1. Janet Kistner VP Faculty Development & Advancement April 2018
Getting Tenure at FSU
Janet Kistner
VP Faculty Development & Advancement
April 2018
Goals of today’s meeting: 1) brief presentation (slides will be made available) not going to get into the weeds, we do that in other venues (P&T workshops, closer to time of tenure review) or get into the history and merits of university tenure (interesting but not enough time) – instead will give an overview of criteria & procedures for getting tenure at FSU; want to leave plenty of time for discussion at your tables, opportunity to ask questions, share experiences – facilitator at each table (what is said in the room, stays in the room).
Other goals of this meeting – feedback for me on new faculty orientation. What it did and did not prepare you for? Suggestions on improving NFO. Finally – opportunity to reconnect with your NFO cohort.

2. Getting tenure at fsu
Hiring & Tenure Decisions are the most important decisions we make
Hired with the expectation that you will excel in your field
Our commitment to you:
Resources to launch your program of scholarship/creative works
Support for teaching
Positive work environment
Constructive, timely feedback on your progress toward tenure

3. University tenure criteria
Meritorious performance in scholarly or creative accomplishments AND teaching AND service
Is there evidence that you:
have (or will) achieve national and international recognition as a scholar or creative artist in your field?
are an effective teacher and mentor?
make positive contributions in service to the university and your academic discipline?
Jim Smith: No “or” in the criteria
What constitutes sufficient evidence? Not a simple answer, no formula, no minimum number of x or y. It’s about excellence, impact. Not true that the only thing that matters is your scholarship/creative works. Lack of evidence of effectiveness in teaching and service is enough to derail tenure. But – it is true – it is the lack of evidence of excellence in scholarship/creative works that is the most common reason for not getting tenure.
BUT – there should be no surprises – you should know well in advance if you are on track (or not) for tenure. Goes back to what I said a few minutes ago about the university’s obligation to provide you with constructive timely feedback on your progress toward tenure.

4. How do I know if I’m making progress toward tenure?
Provide guidance/encouragement to actively plan and frequently participate in professional development/scholarly activities.

5. faculty evaluations at fsu
When do evaluations occur?
Annually: ratings plus progress toward P&T letters
2nd & 4th year reviews (mini-P&T reviews)
P&T review
Who evaluates you for tenure?
Tenured faculty in your academic unit
Department Committee & Chair
College Committee & Dean
University Committee
Provost, President, Board of Trustees

6. Typical Tenure Timeline
Typical Tenure Timeline* *for assistant professors with no “tenure credit”
Spring semester of your 5th year: department recommends that you put together materials for P&T review (or recommends waiting a year)
Summer between your 5th & 6th years: outside letters are requested by your chair/dean and you are asked to prepare your P&T “binder”
Fall semester of your 6th year: you submit your materials to the online P&T portal - the official start of your formal P&T review

7. Tenure timeline (cont’d)
Fall Semester of your 6th year: September: Department/School vote October: College vote (in A&S, college vote is preceded by votes by the Humanities and Sciences committees December: University P&T Committee votes January: review by Provost & President Final Decision: typically January-February

8. What evidence will represent you?
Dean’s and Chair’s letters
External letters (from top scholars in your field)
C.V.
Evidence of Achievements (publications/supporting materials)
Research, Teaching and Service Statements
Annual Letters of Progress toward P&T
2nd & 4th Year Review Narratives

9. Peer review, peer review, peer review…..
Peer reviews of scholarship and creative works
Peer reviews of grant proposals (in disciplines where external support is expected)
Peer (and student) “reviews” of your teaching
OUTSIDE LETTERS – all about peer review

10. Your role in faculty evaluations
Make it easy for your faculty colleagues, chair, dean to see what you’ve accomplished
Tell “your story” well
What are your most important professional accomplishments?
Why is your work important to the university, nation, world?

11. Responding to feedback
Be open to the feedback you receive (If your chair/dean tells you that you are not performing at the level expected, don’t question or debate the feedback)
Ask questions to clarify expectations and ask for suggestions about ways to improve
Thank your chair/dean for providing feedback – it’s the best thing a chair/dean can do for you is provide direct and timely feedback about your progress toward P&T

12. What you can (should) do now
Ask about your academic unit’s expectations of you and the criteria they most value in evaluating faculty performance
Seek mentors (both at FSU and outside of FSU)
Talk to recently tenured faculty colleagues to learn more about the process in your academic unit

13. Join Now

14. NCFDD Core Curriculum 10 Key Skills The NCFDD’s Core Curriculum
is designed to teach
10 Key Skills
that lead to thriving
in the Academy.
In your handouts – instructions on activating your membership – please do it today – only takes a few minutes. If you have any problems activing your membership, let me know.

16. How to maximize your success
Stay focused on your goals
Maintain connections with leaders in your field of study
Seek mentors
Remember your timeline (amazing how fast the years go by)
Protect your time (but say yes to projects/tasks that will advance your career)
If you say you’re going to do something, do it well and on time

17. Questions?