Approved: The Board approved the request of the Office of Academic Affairs to revise the following Policy Manual Sections: Section 803.09 (D) Tenure and Section 803.09 (F-G) Tenure, effective April 19, 2000.

Abstract: In an effort to make Board of Regents policies on tenure more consistent with the Family Medical Leave Act and to enhance the family-friendly work environment, the following changes to the Board of Regents Policy Manual were approved:

Tenure may be awarded, upon recommendation by the President and approval by the Board of Regents, upon completion of a probationary period of at least five years of full-time service at the rank of assistant professor or higher. The five-year period must be continuous except that a maximum of two years interruption because of a leave of absence or part-time service may be permitted, provided, however, that no probationary credit for the period of an interruption shall be allowed that an award of credit for the probationary period of an interruption shall be at the discretion of the President. In all cases in which a leave of absence, approved by the President, is based on birth or adoption of a child, or serious disability or prolonged illness of the employee or immediate family member, the five-year probationary period may be suspended during the leave of absence. A maximum of three years' credit toward the minimum probationary period may be allowed for service in tenure track positions at other institutions or for full-time service at the rank of instructor or lecturer at the same institution. Such credit for prior service shall be defined in writing by the President and approved by the Board of Regents at the time of the initial appointment at the rank of assistant professor or higher.

 

Implementation: A request for action on the probationary period (either for continuing or stopping the tenure clock) shall be initiated in writing by the faculty member requesting leave and shall be submitted via appropriate administrative officer(s) to the president, who will approve or deny the request. The request from the faculty member shall acknowledge that any

increased time for the probationary period will not imply the award of tenure or a favorable review. More than one request for suspension may be granted, but the total time granted for suspensions of the tenure clock for the preceding reasons shall not ordinarily exceed two years. Each institution shall develop and disseminate procedures for reviewing and responding to

such requests. At the time of approval of the leave of absence, the president shall designate, and formally inform Board staff, whether the date for tenure review by the Board of Regents (which takes place only once a year) will remain the same or be delayed, with delays approved in increments of a year (up to a maximum of two years).

 

Except for the approved suspension of the probationary period due to a leave of absence, the maximum time that may be served at the rank of assistant professor or above without the award of tenure shall be seven years, provided, however, that a terminal contract for an eighth year may be proffered if a recommendation for tenure is not approved by the Board of Regents. The maximum time that may be served in combination of full-time instructional appointments (instructor or professorial ranks) without the award of tenure shall be 10 years, provided, however, that a terminal contract for the 11th year may be proffered if a recommendation for tenure is not approved by the Board of Regents.

 

Except for the approved suspension of the probationary period due to a leave of absence, the maximum period of time that may be served at the rank of full-time instructor shall be seven years.

 

Implementation: A request for action on the probationary period (either for continuing or stopping the tenure clock) shall be initiated in writing by the faculty member requesting leave and shall be submitted via appropriate administrative officer(s) to the president, who will approve or deny the request. The request from the faculty member shall acknowledge that any

increased time for the probationary period will not imply the award of tenure or a favorable review. More than one request for suspension may be granted, but the total time granted for suspensions of the tenure clock for the preceding reasons shall not ordinarily exceed two years. Each institution shall develop and disseminate procedures for reviewing and responding to

such requests. At the time of approval of the leave of absence, the president shall designate, and formally inform Board staff, whether the date for tenure review by the Board of Regents (which takes place only once a year) will remain the same or be delayed, with delays approved in increments of a year (up to a maximum of two years).