Criteria for Tenure and Promotion of TT faculty on the Kent Campus

In all cases, the Ad Hoc RTPC shall consider Faculty performance in research, teaching, and citizenship when making recommendations on tenure and promotion. The tables and text below are designed to facilitate assessment of performance of those candidates who are being evaluated for tenure and promotion.  During the probationary period, these tools should be used for developmental assistance and projection of future success in achieving tenure and promotion.

Minimum expectations for tenure or promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor for Kent campus Faculty members include

  • a substantial body of published research in top tier journals in the discipline and/or publication of significant research monographs, where
    • quality is valued more highly than mere quantity, and
    • papers of exceptional length, impact and quality are given particular consideration;
  • a national/international reputation in the discipline, with indicators including, but not limited to
    • external reviewers;
    • top tier journal editorship;
    • invitations to make presentations at high quality conferences;
  • a sustained record of applications for extramural funding;
  • a good teaching record; and
  • an adequate citizenship record.

Tables 2 (A and B), 3, and 4 provide quantitative guidelines for the assessment of a Faculty member’s performance and a rating scale for use in the evaluation of candidates.  In all cases, the quality of the candidate’s work is weighed more heavily than mere quantity.

For tenure or promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor, a Kent campus Faculty member must meet the criteria for a least a “very good” rating in research and in teaching, with at least a “good” rating in citizenship.

The Department has higher expectations of a candidate for promotion from Associate Professor to Professor than a candidate for promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor. In particular, the candidate’s reputation in and impact on the discipline are expected to be high.  The candidate must demonstrate full involvement in the graduate program, including successful direction of theses and/or dissertations. In addition to the expectation of a sustained record of applications for external funding, it is normally expected that the candidate will have achieved some success in obtaining grants. Nevertheless, it is recognized that opportunities for obtaining grants vary widely from one sub-discipline to another.

For promotion from Associate Professor to Professor, a Kent campus Faculty member must meet the criteria for an “excellent” rating in both research and teaching and a “very good” rating in citizenship.