performance, chairs/heads shall consider evidence of relevant, documented efforts and outcomes within the context of the faculty member’s assigned workload.
Effective July 1, 2019, campus procedures shall require that any tenured faculty member who receives an overall unsatisfactory performance rating be placed on a remediation plan. The remediation plan shall be developed by the faculty member’s department chair/head and the academic unit Personnel Committee (or Peer Review Committee, if one has been established) in consultation with the faculty member and shall include remedial measures, including specific outcomes, designed to address the overall performance deficiencies, with the expectation that carrying out the plan will lead to an overall satisfactory performance rating. If, in the next annual review following an overall unsatisfactory performance rating, the faculty member fails either to attain an overall satisfactory performance rating or to demonstrate meaningful progress in remediating the overall performance deficiencies (as assessed in accordance with the outcomes specified in the remediation plan), the faculty member may be issued a notice of dismissal on twelve months’ notice as provided for in this policy, and subject to the procedures contained in UA Board Policy 405.1.IV.C.
- Criteria for Assessing Faculty Performance
Each faculty member shall be evaluated on the basis of achievement consistent with their appointment in the areas of (a) teaching (or professional performance, in the case of the faculty members with non-teaching titles (e.g., in the Library, the Cooperative Extension Service, Instructional Development, or the Museum)), (b) scholarship and (c) academically related service.
An overall rating of each faculty member’s performance shall be made, as well. The overall rating may reflect aspects of an individual's performance germane to an evaluation of their professional responsibilities and contributions to the academic mission of the unit but not belonging solely to teaching, scholarship, or service. Each faculty member should actively contribute to the mission of the academic unit (e.g., department, school, college, university) and should exhibit respect and cooperation in shared academic and administrative tasks. They must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work productively with colleagues (see BOT 405.1.IV.14.c).
Each department and college review process must enable establishment of the overall rating in a manner that is not solely dependent on aggregation of numerical ratings in teaching, research, scholarship, and service. Documented poor performance or lack of effort in any one dimension of performance should be reflected in an overall unsatisfactory rating.
Each unit shall develop procedures for peer evaluation appropriate to its mission. The annual review of each faculty member with a teaching assignment shall include evaluation by students.
In the event that a faculty member is subject to discipline for misconduct, including a written reprimand or suspension, prior to the completion of the annual review such discipline shall be reflected in the annual review to be completed following the misconduct, rather than waiting for a subsequent annual review.
The annual review forms, recommendations, associated narratives, and all other materials used in or resulting from the annual reviews of the faculty member shall be maintained as long as the faculty member is employed by the University and for at least three years thereafter.
- Evidence of Achievement in Teaching or Professional Performance
In every case for appointment, reappointment, promotion, or advancement to tenure, achievement in teaching or professional performance is essential.
Teaching:
Evidence of achievement in teaching should take into account the level and type of courses taught, the course delivery method, and the percentage of faculty time devoted to teaching and/or advising. Faculty must provide item a.i from the list below and at least one additional item of evidence from a, b, or c below; however more items may be added.
Evidence from these sources may include:
- Students
- Qualitative and quantitative data from all electronic course evaluations and any other
evaluations completed by students as specific to the unit. Access to these materials
is limited to those parties described in Section III.B.8.
- Evaluation from former students addressing the candidate’s instructional performance
and effectiveness in learning course material garnered by exit interviews, letters
of recommendation, or other methods specific to the unit.
- Evidence of effectiveness in direction of scholarship of undergraduate, graduate,
and postdoctoral students including student completion, placement, achievements, and
publications.
- Evidence of effective participation in unit examination activities such as written
and oral examinations for honors or graduate degree candidates.
- Performance of students on uniform examinations or in standardized courses.
- Evidence of effective advising and mentoring, both formal academic advising and mentoring
of individual students.
- Evidence-based measurements of student learning (such as pre- and post-testing or
student work samples) that meet defined student learning outcomes.
- Qualitative and quantitative data from all electronic course evaluations and any other
evaluations completed by students as specific to the unit. Access to these materials
is limited to those parties described in Section III.B.8.
- Other Faculty
- Evaluation (by peers and/or administrators) of course materials, learning objectives,
assignments, syllabi, and/or a teaching portfolio.
- In-class visitation and evaluation of instruction by peers and/or administrators.
- External evaluation of teaching by evaluators knowledgeable about teaching and/or
scholarship in the faculty member’s specific discipline either in-person or through
recorded means.
- Evaluation (by peers and/or administrators) of course materials, learning objectives,
assignments, syllabi, and/or a teaching portfolio.
- Instructor
- Self-assessment of teaching such as a teaching portfolio that includes but is not
limited to teaching materials, instructional techniques, innovative assignments, course
structures or pedagogy, teaching philosophy statements, and/or responses to student
and peer evaluations. Although a teaching portfolio is recommended, other methods
of self-assessment can be used as directed by the unit.
- Evidence of curriculum development and interdisciplinary program participation including
but not limited to:
- Development and improvement of teaching laboratories.
- Continuous improvement of courses on a regular basis and/or the creation of new courses.
- Development and improvement of distance learning.
- Development and improvement of teaching laboratories.
- Design and implementation of individual study courses
- Evidence of participation in the scholarship of teaching including but not limited
to:
- Publications (textbooks, abstracts, articles, or reviews).
- Conference presentations.
- Grants/contracts to fund innovative teaching activities/course development.
- Participation in teaching conferences.
- Publications (textbooks, abstracts, articles, or reviews).
- Other professional development activities that support teaching.
- Recognition of teaching/advising including awards, election to offices, committee
activities, and other service to professional associations as related to teaching.
- Self-assessment of teaching such as a teaching portfolio that includes but is not
limited to teaching materials, instructional techniques, innovative assignments, course
structures or pedagogy, teaching philosophy statements, and/or responses to student
and peer evaluations. Although a teaching portfolio is recommended, other methods
of self-assessment can be used as directed by the unit.
Professional Performance (in the case of faculty with non-teaching titles): Evidence of achievement in professional performance should take into account the level and type of professional responsibilities, the percentage of faculty time devoted to various professional responsibilities, and may include evidence from supervisors, peers, clients, and self-evaluation. Evidence may include, among other items:
- Annual ratings by supervisors.
- Evidence of expertise in the area of professional responsibility and effectiveness
in carrying out assigned duties.
- Evidence of ability and willingness to accept additional responsibility and/or leadership.
- Evidence of cooperation in dealing with personnel at all levels.
- Evidence of efforts at self-improvement.
- Evidence of innovations in program implementation.
- Evidence of the development of special projects, resource tools, and/or the use of
creative techniques in the performance of duties.
- Evidence of initiative and resourcefulness in solving unit problems.
- Evidence of ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Evaluations by clientele.
- Self-evaluations.
- Students
- Evidence of Achievement in Scholarship
In every case for appointment, reappointment, promotion, or advancement to tenure, achievement in scholarship is essential, and quality and impact are of the essence. In every case it is the responsibility of the reviewers to arrive at a judgment of the importance, originality, influence, sustained, and future promise of the candidate’s body of work. The University process utilizes evaluations by outside experts in the formation of this judgment.
Assessments of scholarly contributions should consider the varying levels of depth, complexity, competitive rigor, and impact of achievements. Scholarly contributions that may be recognized include the following. This list is not exhaustive.
- Books, essays, articles, or bulletins reporting the results of original research.
- Novels, poetry, plays, exhibitions, or musical compositions.
- Musical performances, workshops, recitals, or theatrical productions.
- Visual arts, paintings, sculptures, videos or other media.
- Patents, processes, or instruments.
- Commercialization of discoveries or ideas.
- Scientific expeditions.
- Designs and built works.
- Technology development and applications.
- Publication by respected academic journals and publishing houses that accept work
only after review and approval by experts.
- Published reviews by experts.
- Citations in research publications and other evidence of significance.
- Awards for excellence, especially from national or international academic organizations.
- Significance of completed performances, presentations, exhibitions, workshops, recitals,
or lectures.
- Awards of grants and contracts that indicate recognition of creative work and research
achievement or capability.
- Economically significant commercialized patents, ideas, or discoveries.
- Impact on public policy or practice.
- Books, essays, articles, or bulletins reporting the results of original research.
- Evidence of Academically-Related Service.
A faculty member’s academic service to the community or to the profession beyond the campus may confirm stature in scholarship and teaching, may enliven the intellectual climate on campus, and may improve opportunities for students and faculty colleagues. Evaluations of high-quality contributions of service are valued and may have weight in decisions on appointment, reappointment, promotion, and advancement to tenure.
Academically-related service that may be recognized follows. This list is not exhaustive.
- Membership and leadership in committee service for the department, college/school,
or university.
- Membership and leadership in campus governance bodies.
- Membership and leadership in a professional organization.
- Editorship or editorial board membership.
- Refereeing or reviewing manuscripts or grant proposals.
- Participation in certification boards.
- Expert advice to professions, businesses, community organizations, or government agencies.
- Organization of conferences or other events.
- Appointments to governmental agencies.
- Appointments to administrative positions with service beyond duties with the university.
- Service as advisor to student organizations.
- Contributions toward professional development of faculty
- Judging student or professional competitions.
- Service rendered to a community as a part of courses taught.
- Significant service to the program, department, college/school, or university.
- Awards, honors or special recognition for service.
- Significant service to professional organizations.
- Significant academically -related service to the community.
- Editorial board membership or manuscript reviewer.
- Membership and leadership in committee service for the department, college/school,
or university.
- Evidence of Achievement in Teaching or Professional Performance
- Successive Appointments for Tenured and Tenured-Track Faculty
- Promotion for Faculty at the Rank of Instructor, Advanced Instructor, or Senior Instructor
No minimum time in rank is required before a faculty member is eligible for promotion from one instructor rank to another. Only full-time, 100% appointed faculty are eligible for promotion.
In addition to any criteria established by the campus concerning scholarship, teaching, and service, all candidates for promotion are expected to be in substantial compliance with applicable University policies and legal requirements.
The faculty and chairperson/head of each unit shall adopt criteria and procedures for promotion to each rank. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost, the Chancellor and the President. Campus and unit criteria and procedures must be consistent with Board Policy 405.1, this policy, and other applicable University of Arkansas System policies.
- Criteria for Promotion
Each faculty member who is being considered for promotion from one instructor rank to another shall be evaluated on the basis of achievement in the area of teaching and academically-related service, if applicable. Each faculty member should actively contribute to the life of the academic unit (e.g., department, school, college, university) and should exhibit respect and cooperation in shared academic and administrative tasks. They must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work productively with colleagues. Although the criteria for promotion are similar to those used in annual evaluations, the relative emphasis, levels of achievement, and cumulative impact required for promotion, as opposed to reappointment, differ.
- Promotion from Instructor to Advanced Instructor
Instructors are eligible to be considered for promotion to Advanced Instructor. In order to merit promotion, the candidate must document a sustained and consistently demonstrated record of high-quality impact in teaching as appropriate in their discipline. They must have shown continued professional growth and development in teaching. In addition, if applicable, the candidate must document satisfactory academically-related service to the department, college, university, or public. They must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work productively with colleagues. - Promotion from Advanced Instructor to Senior Instructor
Advanced Instructors are eligible to be considered for promotion to Senior Instructor. In order to merit promotion, the candidate must document a sustained and consistently demonstrated record of excellence in teaching at the Advanced Instructor level as measured by departmental criteria. They must have distinguished themselves by excelling in teaching, professional development related to teaching, and academically related service, if applicable. They must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work productively with colleagues.
Procedures for the promotion from one instructor rank to another are the same as those in Section V. B, except that the external review letters are not required.
- Promotion from Instructor to Advanced Instructor
- Criteria for Promotion
- Promotion for All Faculty at the Rank of Assistant Professor and Above
Promotion shall be based primarily upon the accomplishments of the individual while in the most recent rank. Promotion is a distinct honor and is not based upon length of service. The University seeks to develop and sustain nationally and internationally prominent programs in teaching and scholarship. A faculty dedicated to high standards is essential to this effort. The University’s standards for promotion reflect these high expectations.
No minimum time in rank is required before a faculty member is eligible for promotion.
In addition to any criteria established by the campus concerning scholarship, teaching and service, all candidates for promotion and tenure are expected to be in substantial compliance with applicable University policies and legal requirements.
The faculty and chairperson/head of each unit shall adopt criteria and procedures for promotion to each rank. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost, the Chancellor and the President. Campus and unit criteria and procedures must be consistent with Board Policy 405.1, this policy, and other applicable University of Arkansas System policies. Only full-time, 100% appointed faculty are eligible for promotion.
- Criteria for Promotion
Each faculty member at or above the rank of assistant professor who is being considered for promotion shall be evaluated consistent with their appointment on the basis of achievement in the areas of (a) teaching (or professional performance, in the case of the faculty members with non-teaching titles in the Library, the Cooperative Extension Service, Instructional Development, or the Museum), (b) scholarship, and (c) academically-related service.
Each faculty member should actively contribute to the life of the academic unit (e.g., department, school, college, university) and should exhibit respect and cooperation in shared academic and administrative tasks. They must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work productively with colleagues.
Although the criteria for promotion are similar to those used in annual evaluations, the relative emphasis, levels of achievement, and cumulative impact required for promotion, as opposed to reappointment, differ.
- Promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor (with tenure, if applicable) including
for faculty with titles of Teaching, Research, Clinical, or Professor of Practice.
In order to merit promotion from assistant professor to associate professor (and be granted tenure, if applicable), tenured and tenure-track candidates must demonstrate high quality impact in both teaching and scholarship as appropriate to the discipline. Candidates must be effective scholars and teachers and show a pattern of accomplishments in scholarship that indicates progress toward a national or international reputation in their discipline. In addition, the candidate must document satisfactory service to the university, discipline, profession, or public. Individual colleges or schools may adopt additional or more specific requirements in their approved policy documents.
No tenure-track faculty member shall be promoted to the rank of associate professor without also being granted tenure. (This does not preclude a faculty member from being hired into a tenure-track position with the rank of associate professor or full professor if they satisfy the applicable criteria.)
Non-tenure-track candidates must be effective teachers and scholars, consistent with their appointment, and show a pattern of accomplishments that indicates progress toward a state-wide, regional, national or international reputation in their discipline. In addition, the candidate must document satisfactory service to the university, discipline, profession, or public. Individual colleges or schools may adopt additional or more specific requirements in their approved policy documents.
- Promotion from Associate to Full Professor including for faculty with titles of Teaching,
Research, Clinical, or Professor of Practice
In order to merit promotion to full professor, the tenured candidate must document continuous and high-quality impact in both teaching and scholarship as appropriate to their discipline. In addition, the candidate must document satisfactory academic service to the university, discipline, profession, or public.
Tenured and tenure-track candidates must be effective scholars and teachers and demonstrate a pattern of distinguished accomplishments in scholarship that indicates achievement of a national or international reputation in their discipline. Individual Colleges or Schools may adopt additional or more specific requirements in their approved policy documents.
Non-tenure-track candidates must be effective teachers and scholars, consistent with their appointment, and demonstrate a pattern of distinguished accomplishments that indicates achievement of a regional, national or international reputation in their discipline. Individual Colleges or Schools may adopt additional or more specific requirements in their approved policy documents.
- Promotion from Professor to University Professor or Distinguished Professor
Specific criteria for promotion to University Professor or Distinguished Professor are contained in Board Policy 470.1 and Academic Policy 1405.13.
- Promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor (with tenure, if applicable) including
for faculty with titles of Teaching, Research, Clinical, or Professor of Practice.
- Procedures for Promotion
- By May 1 of each year, each faculty member shall be provided with standard review
forms upon which the faculty member is expected to submit information regarding professional
activities and shall be informed that they may submit as a part of their promotion/tenure
packet a written list of three to five potential reviewers with a brief rationale
for each nominee.
- As long as it is submitted by the deadline established by the faculty and chairperson/head
of the unit, each faculty member has the right to submit any material documenting
the quality of their performance in scholarship, teaching, and service for promotion
determination.
- In the spring semester, the chair/head shall begin, with input from the Unit Personnel
Committee, consideration of whom among faculty at assistant professor or higher to
nominate for promotion that year. No later than May 1, the chair/head shall inform
in writing each faculty member who is being considered for promotion that they are
being considered. No later than May 5, any faculty member (whether so informed or
not) may request in writing to the chairperson to be nominated for promotion that
year; such request shall be honored by the chairperson/head.
- The chairperson/head shall ask each individual to be nominated for promotion to submit
material which they believe will facilitate consideration of their competence and
performance. Since this recommendation includes material back to the time of initial
appointment or last promotion, the candidate should consider these items and begin
accumulation of appropriate material at that time.
- The candidate and the chairperson/head should take the necessary steps to ensure that
the file of supporting material is as complete as possible to facilitate a thorough
and fair evaluation. The completed file of materials must be uploaded to the designated
site no later than 5:00 p.m. on or before August 10. No new material shall be included
in the files for promotion and/or tenure after August 10, except as described in item
IV.B.9.
- The candidate shall be allowed to add a maximum of three written statements to correct
errors of fact or to update the packet concerning a final decision on a proposal,
article or book submission, or similar significant scholarly work, so long as the
item was included in the initial file. Such additions shall only be made up to a
maximum of five business days after the candidate receives: (a) all redacted letters
from outside reviewers; (b) the recommendation letters from both the Unit Personnel
Committee and the Unit head/chair; and (c) the recommendation letters from both the
College/School Promotion and Tenure Committee and the College/School Dean. Except
for these three specific instances (at a, b, and c), candidate-initiated statements
shall not be included with one’s packet once the deadline for initial submission has
passed.
- Each candidate’s packet should include the following materials along with all documentation
relative to satisfaction of the unit criteria:
- A description of responsibilities with breakdown of teaching, scholarship, and service
assignments each semester since the initial appointment or the last promotion, whichever
is pertinent.
- A statement of department criteria for promotion and/or tenure.
- Any employment correspondence between the faculty member and their supervisor that
clearly indicates job responsibilities. This includes the annual faculty workload
assignments.
- Copies of all annual review forms, recommendations, and associated narratives since
the initial appointment or the last promotion.
- When a candidate’s appointment requires teaching, a summary of student quantitative
evaluations of teaching and other evidence of teaching effectiveness. The student
evaluations should be based on responses using the instruments and procedures selected
by the candidate’s unit. The summary should cover all classes taught by the candidate
since the initial appointment or the last promotion, whichever is pertinent. Candidates
shall include at least one item of additional evidence of teaching effectiveness from
students, faculty peers, or self as described in III.F.1.(a, b or c).
- External Review Letters. The purpose of impartial outside reviews is to provide an
independent, unbiased evaluation of the impact of the candidate’s scholarly, teaching,
and service attainment in the discipline or achievement in professional performance.
External evaluators may be asked to focus on the impact of scholarship, professional
performance, teaching, or service depending upon the nature of the appointment and
criteria for promotion within the unit. External review letters are not required for
promotions from one instructor rank to another.
- A minimum of three letters from impartial outside reviewers at peer or aspirant institutions
will be included. External reviewers should possess credentials that will demonstrate
their expertise in evaluating the impact of the candidate’s work within the context
of the discipline or profession. Impartial outside reviewers are those who lack a
familial relationship with the candidate, who lack a former student/teacher relationship
with the candidate, who have not collaborated on grants or publications, and who lack
any apparent or actual conflict of interest. The candidate shall not solicit or contact
potential or actual external reviewers.
- In cases where it is impossible to secure qualified reviewers who have not collaborated
with the candidate on grants or publications, as specified in the preceding paragraph,
the department head/chair may write a letter to the College/School dean explaining
the situation and asking that an exception be made. The dean, after consulting with
the College/School Promotion and Tenure Committee, shall decide whether or not to
grant the exception. A copy of the dean’s letter (whether positive or negative) shall
be included in the external review section of the candidate’s packet.
- To assist in maintaining reviewer confidentiality, the candidate and the department
Personnel Committee will each identify four (4) or five (5) appropriate reviewers.
(The department Personnel Committee may, at their discretion, seek suggestions from
the department chair/head about potential reviewers.) The candidate will be shown
the complete list of potential reviewers and can strike any 2 reviewers within 5 business
days of seeing the list. The departmental Personnel Committee will select a minimum
of 3 reviewers from the combined accepted lists, including at least one reviewer from
the candidate's list and at least one from the Personnel Committee list. The candidate
will not be told of the final composition of the list of reviewers. The Unit Head/Chair/Dean
is responsible for contacting the final list of reviewers.
- Each college shall determine the relevant dimensions to be addressed by external reviewers
for promotion to each rank and shall create a list of the materials that will be sent
to external reviewers for their review of each dimension (e.g., tenure checklist,
some number of publications, student course evaluations, etc.). The candidate’s annual
review documents as submitted by the unit head are part of the candidate’s private
personnel file and may not be among the materials sent to external reviewers.
- Each college shall create a template letter to be used to solicit external reviewers.
The template may be modified as needed based on the nature of appointment and rank
of the candidate. Although minor style changes are acceptable the confidentiality
statement must be kept as written. External reviewers should be reminded to address
all the dimensions of the review. The text of the letter of solicitation is to be
made available to the candidate before it is sent to prospective external reviewers.
Letters requesting a review by external constituents shall contain the following confidentiality
statement:
“The University of Arkansas makes every effort to maintain the anonymity of external reviewers. Under University policy, candidates for promotion and/or tenure will consider a list of potential reviewers from which final reviewers are selected (but remain unknown to the candidate). Additionally, candidates for tenure and/or promotion may read the external letters of review, but identifying information, such as the letterhead and signature, will be redacted. In the event a candidate requests a copy of an external review letter under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, s/he would be entitled to receive a copy of the unredacted recommendation as a part of their personnel file." - All external reviewer letters received must be included in the packet along with a
short vita or bio for each from the external reviewers indicating areas of expertise,
scholarly achievements and stature in the discipline. The reviews should be based
on the evaluator's knowledge of the complete record of the candidate, including a
description of responsibilities in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service
assigned during the time period being evaluated. Candidates have the right to review
the comments/written narratives of the external reviewers' letters. However, the reviewers'
identifying information (letterhead, signature, etc.) will be redacted to provide
the reviewer some confidentiality.
- A minimum of three letters from impartial outside reviewers at peer or aspirant institutions
will be included. External reviewers should possess credentials that will demonstrate
their expertise in evaluating the impact of the candidate’s work within the context
of the discipline or profession. Impartial outside reviewers are those who lack a
familial relationship with the candidate, who lack a former student/teacher relationship
with the candidate, who have not collaborated on grants or publications, and who lack
any apparent or actual conflict of interest. The candidate shall not solicit or contact
potential or actual external reviewers.
- The candidate’s file of supporting material, written evaluations from outside reviewers,
and any other relevant material shall be evaluated by the Unit Personnel Committee.
After both meeting and voting independently of the department chair/head, the Unit
Personnel Committee shall make its recommendation, including rationale and recorded
vote, in writing and forward it to the chairperson and the Unit Tenured Faculty (for
tenured and tenure-track faculty) or the Unit Promoted Faculty (for non-tenure-track
faculty). The Unit Personnel Committee shall send a copy of its recommendation and
statement of rationale to the candidate.
- A description of responsibilities with breakdown of teaching, scholarship, and service
assignments each semester since the initial appointment or the last promotion, whichever
is pertinent.
- Each academic unit and the library will establish a single, elected Unit Personnel
Committee for the purpose of evaluating and voting on all promotion and tenure (as
appropriate) cases originating in the Unit. This Unit Personnel Committee shall consider
both tenure-track and non-tenure-track candidates.
- The Unit Personnel Committee must have at least one non-tenure-track member at the
rank of associate professor or higher, if the unit has at least two non-tenure-track
faculty eligible to serve.
- The Unit Personnel Committee considering any candidate for promotion and/or tenure
must consist of not less than three eligible and voting members. In any case where
a minimum of three Unit Personnel Committee members are not both eligible and intending
to vote on any candidate, the Unit Personnel Committee chair, the Unit chair/head,
and the Dean of the College/School shall, working together and with input from the
candidate, select and secure one or more eligible members from within the unit.
- If a minimum of three eligible and intending to vote cannot be found from within the
faculty of the unit, the Unit Personnel Committee chair, the Unit chair/head, and
the Dean of the College/School shall, working together and with input from the candidate,
select and secure one or more eligible members from related disciplines outside of
the Unit to serve on the committee for that candidate. The number of outside committee
members appointed to the Unit Personnel Committee shall not exceed the number required
to ensure three eligible and voting members for all candidates. In rare circumstances,
with prior approval of the Provost, and consistent with the college/school personnel
document, this provision may be used by academic colleges for the purpose of promotions
of non-tenure track faculty whose appointments reside in the dean’s office of the
college/school or interdisciplinary research units, such as I3R.
- Each member of a Unit, College, or University Personnel or Promotion and Tenure Committee
is expected to carefully consider and render either a positive or a negative vote
on each candidate being considered for promotion and/or tenure, subject to restrictions
specified in this section. Committee members have a responsibility to vote. All voting
shall occur by secret ballot.
- When voting as a member of any Personnel or Promotion and Tenure Committee (at the
Unit, College, or University level) or Unit Tenured Faculty Committee or Unit Promoted
Faculty Committee, a member may cast one of two legitimate votes: Yes (affirmative)
or No (negative). When any committee member (at the Unit, College, or University level)
believes they have a conflict of interest with regard to any candidate, the committee
member shall state that such a conflict exists and shall recuse from all discussion
and voting on that candidate. The recusing committee member shall be absent from
the meeting during discussion and voting on that candidate. The committee member is
not obligated to state the nature of the conflict of interest. When counting and
recording committee votes, any recusing member shall be considered as absent for that
vote, reducing the total recorded committee vote by the number of recusals.
- Elected members of the Unit Personnel Committee shall be allowed to discuss and vote
on candidates as part of the Unit Tenured Faculty Committee (if qualified to serve)
and/or Unit Promoted Faculty Committee (if qualified to serve).
- A member of the College or School Promotion and Tenure Committee shall not vote on
any candidate from their unit during the College or School Committee meeting. However,
members shall be allowed to participate in all discussions concerning candidates from
their unit during the College or School Committee meeting..
- Members of the University Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure may discuss
but shall not vote on any candidate on whom they have previously voted during the
current promotion and tenure cycle.
- All committee discussions and votes shall remain confidential. Committee members shall
not discuss committee votes or committee deliberations with candidates or other colleagues
outside of the meeting. The recommendations and rationale concerning any candidate
shall only be communicated through the appropriate voting form and the committee chair’s
official letter.
- Each College/School or Unit may develop additional, specific policies concerning the
Unit Personnel Committee so long as these policies do not conflict with this policy.
- The Unit Personnel Committee must have at least one non-tenure-track member at the
rank of associate professor or higher, if the unit has at least two non-tenure-track
faculty eligible to serve.
- The candidate’s file of supporting material, written evaluations from outside reviewers,
any other relevant material evaluated by the Unit Personnel Committee, and the Unit
Personnel Committee’s recommendation and recorded vote shall be evaluated by the Unit
Tenured Faculty Committee or Unit Promoted Faculty Committee, as appropriate. After
both meeting and voting independently of the chairperson, the appropriate Faculty
Committee shall forward its recommendation and numerically recorded vote to the chairperson/head.
Members of the appropriate Faculty Committee may participate in discussions but shall
not vote on any candidate for promotion to a rank higher than the faculty member’s
rank, except that tenured Professors shall be allowed to vote on candidates for University
Professor and Distinguished Professor. In any case where a minimum of three of the
unit’s tenured faculty members are not both eligible and intending to vote on any
candidate, the Unit Personnel Committee chair, the Unit chair/head, and the Dean of
the College/School shall, working together and with input from the candidate, select
and secure one or more eligible members from related disciplines outside of the Unit
to serve to evaluate the candidate. The number of outside members shall not exceed
the number required to ensure three eligible and voting members for all candidates.
A copy of the tenured faculty’s recommendation and numerically recorded vote must
be sent to the candidate.
- The candidate’s file of supporting material, outside reviews, the written recommendation
of the Unit Personnel Committee, the recommendation of Unit Tenured Faculty Committee
or Unit Promoted Faculty Committee, and any other relevant material shall be evaluated
by the chair/head in deciding whether to make a positive or negative recommendation.
The chair/head shall inform the faculty member in writing of their recommendation
and the rationale for the recommendation.
- Prior to the time the chair/head forwards the nomination to the dean, the faculty
member may withdraw from further consideration. Such withdrawal shall be in writing
to the chairperson.
- Each nomination shall be forwarded to the dean in writing by a date to be established
by the college or school between October 22 and November 20 and shall be accompanied
by the chair’s/head’s recommendation and the candidate’s file of supporting material,
including all materials provided to the chair/head by the faculty member. Any recommendation
shall also be accompanied by a written statement of the chair’s/head’s rationale for
the recommendation as well as the Unit Personnel Committee's written recommendation,
vote, and rationale and the Faculty Committee’s recommendation and recorded vote.
- Each college or school shall provide for a formal review of all nominations for promotion
by a review committee elected by the faculty of the respective college or school.
The College/School review committee shall have at least one non-tenure-track member
at the associate professor or higher rank, provided the college/school has at least
two non-tenure-track faculty eligible to serve. The non-tenure-track member will fully
participate in the review and voting for promotion cases involving non-tenure-track
candidates. The non-tenure-track member may participate in discussions involving tenured/tenure-track
candidates for promotion but will not vote in such cases. Upon receiving each nomination,
the dean shall provide the review committee with all materials submitted by the chair/head
together with any other materials submitted by the candidate. The department/unit
chair/head and Unit Personnel Committee should be informed of any additional material
submitted by the candidate. After both meeting and voting independently of the dean,
the review committee shall make its recommendation and recorded vote in writing and
forward it to the dean of the college or school along with a written statement of
the review committee’s rationale for its recommendation. The review committee shall
send a copy of its recommendation and statement of rationale to the candidate.
- If the candidate does not agree with the review committee, they may provide the dean
with a written response and may also request a hearing with the dean. Prior to forwarding
any recommendation and rationale or materials to the Provost, the dean shall report
their decision and statement of rationale to the candidate and the candidate’s chair/head.
- Prior to the time the dean forwards the nomination to the Provost, the faculty member
may withdraw from further consideration. Such withdrawal shall be in writing to the
dean.
- Each nomination shall be forwarded to the Provost in writing by December 10 and shall
be accompanied by the candidate’s file of supporting material, recommendations of
the candidate’s chairperson/head, the candidate’s Unit Personnel Committee, then Unit
Tenured Faculty Committee or Unit Promoted Faculty Committee, the college or school
review committee, and the dean. The dean’s recommendation shall also be accompanied
by a written statement of their rationale for the recommendation.
- The Provost shall evaluate the submitted materials and shall communicate their recommendations
in writing by January 28 to the candidate, to the Chancellor, to the candidate’s dean
and to the candidate’s chair/head. Concurrent with each positive recommendation, the
Provost shall also forward the candidate’s file of supporting material, recommendations
of the candidate’s Unit Personnel Committee, the tenured faculty of the unit, the
candidate’s chair/head, the college or school review committee, and the dean (including
a copy of the dean’s written statement of rationale concerning the recommendation)
to the Chancellor. If the Provost makes a negative recommendation, they shall provide
the candidate with notice of the negative recommendation by January 28 accompanied
by a written statement of the rationale for such recommendation.
- Upon being notified of a negative recommendation by the Provost, the candidate may
request a review by the Faculty Senate Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure
(hereinafter referred to as the APT Committee). The request shall be in writing and
submitted to the Provost by February 14. If the candidate requests review by the
APT Committee, the Provost shall submit to the committee all recommendations and materials
used at every stage of the matter. The complete file of materials shall be submitted
to the chair of the APT Committee by February 16.
- The APT Committee will have access to the files of all candidates for the current
year within the candidate’s college. The candidate should include documentation in
the appeal file of any deviation from the procedures of this section that is considered
by the candidate to have damaged their application. The APT Committee shall provide
the Chancellor with a written rationale of its recommendation. The Committee shall
also provide copies of the statement of recommendation and rationale to the candidate
and to the Provost and the candidate’s dean and chairperson/head by March 5.
- The final recommendations of the Chancellor shall be communicated in writing to the
Provost and to the candidate, the chair of the APT Committee, the candidate’s dean,
and the candidate’s Unit chair/head. In addition, the final recommendations for all
candidates shall be communicated in writing to the chair of the APT Committee. If
the final recommendation of the Chancellor is negative (contrary to a positive recommendation
by the APT Committee), the Chancellor shall provide the candidate and the Chair of
the APT Committee with a written statement of the rationale for such recommendation.
- The final recommendations of the Chancellor and, if applicable, the APT Committee
shall be made to the President and the Board of Trustees in time for the Board’s consideration
of the promotion for the next academic year. If the candidate receives a negative
recommendation from the Chancellor, the candidate shall have five (5) business days
to furnish a concise statement responding to the Chancellor’s recommendation, which
the Chancellor will forward to the President for consideration, with copies to the
Provost, APT Committee, and Dean.
- By May 1 of each year, each faculty member shall be provided with standard review
forms upon which the faculty member is expected to submit information regarding professional
activities and shall be informed that they may submit as a part of their promotion/tenure
packet a written list of three to five potential reviewers with a brief rationale
for each nominee.
- Criteria for Promotion
- Tenure
The faculty and chairperson of each unit shall adopt criteria and procedures for the granting of tenure. These criteria and procedures must be approved by the dean, the Provost, the Chancellor and the President. The criteria and procedures adopted by the faculty and chairperson/head shall be consistent with Board policies and the following criteria and procedures.
- Criteria for Awarding Tenure
The University seeks to develop and sustain nationally and internationally prominent programs in teaching and scholarship. A faculty dedicated to high standards is essential to this effort. The University’s standards for tenure reflect these high expectations.
Ordinarily, attainment of tenure requires outstanding performance in research and teaching or professional performance in the case of faculty with non-teaching titles; merely good or satisfactory performance is not considered
sufficient for a favorable tenure decision. Attainment of tenure requires outstanding performance in both scholarship and teaching, and acceptable performance in service, as well as a clear indication that such a performance level will be maintained over a career as a faculty member at the University. Otherwise, although the emphasis on accomplishment and potential contribution may differ, the criteria for the granting of tenure include the criteria for promotion contained in Section IV.A of this document. - Procedures for Awarding Tenure
The procedures for the granting of tenure are the same as the procedures for promotion contained in Section IV.B of this document except that the final recommendation of the Chancellor and, if applicable, the APT Committee shall be made solely to the President. - Procedures for Suspending Probationary Period
The probationary period may not extend beyond seven years, except as specifically provided herein, or as otherwise required by law. An initial appointment of one-half year (academic or fiscal) or less will not be included in the probationary period. If more than one-half of any year is spent in approved leave of absence without pay status, that year shall not apply toward the probationary period.
During the first six years of the probationary period, a tenure-track faculty member may request, for reasons set forth below, that the probationary period be suspended by one (1) year. The reasons for such a request will generally be the same as required under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as amended, and are as follows: (a) the birth of a child to the faculty member or spouse and the child’s care during the first year; (b) the adoption of a child by the faculty member or placement in the faculty member's home of a foster child within the first year of placement; (c) the care of the faculty member's spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition; (d) the serious health condition of the faculty member that makes the faculty member unable to perform the functions of their job; (e) a qualifying exigency arising from the military deployment of an employee’s spouse, child, or parent to a foreign country; (f) to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness if the employee is the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of the service member.
On the rare occasion that an additional one-year extension is requested, such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, the faculty member will receive any leave to which they are entitled under the FMLA.
A request to suspend the probationary period for these reasons must be made at the time of the qualifying event and shall first be directed in writing to the department chair/head for approval and must also be approved by the dean (or approved through other established administrative channels), the Provost, the Chancellor, and the President, under such procedures as the President shall approve. These procedures may include, but shall not be limited to, the manner in which the faculty member's duties and salary, if any, are determined during such year, the information which is required to substantiate a request and the extent to which a faculty member's performance during such year may be considered in awarding tenure. A faculty member who has been notified that they will not be reappointed may not subsequently request to suspend the probationary period under this policy.
If the faculty member would prefer not to disclose the pertinent information to the chair/head, the faculty member may submit their written request and documentation directly to the Director of Human Resources. The Director will, within five (5) business days, make an assessment of whether the request falls under FMLA guidelines and communicate this assessment directly to the chair/head.
The period of any suspension of a faculty member’s probationary period shall be the academic year (in the case of nine-month appointees) or the fiscal year (in the case of twelve-month appointees).
All requests for suspension of the probationary period shall (1) specify which of the six grounds for a suspension under Board Policy 405.1 is relevant to this request, (2) explain the circumstances, and (3) supply such medical or other documentation as might reasonably be required. To the extent necessary to properly evaluate the request, the chair/head may ask the faculty member for clarification or supplemental documentation. As quickly as possible after the request is presented, the chair/head and the faculty member shall discuss the request and implementation of the requisite leave period, if applicable.
The chair/head shall consider the request and submit their recommendation to the dean. The dean shall consider the request and submit their recommendation to the Provost as soon as possible but in no event later than two business weeks from the date of the faculty member’s presenting their request to the chair/head.
The Provost shall consider the request and notify the faculty member of their recommendation as soon as possible but in no event later than two business weeks from the date of their receipt of the request. If the recommendation is to be negative, the faculty member may appeal to the APT Committee. The recommendation of the Provost and the APT Committee shall be submitted by the Provost to the Chancellor within one business week of the receipt of the recommendation of the APT Committee.
The Chancellor shall consider the request and submit their recommendation to the President as soon as possible but in no event later than two business weeks from the date of their receipt of the request.
As each administrator makes their recommendation, they shall notify the faculty member of the recommendation.
In connection with any faculty member whose probationary period has been suspended, each person involved in making a recommendation or decision regarding promotion or tenure of the faculty member shall use their discretion as to whether to consider the faculty member’s performance during the year of suspension and, if so, how much weight to give to such performance. If there is an approved tenure extension which is granted prior to the 3rd year review, the 3rd year review is also delayed by one year. If the extension is after the 3rd year review, only the tenure and promotion decision is delayed.
No person involved in the promotion and tenure process shall consider the fact of a faculty member’s having sought or obtained a suspension of the probationary period under this policy in decisions concerning promotion or tenure of the faculty member.
If the tenure clock suspension request is granted, an appropriate indication shall be placed in the applicant’s promotion file. All documentation regarding the rationale for the request shall be kept confidential and maintained in a file separate from the faculty member’s official institutional personnel file. This confidential file may be accessed by, and a copy must be released to, the applicant upon request.
As part of the approval of a request to suspend the probationary period, the faculty member will be notified of (and acknowledge) the specific period of service which will not be counted towards tenure and of the adjusted timing of the faculty member’s probationary period (including the mandatory tenure review). Any extension of the probationary period is subject to all other applicable policies.
Any faculty member whose request does not receive a favorable recommendation by the chancellor may submit within ten business days additional reasons or information to support a request for reconsideration by the chancellor. After considering such material, the chancellor shall promptly make a final recommendation to the president. - Mandatory Sixth Year Review - Terminal Appointment
An individual in a tenure-track position who was not awarded tenure within any of the first six academic year or fiscal year appointments must be evaluated for tenure as set forth in Section IV.A. Board Policy 405.1 during the sixth appointment. If they are not approved for tenure, the seventh appointment shall be a terminal appointment and the individual may not be reconsidered for tenure during the seventh appointment. Additionally, no individual shall be considered for tenure and/or promotion during a terminal appointment.
- Criteria for Awarding Tenure
- Dismissal of Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty
This section applies to all tenure-track or tenured faculty members and is intended to implement Board of Trustees Policy 405.1.IV.C.
- Preliminary Proceedings
- Except in circumstances where there are personal safety concerns and, consistent with
applicable law, when a chair/head or dean has reason to consider a decision to dismiss
a faculty member prior to the expiration of an appointment, the chair/head or dean
shall first discuss the matter with the faculty member. If the recommendation of the
chair/head to the dean is to pursue dismissal, they shall prepare a statement of the
grounds constituting the cause for dismissal and other relevant information and forward
it to the dean, with a copy to the faculty member. If the dean supports the dismissal,
they shall provide their statement of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal
to the Provost, with a copy to the faculty member. Alternatively, the dean may initiate
the dismissal by providing their statement of the grounds for dismissal to the Provost,
with a copy to the faculty member and the department chair/head. If there are personal
safety concerns, the initial meeting can be bypassed and the chair/head or dean can
proceed with providing the statement of grounds for dismissal through the Provost
to the Chancellor, with a copy to the faculty member. If the Chancellor, after considering
the recommendation of the chair/head or dean, decides that a proceeding should be
undertaken, action shall be commenced according to the procedures which follow.
- If requested by either party, or if directed by the Chancellor, prior to further steps
in the process, the parties shall engage in informal discussions to determine whether
an acceptable resolution of the matter is possible. Such discussions may include assistance
of one or more faculty selected for this purpose.
- Except in circumstances where there are personal safety concerns and, consistent with
applicable law, when a chair/head or dean has reason to consider a decision to dismiss
a faculty member prior to the expiration of an appointment, the chair/head or dean
shall first discuss the matter with the faculty member. If the recommendation of the
chair/head to the dean is to pursue dismissal, they shall prepare a statement of the
grounds constituting the cause for dismissal and other relevant information and forward
it to the dean, with a copy to the faculty member. If the dean supports the dismissal,
they shall provide their statement of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal
to the Provost, with a copy to the faculty member. Alternatively, the dean may initiate
the dismissal by providing their statement of the grounds for dismissal to the Provost,
with a copy to the faculty member and the department chair/head. If there are personal
safety concerns, the initial meeting can be bypassed and the chair/head or dean can
proceed with providing the statement of grounds for dismissal through the Provost
to the Chancellor, with a copy to the faculty member. If the Chancellor, after considering
the recommendation of the chair/head or dean, decides that a proceeding should be
undertaken, action shall be commenced according to the procedures which follow.
- Hearing Procedures
- The formal proceedings shall be initiated by a communication addressed to the individual
by the Chancellor informing the faculty member of the dismissal and the grounds for
it, and that, if they so request, a hearing to recommend whether their employment
by the University shall be terminated on the grounds stated, will be conducted at
a specified time and place by the University APT Committee on. Sufficient time shall
be allowed to permit the individual to prepare a defense. The individual shall be
informed in detail, or by reference to published regulations, of the procedural rights
to which they are entitled, including the right to advice of counsel.
- The individual shall indicate whether they desire a hearing. If the individual desires
a hearing, they shall, within 14 days of the mailing of the Chancellor’s letter, file
with the Chancellor an answer to the statement of grounds for the proposed dismissal.
- If the individual does not request a hearing, no further action shall be taken by
the APT Committee, and the termination shall proceed. Further, at the request of the
individual the proceedings provided for herein may be terminated at any time after
the request for a hearing on written notice to the Chancellor of the employee's acquiescence
in the dismissal. Similarly, the administration may drop dismissal proceedings at
any stage.
- The formal proceedings shall be initiated by a communication addressed to the individual
by the Chancellor informing the faculty member of the dismissal and the grounds for
it, and that, if they so request, a hearing to recommend whether their employment
by the University shall be terminated on the grounds stated, will be conducted at
a specified time and place by the University APT Committee on. Sufficient time shall
be allowed to permit the individual to prepare a defense. The individual shall be
informed in detail, or by reference to published regulations, of the procedural rights
to which they are entitled, including the right to advice of counsel.
- Suspension Pending Dismissal Proceedings
Suspension of the individual from normal duties or reassignment to other duties during the proceedings will occur only if circumstances exist which threaten harm or substantial disruption to the individual, to others, or to the University. Such determination shall be made by the Chancellor, in consultation with the President. Such suspension shall be with pay. This provision does not preclude disciplinary suspension without pay.
- Hearing Committee
The APT Committee shall serve as the hearing committee for dismissal cases. If a member of the APT Committee is from the same department as the faculty member requesting the hearing, or has a conflict of interest with respect to the faculty member, that member shall not serve on the hearing committee for that case. Likewise, no faculty member shall serve who has been subject to recent discipline for misconduct, such as a written reprimand or suspension. Upon receipt from the Chancellor of a copy of the statement of grounds for dismissal, accompanied by the individual's answer thereto, the chair of the hearing committee shall conduct hearings and recommend a course of action as described below.
- Committee Proceedings
- The committee shall proceed by considering, before the time of the hearing, the statement
of grounds for dismissal already formulated and the individual's written response.
- In addition to the members of the committee and its representative, only the person
requesting the hearing and their representative, the Chancellor or their designee,
and a representative, and witnesses called by the committee are permitted to attend
the hearing.
- Charges contained in the initially formulated statement of grounds for dismissal may
be supplemented at the hearing by evidence of new events occurring after the initial
communication to the individual which constitute new or additional cause for dismissal.
If such supplementary grounds are adduced, the committee shall provide the individual
with sufficient time to prepare their defense.
- The Chancellor of the campus shall have the option to attend or not to attend the
hearing, and they may select a designee to assist in developing and presenting the
case. The Chancellor or designee may be assisted by the representative in developing
and presenting the case and in other matters related to the hearing.
- The committee shall determine the order of proof and shall supervise the questioning
of witnesses. The committee may decline to accept unnecessarily duplicative material
or unduly lengthy or repetitive testimony.
- The individual shall have the aid of the committee when needed in securing the attendance
of witnesses. The individual or their representative and the Chancellor (or designee)
or their representative shall have the right within reasonable limits to question
all witnesses who testify orally.
- The committee will use its best efforts to provide an opportunity for those involved
to confront all witnesses, but where this cannot be achieved despite the efforts of
the hearing committee, the identity of such non-appearing witnesses, and any written
evidence they may have furnished, shall be disclosed to all interested parties during
the hearing.
- Subject to these safeguards, written statements may, when necessary, be taken outside
the hearing and reported to it. All of the evidence shall be duly recorded. These
are not legal proceedings and formal rules of court procedure or evidence do not apply,
but the committee shall exercise reasonable efforts to protect the rights of the parties
in the receipt of evidence. For purposes of illustration, the proceedings shall be
recorded digitally rather than via court reporter, and witnesses will not be sworn
or subpoenaed. The ultimate objective of the hearing is consideration of the matter
in a fair and efficient manner.
- The committee shall proceed by considering, before the time of the hearing, the statement
of grounds for dismissal already formulated and the individual's written response.
- Consideration by Hearing Committee
The committee shall formulate its recommendation in private, on the basis of the hearing. Before doing so, it shall give opportunity to the individual and the Chancellor or their designated representative to make oral statements before it. If written arguments are desired, the committee may request them. The committee shall make its recommendation promptly, including explicit findings with respect to each of the grounds for removal presented.
The Chancellor and the individual shall be notified of the recommendation in writing and a copy of the record of the hearing shall be available to both parties. A copy of the record of the hearing and the recommendations of the hearing committee shall be furnished to the President of the University for their decision. The decision of the President shall be transmitted to the Chancellor and to the individual involved.
- Consideration by Board of Trustees
If the decision of the President is appealed to the Board of Trustees, or if the Board of Trustees chooses to review the case, the President shall transmit to the Board of Trustees the full report of the hearing committee, stating its recommendation and their own decision. The review shall be based on the record of the previous hearing, accompanied by opportunity for argument, oral or written or both, by the principals at the hearing or by their representatives. The decision of the Board of Trustees on review shall be final. It shall be communicated to the President and through him or her to the person involved.
If the decision of the Board is that the faculty member is to be terminated, and the termination is based on unsatisfactory performance, the termination becomes effective at the conclusion of the twelve-month period from the date of the initial notice of termination. If that period has elapsed, or if the termination is based on other grounds of cause, the termination becomes effective immediately following the Board’s decision.
- Preliminary Proceedings
- Dismissal of Multi-Year Appointed Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
This section applies to non-tenure-track faculty members who are on merit-based, multi-year term appointments, and is intended to complement Board of Trustees Policy 405.4.2.C. Those non-tenure-track faculty members not on a merit-based, multi-year term appointment are governed by Board Policy 405.4.2.D. Note that expiration of an appointment for a non-tenure track faculty member and a college/unit decision not to issue a further appointment to such faculty member are not subject to these procedures.
- Initial Proceedings and Determination.
- Except in circumstances where there are personal safety concerns and consistent with
applicable law, when a chair/head or dean has reason to consider a decision to dismiss
a non-tenure track faculty member for cause (including, but not limited to, based
on unsatisfactory performance1) prior to the expiration of a merit-based, multi-year term appointment, the chair/head,
after prior consultation with the dean, or the dean shall first discuss the matter
with the faculty member, and provide them with the opportunity to respond. If the
recommendation of the chair/head to the dean is to pursue dismissal, they shall prepare
a statement of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal and forward it to
the dean, with a copy to the faculty member. The dean shall provide their statement
of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal, including all relevant information,
to the Provost. Alternatively, the dean may initiate the dismissal by providing their
statement of grounds to the Provost, with a copy to the faculty member and the department
chair/head.
- With respect to unsatisfactory performance, dismissal may be initiated where the faculty
member receives an overall unsatisfactory evaluation at the conclusion of an annual
review that occurs before the final year of a multi-year appointment term, or if unsatisfactory
performance arises at any time.
- Alternatively, the dean shall have the discretion to provide the faculty member with
a one-year period to remediate the unsatisfactory performance, with an improvement
plan prepared by the academic unit. In any event, a second unsatisfactory annual evaluation
during a multi-year appointment shall result in termination of employment.
- With respect to unsatisfactory performance, dismissal may be initiated where the faculty
member receives an overall unsatisfactory evaluation at the conclusion of an annual
review that occurs before the final year of a multi-year appointment term, or if unsatisfactory
performance arises at any time.
- If the Provost, after considering the recommendation of the dean, decides that the
faculty member should be terminated, the Provost will notify the faculty member of
the termination in writing, with a copy to the chair/head and dean. The Provost’s
communication shall specify the grounds for the termination, which may be a concurrence
in the grounds specified by the chair/head or dean. The termination shall be effective
immediately.
- Except in circumstances where there are personal safety concerns and consistent with
applicable law, when a chair/head or dean has reason to consider a decision to dismiss
a non-tenure track faculty member for cause (including, but not limited to, based
on unsatisfactory performance1) prior to the expiration of a merit-based, multi-year term appointment, the chair/head,
after prior consultation with the dean, or the dean shall first discuss the matter
with the faculty member, and provide them with the opportunity to respond. If the
recommendation of the chair/head to the dean is to pursue dismissal, they shall prepare
a statement of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal and forward it to
the dean, with a copy to the faculty member. The dean shall provide their statement
of the grounds constituting the cause for dismissal, including all relevant information,
to the Provost. Alternatively, the dean may initiate the dismissal by providing their
statement of grounds to the Provost, with a copy to the faculty member and the department
chair/head.
- Appeals.
- The faculty member may, within five working days of dismissal, appeal the dismissal
directly to the Chancellor, or request a review of the matter by the APT Committee.
The faculty member’s appeal shall be submitted in the form of a letter describing
the grounds for the appeal. The Office of the Provost shall forward the letter, and
shall furnish the recommendation of the chair/head or dean and any additional records
that the Provost determines are directly relevant to the appeal. The Provost may
include a written response to the appeal, provided a copy of the response is furnished
to the faculty member.
- If the appeal is to the APT Committee, within ten working days, the Committee shall
furnish a written recommendation to the Chancellor on the merits of the dismissal.
- After considering the recommendation of the APT Committee, if applicable, the Chancellor shall make a final decision on the dismissal. The Chancellor’s decision shall be issued to the faculty member, with copies to the Provost, the chair/head, dean, and chair of the APT Committee (if the appeal was made to the APT Committee) within ten working days, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Chancellor’s decision shall be final.
- The faculty member may, within five working days of dismissal, appeal the dismissal
directly to the Chancellor, or request a review of the matter by the APT Committee.
The faculty member’s appeal shall be submitted in the form of a letter describing
the grounds for the appeal. The Office of the Provost shall forward the letter, and
shall furnish the recommendation of the chair/head or dean and any additional records
that the Provost determines are directly relevant to the appeal. The Provost may
include a written response to the appeal, provided a copy of the response is furnished
to the faculty member.
- Initial Proceedings and Determination.
1This includes where the faculty member receives an unsatisfactory evaluation at the conclusion of an annual review that occurs before the final year of a multi-year appointment term, or if unsatisfactory performance arises at any time.
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