Each college and school is responsible for maintaining in writing a clear and unambiguous set of promotions procedures approved by a faculty majority. These procedures must be approved by the Senate Committee on Appointment and Promotions initially and after each substantial modification. In the event of disapproval, the Senate Committee on Appointment and Promotions decision may be appealed to the full Senate.
School and College promotions committee membership will be determined in the following manner.
- Members should be selected according to procedures approved by the faculties of the respective schools and colleges. It is recommended that about one-third of the membership of any committee be carried over to the next year for continuity.
- Chairpersons of college and school promotion committees are elected by the committees themselves.
Individuals seeking promotion during the term in question will not be eligible for election to the committee.
Criteria for promotion to the various ranks should be prepared in writing and made a part of the promotions procedures. Qualitative, if not quantitative, written statements should clearly express the requirements for promotion to the various ranks, including discussion of the various activities that faculty members engage in and their relative importance in each particular college. The normal minimum years in rank for promotion to the next higher rank are stated in Section 2.23.
The operation of college promotions committees includes the following:
- Provision must be made for peer contribution to members of the committees; student and faculty members will consult with other students, faculty members, and administrative personnel.
- Ample notice of meetings, in writing, must be given committee members.
Each promotions committee maintains a record of the following activities in case of future appeal:
- The times and locations of all meetings.
- The list of attendees at each meeting.
- The duration of each meeting.
- Significant actions taken at each meeting.
- Copy of letter to candidate indicating approval or denial of application for promotion.
- Initiations of recommendations.
Promotion to professor will proceed with the same sequence of evaluations and actions as the University tenure process: Recommendations flow from department (if appropriate) to the school/college committee to the dean for his/her independent evaluation. The accumulated dossier and all recommendations will be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for a decision, which will be transmitted to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees for their concurrence. The Vice Chancellor will communicate in writing to the deans and the school/college committees, the rationale for promotion decisions that differ from the committee’s recommendation.
Candidates for promotion to professor have the right to withdraw their candidacy for promotion at any time during the process and may resubmit on the timetable set out in the school/college rules.
Action unfavorable to the candidate by the college promotions committee or the University may be appealed to the Senate Committee on Appointment and Promotion by either the candidate or the department, provided the grievance pertains to procedural matters; or to the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Professional Ethics (AFTPE) if the grievance pertains to denial of academic freedom or violation of professional ethics. The Committee’s recommendations after review will be communicated to the Vice Chancellor and Provost, as well as the academic unit in which the action is being appealed. Candidates for promotion to professor whose applications are withdrawn or denied also may reapply for promotion, without pursuing any appeal process, on the timetable set in the school or college.