Reappointment of TT faculty
The policies and procedures for reappointment are included in the University policy and procedures regarding Faculty reappointment (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-16). Each academic year, reappointment guidelines for Kent and Regional Campus faculty are distributed by the Office of the Provost. Probationary tenure-track Faculty members are reviewed by the Department’s Ad Hoc RTP Committee (See, Section III of this Handbook). The FAC, in consultation with the Chair, assigns at least one Faculty member to visit representative classes of each probationary Faculty member and generally evaluate the Faculty member’s teaching performance. A written report of the evaluation is submitted to the Chair for placement in the Faculty member’s reappointment file. Probationary Faculty will also create an updated file that is presented to the Chair, who will make these materials available to the Ad Hoc RTPC. Each probationary Faculty member is discussed by the RTPC, which then votes on the Faculty member’s reappointment. The Chair independently assesses the accomplishments of each probationary Faculty member and forwards her/his recommendation and the RTPC's recommendations to the Dean. The Chair informs probationary Faculty member of the RTPC's recommendations and provides a copy of her/his recommendation to the Dean. For Faculty members whose appointment is on the Regional Campuses, recommendations on reappointment from the Chair are forwarded to the Dean and the appropriate Regional Campus Dean.
For probationary Faculty, reappointment is contingent upon demonstration of adequate progress toward the requirements for tenure. Moreover, the Faculty member must have established and articulated short and long term plans for achieving these goals. A sound ethical approach to all aspects of teaching, research, publication, and the academic profession is expected of all who seek reappointment in the Department.
For Faculty members following the traditional tenure clock for Assistant Professors, the review after completion of three (3) full years in the probationary period at 5X is particularly critical. Upon completion of the third year of the probationary period, Faculty reviewing a candidate for reappointment should consider the cumulative record of the candidate’s achievements to date and their impact on the discipline. This record should be considered a predictor of future success. The research record can be demonstrated through review of the candidate’s peer reviewed publications and accepted publications (with quality valued more highly than mere quantity) and her/his record in grant application and grant award. Other indicators of quality performance include advising of graduate students, editorship of high quality journals, and invitations to present at national or international conferences. Measurement of journal quality is a complex task; a journal’s inclusion in the SCI listings is a basic indicator, but other criteria may also be used, with all due precaution.
Specific concerns expressed by the Ad Hoc RTPC and/or the Chair during the probationary period should be addressed by the candidate in subsequent reappointment reviews. A candidate who fails to demonstrate likely success in the tenure process will be notified promptly that she/he will not be reappointed.
In the event that concerns about a candidate’s performance are raised during the reappointment process, the Ad Hoc RTPC and the Chair shall provide detailed, prescriptive comments to serve as constructive feedback. If such concerns arise during a review that occurs after completion of three (3) full years in the probationary period, the Chair, in consultation with the FAC, will advise and work with the candidate on a suitable, positive plan for realignment with the Department’s tenure and promotion expectations; however, the candidate is solely responsible for her/his success in implementing this plan.
From time to time, personal and/or family circumstances may arise that require an untenured Faculty member to need to request that her/his probationary period be extended. Upon request, a Faculty member may be granted an extension of the probationary period. Such an extension has been traditionally called “tolling” or “stopping the tenure clock.” The University policy and procedures governing modification of the Faculty probationary period is included in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-13)