Reappointment

The policies and procedures for reappointment are included in the University policy and procedures regarding Faculty reappointment (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-16).  In reviewing the terms and conditions of reappointment, tenure, and promotion, these policies should be consulted.  Each academic year, reappointment guidelines for Kent and Regional Campus Faculty are distributed by the Office of the Provost.  Probationary tenure-track Faculty members are reviewed by the Department’s Ad Hoc RTP Committee (See, Section III of this Handbook).  The unit administrator will make copies of the guidelines, timetables and other information concerning reappointment reviews available to all probationary Faculty members no later than three weeks before the deadline for submission of materials, which is at the end of the first week of the semester.   The Chair, in consultation with the FAC, assigns Faculty members to evaluate the classes of each probationary Faculty member’s teaching performance.   A written report of the evaluation is submitted to the Chair for placement in the Faculty member’s reappointment file. 

Each probationary Faculty member is discussed by the RTP committee which then votes on the Faculty member’s reappointment. Members of the RTP committee must vote one of three alternatives, ‘yes,’ ‘yes, with reservations,’ or ‘no.’ A simple majority of the reappointment committee members will constitute an endorsement to the unit administrator for reappointment.  A vote of ‘yes with reservations’ counts as a positive vote to reappoint the probationary Faculty member, but it should be considered by the candidate to indicate an expression of concern regarding progress.  Upon reappointment, the candidate is encouraged to take note of the written comments associated with any “yes, with reservations” and /or “no” votes and should address these concerns in the next years’ review.

The Chair independently assesses the accomplishments of each probationary Faculty member and forwards her/his recommendation and the committee's recommendation to the Dean.  The Chair informs probationary Faculty of the committee's recommendation and provides a copy of her/his recommendation to the Dean.  Probationary Faculty members who are not to be reappointed must be notified according to the schedule established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  For Faculty members whose appointment is in the Regional Campuses, recommendations on reappointment from the Chair are forwarded to the Dean and the appropriate Regional Campus Dean.

In the event that concerns about a candidate’s performance are raised during the reappointment process, the Ad Hoc RTP Committee and the Chair shall provide detailed, prescriptive comments to serve as constructive feedback.  The Chair, in consultation with the FAC, will advise and work with the candidate on a suitable, positive plan for realignment with the Department’s tenure and promotion expectations; however, the candidate is solely responsible for her/his success in implementing this plan.  For Faculty members following the traditional tenure clock for Assistant Professors, the review after completion of three (3) full years in the probationary period at Kent State University is particularly critical.  The review will give candidates specific feedback on their progress toward tenure and that message is both instructive and evaluative.”

From time to time, personal and/or family circumstances may arise that require an untenured Faculty member to need to request that her/his probationary period be extended.  Upon request, a Faculty member may be granted an extension of the probationary period which has been traditionally called “tolling” or “stopping the tenure clock.”  The University policy and procedures governing modification of the Faculty probationary period is included in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-13)