The university is committed to supporting NTTF and investing in their professional growth. Colleges and departments are expected to identify and develop promotional pathways for full-time NTTF, provide opportunities for the development of long-term careers at the university, and recognize the exceptional and essential contributions these faculty make to the mission of the university. Annual performance reviews form the basis of a cumulative record that prepares NTTF for consideration for promotion. A more detailed description of the promotion process can be found in Appendix F.
4.5.1 Criteria
Criterion for promotion in rank is excellence in performing the primary responsibilities established in the initial appointment letter and statement of responsibilities and workload, as well as any changes made and recorded at the time of the annual performance and planning reviews. It is the responsibility of departments and colleges to define excellence in terms of their respective disciplines. The workload specified in the initial appointment letter, any reappointment letters, as well as any workload modifications made at the time of the faculty member’s APPR, should be considered at the time of promotion. Promotion criteria are to be weighted in relation to the faculty member’s assigned responsibilities.
Each college may establish a statement of criteria and expectations for rank, which elaborates on the general criteria found earlier in this chapter and is consistent with the mission of the college and the professional responsibilities normally carried out by NTTF members in the college. Each department shall establish more detailed criteria for promotion that are consistent with but may be more specific than the criteria stated in this handbook and any criteria established by the college and campus. Departmental criteria for promotion shall not be required if more specific criteria have been established by the applicable college, and the dean and chief academic officer have approved application of the college criteria in lieu of departmental criteria.
College criteria for promotion shall be effective upon approval by the chief academic officer and when published in the bylaws of the college. Departmental criteria for promotion shall be effective upon approval by the dean and chief academic officer and when published in the bylaws of the department.
4.5.2 Eligibility
After serving at the rank of lecturer or assistant professor, typically for a minimum of five years, a faculty member who has satisfied the criteria referenced in the preceding section, may apply for promotion to the rank of senior lecturer or associate professor, respectively. After serving at the rank of senior lecturer or associate professor, typically for a minimum of three to five years, a faculty member who has satisfied the criteria referenced in the preceding section, may apply for promotion to the rank of distinguished lecturer or professor, respectively.
4.5.3 Promotion Process
NTTF should consult with their department head before initiating promotion procedures. The final decision on whether or not to proceed rests with the faculty member. However, if denied promotion after completion of the process described in the next paragraphs, the faculty member remains at rank and must forgo at least one full promotion cycle before again initiating promotion procedures.
The NTTF promotion process begins when the candidate submits a dossier for consideration, which may include departmental solicitation of external letters assessing the record of scholarship and/or creative activity (if required by departmental bylaws). Review occurs in turn at the departmental, college, and campus levels; the candidate shall be notified in writing of the decision at each level, provided with a copy of the review at each level, and given the opportunity to submit a response. For colleges without departments, the review begins at the college level. Candidates denied promotion at the departmental level may appeal the decision to the college. Candidates denied promotion at the college level may appeal the decision to the chief academic officer.
Faculty committees review and make recommendations regarding promotion at each administrative level, in accordance with college and departmental bylaws. The composition of faculty promotion committees is defined in the unit’s bylaws. Departmental faculty at or above the rank to which promotion is sought review these materials and vote on promotion. Colleges and departments are expected to appoint NTTF to these committees (when NTTF at or above the rank sought exist) and ensure that evaluations are independent at each level of review (i.e., someone who votes at the department level cannot vote at the college level). Recommendation for promotion to higher rank is based on departmental/college bylaws.
In the promotion review of NTTF, particular consideration should be given to performance in the main area of the candidate’s job duties as set forth in the appointment paperwork and job description. Any changes to these duties in subsequent APPR or reappointment paperwork should also be considered. One or more statements of the candidate’s job duties and expectations, including percentage effort in each area, is a required part of a NTTF member’s promotion package.
4.5.4 Contents of the Dossier
“Appendix: Evaluation and Promotion of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty” to this handbook specifies in detail the required contents of the dossier, which should not exceed 50 pages, excluding the cover sheet and the candidate’s curriculum vitae.
4.5.5 Right of Candidate to Review File
The candidate has a right to review their file at any stage of the process. The candidate is to be informed of any additions made to their file after submitting it and be given an opportunity to review and respond to the addition at any stage of the process.