APPENDIX FIVE
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION AND TENURE

[Rev. April 2003]

Departmental tenure recommendations are made in accordance with the procedures and policies of the Department of  English “Tenure Recommending and Competency Review Committee” and the “Comprehensive Statement of Board and University General Policies Relating to Tenure.” (Handbook of Policy and Procedure). Faculty members hired as assistant professors normally will be considered for tenure and promotion to associate professor at the same time.  The same set of criteria apply to both considerations.  All recommendations from the chair and committees are forwarded to the dean and become part of the file of the candidate for tenure.  Summaries of the recommendations are provided to the candidate.

Although dismissal for cause after the award of tenure is a condition of a grant of tenure, the department must fundamentally be guided by the assumption that tenure implies a life-time appointment.  Tenure and promotion are the result of a reasoned assessment of the long-term value of the candidate as a member of the Department of English.  The following criteria shall therefore be used in making tenure and promotion decisions:

1.  Proven ability as a teacher.  The Department of English embraces the criteria set forth in FSH Section 1565.A.2 and will consider statements of self-evaluation, the informed judgment of colleagues (developed through a system of class visitation described in Appendix Six of these By-Laws), the performance of a candidate’s students, and student opinion as expressed through evaluation forms in arriving at an assessment of a candidate’s teaching performance.  The Department also regards many of the elements of good teaching set forth in Section 1565 A.3.a. as important evaluative measures—such as, evidence of continuous updating of courses to reflect current research; evidence of creative interdisciplinary approaches to course presentations; supervision of graduate and undergraduate research projects (except for senior instructors); effective integration of technology into the classroom; and development and dissemination of curricula and other teaching materials.

The Department of English recognizes that there are no absolute criteria for teaching ability; but the capacity to stimulate interest in one’s subject, to enlarge the student’s intellectual outlook and his or her engagement in humanistic studies, and to respect the individuality of the student are fundamental requisites of a competent teacher.

2.  [This section may or may not apply to senior instructors depending on their position description; but in any case, the requirement for external review of published work will not apply.]  The capacity to carry out successful research/creative projects which enhance the reputation of the candidate and the University of Idaho. The Department of English expects this capacity to be demonstrated primarily by publication of scholarship of discovery (FSH 1565 A-3-c), creation (FSH 1565 A-3-d), and teaching and learning (FSH 1565 A-3-a) in refereed journals, presses, or through an equivalent review process by disinterested peers.  Papers read at meetings of scholarly societies, or creative work read publicly, shall also be regarded as evidence of scholarly/creative activity, although carrying less weight than published work.  Other modes of demonstrating this capacity—such as those mentioned in FSH 1565 A-3-b and 1565 A-3-c—are also acceptable, but are regarded as less conclusive evidence of success.  The Department requires of external review of the candidate’s published work, set forth in Appendix 3 of the By-Laws.

The Department of English does not require a specified number of publications, but does require clear evidence of continued engagement in scholarly activity after tenure is awarded.

3.  [This section does not apply to senior instructors.]  Attainment of a Ph.D. or equivalent professional achievement.  The only exception shall be in creative writing, in which the M.F.A. or an equivalent degree is recognized as terminal.

4.  Evidence of capacity for leadership and cooperation and of mature professionalism (i.e., integrity, open-mindedness, loyalty to truth, objectivity in thinking, tolerance of divergent viewpoints, and dispassionate concern for the long-term welfare of the department).

5.  Demonstrated ability to aid in the functioning of the department and the university by useful and desirable contributions of a general, versatile nature, such as service on committees and boards, advising, departmental administration, and/or service and outreach of a professional nature to the larger, non-university community.