Retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines
Expectations are campus specific
Expectations for tenure are clearly outlined in the tenure documents available online for most campuses. They vary greatly from campus to campus, depending upon the type of institution, the age of the institution, the relative weight of research, teaching, and service expected of faculty, etc. Even colleges and departments across a campus may have different expectations. There are, however, some basic expectations that run across most institutions.
Know the expectations
Read the tenure guidelines before applying to an institution. This knowledge will clarify what to expect in order to move through the faculty ranks and achieve tenure, and help you determine which type of institution will be a match with your goals, achievements and expectations.
Use tenure guidelines to frame your work
Since time is in short supply for new faculty members, and there are many opportunities available, it is critically important that you focus in on work that will help you achieve tenure. With the tenure guidelines as a focus, strategically decide which committees to serve on, or whether to say no, which grants to apply for, or whether to seek collaborators, and which programs to teach in, and the number of new courses to teach. Each of these activities will take large amounts of time, and it is your responsibility to manage your time effectively to achieve in each of the three areas of faculty life, teaching, research and service. No matter how hard you work, if you neglect an area, you will have a very difficult time achieving tenure.
Example Policies and Procedures
Retention, Promotion, and Tenure Guidelines, Procedures, and Criteria
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Policies at CSULA
California State University Los Angeles
This web site provides clear guidelines and expectations for tenure.
Working Personnel Action File (WPAF) Guidelines
San Diego State University
Appointment and Advancement of Assistant Professors
University of California Los Angeles
This Academic Personnel Publication outlines the expectations for assistant professors.
The Professoriate
Stanford University
This chapter of a faculty handbook for the Stanford medical center outlines definitions and expectations for faculty.
Tenure and Promotion Information
University of Florida
These tenure and promotion guidelines are listed on the Provost’s website.
