SECTION 5: PROCEDURES FOR TENURE

• 5.0.0 Procedures for Tenure Review
• 5.1.0 Timing and Procedures
• 5.1.1 The Semester Before the Review

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 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 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 Polices  , Section 7.  (See Simpson College Faculty HandbookPart VII: Appendix A - D   Appendix B for details regarding the guidelines.)  FPC chair also announces the deadline for the closing of the file. 
2. The file will contain all materials related to the process, including:
   1. General supporting materials
      1. the candidate’s current vita, 
      2. the candidate’s current syllabi, 
      3. a self-evaluation, 8-10 pages long, 
      4. one or two artifacts that demonstrate achievement in professional development and scholarship, 
      5. other letters submitted (not required or solicited)
   2. Letters from Simpson faculty
      1. A letter from the department chair
      2. Three additional letters requested from tenured faculty colleagues.  At least one of these colleagues must be outside the department. 
   3. Letters from off-campus
      1. 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 A - D  : Appendix F for guidelines.), 
      2. the candidate has the option to include up to two additional letters of support request from off-campus colleagues within the discipline. 
   4. Letters should speak to the criteria for promotion listed in Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part II: Personnel Polices  : Personnel Policies, Section 7.
   5. Two members visit the candidate’s classes, offer to meet individually with each of the department’s full-time faculty non-letter writers, and interview the candidate. 
   6. Upon the closing of the file, FPC meets with the candidate. 
   7. A member of FPC drafts the formal letter and, after approval by the members of FPC, sends it to the Academic Dean for placement in the candidate’s personnel file.  The letter should state the committee’s recommendation regarding tenure and address the four criteria outlined in Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part II: Personnel Polices  : Personnel Policies, Section 7 on teaching, advising, professional development and service.  The letter should focus on the materials gained through the review process and found in the file.  FPC bases its decision on the information collected for the review and the materials contained in the file.  FPC may request additional information. 
   8. 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. 
   9. The academic dean shares the decisions of 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 FPC. 
   10. A decision against tenure will be reviewed by the Faculty Grievance Committee upon the written request of the faculty member.  The request must be sent to the chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee within 30 days of the faculty member receiving the negative reappointment decision.