Promotion and/or Tenure

Committee members may provide assistance to faculty members seeking promotion and/or tenure. If requested by the candidate, the Committee will review a draft of the candidate's dossier and provide feedback regarding the completeness and organization of materials. In cases of promotion post-tenure, the Committee, upon request by the candidate, can choose to review informally the candidate's vitae and discuss the actual and anticipated contents of the dossier prior to the faculty member's formal request for consideration of promotion.

Tenure

To qualify for tenure a faculty member must have the necessary rank and meet the criteria established for tenure at the candidate's current rank, and possess an earned doctorate or terminal degree obtained within the timeframe specified in the candidate's offer letter. A faculty member should also meet the criteria as outlined for teaching, research, and creative activity, and professional, institutional, and community service. In addition, candidates are expected to exhibit collegiality, demonstrate the promise of continuing exemplary contributions as a University citizen, be dedicated to continued excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity, and continue professional, institutional, and public service. According to the Faculty Handbook II.C. 7. a-d:

"Tenure is awarded to those individuals whose records indicate that they are likely to continue to make significant positive contributions to the academic life of the University throughout their professional careers."

On or before the last day of the Spring Semester, a letter of intent must be submitted to the P&T Committee indicating the candidate's intention to submit materials seeking tenure.

Promotion

On or before the last day of the Spring Semester, a letter of intent must be submitted to the P&T Committee indicating the candidate's intention to submit materials seeking promotion.

Early Promotion and/or Tenure

A recommendation for early promotion is possible, but such a recommendation requires a case be made for a candidate’s exceptionality. Early promotion occurs when a candidate initiates promotion prior to the expected timelines identified in the Faculty Handbook or documented in the letter of appointment. In such cases, candidates are advised to conduct preliminary discussions with the School P&T Committee, the AHSW School Director, and the CHSP Dean prior to seeking early promotion. An explicit explanation of exceptionality must be included in the dossier. Candidates who are not successful in early promotion or promotion with tenure can reapply in their penultimate year of the probationary period. Exceptionality means above average in terms of quality, quantity, and impact of work in at least one of the workload categories. Some examples of exceptionality:

  • Research/scholarship: major external grant award; publication of a peer-reviewed book; award for research from a professional organization or university.
  • Teaching: development of new curriculum; teaching or mentoring award; innovative teaching approaches. 
  • Service: significant service that contributes to creating new partnerships; award for service contributions or leadership roles in the university or professional organizations

Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Promotion from the rank of Assistant Professor to Associate Professor requires: 

  • Earned doctorate.
  • A minimum of three years full-time in the rank of Assistant Professor at Ohio University.
  • In rare instances when a faculty member has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and upon agreement of the School Director and Dean, it will be possible for a faculty member with fewer than five years at Ohio University to be considered for Associate Professor.
  • Meets the criteria as outlined for teaching, research, creative activity, and professional, institutional, and public service.
  • In addition, candidates are expected to exhibit collegiality, demonstrate the promise of continuing exemplary contributions as a University citizen, and be dedicated to continued excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity, and professional, institutional, and public service.
  • Notation: Should a faculty member request to be hired at the rank of associate professor, the P&T committee will evaluate the candidate for consideration of hiring with tenure.

Associate Professor to Professor

Promotion from the rank of Associate Professor to Professor requires:

  • A minimum of five years in full-time rank of Associate Professor at Ohio University. In rare instances when a faculty member has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and upon agreement of the School Director and Dean, it will be possible for a faculty member with fewer than five years at Ohio University to be considered for Professor.
  • Meets the criteria as outlined for teaching, research, creative activity, and professional, institutional, and public service.
  • In addition, candidates are expected to exhibit collegiality, demonstrate the promise of continuing exemplary contributions as a University citizen, and be dedicated to continued excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity, and professional, institutional, and public service.
  • Notation: Should a faculty request to be hired at the rank of full professor with tenure, the P&T committee will evaluate the candidate for consideration of hiring with tenure.