Promotion & Tenure New Faculty Workshop December 7, 2012

Purpose of Workshop Reduce stress Understand the process Plot-out your strategy

Rationale Having a great faculty is the key to having a great university We try to develop that great faculty Retention of faculty through promotion and tenure is the pathway

The Investment You were hired to be successful. MTSU has a big investment in you. Time, money and energy recruiting Start up funds Mentoring

P & T Policies TBR Policy: 5:02:03:60 (Tenure) Policy: 5:02:02:20 (Promotion) MTSU II:01:05B (Tenure) II:01:05A (Promotion) Department All TBR and MTSU P & T policies are in the Faculty Handbook

Probationary Review Annual evaluations Third Year: Midpoint corrections Critical juncture You should know where you stand in all three areas

When Can I Be a Candidate? To Associate Professor: At beginning of your 6 th year (fulfill five complete years in rank). To Professor: After completion of 10 years in combined ranks, 4 years as an associate professor (i.e., at beginning of your 5 th year) Application of past service credit upon being hired

To Associate Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor is based upon both demonstrated performance and potential What have you accomplished since being hired?

To Professor Promotion to the rank of Professor is based upon having achieved professional and scholarly distinction. Evidence of outstanding teaching, significant scholarship and professional growth, service What have you accomplished since last promotion? Concept of identity as a scholar

Threshold Concept Teaching ScholarshipService

Review Process Spring announcement of upcoming calendar In the Fall: Preparation of Candidate Information Review by Dept., Chair, College, Dean Review by Vice Provost Winter-Spring: Review by Provost Review by President Submission to TBR Approval by TBR

Teaching Primary variable Narrative statement by candidate on teaching philosophy Student evaluations Optional peer evaluations

Teaching Exceptional teachers will: Show command of their subject, Be creative and imaginative, Be enthusiastic, Promote critical thinking, Stimulate their students to improved performance, Engage in and use research, and Be outstanding communicators

Scholarship/Creative Activity Focused approach to scholarship identity Continuous growth through time Trends from local to regional to national and beyond Articles, Monographs, Paper Presentations, Creative Works, Funded Research No magic numbers

Service Continuous service Departmental, College, University, Professional Organizations

Mentoring Some departments assign mentors Seek one out-does not need to be from your department Consult your Chair and Dean

Promotion Exception Rule Rarely allowed Often hinges on exceptional scholarship record Not been granted recently

Appeals Related to any alleged error in the review process leading to a negative recommendation Violation of academic freedom Violation of TBR or University policies Violation of EEO Formation of Appeals Committee

Tenure To be eligible for tenure, must hold rank position Five years in rank minimal probationary period Credit for prior service (max. 3 years) Stopping tenure clock (1 year) Consideration of teaching, scholarship, service Termination of Tenure Policy

Myth 1 Tenure is a right. I will receive tenure if I do a reasonable job. Tenure is a long-term commitment for the University. The University expects better than average performance

Myth 2 Getting tenure is tough. Most faculty will not receive tenure. Faculty are hired on the assumption that they will receive tenure. Approximately 90% of those who come up for tenure and/or promotion receive it. Some faculty members leave the University before standing for tenure.

Myth 3 Only research and grant funding count. Performance in teaching, scholarship, and service all count. The exact factors and their weights vary by department. Learn about your department.

Myth 4 Ill get tenure/promotion if I have x papers. Teaching and service count Quality counts Level of contribution counts Other factors contribute to scholarship (e.g., grant funding) No magic numbers!

Myth 5 If Professor X got tenure/promotion, Ill get tenure/promotion. Cases are judged on their merits relative to standards, not in comparison to others. You may not know everything about Professor X. Standards change over time.

Possible Policy Changes Linking Tenure & Promotion Required peer teaching evaluation External analysis of scholarship

Conclusions Stay focused: craft an identity for yourself Demonstrate continuous growth Take to heart annual evaluations What have you accomplished since being hired or last promotion? Seek advice Request peer teaching evaluation Know the guidelines/policies Approximately 85% of candidates successful annually for promotion