The University Senate of
PROPOSAL 13-06
(Voting Units: Academic)
AMENDMENT OF TENURE, PROMOTION AND
REAPPOINTMENT PROCEDURES:
EXTENSION OF TENURE CLOCK
Background
Michigan
Tech allowed extension of the probationary period for “exceptional
circumstances” some years ago at the request of the faculty member with
recommendation from the cognizant department chair and/or dean, recommendation
by the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion and Reappointment and approval
by the Provost. This policy was applied not only to “exceptional circumstances”
but also to the common circumstance of pregnancy. However few faculty members
at Tech have applied for an extension; other universities with similar policies
have also noted that few faculty members have applied for extensions of the
probationary period for reasons ranging from concerns of being perceived as
less dedicated to lack of understanding of how much addition of a child would
slow down their lives.
Other
universities, led by
Hence
this proposal proposes such a policy for Michigan Tech. The proposal comprises
new section 5.1.1 Extension of the Probationary Period and the relabeling of
old section 5.1.1 Extension of the Probationary Period to 5.1.2 Exceptional
Extension of the Probationary Period.
5.1.2 Exceptional Extension of the Probationary Period has two changes.
Requests for consideration of exceptional circumstances are now to be made
within a reasonable period of time after the exceptional circumstance rather
than during or immediately after, and the request should show reasonable,
rather than substantial, progress toward tenure.
Proposal: New section 5.1.1 and amended
section 5.1.2 for Tenure, Promotion and Reappointment Procedures
These
changes will become effective for tenure candidates whose mandatory review is
after 2007-2008.
5.1.1 A Extension of the Probationary
Period
The
probationary period will be extended by one year,but not more than 2 years
total, for each child: 1) Born to or legally adopted by the Candidate or his
or her spouse during the probationary period; or 2) over whom full time physical
custody is awarded to the Candidate or his or her spouse during the probationary
period by any court having jurisdiction. Written notification must be given
by the Candidate or the Candidate's Chair or Dean to the Provost prior to
November 15th of the final year of the tenure probationary period to entitle
the Candidate to this extension.
5.1.2. Exceptional Extension of the
Probationary Period
Exceptional
circumstances may sometimes effect a prolonged disruption of professional
responsibilities during the tenure probationary period, requiring extensive
sick leave, unpaid leave, or substantial formal reduction of professional
responsibilities. A faculty member encountering such circumstances may request
a one-year extension of the tenure probationary period. The Committee on Academic
Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment considers all such requests and makes a
recommendation to the Provost on each.
This
request should be made within a reasonable period of time 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 accompanied by a
recommendation from the cognizant department chair and the dean of the college,
or from the dean of the cognizant school. The request should clearly demonstrate
that both of the following conditions are satisfied:
i. the
exceptional circumstances requiring the extension were such that normal conduct
of professional responsibilities could not reasonably be expected.
ii. exclusive of the period of exceptional circumstances, the faculty member had made reasonable progress toward achieving tenure.
Introduced
in Senate: 15 February 2006
Revised Version Introduced in Senate: 5 April 2006
Adopted by Senate: 5 April 2006
Approved by Administration: 17 April 2006
Editorial Change Approved by Senate: 21 March 2007
Passed Referendum: 14 April 2008 (out of 347 possible votes; there were 111
Yes votes and 17 No votes)
Became Senate Procedures 707.1.1