(a) Maximum Number of Years of Probationary Service at UT Austin
Cases considered during the sixth year of probationary service at UT Austin are considered on-time reviews.
- These cases are also considered mandatory tenure reviews (“up-or-out”).
- These cases are also considered mandatory tenure reviews (“up-or-out”).
(b) Elected Combined Service at UT Austin and Other Institutions for Tenure-Track Assistant Professors
Candidates who were appointed as a tenure-track assistant professor (or equivalent rank) at one or more other institutions immediately prior to their appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor at UT Austin may elect to combine their years of probationary service at UT Austin with up to three full years of service at the other institution(s) to satisfy the requirements for on-time promotion.
In addition, the candidate must satisfy the following:
The candidate must inform their department chair (if applicable), dean’s office, and the Provost’s Office that they have elected to be considered under the combined service option no later than February 1 in the year immediately preceding the review.
- In exceptional circumstances, the candidate may request an extension to this deadline from the Provost’s Office.
- The candidate’s record of combined service will be evaluated using the same expectations as if the candidate had completed six years of probationary service at UT Austin, and the case is considered a mandatory review (“up-or-out”).
- In exceptional circumstances, the candidate may request an extension to this deadline from the Provost’s Office.
(c) Expectations for On-Time Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
The granting of tenure has long-lasting consequences of great magnitude to the University and must be considered carefully.
Promotion to the rank of tenured associate professor should be awarded only when the candidate has demonstrated clear evidence of the following:
- Impact, distinction, and continuing potential in research, scholarship, and/or creative endeavors; teaching; mentoring; service to the University and professional public service; and external
recognition of accomplishments - A strong and reliable record of excellence in research, scholarship, and/or creative endeavors that predicts a continuing trajectory of impactful contributions throughout an extended career at UTAustin
- Research funding, in accordance with discipline norms, that predicts a sustainable trajectory of continued research excellence and financial support for students supervised by the candidate
Awarding tenure must be in the best interest of the department, college/school, and University.
- Impact, distinction, and continuing potential in research, scholarship, and/or creative endeavors; teaching; mentoring; service to the University and professional public service; and external
(d) Recommendation and Decision Options for Mandatory Tenure Review
At each level of review defined in Section A.2, recommendations and the final decision options for mandatory tenure review of tenure-track assistant professors include:
(1) “promote to associate professor with tenure” or
(2) “terminal appointment.”