Nov 09, 2024  
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook

SECTION 5: PROCEDURES FOR TENURE



The FPC conducts the tenure review. Normally, this is in the sixth year of full-time service unless specified otherwise in the faculty member’s contract.

The file created for tenure described in this section is open to the candidate, the members of the FPC, the chair of the department, the division head, the academic dean, the president of the college, and the board of trustees. The documents submitted for the files are the property of the college.

5.0.0 Procedures for Tenure Review

5.1.0 Timing and Procedures

5.1.1 The Semester Before the Review

(revised 05/20/2022 board meeting)

  1. The chair of the FPC meets with all candidates and outlines the process.
  2. Department Chairs brief the candidate on the expectations for the self-evaluation.
  3. Candidates solicit letters from two tenured colleagues from the College.
  4. Candidates provide the Academic Dean with the names of five tenured faculty members in the same discipline from other institutions as candidates for the outside evaluator.

5.1.1.1 The Semester of the Tenure Review

(revised 05/20/2022 board meeting)

  1. A file is created in the Academic Dean’s office. As part of all regular reviews, the chair of FPC will announce the review. Letters from the Simpson community should address the criteria for reappointment, promotion and tenure as stated in Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part II: Personnel Policies, Section 7 . (See Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part VII: Appendix B  for details regarding the guidelines.) The FPC chair also announces the deadline for the closing of the file.
  2. The file will contain all materials related to the process, including:
    • General supporting materials
      • the candidate’s current vita,
      • the candidate’s current syllabi,
      • a self-evaluation, 8 - 10 pages long,
      • student evaluations,
      • one or two artifacts that demonstrate achievement in professional development and scholarship,
      • other letters submitted (not required or solicited)
    • Letters from Simpson faculty
      • two letters requested from tenured faculty colleagues,
      • Letters from the department chair, the division head, and each tenured member of the department.
    • Letters from off-campus,
      • a report from an off-campus faculty member within the discipline who has evaluated the candidate on campus, or virtually, if necessary. (For details on outside evaluator report, see Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part VII: Appendix F for guidelines.),
      • the candidate has the option to include up to two additional letters of support requested from off-campus colleagues within the discipline.
  3. The department chair, the division head and each tenured faculty member in the department is expected to write a letter for the file. Letters should speak to the criteria for promotion listed in Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part II: Personnel Policies, Section 7.
  4. Two members of the FPC visit the candidate’s classes and interview the candidate.
  5. Upon the closing of the file, the FPC meets with the candidate.
  6. The FPC bases its decision on the information collected for the review and the materials contained in the file. FPC may request additional information.
  7. The FPC makes a recommendation to the academic dean. The academic dean makes a recommendation to the president of the college, who makes a recommendation to the board of trustees, who make the decision.
  8. The academic dean shares the decisions of the FPC, the dean, the president, and the board of trustees with the faculty member in a personal meeting and writes a concluding statement for the candidate’s personnel file. The concluding statement is shared with the candidate and with the FPC.
  9. A decision against tenure will be reviewed by the Faculty Personnel Committee upon the written request of the faculty member. The request must be sent to the chair of the FPC within 30 days of the faculty member receiving the negative reappointment decision.