FACULTY HANDBOOK Chapter 4: Core Policy Statements |
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Last updated: September 1, 2007 |
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Four core policy statements are set forth in this chapter:
Section 4.1 STATEMENT ON FACULTY APPEAL PROCEDURES This Statement on Faculty Appeal Procedures was adopted by the Senate of the Academic Council on April 29, 1999, and approved by the Board of Trustees on June 11, 1999. It is applicable to appeals filed on or after June 11, 1999. It replaced the Statement of Faculty Grievance Procedures approved by the Senate of the Academic Council on May 15, 1975 and by the Board of Trustee on June 13, 1975 (and modified by the Senate of the Academic Council on December 4, 1997). 4.1.A Definitions and Standards (1) An appeal is a written request for review of a decision made by a person (or group of persons) acting in an official University capacity. The decision must have directly affected the academic activities of the appellant as an individual. Dissatisfaction with a departmental, school, or University policy or practice is not grounds for appeal. These appeal procedures may be used by any member of the Professoriate, as defined in, Section 1.2.E of the Faculty Handbook. (2) The purpose of the appeal process is to determine whether appropriate procedures were followed in making certain kinds of academic decisions, rather than to reevaluate the merits of the decisions themselves. The standard for deciding the appeal shall be limited to determining whether there were procedural errors (such as the failure to bring proper facts and criteria to bear on a decision, or the introduction of improper facts and criteria, or the existence of other procedural defects) that substantially affected the outcome to the detriment of the appellant. In rare cases, the reviewer may also overturn the decision if it was not one which a person (or persons) in the position of the decision-maker might reasonably have made. (3) Because these appeal procedures are not those of a court of law, it is important that they be carried out with flexibility and in an atmosphere of collegiality, and that the participants avoid an excessively legalistic approach. Efforts should be made to resolve the dispute informally before beginning the appeal process, and those efforts may continue even after the process is underway. (4) The appellant should file his or her appeal within 60 days of being notified of the decision. An unreasonable delay in filing an appeal may constitute grounds for rejection of the appeal. 4.1.B Appeals Concerning Reappointment and Promotion Decisions (1) A faculty member whose reappointment or promotion has initially been denied by the department or school may file a written appeal with the Provost.
(2) A faculty member whose reappointment or promotion has initially been denied by the Provost may file a written appeal with the President, who will perform the functions assigned to the Provost in Section 4.1.B(1). At the end of the process, the President’s decision will be conveyed to the appellant and is final. (3) A faculty member whose reappointment or promotion has been denied by the President after a recommendation by the Advisory Board may file a written appeal with the President. The President may remand the matter to a lower administrative level or refer it to an appropriate person to review the case and report back to the President. The President may grant or deny the appeal or take any action that he or she deems appropriate. The President’s decision will be conveyed to the appellant and is final. (1) A faculty member who wishes to appeal an administrative decision (that is, a decision that does not involve denial of his or her reappointment or promotion) made below the provostial level may file a written appeal with the Provost.
(2) A faculty member wishing to appeal an administrative decision made by the Provost or President, may file a written appeal with the President, who will perform the functions assigned to the Provost in Section 4.1.C(1). At the end of the process, the President’s decision will be conveyed to the appellant and is final.
(3) Advisors (6) Inquiries Section 4.2 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM This Statement on Academic Freedom was adopted by the Senate of the Academic Council on April 18, 1974, and approved by the Board of Trustees September 10, 1974 upon the understanding that, as stated by the President of the University in his written recommendation to the Board, “The University’s processes of search and evaluation are designed to produce the best possible persons for membership on the faculty. The Statement on Academic Freedom would in no way change that goal or the practices used to reach it.” Conforming to 1989 and 1990 actions of the Senate of the Academic Council on the recommendations of the Second Committee on the Professoriate, “faculty” refers to titles included in the “Professoriate,” as defined in Section 1.2.E of the Faculty Handbook. The Statement was amended by the Senate of the Academic Council on April 16, 1998 and April 29, 1999. 4.2.A Preamble Stanford University’s central functions of teaching, learning, research, and scholarship depend upon an atmosphere in which freedom of inquiry, thought, expression, publication and peaceable assembly are given the fullest protection. Expression of the widest range of viewpoints should be encouraged, free from institutional orthodoxy and from internal or external coercion. Further, the holding of appointments at Stanford University should in no way affect the faculty members’ rights assured by the Constitution of the United States. In furtherance of these general principles: 4.2.B Decisions concerning (1) the search for, and appointment and promotion of, faculty; (2) the assignment of teaching and other primarily academic responsibilities; (3) the support and sponsorship of scholarly research; and (4) any other granting or withholding of benefits or imposition of burdens shall be made without regard to a person’s political, social, or other views not directly related to academic values or to the assumption of academic responsibilities; without regard to the conduct of a person holding an appointment at Stanford unless such conduct is directly related to academic values or to the assumption of academic responsibilities or is determined, in a proceeding pursuant to the Statement on Faculty Discipline, to come within the provisions of Section 4.3.A of that Statement; and without regard to an individual’s race, ethnic origin, sex or religion. Nothing in the foregoing shall be deemed to affect the University’s application of affirmative action policies in its faculty search procedures. 4.2.C The appeal procedures outlined in Section 4.2.D are designed to assure that decisions by faculty members and administrators comply with the standards of academic freedom established in Section 4.2.B. These procedures are internal to the University and are aimed at preserving confidentiality and academic integrity while protecting the rights of individual faculty members. The provisions of Section 4.2.B do not create contractual rights subject to review by agencies outside the University. The procedures outlined in Section 4.2.C, however, constitute the administrative remedies for faculty appeals covered by parallel rights established under applicable federal and state laws (such as Civil Rights Acts). 4.2.D The following procedures shall apply to all appeals (defined as in the Statement on Faculty Appeal Procedures) arising under this Statement on Academic Freedom: (1) The rights herein conferred shall be enforceable only by a person who is directly aggrieved and who holds a faculty (as defined above) position; no other person or persons shall have standing to complain. (2) If any faculty member feels aggrieved by a decision that he or she believes to be in violation of this Statement, he or she may file an appeal pursuant to the Statement on Faculty Appeal Procedures. (3) For appeals brought in whole or in part for alleged violation of the Statement on Academic Freedom, the rules and procedures of the Statement on Faculty Appeal Procedures shall be modified as follows:
Section 4.3 STATEMENT ON FACULTY DISCIPLINE This Statement on Faculty Discipline was approved by the Senate of the Academic Council on December 2, 1999 and by the Board of Trustees on December 14, 1999. It replaces both the Statement on Faculty Discipline approved by the Senate of the Academic Council on May 18, 1972 and by the Board of Trustees on January 9, 1973, and the Rules for the Conduct of Hearings promulgated by the Advisory Board in 1973. 4.3.A Definitions and Standards (1) In order to maintain the integrity of its teaching and research and to preserve academic freedom, Stanford University demands high standards of professional conduct from its faculty. In the case of a serious violation of these standards, a faculty member may face disciplinary charges under the following procedures. (2) These disciplinary procedures are invoked when the Provost formally charges a faculty member with professional misconduct that is serious enough to warrant a sanction ranging from censure to dismissal from the University. This procedure applies to members of the Professoriate, as defined in Section 1.2.E of the Faculty Handbook. The Statement on Academic Freedom applies. (3) The Provost may charge a faculty member with professional misconduct only for actions taken in association with the faculty member’s academic duties and responsibilities. Such misconduct includes but is not limited to the following: dishonest or unethical behavior in the faculty member’s own teaching or research; preventing or obstructing teaching or research or any other lawful function of the University; sexual harassment; and the neglect of University-related duties and responsibilities. (4) A faculty member charged under these procedures may be subject to sanctions including but not limited to the following: censure; a fine and/or a temporary reduction in pay; suspension from the University without pay for a specified period; indefinite reduction in pay; dismissal from the University. (1) Charges will be brought on behalf of the University by the Provost, following whatever factual investigation he or she deems appropriate. If a conflict of interest prevents the Provost from being involved, the President will act in the Provost’s place. When charges are to be brought against a faculty member, he or she must be notified of the charges in confidence, and given an opportunity to reply. If the matter cannot be settled by agreement (which would require the President’s approval), and if the faculty member charged wishes to contest the charges, the Provost shall prepare a written statement of the charges and of the proposed sanction, which will be given to the faculty member and the Advisory Board. Even after the written statement has been forwarded to the Board—and at any time in the proceedings—the Provost and the faculty member (with the approval of the President) may seek to resolve the matter by agreement. Throughout the proceedings, all those involved should keep in mind that the procedures here are those of a University and not a court of law, and therefore should seek to avoid an excessively legalistic approach.
(1) After the Hearing Officer has submitted the findings of fact to the Advisory Board, the Board will schedule a Final Hearing. (2) Each party has the opportunity to file a written brief, not later than one week before the scheduled start of the Final Hearing. This brief may include any or all of the following matters:
(3) At the Final Hearing before the Advisory Board, the parties will be given an opportunity for oral argument, within time guidelines set by the Board. (4) As a result of the Final Hearing, the Advisory Board may ask the Hearing Officer to clarify the findings of fact or make additional findings on the basis of the evidence. The Board will give both parties an opportunity to comment on these clarifications or additional findings. The Board may also order the Hearing Officer to reopen the Evidentiary Hearing to hear evidence on specified issues. If necessary, the Board may reopen the Final Hearing. (5) Within one week after the Final Hearing before the Advisory Board, either party may file a written reply, which is limited to the issues raised by the opposing brief and the opposing party’s oral argument. 4.3.E The Decision of the Advisory Board (1) The Advisory Board will affirm those of the Hearing Officer’s findings of historical fact that it concludes are supported by substantial evidence, and such findings will thereafter be final and binding upon the President and Board of Trustees. (2) A finding of professional misconduct requires that a majority of the members of the Advisory Board concludes that the faculty member has committed professional misconduct in the respect or respects charged. (3) If a majority of the Advisory Board concludes that the faculty member has committed professional misconduct, the Board will decide upon the appropriate sanction and will notify the President of its decision. (4) If there is no majority of the Advisory Board concluding that the faculty member has committed professional misconduct in the respect or respects charged, the Board will so notify the President. 4.3.F The Decision of the President (1) If the President does not accept the decision of the Advisory Board, he or she will resubmit the case to the Board for reconsideration with a statement of questions or objections. The Board will then reconsider the case in the light of such questions or objections, hold (if necessary) further hearings and receive new evidence, and either render a new decision or state the reasons for its decision to reaffirm its original decision. After study of the Board’s reconsidered decision, the President may make a final decision different from that of the Board only if the President determines: that the faculty member or the University was denied a fair hearing; or that the Board's decision (as to whether there has been professional misconduct and/or as to the sanction) was not one which a decision-making body in the position of the Board might reasonably have made. (2) If the President makes a final decision different from that of the Advisory Board, the reasons for that different decision shall be given to the Board and the faculty member. (3) If the President’s decision requires dismissal, such decision is not effective until it has been approved by the Board of Trustees. 4.3.G Rules of General Application (1) The Advisory Board may delegate to a subcommittee of its members any of its functions except deciding if there should be an Evidentiary Hearing, what material issues of historical fact are in dispute, whether the Hearing Officer’s findings of historical fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether professional misconduct has occurred, and, if so, what sanctions are appropriate. (2) The burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence is upon the University in hearings before the Hearing Officer to prove the factual elements of the charge. The faculty member has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence on any affirmative defenses raised by the faculty member. (3) The faculty member has the right to have an advisor of his or her choice accompany him or her during the hearings, the rights of confrontation and cross-examination, and the right to refuse to testify in the hearings. (4) The faculty member may choose either private or public hearings. Both the Advisory Board and the Hearing Officer, however, may entertain motions (from either party) that all or part of the hearings be held in private. (5) Formal rules of evidence do not apply. (6) The faculty member may request from the University, in writing, information regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the material issues of historical fact, or which appears reasonably calculated to help the faculty member learn of admissible evidence. The University will provide this information or will inform the Hearing Officer as to its reasons for not providing the information. After consideration of those reasons, the Hearing Officer may order the University to provide such information. The University shall not be required to disclose information prepared for the purpose of litigating the case. Even in the absence of a request by the faculty member, the University must disclose any information it believes to be exculpatory of the faculty member. (7) The University may request disclosure of any non-privileged tangible evidence from the faculty member. Upon application by the University describing such evidence, the Hearing Officer may order the faculty member to produce it. (8) The proceedings of the Hearing Officer and the Advisory Board will be as expeditious as possible. (9) A record will be maintained of all hearings under this Statement. (10) Once charges are forwarded to the Advisory Board, both the Provost and the faculty member are to provide copies to each other of all written communications to the Board or the Hearing Officer. (11) At the request of the faculty member, and if he or she can demonstrate that his or her own financial resources have been exhausted, the Advisory Board may recommend to the Provost that the University provide funds to pay for what the Board regards as essential for an adequate defense. (12) The time guidelines contained in these procedures may be modified by the Hearing Officer or the Advisory Board if warranted by the circumstances. Section 4.4 STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT AND TENURE The following Statement of Policy on Appointment and Tenure was approved by the Board of Trustees, following approval by the Senate of the Academic Council, on September 21, 1967. It was amended by the Board of Trustees, following approval by the Senate of the Academic Council, on the following dates:: September 14, 1971; January 9, 1973; October 8, 1974; April 8, 1975; September 9, 1975; April 13, 1976; September 14, 1982; June 12, 1992; April 9, 1996; and December 4, 2001. This policy statement applies to members of the Academic Council (Professoriate as defined in Section 1.2.F of this Handbook). 4.4.A Terms of Academic Appointment (1) The precise terms and conditions of every academic appointment shall be stated in writing and be in the possession of both the University and the appointee before the appointment is consummated. The Statement of Policy, or any modification thereof, will be made available to all administrative and teaching personnel. (2) Except as provided in this paragraph, all academic appointments shall be made either (a) for a stipulated number of years, (b) for a continuing term of appointment, or (c) without limit of time. An academic appointment without limit of time shall be considered as a permanent appointment i.e. the term shall be understood to extend from the effective date of the appointment to the date of academic retirement of the appointee. Conditions of an academic appointment made for a continuing term are specified in Section 4.4.B(3) of this Statement. Exception: An academic appointment made for the duration of either (a) an administrative appointment or (b) a specific project, which appointment or project is indefinite as to time, shall, unless otherwise expressly stipulated, be construed as terminating on the expiration of the appointment or the project. Academic appointees terminated under this provision are entitled to the benefits conveyed in Section 4.4.E of this Statement. 4.4.B Security of Appointment and Tenure (1) Security of appointment is defined as the right not to be dismissed, involuntarily retired early, or subjected to discriminatory reduction of salary before the expiration of the term of an academic appointment except on the basis of:
(2) Tenure is security of appointment which continues to the date of academic retirement. Any appointment without limit of time carries tenure automatically. Tenure may also be acquired by length of service as provided in Article IV, Section 4.4.D(1), in which case tenure shall imply the right of continual reappointment until the date of academic retirement. (3) Every academic appointment carries security of appointment, as defined in Article II, Section 4.4.B(1), for its duration, except that a continuing term of appointment may be terminated, with notice as provided in Section 4.4.E(1), when satisfactory performance or programmatic need ceases. Tenure, however, accrues only (a) by virtue of an appointment without limit of time or (b) by virtue of length of service as provided in Article IV, Section 4.4.D(1). (1) Professors shall be appointed without limit of time, unless otherwise expressly specified. (2) Associate Professors shall customarily be appointed for a term of six years, but may be appointed for a shorter term of years or without limit of time. Appointments for a term of years are renewable. (3) Assistant Professors shall customarily be appointed for a term of three years, but may be appointed for any term not exceeding five years. Such appointments are renewable, but not normally beyond a total of seven years at this rank. (4) Appointment at the rank of Professor (Teaching), (Performance), or (Research) or Associate Professor (Teaching), (Performance), or (Research) shall be for a term of up to six years’ duration. Reappointment at the rank of Associate Professor (Teaching) or (Performance) may be for renewable terms of up to six years’ duration or for a continuing term of appointment. Promotion to or reappointment at the rank of Professor (Teaching) or (Performance) shall be for a continuing term of appointment. Promotion to or reappointment at the rank of Professor (Research) or Associate Professor (Research) may be for renewable terms of up to six years’ duration or for a continuing term of appointment. (5) Reappointment at the rank of Professor (Applied Research) may be for renewable terms of up to six years’ duration or for a continuing term of appointment. (6) Reappointment at the rank of Associate Professor (Clinical) may be for a term of years not to extend beyond August 31, 1995. Reappointment at the rank of Professor (Clinical) shall be for a continuing term of appointment. (7) Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor (Research) shall be for an initial term of up to six years. Such appointments are renewable, but not normally beyond a total of six years in this rank. 4.4.D Tenure by Length of Service (1) Any appointment, promotion or reappointment for a term of years which extends the individual’s total length of full-time service at Stanford University at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor or at more than one of such ranks beyond seven years shall confer tenure. This holds unless the period beyond seven years occurs after a review for tenure has been initiated, in which case the time beyond seven years shall not confer tenure. In the calculation of years of service toward tenure, any part-time appointment shall be prorated on the basis of the fraction of a full-time appointment represented, but any such appointment which extends total service at these ranks beyond ten years shall confer tenure. Such periods of service need not be continuous. Periods of leave without University service shall be deducted in computing length of service under this provision, unless it is expressly agreed in writing by the President’s Office before the leave begins that the period of leave may be counted toward the acquisition of tenure. Exceptions:
(2) Only service at the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor shall count toward acquisition of tenure by length of service. Persons holding acting appointments do not accrue time toward tenure by length of service. (3) For appointments beginning after August 31, 1996, the total length of untenured full-time service without tenure at Stanford University at the tenure line ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor (or at more than one of such ranks) may not exceed ten years, regardless of the number of leaves without salary, extensions for new parenthood, or time spent in either an administrative appointment or on a specific project. (4) Academic service at other institutions shall not be counted toward acquisition of tenure at Stanford under Section 1(a) of the Statement of Policy on Appointment and Tenure. 4.4.E Prior Notice of Nonrenewal (1) A faculty member (tenure line or non-tenure line) holding a renewable appointment for one year shall be notified by March 15 if the appointment is not to be renewed. Failure to give timely notice of non-renewal shall entitle the individual to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year, but such additional appointment for a terminal year, if granted, shall not count toward acquisition of tenure by length of service under Section 4.4.D(1). When, to a faculty member holding a continuing appointment or a renewable appointment for more than one year, notice of termination or of non-renewal is not given before July 1of the penultimate year of the contract, the appointee shall be entitled to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year, but such additional appointment for a terminal year, if granted, shall not count toward acquisition of tenure by length of service under Section 4.4.D(1). (1) a. Where the University proposes to dismiss an academic appointee or to penalize the faculty member by a discriminatory reduction of salary for reasons of substantial and manifest incompetence, as specified in Section 4.4.B(1)a, the individual shall first be notified (confidentially, if possible) of the charges and given an opportunity to reply. If the matter cannot be settled by agreement and if the individual wishes to contest the charges, the individual may demand a formal hearing before the Advisory Board. If such a demand is made, the President shall submit a formal statement of the charges in writing to the chair of the Advisory Board, with a copy to the individual. The chair of the Advisory Board shall set a time and place for a hearing of the charges, giving notice to the individual and allowing him or her sufficient time to submit a written reply to the charges and to prepare a defense. The hearing shall be private unless either the individual faculty member demands a public hearing or the Advisory Board, by majority of the whole Board, after consultation with the parties, decides upon a public hearing. If facts are in dispute, the Advisory Board shall take the testimony and receive evidence. Both parties may have the assistance of counsel and shall have the right of confrontation of witnesses and cross examination. However, technical rules of legal evidence need not be strictly applied. A stenographic record of the hearing shall be kept and copies made available to both parties. Oral arguments may be made by both sides after the evidence has been submitted and, if the Advisory Board desires, supplementary written briefs may also be submitted. The Advisory Board shall make a written decision including express findings upon all disputed matters of fact and should make an explicit ruling in the light of the evidence as to the sufficiency or insufficiency of each of the alleged grounds for dismissal. If the decision is not unanimous, that fact should be stated and the grounds of dissent indicated. Copies of the decision should be forwarded promptly to both parties, but the Advisory Board should not make its decision public until the case has been considered by the President. b. The Advisory Board shall submit to the President its decision and the transcript of the hearings. If the President does not accept the decision of the Advisory Board, the President shall resubmit the case to the Advisory Board for reconsideration with a statement of questions or objections. The Advisory Board shall then reconsider the case in the light of such questions or objections, holding further hearings and receiving new evidence, if necessary, and rendering a new decision in the same manner as before. Only after study of the reconsidered decision of the Advisory Board may the President make a final decision overruling the Advisory Board. In such case, the President will give the reasons to the Advisory Board and to the faculty member concerned. In case the decision of the President is to terminate employment, such decision shall not become effective until it has been reported to and concurred in by the Board of Trustees. c. The transcript of the hearing shall not be made public by the University except upon decision of the Advisory Board, made by majority vote of the whole Board, and concurred in by the President. (2) Disciplining of faculty members pursuant to the Statement on Faculty Discipline shall be governed by the procedures provided therein. (3) Dismissals by reason of disability, or protracted absence without leave, or extraordinary financial emergencies under Section 4.4.B(1) c or d, shall be made by the President only after consultation with the Advisory Board and after appropriate advance notice to the faculty member concerned, but no formal hearings shall be required. (4) Suspension of a faculty member during proceedings under Sections 4.4.F(1), (2), or (3) of this article is justified only if immediate harm to the faculty member or others is threatened by continuance in his or her regular duties. Any such suspension shall be with pay. (5) This Statement governs the terms and conditions of individual academic appointments. It shall not be construed to limit the power of the Board of Trustees, upon recommendation by the President after consultation with the Advisory Board, to determine what academic activities may from time to time be initiated, modified, or discontinued. This power is a necessary corollary of the Board of Trustees’ duty to oversee the academic programs of the University. This power shall not be invoked as a substitute for the dismissal provisions of Section 4.4.B(1) and Sections 4.4.F(1),(2),(3) hereof. In the event of modification or discontinuance of an academic activity in circumstances other than those of extraordinary financial emergency, the University will make every effort to reassign tenured members of the faculty. If reassignment is impossible, the University will provide every possible assistance in obtaining new positions and will give the individuals concerned at least twelve months’ notice before severance. (1) Any person already holding an academic appointment in the University whose non-tenure status could be extended by this Statement must be seriously considered for tenure at the time the person would have been considered had this Statement not been adopted. If the person is not at that time granted tenure but his or her employment is continued, he or she is entitled to be considered again at the conclusion of the longer period permitted by this Statement. (2) Periods of instructorship served prior to September 1, 1967, shall not count toward the acquisition of tenure. (3) Each Dean will be notified when this Statement has become effective and must inform each member of the school of his or her tenure and appointment status as of September 1, 1967, giving continuing recognition to any prior agreements. Any person who disagrees with this status report must raise the matter with the Dean in writing two months after being so informed. (4) The Provisions of Section 4.4.C(4), notwithstanding, persons holding the positions of Associate Professor of Clinical (Subject), Senior Lecturer, Senior Research Associate, Senior Scientist, and the like, terminating on or after September 1, 1974, and who are members of the Academic Council, shall continue their membership for the duration of their current appointment and shall be Adjunct Professors of (Subject), or, in the case of Associate Professors of Clinical (Subject), Professors of Clinical (Subject), for the duration. (5) The provision of Section 4.4.D(1), regarding calculation of years of service toward tenure by part-time appointment shall apply at the appointee’s option to persons holding part-time appointments as Assistant Professor or Associate Professor either (a) only for time accrued commencing September 1, 1974, or (b) for all previous part-time service at these ranks not exceeding nine years. (6) The provision of Section 4.4.E(1), shall apply to notification of members of the faculty holding appointments terminating on or after August 31, 1976. Members of the faculty whose appointments expire prior to August 31, 1976, shall be given notice of non-renewal by March 15, where the appointment is a renewable appointment for one year and by December 1 of the final academic year of the term where the appointment is a renewable appointment for more than one year. Failure to give timely notice of non-renewal shall entitle the individual to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year, but such additional appointment for a terminal year, if granted, shall not count toward acquisition of tenure by length of service under Section 4.4.D(1).
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Provider: Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost, Stanford University |