Dossier Preparation Workshop
Role of the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Presenter: Ed Herman, Appointment, Promotion & Tenure Committee
January 6, 2006
Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Responsibilities
The Vice-Provost, Lucinda M. Finley, is responsible for faculty promotion and tenure review. The Libraries forward PRB-going dossiers to Professor Finley with a courtesy copy to the Chief Information Officer. The Vice-Provost also deals with:
- Faculty policies.
- Faculty retention services.
- Recruitment of under-represented faculty.
- Professional development of faculty.
- Special faculty hiring initiatives.
- Faculty awards and recognition programs.
Promotion and Tenure Guiding Principles: A Statement from the President and Provost
The Promotion and Tenure Guiding Principles hopes to clarify the promotion and tenure process. Key features faculty must consider include:
- The impact of their work. "The quality and impact of the candidate's research, scholarship or creative activities at the time of promotion is critical..."
- Letters from Unit Heads, the Associate Vice-President for University Libraries, and outside evaluators should explain what the candidate does and how this impacts the field.
- The greatest weight is given to letters from external evaluators employed by AAU institutions.
These individuals should be comparable to full professors or should have achieved the highest
librarian rank at their respective institutions. The evaluator should answer the questions: "Would
this person be promoted at my institution?"
The Unit Head's letter should explain why the external evaluators were selected and their contributions to the field. The PRB, the Provost, and the President want to know why these people are qualified to review the candidate's work. This explanation become especially important when the most appropriate candidate's are not from AAU institutions. - Promotion and tenure is based upon achievement and the "promise to continue to achieve."
- Qualified Lines: The President and the Provost believe it is appropriate to place faculty on
qualified lines (visiting lines) in three instances. Placement on a qualified line stops the
tenure clock.
1. Medical issues.
2. Maternity leave.
3. Special circumstances, such as "catastrophic destruction of data sets, destruction of laboratory equipment, other extreme circumstances that are beyond the control of the faculty member."
The President and Provost do not look upon extending the tenure clock favorably for other reasons because they perceive it as giving selected individuals an unfair advantage.
Other Key Documents on the Vice-Provost's Web Site
- Academic Freedom Policy
- Appointment, Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Policies
Presents an overview of affirmative action guidelines and procedures, and excerpts from the Faculty/Staff Handbook dealing with academic policies. See also the: - Office of Equity, Diversity and Affirmative Action
- UB Diversity Committee
- Faculty/Staff Handbook
- President's Review Board (PRB)
Describes the administration of PRB, lists its members, cites deadlines, and summarizes the do's and don'ts of submitting dossiers. - Responsible Conduct In Intellectual And Creative Activity
Summarizes the rules for academic integrity and honesty, and procedures for investigating alleged misconduct.
Tips for Candidates
- Research statement: Be certain to describe the impact of your work, and how you expect to build upon your achievements. Remember, the University is interested in both achievement and the "promise to continue to achieve." Do not be modest.
- Be proactive in the relevant professional associations: Volunteer for committees and other noteworthy activities. Forward copies of papers to leading people in the field for their comments. Do whatever necessary to make your name known.
Article 33
Article 33 of the United University Professions contract sets forth procedures for challenging tenure denials.
Very important:
- Faculty must inform UUP that tenure was denied. The Union has no other way of knowing.
Faculty have a 10 day deadline to initiate proceedings following receipt of their letter from the President.
Content provider: Ed Herman
Comments: lib-staffweb@buffalo.edu
Last update:
24 January, 2007