Faculty Promotion

1. COMMITTEES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL PROCEDURES

1.1 DEPARTMENT LEVEL

1.1.1 DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DPAC)

1.1.1.1 Membership

The members and length of term of office of the DPAC will be determined at the department level by democratic process, except that no department chairperson may serve, and all of the DPAC must be tenured. No candidate for promotion may participate in the promotional procedures in the DPAC, but may serve with regard to reappointment and tenure decisions. In the event that a department decides that an insufficient number of eligible members is available for requisite personnel action, it may request that additional members be selected from other departments within the College/School or the University. These requests shall be submitted to the Designee of the VPAA for review and written approval. No person may serve at more than one level of review and recommendation for any personnel action. No Department Chairperson may serve as a substitute for another Department Chairperson for review and recommendation for any personnel action.

1.1.1.2 Term

The election of the DPAC or the filling of vacancies on the DPAC should take place during the month of February. Persons elected should assume office by May 1.

No person may serve more than three (3) consecutive years.

1.1.1.3 Function

In addition to any duties assigned to it, the DPAC, whose function is limited to personnel action only, is responsible under the terms of this Agreement for evaluation and recommendations concerning the following:

Appointments
Reappointments
Tenure
Promotion
Sabbaticals

Each year the dean will meet with the department chairpersons and the DPAC chairpersons, prior to the initiation of the annual personnel actions, to discuss the process that will be used during that year.

4.1 Statewide Language (repeated)

4.2 LOCAL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS PROCEDURES

4.2.1 CONTENTS OF PROMOTION APPLICATION

A promotion application shall consist of: 1) promotion application forms as approved by the Administration and the Union; 2) a curriculum vita; 3) copies of published materials, creative works, and any other appropriate supporting documents and materials which the candidate wishes to submit; and; 4) a table of contents listing the materials submitted. A candidate for promotion may at his/her option include as part of the application written evaluation of his/her performance by one or more persons not employed by the University and chosen by the applicant. Such evaluations, if any, may address any of the criteria. When an applicant submits a large number of items as evidence of contributions for a particular promotion category, the applicant will indicate the most significant items in the category; not to exceed five in number. Each evaluator in the process is responsible for reviewing the entire contents of the promotion file for each candidate.

4.2.2 PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW

4.2.2.1 Application

A qualified faculty member may submit a request or be recommended at the department level for promotion. A qualified person is one who meets all the criteria set forth in Appendix I, 14.1 (14.1.1 through 14.1.4). Other candidates seeking to establish eligibility must meet the provisions as outlined in Appendix I, 14.1.6 and 14.2. A faculty member must submit all application materials no later than February 1.

An individual may apply for promotion in the usual manner even if a promotion grievance from a previous year is still pending.

4.2.2.2 Student Input

A systematic procedure must be established at the department level to receive student input. The provisions for student input must conform to the guidelines outlined in the General Guidelines for Personnel Actions, Section 2.5 of the LSPA. The summary of the student evaluations as well as the written analyses of student input prepared by the DPAC and the chairperson (sections 4.2.2.3 and 4.2.2.4 respectively) must be included with the promotion application and a copy sent to the candidate.

4.2.2.3.1 Department Procedures and DPAC Evaluation

The full time faculty in the department shall develop, approve by department vote, publish and disseminate systematic procedures for promotion. The procedures shall provide for evaluation in accordance with the criteria set forth in the LSPA Appendix II and evaluation of non-teaching and teaching assignments divided between two or more departments. The procedures may also, at the option of the department, allow a candidate to present the application in person to the DPAC. If any candidate so requests, all candidates shall be given that opportunity.

The DPAC shall conduct its deliberations on each candidate for promotion and prepare a written evaluation based upon the criteria in Appendix II of the LSPA including an analysis of the student input referenced in 4.2.2.2 above. A specific determination with respect to whether the candidate is being recommended or not recommended for promotion shall also be made.

The DPAC shall submit the completed forms, including the recommendation and written evaluation, to the candidate. Each candidate shall have five (5) working days to respond to the recommendation in writing. The DPAC shall respond in writing to the candidate's response within five (5) working days. The written responses of the candidate and DPAC, if any, shall be included in the promotion materials before submission of those materials to the department chairperson.

4.2.2.4 Chairperson Evaluation

The department chairperson shall evaluate each candidate for promotion unless the chairperson is a candidate for promotion. The chairperson shall not be required to make a personal observation of the candidate's teaching. However, the chairperson shall prepare a written evaluation based upon the criteria in Appendix II of the LSPA including an analysis of the student input referenced in 4.2.2.2 above. A specific determination with respect to whether the candidate is being recommended or not recommended for promotion shall also be made.

The chairperson shall submit the completed forms, including the recommendation and written evaluation, to the candidate. Each candidate shall have five (5) working days to respond to the recommendation in writing. The chairperson shall respond in writing to the candidate's response within five (5) working days. The written responses of the candidate and the chairperson, if any, shall be included in the promotion materials before submission of those materials to the dean.

In the circumstance of the chairperson being a candidate for promotion, an official designee shall be elected by the department after consultation with the dean. This designee, who may not be a candidate for promotion, shall serve the same function as the chairperson in the promotion process and complete all the responsibilities set forth above. However, the chairperson, if tenured, shall serve in all reappointment and tenure recommendations.

4.2.2.5 Recommendation by the Dean

The dean shall evaluate each candidate for promotion in writing, and either recommend or not recommend the candidate for promotion. The dean shall forward to the VPAA the evaluation, the recommendation and the promotion materials of all candidates. The dean shall send the evaluation and recommendation to the candidate. The candidate may make a written response to the Dean's recommendation which response shall be sent by the candidate directly to the VPAA for incorporation into the promotion file.

4.2.2.6 Recommendation by the Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall either recommend or not recommend each candidate for promotion and forward the recommendations to the President and the candidate.

4.2.2.7 President's Decision

The President shall make a determination on promotion for each of the candidates and forward those recommended to the Board of Trustees. Each candidate will be informed of the President's recommendation at least ten (10) days prior to the BOT meeting. Only positive recommendations from the President shall be presented to the Board of Trustees for action.

4.2.2.8 Withdrawal of Application

At any point in the promotion process, the applicant may elect to withdraw his/her candidacy. If the applicant so decides, he/she shall indicate that decision in writing to the evaluator at the level to which the application has gone. That person shall insure the return of the applicant's file.

4.2.2.9 Return of Forms

After the final Board of Trustees' consideration, the promotion file of each unsuccessful candidate will be returned to that candidate. Promotion files of successful candidates are placed in his or her official personnel file.

4.2.3 SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS PROMOTIONS

A qualified faculty member may make written application for special contributions promotional consideration. A candidate for a special contributions promotion will be evaluated according to the promotional criteria in Appendix II. Section 15, and the promotion process shall be the same as for any other faculty member. A qualified faculty member is one who: 1) meets all applicable criteria set forth in Appendix I; 2) was employed by the University in a full-time position on or before September 30, 1972; and 3) has served continuously in the same rank at MSU since that date. The candidates must show evidence of outstanding contributions to MSU and/or the MSU community and evidence of outstanding teaching.

The department chairperson, DPAC, and dean must verify the eligibility of each candidate.

4.2.4 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Alleged violations of discrimination, academic freedom or incorrect procedures must be processed by the grievance procedure outlined in the State Contract. Timely notification to the President must also be made as provided for in Article VII G 5 of the State Contract.

4.2.5 GROWTH PROMOTIONS FOR LIBRARIANS ­ [Retain current provisions 4.2.9]

4.2.6 AUTOMATIC PROMOTION OF NON-TENURED INSTRUCTORS

Non-tenured instructors whose letter of appointment contains an automatic promotion clause will be automatically promoted to assistant professor upon obtaining an earned doctoral degree or an appropriate terminal degree. These candidates will not be subject to the normal promotion process. When written verification that the doctorate or appropriate terminal degree has been earned is received by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the promotion will be effective no later than the first day of the semester following the one in which verification was received.

4.2.7 PROMOTION OF TENURED INSTRUCTORS AND NON-TENURED INSTRUCTORS INELIGIBLE FOR AUTOMATIC PROMOTION

Tenured instructors and tenure-track instructors ineligible for automatic promotion who obtain an earned doctoral degree or an appropriate terminal degree and with a positive recommendation from their respective department PAC, chairperson, and dean will be promoted to the rank of assistant professor.

These candidates will be subject to the normal promotion procedures. The required promotion forms must be completed and submitted as provided for all promotion candidates in the administrative calendar.

When the positive recommendation from the respective department PAC, chairperson and dean and the written verification that the doctorate or appropriate terminal degree has been earned are received by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the promotion will be effective no later than the first day of the semester following the one in which verification was received.

4.2.8 PRESIDENT'S PREROGATIVE

Nothing in this section dealing with promotions will be construed as prohibiting the President from making additional promotions.

4.2.9 REAPPOINTMENTS TO HIGHER TITLE FOR PART-TIME FACULTY

Promotional procedures, including the above procedures, are not applicable to part-time employees, but they may, if they are reappointed, be reappointed to a higher title.

4.2.10 DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR PROGRAM

4.2.10.1 Eligibility

Faculty members whose qualifications meet or exceed the requirements for the rank of distinguished professor as set forth in Appendix I will be eligible for nomination.

4.2.10.2 Nomination for Promotion

An eligible faculty member may be nominated for promotion to the rank of distinguished professor by another member of the University community holding faculty rank within thirty days of the announcement by the President that a distinguished professor opportunity is available. Nominations are to be made to the department chairperson. Both the nominator and chairperson must notify the nominee in writing within three (3) working days of his or her nomination. The nominated candidate must indicate in writing to the chairperson within five (5) working days of notification whether or not he or she wishes to be considered.