A&S Initial Hire of Faculty at the Associate Professor or Professor Ranks

Policy for the Initial Hire of Faculty at the Associate Professor or Professor Ranks in the College of Arts & Sciences, 2009-10

The intent of this policy is to articulate the conditions under which the College of Arts & Sciences will make an initial appointment of a group I faculty member at the associate professor or professor rank. Such appointments may be considered for individuals previously holding such ranks at peer institutions, individuals with extensive non-academic experience, or candidates for administrative positions.

A. Rank of Associate Professor or Professor

Faculty members will normally be considered for appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor only when search materials, in particular advertisements, indicate that such appointment is possible. Faculty appointed with an initial rank higher than assistant professor must have appropriate qualifications and prior experience. The department must agree to the appointment through its normal procedures. In addition, faculty members holding like rank or higher in the department must approve the decision to hire at the suggested rank. Criteria for hiring at a higher rank may include, but are not limited to:

1. Prior attainment of rank at another institution;
2. Extensive, relevant non-academic experience;
3. Appointment to an administrative position.

B. Probationary Periods

The time period of probationary service prior to the granting of continuous tenure cannot exceed seven years except under conditions laid out in the Faculty Handbook, Section II.D.2.

Periods of probationary service shorter than seven years must be negotiated in writing between the department and college prior to the initial appointment. Four years is the minimum probationary period that will be considered. Criteria for extending an offer for less than a seven-year probationary time period may include, but are not limited to:

1. Credit to tenure earned in a previous academic appointment;
2. Prior attainment of tenure (or its equivalent) at a peer institution.
3. Potential for continued development in teaching, scholarship, and outreach at Ohio University.

C. Hire with Tenure

The tenured faculty members in the department must approve the recommendation to offer an appointment with tenure. Further, the Dean, Provost, and President of Ohio University must approve such an offer of tenure. Criteria for hiring with tenure may include, but are not limited to:

1. Prior attainment of tenure (or its equivalent) at another institution;
2. Appointment to an administrative position.