Tenure audit-related material, Jan. 23, 2018

Current practices to be codified under policy in response to tenure audit:

Hires of Tenure Track Faculty that Begin Mid-Year

[This is a revision of the section on “Delaying the Tenure Clock” which is part of the campus’ “Adjustments to Tenure Clock” Policy at https://www.colorado.edu/facultyaffairs/adjustments-tenure-clock ]

Starting the tenure clock in the middle of the academic year (January) functionally defines a 6.5 year probationary period. Faculty Members who begin their appointment in January may request a waiver of their first semester of appointment towards the tenure clock.   This request to extend the interim period must be made in writing and forwarded to the chair, the dean, and to the AVC for Faculty Affairs for approval.  Normally, this request must be made within the first six months of the faculty member’s appointment.  Upon petition, the provost may waive the first semester of appointment at a later date if it is in the best interests of the individual and the campus.

Shortening the Probationary Period

[This is a revision of the section on “Shortening the Probationary Period” which is part of the campus’ “Adjustments to Tenure Clock” Policy at https://www.colorado.edu/facultyaffairs/adjustments-tenure-clock ]

At the time of initial appointment, the dean, with the approval of the Office of Faculty Affairs, has authority to credit 1, 2, or 3 years towards a tenure decision to incoming faculty with previous tenure-track faculty experience of a comparable nature at another institution.  Regent's Rules do not allow more than 3 years credit to be granted.  Granting years of credit towards tenure must be defined in the letter of offer.  Junior faculty should be conservative in requesting or accepting credit towards tenure, as the decision to shorten one’s probationary period becomes a binding decision on the part of both the University and the faculty member.  In extraordinary circumstances, a faculty member who has already begun an appointment may, with the approval of the chair and/or dean, petition the provost to grant years towards tenure at a later date. 

Delays to Post-Tenure Review

[This is a revision of the opening section of the campus’ “Post-Tenure Review” Policy at https://www.colorado.edu/facultyaffairs/career-milestones/post-tenure-review]

Post-tenure review is required of all tenured faculty at an interval of five years. These reviews are conducted by departments and dean's offices, and submitted to Faculty Affairs. Faculty Affairs is also charged with annual reporting of post-tenure review results to System Administration.

While in normal circumstances reviews will occur every five years, when it is in the best interest of the individual and the campus, the provost, upon petition of the individual with agreement from the chair and/or dean, may delay post tenure review.