Approved by Faculty Senate
1-21-10

The aim of the changes proposed below is to clarify rank and title and eliminate some inconsistencies in PPM 8. In brief, these changes are:

1.      No new Instructor Specialists. This will not affect tenured instructor specialists. No current faculty will be affected by this.

2.      Elimination of the possibility of promotion of a non-tenure track instructor to assistant professor. No current faculty will be affected by this and it does not exclude the possibility of an instructor being moved to a tenure track position by contract stipulations.

3.      Clarification of rank and title: Rank will be awarded to tenure track or tenured faculty while title will be assigned to non-tenure track faculty.

4.      Removal of Lecturer title which was not defined and was referred to in only one place.

5.      Elimination of Rolling Contracts and allowing for review of Instructors by the faculty. 

6.      PPM 8 clarifications and corrections. This includes the clarification that department tenure documents are part of their college tenure document and are subject to review by the Faculty Senate.

PPM 3-2 ­EMPLOYEE DEFINITIONS

I. DEFINITIONS

A. Employee - an individual employed by or performing work for the University in a capacity other than as an independent contractor.

B. Salaried Employee - an employee paid on the salaried payroll and eligible, depending on the percent of time worked, for benefits defined in PPM 3-45.

1. Faculty - a salaried employee holding academic rank or title as defined in PPM 8-1or 8-2 8-6 whose primary function is that of instruction. Positions designated as Faculty must qualify for exemption from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(No change in the rest which includes definitions of Executive, Professional Staff, Professional Non-Exempt Staff, Classified Staff, and Non-Salaried Employees: Adjunct, Clinical, Concurrent, Research, Affiliate Faculty; Hourly Student, Work Study Student, Hourly Non-Student.)

PPM 8-1 Academic Rank Titles and Terms

(Except for the “Note” part of 8-1, all of 8-1, 8-1(a) and 8-2, have been rolled into 8-6.)

NOTE: The following titles/terms are considered interchangeable when referred to in section 8 of the PPM (only the first title/term appears in the text for clarity): the term "Dean" shall also refer to "University Librarian;" "Department Chair" shall also refer to "Program Director;" "Department" shall also refer to "Program" (academic); "College" shall also refer to "Stewart Library."

Academic rank shall be held only by those faculty in tenure-bearing and teaching departments within the seven colleges and the Library.

The academic ranks recognized by the University are: (1) instructor, (2) instructor specialist, (3) assistant professor, (4) associate professor and (5) professor. The department in which academic rank is held by faculty members shall be designated in their contracts at the time of appointment. The University also recognizes and awards the following visiting and emeritus ranks: (1) instructor specialist, (2) assistant professor, (3) associate professor and (4) professor.

At the time of appointment, academic rank for instructor, instructor specialist and assistant professor must be reviewed and approved by the department chair and the dean. At the time of appointment, academic rank for associate professor and professor must be reviewed and approved by the regular faculty of the academic department in which rank is to be granted and by the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee.

PPM 8-1a Degree Requirements

At the time of initial appointment, as part of the recommendation for faculty employment, or when their terms of appointment are modified, the department chair and the dean of the college will review whether all appropriate degree requirements are met by the candidate.

Degree requirements shall be interpreted as requiring a degree from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the foreign equivalent of such a degree.  Equivalence of foreign degrees shall be evaluated by the regular faculty of the academic department and will be reviewed and approved by the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee.

This definition shall be used for any purpose for which degree requirements need to be considered.

Degrees from unaccredited institutions (those not meeting the definition above) shall not be used in any way that suggests recognition, endorsement or approval by the University.

PPM 3-36 may also apply.

PPM 8-2 Non-tenure Track Positions: Lecturer and Visiting Faculty

The title of lecturer, or visiting professor may be bestowed upon persons employed to teach and/or to conduct research and/or to render any other professional service for a term of one or more semesters. Lecturers and visiting professors are employed without tenure and at whatever salary may be agreed upon by negotiation between the appointee and the appropriate University officials.  A visiting professor may be given a title containing an academic rank (assistant, associate, full) provided the additional title of "visiting" precedes the designation of rank.  Such establishment of rank has no significance for the achieving or holding of rank if the person should apply for a tenure track position. At the discretion of the department and the college

Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee, up to two years in full-time, non-tenure track positions at Weber State University may be applied toward the probationary period for increment in rank should the person shift from a non-tenure track appointment to a tenure track appointment.

PPM 8-6 Faculty Appointments

I. REFERENCES

PPM 3-1, Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Employment
PPM 3-2, Personnel Employee Definitions
PPM 3-5, Personnel Employment
PPM 3-6, Employment of Relatives

These policies chiefly relate to employment of staff; however, they also have bearing and should be reviewed in the employment of faculty.

II. POLICY

Faculty appointments will be of two types, tenure track/tenured or contract.  Tenure track appointments allow the faculty member to seek tenure as defined in PPM 8-21.  Contract appointments are for a fixed time period and do not lead to tenure. 

At the time of initial appointment and as part of the recommendation for faculty employment or when their terms of appointment are modified, the department chair and the dean of the college will review whether all appropriate degree requirements are met by the candidate.

Degree requirements shall be interpreted as requiring a degree from an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the foreign equivalent of such a degree.  Equivalence of foreign degrees shall be evaluated by the regular faculty of the academic department and will be reviewed and approved by the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee.

This definition shall be used for any purpose for which degree requirements need to be considered.  Degrees from unaccredited institutions (those not meeting the definition above) shall not be used in any way that suggests recognition, endorsement or approval by the University.

A.    Rank

Academic ranks shall be held assigned only by to those faculty in tenure-bearing and track or tenured positions within teaching departments within in the seven academic colleges and the Stewart Library.  The academic ranks recognized by the University are: (1) instructor, (2) instructor specialist, (3) assistant professor, (4) associate professor, and (5) professor.

At the time of their initial appointment:

1.      The department in which the faculty member has been given the rank shall be specified in the letter of appointment.

The department in which academic rank is held by faculty members shall be designated in their contracts at the time of appointment. The University also recognizes and awards the following visiting and emeritus ranks: (1) instructor specialist, (2) assistant professor, (3) associate professor and (4) professor.  

2.      Individuals hired into the rank of assistant professor must be reviewed by the regular faculty and the chair of the academic department and approved by the dean.   

3.      Individuals desiring to be hired into the rank of either associate professor or professor must be reviewed and approved by the regular faculty of the academic department in which rank is to be granted and by the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee along with the department chair, dean, and provost.

4.      At the discretion of the department and the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee, up to two years in full-time, contract positions at Weber State University may be applied toward the probationary period for tenure or increment in rank should the person shift from a contract appointment to a tenure track appointment.

B.     Titles

Faculty on contract appointments will be assigned one of the following titles: Instructor,   Adjunct, Clinical, Affiliate, Concurrent, Research, or Visiting. 

Instructor - an individual having academic, professional or specialized training, employed on a half-time or more basis and is not hired as a tenure track faculty. An instructor is hired for a fixed time period and may be rehired at the sole discretion of the university. See PPM 8-7.

Adjunct, Clinical, Affiliate, Concurrent, and Research faculty are defined in PPM 3-2.

Visiting Faculty - an individual whose primary affiliation is not with WSU. The university may employ an individual under this title for a limited amount of time. A visiting faculty may be given a title containing an academic rank (assistant, associate, full) provided the additional title of "visiting" precedes the designation of rank.  Such establishment of rank has no significance for the achieving or holding of rank if the person should apply for a tenure track position.

Current faculty not meeting the above rank and title definitions at the time of the adoption of this policy will be allowed to retain their ranks and or titles but any faculty hired after this policy is enacted will need to meet the requirements as specified in this policy.

III. APPOINTMENT CRITERIA

A. Instructor Specialist

Substantial competence in the profession, the ability to communicate training and subject matter to others and professional licensing (when appropriate) to perform or supervise in the particular field shall be considered requisite for appointment to this rank. The hiring department determines the degree requirements.

A.    Rank

1. Assistant Professor

Experience in teaching, in research or in other qualifying work is required. In addition, the master's degree shall be the minimum degree for appointment to this rank. In those areas where it is clearly established that a master's degree is not offered, a requisite degree and experience as determined by the department faculty, the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee, and the appropriate dean and approved by the appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, the Faculty Senate and the provost may be substituted for the master's degree.

2. Associate Professor and Full Professor

Requirements for appointment to the ranks of associate professor and full professor must be consistent with the requirements for promotion to these ranks.

NOTE: A truly exceptional person who has nationally recognized academic or professional achievements and lacks normal academic qualifications may be appointed to the associate professor or professor ranks upon the recommendation of the appropriate department faculty, and the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee, the appropriate dean and approval by the provost.

B.     Title

B. 1. Instructor

The master's degree shall be the minimum degree for an appointment with this title. to this rank. Where the master's degree is the terminal degree, However, under any of the following circumstances a baccalaureate degree and appropriate professional experience will be accepted for the position of instructor upon approval of the department faculty of the discipline, the chair, the dean, and the provost. and the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee.

·         The minimum degree requirement for tenure in the field is the master’s degree.

·         The teaching load will be primarily courses whose credit hours do not count toward graduation.

2. Visiting Faculty

Requirements for appointment with the title of visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting full professor must be consistent with the requirements for tenure track/tenured ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, or full professor, respectively.

NOTE: A truly exceptional person who has professional achievements and lacks normal academic qualifications may be hired as an instructor or a visiting faculty upon the recommendation of the department faculty, the chair, the appropriate dean and approval by the provost.

C. Assistant Professor

Experience in teaching, in research or in other qualifying work is required. In addition, the master's degree shall be the minimum degree for appointment to this rank. In those areas where it is clearly established that a master's degree is not offered, a requisite degree and experience as determined by the department faculty, the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee and the appropriate dean and approved by the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, the Faculty Senate and the provost may be substituted for the master's degree.

D. Associate Professor and Full Professor

Requirements for appointment to the ranks of associate professor and full professor must be consistent with the requirements for promotion to these ranks.

NOTE: A truly exceptional person who has nationally recognized academic achievements and lacks normal academic qualifications may be appointed to the associate professor or professor ranks upon the recommendation of the appropriate department and the college Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee and approval by the provost.

IV. PROCEDURE

A. The department chair shall initiate action the hiring process by obtaining authorization from the provost and the dean to establish or fill a position on the department staff.

B. The department shall determine qualifications for the vacant position. Before steps are taken to communicate with qualified candidates, the department chair shall negotiate the wishes of the department with the dean to obtain an agreement as to the qualifications and general responsibilities of the academic position to be filled.

C. When positions are approved and qualifications are determined, a screening committee of at least three members will be elected by department faculty. The screening committee may also contain persons from outside the department.

D. Candidates may be invited to come to the campus at college expense for personal interviews, to give lectures and/or to participate in other campus activities in order that the candidates may become better known and evaluated, and to assure that they become acquainted with the institution and the locality of their prospective work and domicile.

E. When the investigation of candidates has been completed, the department chair shall forward the recommendation of the department with all supporting information to the dean. No offers, verbal or written, shall be made to a candidate without the approval of the dean, and the provost, and the EEO officer.

F. The appropriate dean shall submit the department’s recommendation with all supporting documentation to the president, through the provost, the recommendations together with all pertinent and supportive data. The provost will indicate to the dean the approval or disapproval of the recommendations.  Faculty shall be appointed according to a process allowing for adherence to equal employment opportunity standards and allowing for a close examination and systematic inquiry into their qualifications.   Faculty members at Weber State University are appointed by the president and ratified by the Board of Trustees. Faculty shall be appointed according to a process allowing for adherence to equal employment opportunity standards and allowing for a close examination and systematic inquiry into the qualification of candidates.

Temporary full-time faculty appointments to positions not leading to tenure shall be made in the same manner as regular faculty appointments.

Initial appointments are normally made at the levels of (a) instructor, (b) instructor specialist, and (c) assistant professor. Criteria considered at the time of appointment are listed under part III of this policy. Exceptions are noted under part III of this policy.

Emergency appointments without tenure, though not necessarily precluding the attainment of tenure in the normal manner, may be recommended by the president to the Board of Trustees, after consultation with the appropriate department chair and dean and with the provost, without following the procedures outlined above below.

Under certain conditions, the procedures outlined in parts IV.C and D of this policy, and the requirements for recruitment and posting listed in PPM 3-5, part III, may be waived. Such conditions are met only when the individuals hired possess the required qualifications and their potential value to the college and the department is so great as to justify such a waiver. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

a) Truly exceptional candidates who are nationally recognized for outstanding achievement in their area of expertise.

b) Highly qualified candidates from gender groups or ethnic minority groups whose members are substantially under-represented in the department, provided the appointment meets a programmatic need.

In such cases, a department chair may seek permission to implement the above by following part IV of this policy, exclusive of parts C and D. Permission to implement may be granted and/or ratified by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the president, following consultation with the appropriate department chair and dean and the provost. In order to assure that the hiring of tenure-track faculty normally follows national recruitment efforts and is open to all qualified applicants, no department may rely on these exceptions for two successive hires.

G. Appointments made by the president shall be ratified by the Board of Trustees.

V. TITLES AFFILIATIONS

To insure clarity, avoid misrepresentations or misunderstandings, and provide the most accurate information for students and the community, ranks or titles of faculty listed in the catalog and on business cards will be limited to being affiliated with one of the following departments or programs.  Exceptions will be first negotiated with and approved by the dean of the college of the faculty member seeking exception, then sent forward for approval of the APAFT committee.

College of Applied Science & Technology

Automotive Service Technology, Automotive Technology, Business Education, Computer Science, Construction Management Technology, Design Graphics, Engineering Technology, Computer and Electronic Engineering Technology, Interior Design Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Office Technologies, Sales and Merchandising, Technical Sales, Telecommunications Administration

College of Arts & Humanities

Art, Art Education, Art History, Communication, Dance, English, English As A Second Language, French, German, Japanese, Music, Music Education, Spanish, Theatre Arts

College of Business & Economics

Accounting, Business Administration, Business and Economics, Economics, Finance, Information Systems and Technologies, Management, Marketing, Supply-Chain Management

(There are no changes to the rest of PPM 8-6.)

PPM 8-7 Duration of Faculty Appointments

I. TENURE TRACK APPOINTMENTS

All tenure track appointments shall be so specified in the initial contract. The probationary period is described in the PPM 8-23. During the probationary period, tenure track faculty members will be subject to the review policy as described in PPM 8-11, the termination policy described in PPM 8-10, 8-25, 9-16 and 9-17, and enjoy the protections outlined in section 9-9 and 9-17. A tenure track position may have special conditions imposed by the department and college, with the advice and approval of the Pprovost, for valid but exceptional reasons.

Persons Faculty appointed to a tenure track position from non-tenure track a contract positions shall receive a new contract stating their change of status which clearly indicates whether any years of service on non-tenure track are to be considered towards tenure and/or promotion.

II. NON-TENURE TRACK CONTRACT APPOINTMENTS

In all appointments not specifically described as tenure track, faculty contracts appointments will be non-tenure track. Appointment contracts might include multiple year conditions--not to exceed three years Initial appointments will be for one year and subsequent Contract appointments will be either for one year or for two years, as described below. Otherwise, All nontenure track appointments shall be presumed to be annual contracts that terminate at the end of each academic year subject to renewal at the university's sole discretion. Reappointment after the expiration of a contract is at the university's sole discretion. In situations where a programmatic need cannot be met through normal tenure track hiring procedures, a department may be allowed, upon recommendation of the dean and approval of the provost, to reappoint a contract faculty to a two year contract. to use two year  or three-year, non-tenurable, rolling appointment year contract. A candidate hired into such a position would initially be placed on a one-year renewable contract and would have to serve a minimum of three years before becoming eligible for a two- or three-year contract.

Each year the department chair and dean shall review both the candidate their contract faculty and the need for the positions before deciding on reappointment or whether or not to terminate. If the a decision is made not to re-appoint to terminate, the candidate individual must be notified by June 30, or, in the case of an appointment expiring during an academic year, by the anniversary date of the appointment. Otherwise, the candidate will receive a new contract. That contract will be a one-year contract during the probationary period and a two- or three-year contract commencing with the start of the fourth year.  Contract faculty in their first year of employment will be formally reviewed by a faculty committee consisting of one faculty chosen by the contract faculty member, one faculty chosen by the chair, and at least one faculty elected by the department.  This committee may include faculty from outside the contract faculty member’s department and must include at least two faculty members on tenure-track or tenured appointments.  By April 1, this committee will make a recommendation to the department chair regarding reappointment. After the first year formal review, contract faculty employed continuously on one year or two year contracts, will be reviewed every three years using the above review process. 

If an individual on a holding a rolling two- or three- year contract appointment transfers to a tenure track position, a maximum of three two years credit may be applied toward tenure.

To fill a position of this type, a department should determine an appropriate job description and appropriate credentials and then follow the procedures of PPM 8-6. Contracts for such positions should be written so that candidates understand and agree that there is no de facto tenure associated with the position and that they there is no expectation of further employment beyond the termination date can be terminated upon the expiration of their contract.

PPM 8-11 Evaluation of Faculty Members

III. TENURE REVIEW

A. Definitions and Eligibility (No change.)

B. Minimum Degree Requirements

The following minimum degree requirements have been established for each department. Although higher standards may be desirable, no departmental criteria will be approved which fall below these minimums. (No specific degree standards have been established for faculty holding rank as "instructor specialist." Departments and colleges shall make their recommendation on this matter as part of their tenure criteria.)

(No change in 1-3.)

4. For the College of Applied Science & Technology:

Attainment of the earned doctorate plus two years of experience or master’s degree as follows: for  For Computer Science and Telecommunications/Business Education,  attainment of the earned doctorate plus two years of experience or a master’s degree plus five years of experience and appropriate certification; for Automotive Technology, Construction Management Technology, the Engineering Technologyies, and Sales and Service Technology, attainment of the earned doctorate plus two years of experience or a master’s degree plus five years of experience; for Design Graphics and Machine Tool Technologies, a master’s degree plus six years of experience. (All degrees and experience must be in approved fields/competencies and at appropriate levels, as outlined in the college promotion and tenure policy.)

5. For the Stewart Library:

Attainment of the earned doctorate or master’s of Library Science or its equivalent from a program accredited by the American Library Association.

C.     Tenure Review Process (No Change.)

D. Criteria for Granting Tenure

Each college has formulated a written policy statement, the college tenure document, containing the criteria to be used in tenure review. These statements include (1) the criteria, consistent with the minimum criteria outlined below; (2) the rationale for the criteria; and (3) the method for measuring performance with respect to the criteria.  Colleges who hire instructor specialists on tenure-track positions shall specify tenure review criteria for this rank in their college tenure document. Review criteria in college tenure documents may be further specified in written department standards or department tenure documents. In that case, each department’s tenure document will be considered as a part of the college tenure document. The criteria set in the department tenure documents must meet or exceed the criteria specified in the college tenure document.  The approval process for new or revised department standards or department tenure documents needs to be specified in the college tenure document.  Department standards or department tenure documents shall be used in conjunction with the college tenure document when reviewing and evaluating a candidate's materials at every level of review (peer review, department, college, dean, university, provost). A college tenure document must include (1) the criteria, consistent with the minimum criteria outlined below; (2) the rationale for the criteria; and (3) the method for measuring performance with respect to the criteria.

Any change in the college tenure document shall be submitted through the dean to the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee for analysis and recommendation to the Faculty Senate. Upon the approval of the Faculty Senate, the revision in the college tenure document shall be forwarded to the provost. Upon approval by the provost and Board of Trustees, the changed college tenure document will be considered adopted. The date of the final approval of the college tenure document will be affixed to the policy statement, and that date will be considered as the effective date. Thereafter, the approved and dated college tenure document will apply until any revision is channeled through the steps outlined herein and a new effective date is affixed. Copies of the approved revised college tenure document will be on file in the offices of the department chair, the dean, the Faculty Senate and the provost and will be accessible online at the provost homepage.

Minimum criteria include:

1. A rating consistent with college standards in teaching. Teaching activities may include instruction, laboratory activities, supervising projects, preparation of course materials and other types of teaching activities.

2. A rating consistent with college standards in professional activities such as research and other contributions to knowledge, leadership in professional organizations, and active pursuit of professional competence.

3. A rating consistent with college standards in service, which includes professionally related community service as well as service to the institution, i.e., service on department, college or other University committees and task forces; student advisement; and other types of recognition service.

4. Adherence to professional ethics.

5. Possession of terminal degree as defined above.

6. A rating consistent with college standards in other criteria stated in specific college documents, such as professionally related experience.

Review criteria in college tenure documents may be further specified in written department standards or department tenure documents.  These criteria must meet or exceed the criteria specified in the college tenure document.  The approval process for new or revised department standards or department tenure documents needs to be specified in the college tenure document.  Department standards or department tenure documents shall be used in conjunction with the college tenure document when reviewing and evaluating a candidate's materials at every level or review (peer review, department, college, dean, university, provost).

IV. EVALUATIVE CRITERIA FOR ACADEMIC RANK

(No change in section IV before part A.)

A. Channels

In order to allow for the legitimate different talents, aptitudes, preferences and assignments of individuals as well as the needs and goals of the institution, several equivalent channels of evaluation are made available. These channels consist of minimum requirements and/or performance levels that must be met within four different categories before an individual is eligible for consideration for advancement in rank.

These Categories are: (1) credentials and probationary periods, (2) teaching, (3) scholarship and (4) administration and/or professionally related service. Definitions and descriptions of these categories are found later in this policy. The channels appropriate for evaluating a candidate for promotion from instructor to assistant professor are as follows:

The channels appropriate for evaluating a candidate for promotion from assistant professor to associate professor are as follows:

C. Definition of Channels

1. Credentials and Probationary Periods

a. The rank of instructor specialist is terminal. Transfer to other ranks is subject to the normal criteria for appointment and promotion to those ranks.

b. Promotion from instructor to assistant professor

1. The master’s degree, where offered, shall be required for advancement to the rank of assistant professor. Where the master’s degree is not offered in the specific discipline, either a master’s degree in a closely-related discipline or a baccalaureate degree will be accepted upon approval of the faculty of the discipline, the chair, the dean, the provost and the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee. Approval shall be attained for the exception to the required degree prior to the initiation of the review process for the academic year.

2. Four years of acceptable performance at the rank of instructor will be the minimum probationary period unless an exception is noted at the initial time of appointment. However, up to one year for professionally related activities can be counted toward fulfilling this requirement.

c. a. Promotion from assistant professor to associate professor

1. The doctorate, where offered, shall be required for advancement to the rank of associate professor. Where the doctorate is not offered in the discipline, either a doctorate in a closely related discipline or a master’s degree will be accepted upon approval of the faculty of the discipline, the chair, the dean, and the provost and the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee. Approval shall be attained for the exception to the required degree prior to the initiation of the review process for that academic year. The following are approved exceptions to the doctorate for advancement in rank to associate professor:

College of Health Professions

Master’s degree plus current professional certification and three (3) years of work experience.

College of Arts and Humanities

Master of Fine Arts for the disciplines of ceramics, drawing, jewelry and metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, weaving and textiles, graphic design, costume design, scene design, technical directing and dance.

College of Applied Science & Technology

For Telecommunications/Business Education and Computer Science, a master’s degree plus five years of experience and appropriate certification; for Automotive Technology, Construction Management Technology, the Engineering Technologyies, and Sales and Service Technology, a master’s degree plus five years of experience; for Design Graphics and Machine Tool Technologies, a master’s degree plus six years of experience. (All degrees and experience must be in approved fields/competencies and at appropriate levels, as outlined in the college promotion and tenure policy.

(“Promotion from associate professor to professor” will become part b. No further change until E. Teaching.)

E.     Teaching

(No changes in this section before 2. Candidate’s Teaching Profile under the list of Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness, part c. The changes below are minor.)

c. Assessment of Student Learning:

Candidates must demonstrate that they know how to and do assess student’s’ learning with valid, reliable assessment methods and tools. Candidates may choose among, but are not limited to, the following:

(No further changes in E. Teaching until 3. Peer Review.)

 3. Peer Review

Every candidate for promotion or tenure review shall undergo peer review. (Peer review may also occur prior to the formal review as part of a mentoring process designed to cultivate the candidate’s potential in an atmosphere separate from evaluation.) The purpose of the peer review is to facilitate the evaluation process primarily through evidence-gathering. In particular, peer review promotes a more accurate understanding of teaching effectiveness by compiling and assessing documentation provided by the candidate demonstrating teaching effectiveness. The peer reviewers may also gather materials regarding the candidates’ scholarship and service activities. Peer reviewers should interpret this information in terms of department and college expectations and summarize, without rating, the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses in the designated areas. The summary of the peer review is subsequently placed in the candidate’s file to be evaluated by the department Promotion and Tenure Committee Ranking Tenure Review Committee, the College Ranking and Tenure Committee, the Dean and others as described in the Dated Guidelines for the Ranking Tenure Review process (PPM 8-12).

The peer review committee may be the department Promotion and Tenure Review Committee Ranking Tenure Review Committee. (PPM 8-15) If the peer review committee is not the department Promotion and Tenure Review Committee Ranking Tenure Review Committee, it shall consist of a minimum of three members who are familiar with the program. If the faculty member and the chair cannot agree, the makeup of the committee will be subject to binding arbitration by the dean, upon consultation with the faculty member and the chair.

PPM 9-17 TERMINATION OF NON-TENURED FACULTY AND APPEAL OF TENURE DENIAL DECISION

(No change before II.B.)

B. If, as a result of the seventh sixth year tenure review, a non-tenured faculty member is denied tenure by the provost, the non-tenured faculty member may appeal this decision to the Faculty Board of Review on any of the grounds listed below:

PPM 8-12 DATED GUIDELINES FOR THE RANKING TENURE REVIEW PROCESSES

(The only change is from plural to singular form below.)

Mar 27             The University Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee completes its review and makes its recommendations.  

The University Committee chair shall inform the Provost in writing of the committee's evaluation and recommendations.  The University Committee chair shall also send copies of the committee's evaluation and recommendations to the department chair, the dean and candidate.  The dean shall place a copy of this report in the candidate’s' professional files along with a notice that the files are ready for review.