Procedures for Application for Promotion, Tenure, Four-Year Renewable Contract

Each college and Heterick Library are required to have published standards and procedures for promotion, tenure and continuing contracts. The following minimum standards for the application file are given so that all applications from throughout the University can be given proper consideration and be equitably evaluated. The complete files of the applicants are to be reviewed for recommendation by departments, college committees, deans, the vice president for academic affairs, and the President, and are available to members of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees for their review and recommendation before action is taken by the board. The complete file submitted by the candidate for promotion, tenure or continuing contracts will include the following items:

1. A letter requesting promotion, tenure or continuing contract. The letter must include a summary of reasons why the applicant should receive it (self-evaluation) and how the applicant fulfills the criteria of the department, college or library and of the University for promotion, tenure or continuing contract.
2. Documentation supporting the general University criteria: effective teaching, scholarly activity, service to the University, and professional growth. The complete file must include but is not limited to, the following information:
   • Current curriculum vitae
   • Teaching service at ONU (terms, courses, credit hours, number of students, number of student credit hours) and at other institutions, including dates and rank(s).
   • Evidence of effectiveness in teaching. This should include any peer evaluations that have been reduced to writing, together with summaries of all student evaluations. Summaries of student evaluations should not be prepared by the faculty member who is submitting the application. Student evaluations must be provided for all courses taught in the previous two years; additional evaluations may be provided at the discretion of the faculty member.
   • Other assigned responsibilities at the University.
   • Memberships and participation in professional organizations (meetings attended, papers given, offices held, etc.).
   • Research, publications, performances, exhibitions, etc. (including dates, places, etc.). These may include but are not limited to the following: publication of paper or article in a professional or refereed journal, magazine or government publication; presentation of professional paper at a regional, state, or national meeting or seminar; publication or review of a book; receiving a research grant or support from industry or a government agency; serving on a national or regional review body for grants and awards; serving as a referee for journal or magazine publications; juried exhibitions; guest performances in regional or national groups; or activities recognized or encouraged by the relevant departments or college.
   • Honors, grants and awards, if any.
   • Work experience that is relevant to the teaching duties of the person or his or her professional standing. If current outside employment or service is relied upon to demonstrate professional growth, the relationship of the work or service to the professional work of the professor at the University should be described, together with an estimate of the time dedicated to the outside employment or service.
   • Contributions to departmental, college and University governance (committee membership, chairing committees, etc.). These may include but are not limited to the following: committee membership, attendance and participation; participation in University; college; or department-sponsored activities such as science fair, parents’ day, scholars’ day, homecoming, advising professional and social organizations; aiding in the recruitment of prospective students; obtaining an equipment grant or support from industry or government agencies; any other activity which benefits the University community; or activities recognized or encouraged by the relevant departments or college.
3. A five-year professional development plan.
4. Timing Issues
   • Unless otherwise provided, the information described herein should be provided for the period extending from the year in which the last promotion or change of status was awarded up to the year in which the application is submitted.
     1. Where promotion to full professor is requested, the information provided should ordinarily begin with the first year at associate-professor rank.
     2. Where promotion to associate professor is requested, the information provided should ordinarily begin with the first year at assistant-professor rank.
     3. Where promotion to assistant professor is requested, the information provided should ordinarily begin with the first year at instructor (or other current) rank or the year of the initial appointment where there has been no change in rank since the initial appointment.
   • Section 2.4 and Section 2.8 of the Faculty Handbook specify the dates for the submission of and review process for consideration for tenure (and continuing contract) and for promotion, respectively. The dates are summarized below: