Obtaining tenure arduous but valuable
UP professors speak about the ups and downs of the tenure process
Melissa Nip
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Living
During the third year, the professor compiles a binder containing an academic resume, letters of evaluation from the dean, department chair and other faculty members, a self- evaluation, summary of all student evaluations, all course syllabi, and reprints of publications or scholarly articles.
"The professor gets a good sense of whether or not he or she has a good chance of tenure or if they need to strengthen their resume," Foreign Language Chair Kathleen Regan said.
First, the professor's application is evaluated by the Rank and Tenure Committee, a group of appointed faculty members. Then, it goes to Provost Br. Donald Stabrowski, C.S.C., who forwards it to UP's president, the Rev. E.William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
According to the UP Faculty Handbook, there are four components evaluated in a tenure application: teaching, scholarship, service and personal attributes, which are described as "those qualities of character and personality that allow faculty members to contribute to the objectives of the university."
The teaching category is partly measured by what students have to say in course evaluations.
"If you're a good teacher, you will get a good evaluation," Regan said.
Scholarship refers to scholarly articles the professor has published, peer review from other institutions and whether the professor is involved in research projects or studies.
"Publish or perish," English professor John Orr said. "Being scholarly active is the total package."
Service is also important in the application process, and determines whether the applicant fits into the community.
"Does the professor contribute to UP?" Regan said. "They need to go the extra yard by having study sessions and giving advice to students."
During the fifth year of teaching, on April 1, the professor receives notification from the provost that he or she is scheduled for tenure review.
The professor has to compile another binder with the same components as the third year binder, in addition to a 10-20 page narrative on the professor's history of teaching, scholarship and service. Professors typically turn in a total of three thick binders.
"The professor gets a good sense of whether or not he or she has a good chance of tenure or if they need to strengthen their resume," Foreign Language Chair Kathleen Regan said.
First, the professor's application is evaluated by the Rank and Tenure Committee, a group of appointed faculty members. Then, it goes to Provost Br. Donald Stabrowski, C.S.C., who forwards it to UP's president, the Rev. E.William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
According to the UP Faculty Handbook, there are four components evaluated in a tenure application: teaching, scholarship, service and personal attributes, which are described as "those qualities of character and personality that allow faculty members to contribute to the objectives of the university."
The teaching category is partly measured by what students have to say in course evaluations.
"If you're a good teacher, you will get a good evaluation," Regan said.
Scholarship refers to scholarly articles the professor has published, peer review from other institutions and whether the professor is involved in research projects or studies.
"Publish or perish," English professor John Orr said. "Being scholarly active is the total package."
Service is also important in the application process, and determines whether the applicant fits into the community.
"Does the professor contribute to UP?" Regan said. "They need to go the extra yard by having study sessions and giving advice to students."
During the fifth year of teaching, on April 1, the professor receives notification from the provost that he or she is scheduled for tenure review.
The professor has to compile another binder with the same components as the third year binder, in addition to a 10-20 page narrative on the professor's history of teaching, scholarship and service. Professors typically turn in a total of three thick binders.
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