Mid-Point (Third-Year) Review of Tenure-Track Faculty

Also known as Mid-Point Probationary Review

See EVPP: Mid-Probationary Review for Tenure-Track Faculty.

As a regular part of the annual review and evaluation process for all faculty, every fall the department Budget Councils or Executive Committees will provide written feedback through the Department Chair to each Assistant Professor regarding their performance in teaching, research, advising and student services, committee and public service, and other categories. In some departments, the Chair holds a conference with each Assistant Professor to review strengths and weaknesses, progress toward promotion and tenure, and areas of needed improvement.

During the spring semester of the third year of appointment, a more comprehensive review of each Assistant Professor is conducted. The College policy grants departments considerable flexibility, but ensures that all Assistant Professors receive a formal evaluation near the midpoint of the probationary period. The review covers the criteria that are typically considered in the promotion process. The department Budget Council or Executive Committee, sometimes initially through appointed faculty subcommittees, review the Assistant Professor’s vita; annual reports; teaching evaluations, including peer evaluations of teaching; advising and student services; scholarly progress; community, university, and professional service; and recognitions. The review, which addresses the accomplishments of the Assistant Professor in the areas of research, teaching and service, is intended to be consultative and corrective. In some departments, the chair drafts a written report based on the evaluation of the Budget Council or Executive Committee. In other departments, the Budget Council or Executive Committee or an appointed subcommittee drafts the report for review and revision by the entire Budget Council or Executive Committee.

In all cases, the Department Chair provides a copy of the report and holds a conference with the Assistant Professor to give an assessment of progress on each of the criteria for promotion and tenure. The chair also advises the Assistant Professor on areas that need improvement before the formal promotion/tenure review. If progress is satisfactory in the criteria areas, the Assistant Professor is advised to continue the progress.

The report is maintained in department personnel files and a copy is sent to the Dean’s Office, and later included in the Assistant Professor's dossier for Promotion and Tenure.

Timeline - Mid-Point Probationary Review

The Mid-Point Probationary Review is typically conducted in the spring semester of the third year of appointment as Assistant Professor, but can be in their fifth through seventh semester. If an Assistant Professor is approved for a probationary period extension before their third year in rank, the Mid-Point Probationary Review can be deferred for a semester or year.

Example: A faculty member hired in fall of 2020 would have their Mid-Point Probationary Review conducted during the 2022-23 academic year.

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