H&S 2nd and 4th Year File Preparation Guidelines

Introduction

These second and fourth year file preparation guidelines intend to be consistent with college-wide “Procedures for File Preparation and Presentation for Tenure and Promotion,” and should help insure a measure of equity among the departments in H&S. Though departments can require additional materials as they deem appropriate for the second and fourth year reviews, the hope is that these guidelines, promulgated and approved by the Dean’s Office and H&S chairs, will provide a useful template for file preparation in the second and fourth years.

Second Year Review

4.12.6 Criteria for Major Formal Evaluations of Tenure-Eligible Faculty
(Faculty Handbook)
“In the second year evaluation, there must be evidence that the terminal degree or the professional equivalent will be completed by the end of the third year, unless otherwise specified in the original letter of appointment. Peer evaluations of teaching and of student statements must demonstrate the potential for making significant progress toward the attainment of teaching excellence by the fourth year.”

For the second year review the file should consist of a single three-inch binder provided by the candidate with labeled dividers and table of contents. (Student statements can be placed in a separate binder, if necessary.) The candidate will submit a statement on teaching indicating the candidate’s potential for making significant progress toward the attainment of teaching excellence by the fourth year. In addition to the statement on teaching, the candidate provides a current curriculum vita and evidence that the terminal degree has been completed unless otherwise specified in the original letter of appointment.

Though neither scholarship and/or appropriate creative/professional activity nor service is reviewed formally in the second year evaluation, in anticipation of the fourth year and tenure reviews it is recommended that candidates provide a statement addressing their scholarship/professional/creative activity. Service activity will be included in the vita.

Table of Contents for Second Year Review

A. Policies and Procedures for the Department and School

Materials for Review

1. Statement on Teaching. See above. Maximum length is five double-spaced pages.
2. Statement on Scholarship/Creative/Professional Activity (optional). See above. Maximum length: one page.
3. Curriculum Vita.
4. Internal Peer Evaluations.
   These evaluations are required and will follow school or department guidelines.
5. Student Statements from all semesters in the probationary period.
6. Additional material to document teaching as required by department.

Note: There is no solicitation of external evaluations for this review.

B. Recommendation by the Department. This performance review and favorable or unfavorable recommendation is based on a review of materials in the file. The basis and justification for the recommendation will be included. If there is a vote on the recommendation, the outcome of that vote, the date of action, and an indication of who participated in the vote will be included also.  Recommended length: not to exceed four double-spaced pages.

Fourth Year (or Mid-Point) Review

4.12.6 Criteria for Major Formal Evaluations of Tenure-Eligible Faculty
(Faculty Handbook)

“Under normal circumstances, the fourth year (or mid-point) evaluation must show:
(1) Significant progress toward the attainment of teaching excellence (based on peer evaluations of teaching and of student statements and other evidence as specified in approved procedures);
(2) Scholarship and/or appropriate professional activity in addition to that leading to the terminal degree;
(3) Service to the College and to the academic community.”

Context: Occurring only (approximately) one year before the faculty member’s tenure and promotion review, the fourth year evaluation includes criteria which begin to approximate the criteria for tenure and promotion to associate professor articulated in the college’s Faculty Handbook. Accordingly the fourth year (or mid-point) evaluation has higher expectations and a commensurately more extensive file.

Contents of the file contained in one or two binders. (Student statements can be placed in a separate binder, if necessary)

Table of Contents for Fourth Year Review

A. Policies and Procedures for the Department and School

Material for Review

1. Statement on Teaching, Scholarship, Service. This statement illustrates how the candidate meets the criteria for fourth year evaluation. Maximum length is seven double-spaced pages.
2. Curriculum Vita.
3. Prior comprehensive summative reviews.
4. Internal Peer Evaluations.
   (These evaluations are required and will follow school or department guidelines.)
5. Student Statements from all semesters in the probationary period.
6. Additional material documenting teaching and scholarship/creative/professional activity as required by department.
7. Any additional materials as required by department.

Note: There is no solicitation of external evaluations for this review.

B. Recommendation by the Department. This performance review and favorable or unfavorable recommendation is based on a review of materials in the file. The vote, date of the action, and indication of who participated in the vote will be included as well as the basis and justification for the recommendation. Recommended length: not to exceed five double-spaced pages.