Appointments with Tenure
Departments must obtain approval from the vice president before offering an appointment with tenure.
Faculty whose initial appointment is at the level of associate professor or full professor may be granted tenure at the time of their appointment. Granting of such tenure must follow usual departmental and University standards and process although the timeline may be conflated. This process is governed by [PPM 9-5.1 Sec. K] and also discussed in [PPM 9-5].
An award of tenure at the time of appointment or soon after appointment should not be made simply because the professional competence appropriate to rank has been demonstrated. In addition, it is necessary to present data which shows long-term, continued performance is to be expected. Usually this is on the basis of previously consistent and unquestioned performance attested to by individuals known and trusted by our faculty. In addition, it must be clear that the individual's goals, aspirations, and character traits fit those necessary to carry out the expected faculty roles.
Considerations to be discussed in appointment with tenure proposals are:
- Does the candidate now have tenure at his/her present institution or department?
- If the answer to question a. is "yes," when was the candidate awarded tenure, and are the criteria for tenure at her/his present institution or department comparable to the tenure criteria of the proposing department or school?
- Are the departments or school's criteria for tenure being applied as rigorously in this case as they normally are applied in cases when pre-tenure probationary service has occurred?
- Are there supporting letters from the candidate's present institution or department, and from other recognized experts in the candidate's discipline?
- Has the candidate achieved significant national or international recognition in her/his academic discipline?
- What evidence is there that the candidate possesses exceptional academic ability?
- Is there an exceptional need in the department or school for this appointment to be made with tenure?
- If the answer to question g. is "yes," what is the exceptional need, and why is tenure necessary to meet that need?
