Departmental, School, and University Review Committees and Decision-Makers
Role of the Department Chair
The department chair initiates the appointment, reappointment or promotion evaluation after making an appropriate assessment of the candidate’s credentials; in larger departments, the department chair may seek the advice of the candidate’s division regarding its assessment.
Role of the Departmental Evaluation Committee
If the department chair decides to proceed with the full evaluation, he or she appoints a Departmental Evaluation Committee to conduct the formal evaluation of the candidates qualifications and to prepare the long form. Committee members are selected for their ability to make a critical and objective appraisal of the candidates qualifications in relation to the academic standards and other criteria of the University and School.
Options of the Department Chair
In his or her discretion and where consistent with departmental practice, the department chair may consult the appropriate departmental faculty to review the Departmental Evaluation Committees recommendation. The final decision on forwarding the file to the next level of review rests with the department chair.
Role of the Vice Dean
The Vice Dean approves submission of the long form for consideration by the School's review committees.
Role of the Assistant Professors Review Committee (APRC)
The APRC is a standing committee, advisory to the Vice Dean, and appointed to review and assess the academic credentials for initial appointment or reappointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the University Tenure Line, the Medical Center Line and the Research Line. The Committee is composed of nine members of the Professoriate. All members of the Committee are at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Role of the Appointments and Promotions Committee (A&P)
The A&P Committee is a standing committee, advisory to the Vice Dean, and appointed to review and assess the academic credentials for initial appointment, reappointment or promotion to the rank of associate professor or professor in the University Tenure Line, the Medical Center Line, the Research Line and the Teaching Line. The committee is composed of eleven members of the Professoriate representing faculty lines in both the basic and clinical sciences; all members of the Committee are at the rank of Professor.
Options of the Vice Dean
Taking into consideration recommendations by the APRC and the A&P Committee, the decision rests with the Vice Dean, in his or her judgment and discretion, whether to make a positive or negative recommendation to the Dean, whether to remand the file to the department with instructions, or whether to take such other action as deemed appropriate.
Role of the Vice Dean
The Vice Dean reviews the recommendation of the School committee and decides whether to send the long form forward to the Dean.
Role of the Dean
The Dean has authority to make the final decision on term reappointments in all faculty lines and at all ranks. For all other actions, the Dean makes his or her decision as to whether to forward the file with a positive recommendation to the Provost, whether to remand the file with further instructions, or whether to take such other action as deemed appropriate.
Role of the Provost
All actions are reviewed by the Provost in order to evaluate and confirm the School's judgment: that the recommendation action is a suitable one; that the documentation is complete; and that prescribed procedures have been followed. The Provost can obtain additional information to help assess the action. He or she can then make a favorable decision, a negative decision, or remand the case to the department or School for further information or consideration. The Provost makes the final decision on actions in the Medical Center Line. University Tenure Line, Research Line and Teaching Line actions, if favorably reviewed by the Provost, are considered by the Advisory Board.
Role of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is a standing committee of the Academic Council whose seven members are elected to represent the Academic Council as a whole. The Advisory Board normally assigns at least two, and sometimes more, of its members to read each file. Cases are reviewed for adherence to procedural requirements, completeness of documentation, conformance with academic standards, and suitability. The Advisory Board's recommendations are forwarded to the President for his or her final review and approval.
Role of the President
The President, who makes the final decision, can choose to accept or not accept the recommendation by the Advisory Board. He or she can make a favorable decision, a negative decision, or remand the case to the department or school for further information or consideration. Approved actions are reported to the Board of Trustees.