Board of Control Policy on Academic Tenure

16.4. Academic Tenure and Promotion 11/5/03

Academic Tenure

Statement of Intent

It is the intention of the Board of Control to adhere to these policies and procedures insofar as they are not inconsistent with law. Under its legal obligations as the responsible governing board of the University, the Board reserves the right to suspend these policies or implementing procedures or parts thereof, to request the faculty to review or reconsider them, or to deviate from them if conditions beyond its control, such as abrupt declines in enrollment, serious loss of income, or conditions that result in curtailment or abandonment of programs or activities, make it necessary to do so.

Preamble

Tenure is signified by an appointment for an indefinite continuing period subject to the rules set forth in this tenure policy. Tenure entails explicit responsibilities for the administrative officers and for the academic faculty. The administrative officers assure security of appointment to tenured faculty members; tenured faculty members assure competent service, loyalty to and cooperation with the University. Tenure shall not protect a person from loss of faculty appointment for causes such ~~causes~~ as incompetence, negligence, serious misuse of academic prerogatives, persistent and willful failure to follow established institutional procedures, gross personal misconduct or conscious participation in conspiracy against the Government.

Introduction

For the purposes of the Michigan Technological University Policy on Academic Tenure and Promotion, the academic faculty is comprised of those individuals holding one of the ranks of ~~instructor~~, assistant professor, associate professor or professor; and who also hold appointments in the University units having a reporting relationship to the Provost ~~Vice President for Academic Affairs~~ (including the Provost ~~Vice President for Academic Affairs~~); and also whose appointments in the University are three quarters time or more of full-time provided the applicable letter of appointment specifies the position as “tenure track.”

The ranks of professor, associate professor and assistant professor are the regular tenure-accumulating faculty ranks; ~~full-time~~ service in these ranks is counted towards the acquisition of tenure, except as specifically noted herein.

Those individuals who were full-time untenured faculty members of the University throughout academic year 1982-83 may elect to be covered (for the remainder of their service at the University) under the tenure policy adopted by the Board of Control on May 20, 1977, upon irrevocable written request made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within six months after approval of this policy by the Board of Control.

The ranks of ~~faculty assistant,~~ lecturer and instructor, as well as all positions denominated as adjunct, visiting, research, or part-time, are non-tenured positions; such non-tenured appointments are normally considered annual appointments and viewed as exceptional, being made in accordance with established procedures prepared by the faculty of the school or college concerned, the special condition of which must be explicitly stated in advance of each appointment. Neither time of service in any of these ranks, nor time of service in any rank at another institution, counts toward the acquisition of tenure at Michigan Technological University.

Unless extended according to the provisions stated in this policy, the tenure probationary period for faculty initially appointed at the rank of assistant professor is six years; for faculty initially appointed at the rank of associate professor it is four years; and for faculty initially appointed at the rank of professor it is two years. Unless notice that tenure will not be granted is given prior May 31, of the final year of the tenure probationary period, tenure at Michigan Technological University is acquired automatically when full time paid regular faculty service at one of these ranks extends beyond the tenure probationary period for that rank. When a faculty member is notified, prior to May 31, of the final year of the tenure probationary period, that tenure will not be granted, the faculty member shall receive a one-year terminal appointment.

For the purposes of Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment ~~these tenure policies~~, periods of continuous appointment as a ~~tenurable~~ tenure-track faculty member are included in the total period of service for the tenure probationary period. This will generally include unpaid periods such as summer ~~quarters~~ semester and certain leaves of absence within otherwise continuous employment and service. The tenure probationary period for faculty ~~joining the University~~ whose initial appointment commences on or after November 1 is considered to have begun service with the start of the subsequent academic year, unless it is specified otherwise in the applicable letter of appointment. A tenure-track faculty member joining the University prior to November 1 is deemed to have begun service at the beginning of the same academic year. In no case will the probationary period start later than the beginning of the subsequent academic year. before the beginning of Winter Quarter is considered to start from the beginning of the preceding Fall Quarter. The tenure probationary period for faculty joining the University after the first day of instruction in Winter Quarter will start at the beginning of the following Fall Quarter.

Exceptional circumstances may sometimes effect a prolonged disruption of professional responsibilities during the tenure probationary period, requiring extensive sick leave, unpaid leave, or a substantial formal reduction of professional responsibilities. A faculty member encountering such circumstances may make written request to the Provost for a one year extension of ~~his/her~~ the tenure probationary period. This written request should be made during or immediately following the period of exceptional circumstances, and in no case after November 15 of the final year of the tenure probationary period. It should be ~~supported~~ accompanied by recommendations from the appropriate department ~~head or~~ chair and the dean of the college, or from the dean of the school. ~~/or dean, and should clearly demonstrate the following:~~ The request should clearly demonstrate that both of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The exceptional circumstances requiring the extension were such that normal conduct of professional responsibilities could not reasonably be expected.

2. In years prior to the exceptional circumstances, the faculty member in question has made good progress toward achieving the levels of teaching, scholarship, research, and citizenship that would qualify him/her for tenure. Exclusive of the period of exceptional circumstances, the faculty member had made good progress toward achieving tenure.

Under this policy, an individual's tenure probationary period at Michigan Technological University may be extended by only one year, regardless of the combination of circumstances. Approval for such extensions will be at the sole discretion of the Provost.

These standard tenure policies are designed to allow untenured faculty sufficient time to develop eligibility for tenure, but granting of tenure after shorter periods of service at this University is not precluded.

Tenure Appointments

Assistant Professor

The initial appointment to the rank of assistant professor shall be for a term of two years. Thereafter, term appointments shall be for not more than two years each. If reappointed after six years of service, an assistant professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~ (or dean where there is no department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~) prior to May 31 at the end of the sixth year that the seventh year is to be the terminal year. Granting of tenure to a faculty member with the rank of Assistant Professor level carries with it promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.

Associate Professor

An assistant professor at Michigan Technological University who is promoted to the rank of associate professor may be granted tenure at the time of promotion. If reappointed after six years of service at this University an associate professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~ (or dean where there is no department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~) prior to May 31 at the end of the sixth year that the seventh year is to be the terminal year.

The initial appointment to the rank of associate professor for a person who has not served previously at Michigan Technological University shall be for two years. Thereafter, term appointments shall be for not more than two years each. If reappointed after four years of service, persons initially appointed as associate professors shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~ (or dean where there is no department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~) prior to May 31 at the end of the fourth year that the fifth year is to be the terminal year.

Professor

An associate professor at Michigan Technological University who is promoted to the rank of professor shall have tenure from the date of that promotion. The initial appointment to the rank of professor of a person who has not served previously at Michigan Technological University shall be for two years. Upon reappointment, persons holding the rank of professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~ (or dean where there is no department ~~head or~~ chair~~man~~) prior to May 31 at the end of the second year that the third year shall be the terminal year. Granting of tenure by the Board of Control at the time of initial appointment is not precluded.

Administrative Officers

Appointments to administrative positions do not carry tenure and administrative officers continue in their posts as determined by the President and the Board of Control. Those administrative officers holding an academic rank are subject to the provisions applicable to that rank only insofar as their nonadministrative faculty status is concerned. Their appointment to academic rank and their faculty tenure are subject to the same rules as those for all other faculty members.

Academic Promotion

Academic promotion refers to an elevation in academic rank, either from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, or from Associate Professor to Professor. Academic promotion may be conferred only by the Board of Control. Academic promotion may or may not be simultaneous with the granting of tenure.

It is the promotion policy of Michigan Technological University to maintain uniformity in promotion criteria and consistency in their application to all members of the instructional faculty. However, differences in needs and objectives of the various departments/schools may necessitate variations in promotion criteria among the instructional units. Promotion of faculty will be based on individual merit.

The procedures for Academic Promotion are defined in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures.

~~Procedures for Appointment and Tenure Recommendations~~

Procedures for Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Recommendations

The procedures for implementation of this Tenure and Promotion Policy are the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. No other procedures shall exist to implement this policy. Only the Board of Control has the authority to grant tenure at Michigan Technological University.

All matters relating to appointments and tenure are first presented in writing by the department head or chairman to the dean of the appropriate school or college, and then to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who, after weighing the merits of the case, submits recommendations to the President for review and for the consideration of the Board of Control. Only the Board of Control has the authority to grant tenure at Michigan Technological University. Department and college/school faculty committees shall exist to advise department heads/chairmen or deans on matters of tenure and such written advice shall accompany the recommendation through all administrative channels.

Except for unusual circumstances approved by the President, reappointment, tenure, promotion and termination decision notifications shall occur on a common date prior to May 31 each year. Termination or non-reappointment notifications shall be given on May 31 prior to the beginning of the terminal year. If a faculty member fails of reappointment but has not been given proper notification of such non-renewal of appointment by the required date, an extension of one year becomes automatic except for removal for cause, and the faculty member shall consider this arrangement as official notification of separation from the University at the end of the year's extension.

~~Appeal Procedure~~

Right to Appeal

A faculty member may appeal negative decisions regarding tenure, promotion, and reappointment. The only grounds for such appeals are the failure of a recommending party or parties to follow the Tenure and Promotion Policy, the Faculty Staffing Policy and/or the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. Procedures for filing an appeal are defined in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. Appeals must be filed with the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment within 30 calendar days after notification by the Provost of a negative recommendation to the President. No other route of appeal is permitted.

After appropriate faculty committee review and recommendation, a department head or chairman may recommend to the dean of the school or college against reappointment or tenure for an individual faculty member. Similarly, after appropriate faculty committee review and recommendation, the dean of the school or college may recommend to the Vice President for Academic Affairs against reappointment or tenure for an individual faculty member. In such cases, simultaneously the department head or chairman will notify the affected faculty member and the committee which made the tenure recommendation for the particular faculty member, and the dean will notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the decision. If the affected faculty member considers that the procedures specified in this tenure policy have been violated, the faculty member may, within 30 days from the date of initial written notification, file a written appeal with the Committee on Academic Tenure (or such other university committee previously instituted to handle such matters) setting forth specifically the procedures under this policy which such member feels have been violated. At the same time, the faculty member must notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs that an appeal has been filed. The recommendation of the Committee on Academic Tenure (or its designated alternate) shall be made in writing to the President within 90 days of its receiving the written appeal and shall indicate whether these tenure policies have been violated.

Dismissal for Cause

1. The committee shall consist of five members, two appointed by the President for terms of three years and three elected by the academic faculty for terms of three years. Only persons having tenure shall be eligible to serve on the Committee. Members of the committee shall be eligible to serve more than one term.

2. ~~The term of one elected member shall expire each year. Terms of the two appointed members shall not expire in the same year. All terms shall begin on September 1 and expire on August 31.~~

3. ~~The election of faculty representatives shall be by letter ballot in the spring quarter. The election shall be administered by the Senate of Michigan Technological University.~~

4. ~~Appointments to the committee by the President shall follow the election of faculty representatives within two weeks.~~

5. Vacancies among appointed members shall be filled by the President. Vacancies among elected representatives shall be filled by the Senate of Michigan Technological University. Such interim appointment shall extend only until the next spring quarter election when the vacancy shall be filled by election for the remainder of the unexpired term of office.

6. ~~The committee shall elect its chairman from among its own members and may elect such other officers as it deems necessary.~~

7. Any member of the committee who is directly involved in a tenure case, either as principal or otherwise, shall be disqualified by the Committee on Academic Tenure to act as a committee member insofar as such case is concerned. For such case only, the position on the committee shall be filled by a temporary appointment as provided herein for filling vacancies, but with the concurrence of the Committee on Academic Tenure. Such temporary appointment shall terminate when the report of the Committee on Academic Tenure is submitted, and shall not abridge the rights and duties of the regular incumbent insofar as other activities of the committee are concerned.

~~Duties and Procedures~~

1. Final reports and recommendations covering the committee's studies of tenure policy shall be submitted to the academic faculty, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President. Interim or progress reports, if issued, shall be similarly distributed.

2. Investigations of individual cases shall be reported, with recommendations if any, only to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and to the President, with copies to all members of the Committee on Academic Tenure and to the faculty member concerned.

3. By September 30 of each year, the committee shall submit to the academic faculty, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President, a summary report of its operations in the preceding academic year, excepting only its investigations of individual tenure cases, which shall be confidential. The report may state the number of such cases, if any, but shall not name the person or persons concerned nor discuss the case or cases in any way.

4. No reports or information regarding the work of the committee may be released to newspapers or other media by any committee member, nor shall any tenure case be discussed by any member of the committee with persons not officially concerned with the case.

Interpretation

In case of any question in the interpretation of ~~these tenure rules~~ this tenure and promotion policy or in the solution of any tenure problem arising from a situation not specifically covered herein or in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment. This Committee, after a thorough study, shall transmit its recommendation to the President of the University through the ~~Vice President for Academic Affairs~~ Provost. In every case, final decision rests with the Board of Control.

Amendments

Amendments to this statement of tenure policy may be proposed by the Committee on Academic Tenure, by a faculty member, or by an administrative officer. All proposed amendments shall be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Tenure and submitted unchanged to the academic faculty, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President, together with the committee's recommendations thereon. Such submittal shall be by mail at least ten days before the meeting of the academic faculty at which the proposal will be voted upon. Adoption of any amendment shall require approval by majority vote of the members present at such meeting, followed by approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President, and the Board of Control.

Amendments to the Tenure and Promotion Policy may be initiated by any member of the faculty, including administrators holding faculty appointments. All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the President of the University Senate. The proposed amendment(s) will be forwarded to the Academic Policy Committee of the University Senate for review and/or revision. The Academic Policy Committee will provide a copy of the proposed amendments to the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment. The Academic Policy Committee will submit its recommendations to the University Senate.

Revisions to the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Policy must be in the form of a Senate proposal. Adoption of any revision shall require approval by the University Senate, approval by a majority of the tenured and tenure-track faculty voting in a university-wide referendum, such vote to be conducted by the University Senate, followed by the approval of the Provost and President. The President will then forward the recommendation to the Board of Control for final approval.

~~16.3. Academic Promotion~~

The promotion policy at Michigan Technological University should enhance uniformity in promotion criteria and consistency in their application to all members of the instructional faculty. However, differences in needs and objectives of the various departments/schools may necessitate variations in promotion criteria among the instructional units.

The faculty of each department/school should establish its own criteria for recommendations concerning promotion of its faculty members, subject to approval by the Dean/Director of the college or school, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President. The faculty of each college and school should establish its own methods for evaluating and processing promotion recommendations, subject to approval by the President.

Recommendations for the promotion of faculty members should originate in the departments following periodic review by each department head/chair and recommendations submitted by members of the faculty, in accordance with the procedures described below.

~~Principles and Procedures~~

~~1. Promotions shall be based on individual merit.~~

~~2. Promotion shall be based on the faculty member's teaching, research, other contributions to the University's objectives, and professional contributions.~~

3. Based on the foregoing, criteria for evaluation of faculty members' contributions shall be formulated by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the Faculty Senate, and shall be transmitted to the departments/schools. Each department/school shall review these criteria and may propose revisions in their application to the individual academic unit. Such revisions shall stand unless disapproved by the Dean/Director of the college or school, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President.

4. Mechanics for evaluating and processing promotion recommendations shall be formulated for each college or school by its Dean/Director, in consultation with the department heads/chairs and faculty, and subject to approval of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Each Dean/Director shall make known these procedures to the faculty of the college or school.

~~5. Initiation and processing of recommendations for promotion.~~

a. The head/chair of each department shall arrange periodic (preferably annual) professional development interviews with each faculty member of the department who indicates a desire for such an interview, or for whom such an interview seems appropriate; the dean/director performs these tasks in the case of schools. These interviews shall have for their purpose a review of recent activities and accomplishments of the faculty member, plans and objectives for the future, and the relationship and merit of contributions to department/school and University programs.

b. With due concern for adequate representation, a departmental committee, consisting of at least three members of the departmental faculty, shall be appointed by the department head/chair to advise in matters concerning recommendations for promotions; the departments are encouraged to use expert advisors external to the University to assist them; the dean/director appoints the corresponding committees in the case of schools. As appropriate, the committee may initiate a recommendation to the Dean on its own notion, but only with the permission of the faculty member concerned.

1. If promotion is recommended, the name of the faculty member, together with supporting documentation, shall be sent to the Dean/Director of the college or school for review and recommendation.

~~2. The faculty member so recommended shall be notified of this action by the department head/chair or school dean/director.~~

c. The comments and recommendations of the Dean/Director, whether favorable or unfavorable, shall be sent to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, together with documentation, for action.

d. Further action on the recommended promotion shall be taken, as appropriate, by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President, and the Board of Control. The faculty member whose promotion has been recommended shall be given written notification of the ultimate disposition of the promotion recommendation, through the usual administrative channels. If the promotion is not approved, such notification shall include a statement of improvements through which the faculty member can gain the qualifications necessary for promotion.