Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Consideration for Tenure-Track Faculty
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Reappointment Policy
Initial appointments to the Faculty in the Department are normally made at the Assistant Professor level. To be hired as an Assistant Professor, a candidate must have a Ph.D. in psychology. If the person hired is in the process of completing the degree after beginning an appointment at KSU, he/she must complete all requirements for the doctoral degree by January 15 of his/her first academic year at KSU or the contract will not be renewed. That is, the Faculty member would not be recommended for 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). Each academic year, reappointment guidelines for Kent and Regional Campus faculty are distributed by the Office of the Provost. Probationary Faculty members are reviewed by the Department’s Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure Committee (See Section III of this Handbook). This committee, in consultation with the Chair, will assign two Faculty members to visit the classes of probationary Faculty, interview students, and generally evaluate teaching, research and service accomplishments. A report will be submitted to the Chair for distribution to the Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure Committee. Probationary Faculty will also submit a current vita and other supporting materials to the Chair for review by the Promotion and Tenure Committee. Each probationary Faculty member will be discussed by the Promotion and Tenure Committee and a vote on reappointment will be taken. The Chair will independently assess the accomplishments of each probationary Faculty member and, after considering the views of the Promotion and Tenure Committee, will make a recommendation to the Dean regarding reappointment. The Chair is responsible for providing each probationary Faculty member with feedback regarding his/her performance.
For probationary Faculty, reappointment is contingent upon demonstration of adequate progress toward the requirements for tenure. Specific concerns expressed by the Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure Committee and/or the Chair should be addressed by the candidate in subsequent reappointment reviews. Finally, the overall evaluation of a candidate for reappointment must include consideration of the Faculty member's personal integrity and professional behavior as recognized by the University community. A sound ethical approach to all aspects of teaching, research, publication, and the academic profession is expected of all who seek reappointment in the Department. A candidate who fails to demonstrate likely success in the tenure process will be notified promptly that she/he will not be reappointed.
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).
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Tenure and Promotion Policy - Department of Psychological Sciences
Tenure and Promotion policies for Kent State University are described in Chapter 6 of the University Policy Register. There are three general categories considered for tenure and promotion: (a) Research, (b) Teaching, and (c) University Citizenship. The University Policy describes the criteria for assessing the quality of scholarship and citizenship in general terms but individual departments articulate the relative weight given to each category and the specific criteria to be considered by the department's Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure Committee. This document provides information only on the Department’s particular manner of specifying the criteria for tenure and promotion.
The same general criteria are applied in evaluating candidates for tenure and promotion. In addition, the general criteria applicable to promotion to Associate Professor and Professor are the same for both ranks, although they are weighted somewhat differently. The major difference is that full Professors are expected to meet promotion requirements at a substantially higher level. Additionally, for promotion to Professor, emphasis is placed on scholarly accomplishments since the candidate’s promotion to Associate Professor. As will be seen, research accomplishments are essential for tenure and promotion for all Faculty. A description of the three areas considered in assessing a Faculty member for tenure and promotion follow.
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Research
The Department puts the highest value on research in evaluating candidates. This policy is consistent with our belief that a University must be a place that generates knowledge, rather than merely a place that disseminates a product. We believe that active involvement in research enhances the quality of information presented in the teaching context. In addition, research provides a valuable contribution to public needs and promotes the visibility of Kent State University. No Faculty member in Psychological Sciences should expect to be tenured or promoted if he/she is seriously deficient in the broad area of research. All candidates are expected to publish empirical research in refereed journals. Integrative review papers that appear in journals such as Psychological Bulletin and the American Psychologist are also highly valued. The Department has long recognized the importance of applied research and, at least in psychology, the best applied research is theoretically driven and can be published in appropriate refereed journals.
In evaluating the credentials of a candidate in the area of research, the Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure Committee considers the following factors (see Table V.1):
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Publications
The quality, quantity, and rate of publication of peer-reviewed journal articles, including empirical articles and theoretical and review articles, are important considerations in arriving at a decision to tenure and/or promote. It is the Department’s expectation that the candidate’s scholarly record will include a significant body of empirical research. Although quantity can be evaluated rather simply, the judgment of quality is more complex and involves a number of factors. Only work accomplished since the Faculty member was appointed to the faculty at Kent State University is counted, unless explicit credit is given for previous academic or research experience. Only publications or “in press” material are counted; items that are under review or in preparation are considered but given very little weight.
In general, the highest value is given to empirical articles in referred journals. An integrated series of studies in a single article is more valued than piece-meal publication of single empirical studies. Theoretical and review papers in peer-reviewed, prestigious journals are highly valued but candidates for tenure should also have articles reporting empirical research. Obviously, publications in journals having stringent reviewing policies are more valued than publications in journals that are less rigorous in their editorial control. The contribution made by publishing a book is judged, in general, on the level of the book. For example, professional books that make original contributions are considered more valuable than undergraduate textbooks. Convention papers are encouraged, but because of their relatively narrow range of dissemination and sometimes superficial reviewing policies, they represent a more nominal level of research accomplishment. Unpublished research reports or technical reports that are distributed locally or informally are not considered to be "publications." In evaluating research activity, degree of contribution, not just authorship, will be considered. Candidates need to specify the degree and nature of their contribution to co-authored publications. For research activity that was begun before but finished after his/her appointment at Kent State, the amount of work completed since appointment also should be specified. Since it is difficult to specify typical criteria for tenure and promotion, consultation with senior colleagues may be helpful.
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Research-related grants
The ability of a researcher to support his/her own research program with external funding is a factor that reflects favorably on a candidate's research credentials. Candidates who have grants that are not funded but have a positive evaluation from competent peer judgment can present that evaluation as a credential that works in favor of tenure and promotion. Evidence of sustained attempts to obtain research grants is essential for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor and for promotion to Professor. Obtaining external funding to support a Faculty member's research adds considerably to the case for tenure and promotion, particularly for promotion to Professor. A very significant factor in assessing research accomplishment of Kent campus Faculty is a consistent pattern of submitting grant proposals and even more significance is associated with essentially continuous external support.
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Professional activity
Faculty members in Psychological Sciences are expected to be active participants in the profession of psychology. Some evidence of outside professional activity is necessary for tenure and/or promotion. Examples of such activity would be reviewing for journals, attending professional meetings regularly, holding office in a professional organization, serving on professional committees, etc.
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Reputation
A person's scholarly reputation is a reflection of the quality, extent, and creativity of his/her research output and is, therefore, an issue that is carefully evaluated. To receive a positive recommendation for tenure and/or promotion, a candidate must provide evidence that his/her work has provided an impact on the discipline of psychology. Although international eminence is not required for tenure and/or promotion, it is true that a measure of scholarly reputation is needed. Indeed, a particularly outstanding reputation in research can serve as an overwhelming mandate for tenure and/or promotion. Reputation is typically evaluated by letters from investigators in the candidate's area of expertise, number of citations of his/her research, invited colloquia, book chapters, and special honors of any type, including editorships of journals.
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Teaching
Quality of teaching is a very important consideration in evaluating a Faculty member. Research on teaching can also be included in this area. No one should expect to be recommended for tenure and/or promotion unless he/she can present solid evidence of good teaching. Poor teaching can be a basis for denying tenure and/or promotion of a Faculty member who might otherwise exceed the criteria for tenure and/or promotion. Teaching excellence is a concept that covers a variety of areas, described below (see also Table V.1):
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Classroom instruction
Performance of the Faculty member in the classroom is an important part of teaching evaluation and includes such characteristics as coherence, interest-level, organization, etc. The quality of course content is also critically important.
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University Citizenship
This category includes service activities not necessarily tied to one’s special field of knowledge which make significant contributions to the advancement of the educational, scholarly, and governance goals and missions of the university, college, campus, or unit. Faculty members are expected to serve on Departmental, Collegial, and University committees as part of their ordinary responsibilities. [Regional Campus Faculty are expected to serve on committees at their Regional Campus and, when elected or appointed, on those in the Regional Campus System.] It is also desirable for Faculty to make use of their professional competence in service to the community. When such University and public service is truly exceptional it can contribute toward tenure and/or promotion. Service can be provided in a variety of ways, such as chairing committees, consulting, etc.
Service will be evaluated using methods similar to those used in assessing teaching or research activity. For example, letters of recommendation and explanation from people from whom the individual has provided service will be obtained as practical. Thus, both quantity and quality of the person's service contribution will be carefully and thoroughly evaluated.
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Quality of contribution
Holding a position in the University or as a consultant is not, by itself, a particularly strong credential toward promotion. The candidate should also provide evidence bearing on the quality and extent of the contributions that have been made. Examples of excellence in service-related activities would be recognition by professional groups such as ABEPP, awarding of Diplomate Status, etc.
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Service-related grants
Just as research grants reflect on a candidate's scholarly quality, so do service type grants reflect on a candidate's performance. Within the service category, a higher rating is given to service-related grants that are awarded in a competitive context and are based upon competent peer judgment.
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Expectations
A Kent Campus Faculty member must meet expectations in all three areas (research, teaching, and service) to receive a positive recommendation for tenure and promotion to Associate or Full Professor (see Table V.1). For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, the quality and number of publications, and grant activity in the form of grant applications and external grant support, will be primary concerns. However, excellence in research cannot compensate for poor teaching or a lack of quality service; such a profile would not result in a positive recommendation.
Because tenure implies a life-time commitment to a Faculty member, the potential of the Faculty member to make a positive contribution to the discipline, Department, University, and community over the long term is carefully assessed. To that end, it is possible, in rare instances, that a Faculty member may not have the potential to be a positive influence in the Department, even though research and teaching accomplishments are adequate. In such cases, the detrimental influence of a Faculty member would be grounds to recommend against tenure.
As noted in the University Policy, promotion to Professor necessarily requires significant accomplishments in the area of research. In evaluating candidates for promotion to Professor, a substantial record of accomplishment in publications, grantsmanship and professional contributions are key considerations. However, greatest weight is placed on the Faculty member’s scholarly reputation in evaluating a candidate for promotion to Professor.
TABLE 1 Criteria for Tenure and Promotion of Kent Campus Faculty*
RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS[1]
[1] Exceptional performance in research may be justification for considering a candidate for early Promotion and Tenure.
Publications
Grants
Professional Activity
Reputation[1]
Exceptional
Substantial number of first authored publications in high quality journals since hire
PI on multiple
major grants
Typical examples
include editorships,
officer in professional organization(s)
Outstanding external letters, evidence of substantial
impact (e.g., citation counts,
high caliber publications,
special awards, editorships)
Meets
Expectations
Evidence of an independent program of research that is resulting in a clear record of empirical publications in
quality journals
PI or Co-PI on a funded major grant or sustained effort to obtain major extramural grants
Typical examples
include ad hoc journal reviews, presenting at meetings, serving on professional committees
Strong external letters, some evidence of impact/
recognition (e.g., citations, publication outlets and reviewing)
Insufficient
Sporadic publications; and/or lack of evidence of an independent program of research and/or lack of quality publications
Lack of sustained effort to obtain major extramural grants
No engagement in profession
Lackluster external letters, minimal impact
[1] Note that reputation is weighed much more heavily for promotion to Full than for Tenure and Promotion to Associate
Professor.
TEACHING EXPECTATIONS
Classroom Instruction
Student Supervision [1]
Exceptional
Evidence of outstanding teaching (based on peer reviews from Ad Hoc P&T committee and student evaluations); teaching awards
Exceptional mentorship as evidenced by productive graduate students (excellent progress, publications) and enthusiastic evaluations by supervisees
Meets
Expectations
Solid evidence of good teaching (based on peer reviews from Ad Hoc P&T committee and student evaluations)
Has attracted graduate students to lab, evidence of active and effective research and/or Clinical Psychology supervision as evidenced by student progress and supervisee evaluations
Insufficient
Consistent evidence of poor teaching performance
Consistent evidence of poor quality mentorship and/or supervision
[1] For faculty who participate in practicum supervision, their performance in clinical supervision is also considered here.
*For a complete description of criteria, please see Tenure and Promotion Policy.
CITIZENSHIP EXPECTATIONS
Service
Exceptional
Extensive, high-quality service; leadership roles, outreach activities
Meets Expectations
Consistent and responsible service on departmental and/or University committees
Insufficient
Minimal and/or low quality service
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Regional Campus Faculty
The criteria for reappointment, tenure, and promotion outlined on pp. 1-9 of this document apply to Kent Campus Faculty. Below is a summary of how these criteria are modified for faculty at the Regional Campuses (see also Table V.2).
University Policy regarding Faculty tenure states that criteria which are appropriate to a particular unit shall be formulated by that unit in light of college (if applicable) and University standards and guidelines, the mission of the unit, and the demands and academic standards of the discipline. (See UPR 6-14, B2). Accordingly, given the different mission of the Regional Campus System, meritorious performance in teaching and service is a major factor in considering Regional Campus Faculty for tenure and promotion. Supervision of students in research, although laudatory, is not a requirement for Regional Campus Faculty, given the more limited opportunities for this activity. Nevertheless, student supervision that results in conference presentations can also enhance a Faculty member’s teaching credentials.
As for Kent Campus Faculty, a threshold of research accomplishment must be met for a positive recommendation on tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. For Regional Campus Faculty, research expectations are less in terms of quantity of scholarly output, but maintain an emphasis on quality. Quality publications are articles published in nationally (or internationally) recognized journals that have objective metrics of scientific merit (e.g., that are indexed in Psych Info). Evidence of continued professional growth, (through, for example, research presentations at regional, national or international disciplinary conferences such as MPA, APA, or APS) must be present if a Faculty member is to be recommended for tenure and promotion. A clear expectation is a program of research that culminates in peer reviewed empirical journal articles. Unlike Kent Campus Faculty, Regional Campus Faculty are not expected to seek external funding for their research, nor is scholarly reputation a major consideration for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. However, grant activity and evidence of scholarly reputation are credentials that can further bolster the case for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, assuming that all other criteria for tenure and promotion have been met (see Table V.2).
As noted in the University Policy, promotion to Professor necessarily requires significant accomplishments in the area of research following promotion to Associate Professor. In addition, as indicated on p. 3 of this policy, full Professors are expected to meet promotion requirements at a higher level than Associate Professors. In evaluating Regional Campus candidates for promotion to Professor, a substantial record of quality publications in nationally (or internationally) recognized journals, evidence of continued professional growth since promotion to Associate Professor, and some evidence of scholarly reputation (see p. 5) are all key considerations. Unlike Kent Campus Faculty, Regional Campus Faculty are not expected to seek external funding for their research. However, grant activity is a credential that can further bolster the case for promotion to Professor, assuming that all other criteria for promotion have been met. (see Table V.2).
TABLE V.2 Criteria for Tenure and Promotion of Regional Campus Faculty
RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS
Publications
Professional Activity
Reputation
Meets Expectations
A program of research that results in quality publications in empirical, peer-reviewed journals
Typical examples include presenting at meetings and ad hoc journal reviews
Solid external letters;
For promotion to full must also
have : some evidence of impact /recognition (e.g., citations, publication outlets, reviewing)
Insufficient
Too few quality publications or no evidence of a program of research
No engagement in profession
Lackluster external letters;
For promotion to full: minimal impact
TEACHING EXPECTATIONS
Classroom Instruction
Meets Expectations
Solid evidence of high quality teaching (based on peer reviews from Ad Hoc P&T committee and student evaluations)
Insufficient
Consistent evidence of mediocre teaching performance
CITIZENSHIP EXPECTATIONS
Service
Meets Expectations
Consistent and responsible service on departmental and/or University committees
Insufficient
Minimal and/or low quality service