Three–Year Pre–Tenure Review Policy and Guidelines
In addition to the annual Periodic Review of Faculty (PROF) letters, some academic units may find it desirable to conduct three–year intensive reviews for faculty on annual tenure track appointments. Although the purpose of the tree–year review varies from unit to unit, the primary intent is to review the faculty member’s progress toward indefinite tenure.
The following general University guidelines are to be used in conducting three–year tenure reviews:
- In general, the three–year review is to be used as a supplement to and not as a replacement for the annual review in the year it is given. Exceptions to this statement are possible if the three–year annual review contains all the components of a regular annual review. If it does not, a PROF letter must be done in addition to the three–year review.
- College and/or departments that use a three–year pre–tenure review must apply the process uniformly to all members of the faculty on annual tenure–track appointments.
- All materials used in the review, including any outside letters that might be solicited, must be open to review by the faculty member.
- The outcome of the three–year review must be shared with the faculty member for comment and signature, and included in the individual’s personnel file.
- The guidelines used by colleges and/or departments are to be written and available for review by members of the faculty. Prior to their formal implementation, the college and/or department guidelines are to be submitted to the Provost for review and approval.
- The guidelines for three–year review programs should not preclude the University in issuing letters of timely notice in any of the years prior to a tenure decision; nor should they limit the purpose or intent of the annual review.
