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Section 4.03.01: Award of Promotion

SUBJECT: Award of Promotion
SOURCE: Board Policy Manual 803.08; Annual Memorandum of Instruction from Vice Chancellor for Academic and Fiscal Affairs

POLICY

803.08 CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION

Each University System institution shall establish clearly stated promotion criteria and procedures that emphasize excellence in teaching for all teaching faculty. These policies will be submitted to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for review.

  1. Minimum for all three types of institutions in all professorial ranks:

    1. Superior teaching.
    2. Outstanding service to the institution.
    3. Academic achievement.
    4. Professional growth and development.

    Noteworthy achievement in all four of the above need not be demanded, but should be expected in at least two. A written recommendation should be submitted by the head of the department concerned setting forth the reasons for promotion. The faculty member's length of service with an institution shall be taken into consideration in determining whether or not the faculty member should be promoted.

  2. Research Universities In addition to "A" above, promotion to an associate or full professorship requires the doctorate degree or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience. Neither the possession of a doctorate, nor longevity of service is a guarantee per se of promotion.

  3. Regional and State Universities In addition to "A" above, promotion to the rank of professor requires the doctorate degree or equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience. Neither the possession of a doctoral degree nor longevity of service is a guarantee per se of promotion.

  4. State and Two-Year Colleges In addition to "A" above, promotion to the rank of professor requires at least the equivalent of two years of full time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Longevity of service is not a guarantee per se of promotion.

PROCEDURES

Promotions for faculty for the coming year are considered only at the April meeting of the Board of Regents.  Recommendations for promotion should be submitted no later than mid-February (the specific deadline will be established in the annual Memorandum of Instruction.)

Information is to be submitted electronically, and all submittals will be reviewed by System Office staff for compliance with Board policy and Academic Affairs procedures.

A letter from the President to the Chancellor should provide the total number of individuals who were initially (at the first level of the institutional review) considered for promotions, the total number recommended for Board approval, the gender distribution, and the racial distribution as shown in the following example. If the promotion review procedure of the institution has been revised, the letter will also describe those revisions.

To Rank Initially
Considered 		Recommend F M White Black Hispanic American/Ind
Alaskan Nat		 Asian/
Pacific Islander
Professor 12 6 4 2 3 2 0 0 1
Associate 20 13 5 8 5 5 1 1 1
Assistant 8 7 2 5 4 3 0 0 0

For each promotion recommended, the following should be submitted:

  1. A cover sheet which provides the following information:

    • Name of Institution
    • Name of Individual
    • Social Security Number
    • Highest Degree Earned
    • Total Number of Years of Teaching Experience
    • Number of Years at the Institution
    • Present Rank and Title
    • Type of Tenure Track
    • Years in Present Rank and Title at Institution
    • Recommended Rank and Title
    • Probationary Credit Toward Tenure Recommended for Prior Service at Rank of Instructor (for promotions to Assistant Professor only)
    • Summary of the Actions of Promotion Review Committee(s) and/or the Recommendations at the Various Levels within the Institution (pertaining to the individual recommended for promotion)

  2. A summary statement from the President (or designee) describing the individual's outstanding contributions which support the promotion being recommended.

  3. A complete, up-to-date resumé for the individual recommended for promotion.

The institution, at its discretion, may append additional supporting material. For example, university-level institutions utilizing external review procedures may wish to append copies of letters relating to that review.

Special Considerations for Promotion.

  1. Recommendations for promotion are not normally considered for individuals who are currently on leaves of absence or who hold "temporary" appointments.

  2. Strong justification should be provided in support of any recommendation for promotion to Associate Professor or Professor if the individual has not earned the terminal degree in the discipline.

  3. Strong justification should be provided in support of any recommendation for "early" promotion wherein the individual has served fewer than the number of years in rank at the current institution as listed below:
For Promotion to: Minimum Service in Rank:
Assistant Professor 3 years as Instructor
Associate Professor 4 years as Assistant Professor
Professor 5 years as Associate Professor

Last Updated: 04/15/2002


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