Board of Regents Policy: Faculty Tenure contains both footnotes and interpretations. Footnotes are numbered and are
indicated in the text with the abbreviation [FN#]. Footnotes are shown at the bottom of each page on which footnote markers
appear in the text; these add information about specific terms or phrases in the regulations. Interpretations are numbered and
are indicated in the text with the abbreviation [INTERP#]. Interpretations appear at the end of the regulations; these are
added to clarify or modify the meaning of a section or subsection.
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BOARD OF REGENTS POLICY:
Faculty Tenure
PREAMBLE
The Board of Regents adopts these regulations with the conviction that a well-defined statement of rules is
essential to the protection of academic freedom and to the promotion of excellence at the University of
Minnesota. A well-designed promotion and tenure system ensures that considerations of academic quality
will be the basis for academic personnel decisions, and thus provides the foundation for academic
excellence.
Tenure is the keystone for academic freedom; it is essential for safeguarding the right of free expression
and for encouraging risk-taking inquiry at the frontiers of knowledge. Both tenure and academic freedom
are part of an implicit social compact which recognizes that tenure serves important public purposes and
benefits society. The people of Minnesota are best served when faculty are free to teach, conduct research,
and provide service without fear of reprisal and to pursue those activities with regard for long term
benefits to society rather than short term rewards. In return, faculty have the responsibility of furthering
the institution's programs of research, teaching, and service, and are accountable for their performance of
these responsibilities. Additionally, a well-designed tenure system attracts capable and highly qualified
individuals as faculty members, strengthens institutional stability by enhancing faculty members'
institutional loyalty, and encourages academic excellence by retaining and rewarding the most able people.
Tenure and promotion imply selectivity and choice; they are awarded for academic and professional merit,
not for seniority. The length and intensity of the review leading to the grant of tenure ensures the retention
only of well-qualified faculty committed to the University's mission.
The ideal attributes of the collective faculty of any unit are scholarly creativity, professional competence
and leadership, intellectual diversity, the ability and desire to teach effectively and the willingness to
cooperate with other units in promoting the work and welfare of the University as a whole. The
administration and faculty should ensure, within each unit, not only a proper balance among these
activities but also the maintenance of each at the highest level, together with accountability and suitable
recognition of individual achievement and service.
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The tenure regulations provide a comprehensive set of policies dealing with the relationship between the
University and its faculty. The regulations classify the faculty as tenured, probationary and term. They
provide for annual performance reviews of all faculty, as well as especially thorough reviews before the
granting of tenure, on promotion in rank, and when the performance of a tenured faculty member is alleged
to be substandard. They provide for the reassignment of faculty in case of the reorganization of the
University or changes in its scholarly direction, and for discipline when a faculty member fails to meet
prescribed standards of conduct.
DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this policy, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
(a) Academic Unit. An academic unit is a department or similar unit. A school, college or division that is
not further subdivided is also an academic unit.
(b) Faculty Member. Faculty member means every faculty member employed by the University of
Minnesota System.
(c) Head. The head of an academic unit is the academic administrator immediately responsible for it, such
as a chair, head or director.
(d) Collegiate Unit or College. a collegiate unit or college is a major academic entity of the University. It
may be a college, school, or campus.
(e) Dean. The dean of a collegiate unit is the academic administrator immediately responsible for it, such
as a dean or director or (on a campus that is not subdivided into colleges) a vice-chancellor.
(f) Senior Academic Administrator. A senior academic administrator is an officer who has final
administrative review authority on academic personnel decisions, and who reports directly to the
president and regents, such as a vice president, chancellor, or provost. The president will designate one or
more senior academic administrators and define their respective jurisdictions.
(g) Executive Vice President and Provost. The executive vice president and provost is the officer (of
whatever title) holding primary responsibility for the development of University-wide academic policy.
This officer may also serve as senior academic administrator for some or all of the University, if so
designated by the president.
(h) Tenured Faculty. Tenured faculty are those faculty who hold indefinite tenure.
SECTION 1. ACADEMIC FREEDOM
1.1. Principles. Every member of the faculty is entitled to due process and academic freedom as
established by academic tradition and the constitutions and laws of the United States and the state of
Minnesota and as amplified by resolutions of the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents hereby reaffirms
its commitment to academic freedom and tenure as reflected in its resolution of January 28, 1938, in these
Faculty Tenure regulations, and in its policy on Academic Freedom and Responsibility:
The Regents of the University of Minnesota reaffirm the principles of academic freedom and
responsibility. These are rooted in the belief that the mind is ennobled by the pursuit of
understanding and the search for truth and the state well served when instruction is available to all
at an institution dedicated to the advancement of learning. These principles are also refreshed by
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the recollection that there is commune vinculum omnibus artibus - a common bond through all the
arts.
Academic freedom is the freedom, without institutional discipline or restraint, to discuss all
relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research and creative
expression and to speak or write on matters of public concern as well as on matters related to
professional duties and the functioning of the University.
Academic responsibility implies the faithful performance of professional duties and obligations, the
recognition of the demands of the scholarly enterprise, and the candor to make it clear that, when
one is speaking on matters of public interest, one is not speaking for the institution.
1.2. Protection of Faculty. Denial of faculty appointment or reappointment or removal or suspension from
office or censure or other penalty must not be based upon any belief, expression or conduct protected by
law or by the principles of academic freedom. Cases of alleged violation of academic freedom may be
brought directly to the Judicial Committee in accordance with section 15.
SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY OF REGULATIONS TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
These regulations govern the relationship between the Board of Regents and faculty members, except as
inconsistent with the provisions of collective bargaining agreements. These regulations are part of the
contract between the Board of Regents and faculty members.
SECTION 3. FACULTY RANKS AND TYPES OF APPOINTMENTS
3.1. In General. The faculty ranks are professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and instructor.
Faculty appointment is appropriate only if the person is engaged in teaching or research as defined in
subsection 7.11. Appointments at these ranks are either regular tenured or tenure-track appointments or
term appointments. An appointment must be designated as a regular or a term appointment when it is
made.
3.2. Regular Appointments. A regular appointment either is with indefinite tenure or is probationary,
leading to a decision concerning indefinite tenure within a specified period of time. A regular appointment
may be held only in an academic unit of a degree-granting college or similar unit. A regular appointment
must be for at least two-thirds time of the faculty member’s contract year [i.e. either an academic year or
twelve months].
A faculty member on probationary appointment is entitled to consideration for indefinite tenure in
accordance with section 7 and to timely notice of termination in accordance with section 6.
A faculty member with indefinite tenure is entitled to retain that position until retirement in accordance
with University regulations or until the appointment is terminated pursuant to the provisions of sections
10 or 11.
3.3. Term Appointments. A term appointment is date-specific; that is, the appointment terminates at the
end of a period specified in the appointment without further notice to the appointee. The senior academic
administrator for the campus or area must give every person appointed to a term faculty position a
statement in writing setting forth the conditions of the appointment, including the fact that it terminates
without further notice.
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No number of renewals of a term appointment creates a right to further renewals or to a decision
concerning tenure. Every renewal of a term appointment for the seventh or succeeding year must be
reported to the Tenure Committee with a justification of the reasons for the continuation of term status.
3.4. Appropriate uses of term appointments. Term appointments are appropriate and may be used
provided one or more of the following conditions is met:
(a) the duration, the percentage of time, or both require less than service for two-thirds time for the
academic year;
(b) the appointment is designated a visiting appointment because the faculty member is from another
educational institution or is a qualified professional from a government or private agency on a leave
of absence to accept a temporary appointment at this University;
(c) the appointment is designated a clinical appointment because the faculty member is a clinician in
the community who gives service to the University part-time;
(d) the appointment concerns a faculty member who principally is engaged in and primarily is
supported by clinical activities or by discipline-related service. [FN
1
]
(e) the appointment is designated an adjunct appointment because the faculty member's primary
employment is outside the University or is in another unit of the University;
(f) the appointment extends courtesy faculty rank without salary;
(g) the position is subject to the joint control of the University and another institution;
(h) the specific funding for the position is subject to the discretion of another agency;
(i) the funding for the position is for a limited time;
(j) the appointment is in a unit or program that is experimental or otherwise restricted in duration;
and
(k) the person is enrolled in a University of Minnesota degree program. A regular faculty member on a
probationary appointment may transfer to term status during enrollment in such a program if the
faculty member and the senior academic administrator agree. This transfer suspends the running of
the maximum period of probationary service, but the faculty member retains other rights of regular
appointment, including annual review, the right to timely notice and a terminal appointment period
as provided in section 6.
3.5. Administrators' Appointments. Academic administrators may hold regular or term faculty
appointments. Administrative titles and duties are distinct and severable from such individuals' faculty
appointments. Removal from an administrative position does not impair any rights the individual holds as
a faculty member. Upon leaving an administrative position, the individual returns to faculty status, with
salary and term of appointment reduced by the amount of the administrative augmentation, if any.
3.6. Special Contracts. These regulations do not bar a faculty appointment pursuant to a special contract
specifying terms or conditions of employment which are different from those prescribed in these
regulations. All other provisions of these regulations apply to such appointments. Every special contract
must be in writing and must state that it is a special contract entered into pursuant to this subsection. It
must be signed by the faculty member concerned, by the dean of the collegiate unit in which the faculty
member will be employed and by the senior academic administrator and must be authorized by the Board
of Regents or its expressly authorized delegate. In addition, the senior academic administrator will
annually report to the Tenure Committee the terms of all special contracts and the reasons for their use.
A special contract may be used to reduce the minimum time of a regular appointment to one-half time in
order to permit a faculty member to devote more time to family responsibilities. Such a contract must
provide for the mutual responsibilities of the faculty member and the academic unit, including the type and
percent time of the appointment, if any, to which the faculty member is entitled at the expiration of the
FN
1
"Service" means performance within the faculty member's expertise, other than teaching and research as defined in subsection 7.11.
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special contract. In the case of a probationary faculty member, the contract will regulate the length of the
probationary period, but the total probationary period may be extended by no more than a total of three
years pursuant to this subsection and subsection 5.5.
SECTION 4. TERMS OF FACULTY EMPLOYMENT
4.1. Written Notice of Appointment. Each faculty appointment or change of status is specified in a written
notice of appointment issued by or on behalf of the Board of Regents. The notice must include the
following:
(a) Whether the appointment is regular or term;
(b) Whether it is full or part-time and the percentage of time involved;
(c) If for a fixed term, its expiration date;
(d) If regular, whether it is probationary or with indefinite tenure;
(e) Whether it is on a twelve-month, academic year or other specified annual basis;
(f) The rank of appointment;
(g) The academic unit or units to which the individual is being appointed;
(h) The recurring salary; and
(i) Additional salary as described in subsection 4.4.
The notice is only evidence of the appointment; clerical or computer errors in a notice of appointment do
not affect the terms of the appointment unless the faculty member reasonably relied upon the mistake and
suffered an injustice because of that reliance. Notices required by this section should be delivered before
the effective date of the appointment or change of status, or as soon thereafter as is administratively
feasible. A probationary appointee must also be given notice of the applicable maximum probationary
period.
4.2. Action by the Board of Regents. Faculty appointments and renewals or changes of status become
effective when approved by the Board of Regents or its authorized delegate.
4.3. Changes in Terms of Appointment Other than Faculty Compensation. Except for raises in rank and
except for action expressly authorized by these regulations, no changes of (a) through (g) items listed in
subsection 4.1 may be made during the term of an appointment except with the agreement of the faculty
member and the Board of Regents or its authorized delegate.
4.4. Faculty Salaries. [INTERP 1] Each faculty member shall receive a recurring salary, and may also
receive an additional salary which may be for special awards or for activities in addition to regular faculty
responsibilities such as clinical practice, administrative service, overload duties, summer school teaching
and summer research support and similar activities.
Recurring salary will not be decreased except by action expressly authorized in this section or in sections
7a, 10, 11, or 14 of these regulations or with the agreement of the faculty member. If a faculty member's
recurring salary is decreased, the amount of the decrease and the reason therefore shall be set forth in a
written notice and provided to the faculty member. No decrease in recurring salary shall occur in violation
of the academic freedom of the faculty member.
At the time an appointment is made, the offer and written notice of appointment shall separately state the
recurring salary and any additional salary, as described above, that the faculty member will receive. In each
subsequent year, the faculty member shall be provided with a written notice separately stating any changes
in recurring salary and any changes in additional salary for the following academic year. A faculty
member's recurring salary shall consist of the initial recurring salary adjusted by any subsequent increase
or decrease in recurring salary provided for in a subsequent written notice. Increases will be presumed to
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be in recurring salary unless otherwise identified. For a faculty member employed when this section takes
effect, the initial recurring salary will be the faculty member's recurring salary at the time this section takes
effect, exclusive of any additional salary designated as special awards or designated as being for activities
in addition to regular faculty responsibilities such as clinical practice, administrative service, overload
duties, summer school teaching, summer research support and similar activities.
A faculty member whose recurring salary has been decreased may petition for review of that action under
section 15 of these regulations.
4.5. Reduction or Postponement of Compensation. If the University or a collegiate unit is faced with
financial stringency that does not amount to a fiscal emergency, the president may propose a temporary
reduction or postponement in compensation to be allocated to faculty in accordance with a mathematical
formula or similar device. If approved by the Faculty Senate or the appropriate collegiate assembly,
respectively, and the Board of Regents, the recurring salary of all faculty members in the University or in
the designated collegiate units shall be reduced temporarily in accordance with the formula or device. The
reduction may not continue for longer than two years, unless renewed by the same procedure. [INTERP 2]
SECTION 5. MAXIMUM PERIOD OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE
5.1. General Rule. To give the University ample opportunity to determine the qualifications of those
faculty members whom it is considering for regular appointments with indefinite tenure, the maximum
period of probationary service of a faculty member is normally six academic years, whether consecutive or
not. The faculty assembly of a collegiate unit may propose to alter the maximum probationary period for all
of that college, or for certain units within it, to no more than nine years. The tenured faculty of a college, by
simple majority vote taken by secret ballot, may adopt such a change, with the approval of the dean and of
the senior academic administrator. Any such change in the maximum probationary period applies to all
probationary faculty hired in that college (or those units) after the decision, but any incumbent
probationary faculty member may choose to be considered under the new rule. At the end of this
probationary period, the faculty member must either be given a regular appointment with indefinite tenure
or a one-year terminal appointment.
5.2. Early Decisions Permitted. These regulations do not prevent the granting of indefinite tenure prior to
the expiration of the maximum period of probationary service and do not prevent a decision to terminate
an appointee's probation prior to the end of the appointee's maximum probationary service, if timely
notice is given.
5.3. Crediting of Academic Year. A faculty member is considered to have served an academic year if the
faculty member serves at least two-thirds time during the faculty member's contract year [i.e. either an
academic year or twelve months].
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, periods during which a faculty member is on a single-semester or other
paid professional-development leave or is on leave to teach or conduct research at another academic
institution, count as probationary service. Periods in which the faculty member is on sick or disability
leave, or is on leave in some non-faculty capacity, do not count as probationary service.
If a faculty member transfers to a position outside of the regular faculty, the time spent in the other
position does not count as probationary service for the purpose of section 5.
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5.4. Prior Service.
5.41. In This University. Every academic year during which a faculty member has previously served at least
two-thirds time under a regular appointment at this University reduces the maximum period of
probationary service by one year.
5.42. Elsewhere. If a faculty member has previously served in regular faculty positions, as defined in these
regulations, in one or more accredited universities or colleges, every academic year of such service (not
exceeding three) reduces the maximum period of probationary service by one year.
5.43. Exceptions Permitted. If the prior service was in a different discipline, was in an academic unit or
institution with teaching or research goals not comparable to those of the present appointment, or was too
long ago to provide good evidence of the appointee's current professional development, the Board of
Regents or its expressly authorized delegate may make an exception in writing at or near the beginning of
the probationary period.
5.5. Extension of Maximum Probationary Period for New Parent or Caregiver, or for Personal
Medical Reasons. Upon the written request of a probationary faculty member, the maximum period of that
faculty member’s probationary service will be extended by one year at a time for each request:
(a) On the occasion of the birth of the faculty member's child or placement of an adoptive/foster child
with the faculty member. Such a request for extension will be granted automatically if the faculty
member notifies the unit head, dean, and executive vice president and provost in writing that the
faculty member is eligible for an extension under subsection 5.5 because of the birth or
adoption/foster placement; or
(b) If the faculty member is a major caregiver for a family member with an extended serious illness,
injury, or debilitating condition and the executive vice president and provost determines that the
circumstances have had or are likely to have a substantial negative impact on the faculty member’s
ability to work over an extended period of time;
(c) If the faculty member has an extended serious illness, injury, or debilitating condition, and the
executive vice president and provost determines that the circumstances have had or are likely to
have a substantial negative impact on the faculty member’s ability to work over an extended period
of time. If the faculty member’s illness, injury, or debilitating condition reduces the faculty
member’s ability to work to less than two-thirds time during the faculty member’s contract year
[i.e., the academic year or twelve months], the probationary period is automatically extended by
one year in accordance with subsection 5.3.
“Family member” means a faculty member’s spouse or domestic partner, child, or other relative. “Child”
includes a biological child, an adopted or foster child, and the child of a spouse or domestic partner.
The probationary period may be extended for no more than three years total, except that the extension
may be for no more than one year total for (1) an instructor with a probationary appointment under
subsection 6.22 or (2) an associate professor or professor with a three-year probationary appointment
under subsection 6.21.
The notification of birth or adoption/foster placement for provision (a) and the request for extension for
provisions (b) and (c) in this subsection must be made in writing within one year of the events giving rise
to the claim and no later than June 30 preceding the year a final decision would otherwise be made on an
appointment with indefinite tenure for that faculty member.
A request for an extension under provision (b) or (c) will not be denied without first providing the faculty
member making the request with an opportunity to discuss the request in a meeting with an administrator
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designated by the executive vice president and provost. A claim that a request for an extension under
provision (b) or (c) was improperly denied may be considered in any subsequent review by the Senate
Judicial Committee of a termination under subsection 7.7.
SECTION 6. TENURE AND PROMOTION FOR PROBATIONARY FACULTY MEMBERS
6.1. In General. A regular probationary appointee is a candidate for indefinite tenure. A probationary
appointment continues until it is superseded by an appointment with indefinite tenure or until terminated
by timely notice or by resignation. Regular probationary appointments are normally made at the rank of
assistant professor, but may be made at the rank of instructor, associate professor, or professor.
6.2. Requirements for Notice Requirements of Termination. Except as provided below, a probationary
appointment may be terminated at the end of any academic year by giving the faculty member notice of
termination (in the form provided in section 17) not later than May 15 of the preceding academic year. The
notice must inform the faculty member of the right to request a hearing before the Judicial Committee and
must advise the faculty member of the applicable time limit for making such a request.
6.21. Associate Professors and Professors on Probationary Appointments. An initial probationary
appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor may specify in writing that it is for a minimum
period of three years. In such a case, the probationary period is three years and the appointment may not
be terminated before the end of the third year except as otherwise provided in these regulations; notice for
such a termination must be given to the faculty member not later than May 15 of the second year of service,
to take effect at the end of the third year of service.
6.22. Instructors on Probationary Appointments. An initial probationary appointment at the rank of
instructor may be made only if the candidate has not yet received the terminal degree necessary for
appointment as an assistant professor in the unit.
A probationary appointment at the rank of instructor may be for no more than two years. A one-year
appointment may be terminated at the end of the first year by notice given not later than March 1 of that
year. A two-year appointment may be terminated at the end of the second year by notice given not later
than December 15 of that year. In all other respects such appointments are governed by the notice
provisions specified in subsection 6.2.
The duration of the appointment as an instructor with probationary status counts toward the appointee’s
maximum period of probationary service under subsection 5.1. At the end of the probationary period as an
instructor, the faculty member must be promoted to the rank of assistant professor or receive notice of
termination.
6.3. Relation Between Tenure and Promotions. Only regular faculty members at the ranks of associate
professor and professor may hold indefinite tenure. [INTERP 7]
The granting of indefinite tenure to an assistant professor on a probationary appointment must be
accompanied by promotion to associate professor. The promotion of an assistant professor on a
probationary appointment to the rank of associate professor must be accompanied by an appointment with
indefinite tenure. The choice whether to award tenure and to promote is presented as a single question for
faculty vote.
An associate professor with a probationary appointment may be granted indefinite tenure without a
promotion in rank.
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The promotion of an associate professor on a probationary appointment to the rank of professor must be
accompanied by an appointment with indefinite tenure.
Promotion of an instructor to the rank of assistant professor is not accompanied by an appointment with
indefinite tenure.
6.4. Effect of Procedural Errors. A probationary faculty member is not entitled to an appointment with
indefinite tenure merely because the University failed to give timely written notice of termination of an
appointment or because the appointment was extended for any reason beyond the maximum probationary
period. In such a case, the University may in its sole discretion:
(a) Grant an appointment with indefinite tenure;
(b) Grant a further probationary appointment, if this would not exceed the maximum probationary
period; or
(c) Grant a terminal appointment ending at the end of the first full academic year which follows the
May 15th after proper notice is given.
SECTION 7. PERSONNEL DECISIONS CONCERNING PROBATIONARY FACULTY
7.1. Criteria for Decisions.
7.11. General Criteria. What the University of Minnesota seeks above all in its faculty members is
intellectual distinction and academic integrity. The basis for awarding indefinite tenure to the candidates
possessing these qualities is the determination that each has established and is likely to continue to
develop a distinguished record of academic achievement that is the foundation for a national or
international reputation or both [FN
2
]. This determination is reached through a qualitative evaluation of
the candidate's record of scholarly research or other creative work, teaching, and service [FN
3
].
The relative importance of these criteria may vary in different academic units, but each of the criteria must
be considered in every decision [FN
4
]. Demonstrated scholarly or other creative achievement and teaching
effectiveness must be given primary emphasis; service alone cannot qualify the candidate for tenure.
FN
2
"Academic achievement" includes teaching as well as scholarly research and other creative work. The definition and relative weight of
the factors may vary with the mission of the individual campus.
FN
3
The persons responsible and the process for making this determination are described in subsections 7.3 through 7.6.
"Scholarly research" must include significant publications and, as appropriate, the development and dissemination by other means of new
knowledge, technology, or scientific procedures resulting in innovative products, practices, and ideas of significance and value to society.
"Other creative work" refers to all forms of creative production across a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to, visual and
performing arts, design, architecture of structures and environments, writing, media, and other modes of expression.
"Teaching is not limited to classroom instruction. It includes extension and outreach education, and other forms of communicating
knowledge to both registered University students and persons in the extended community, as well as supervising, mentoring, and advising
students.
"Service" may be professional or institutional. Professional service, based on one's academic expertise, is that provided to the profession, to
the University, or to the local, state, national, or international community. Institutional service may be administrative, committee, and
related contributions to one's department or college, or the University. All faculty members are expected to engage in service activities, but
only modest institutional service should be expected of probationary faculty.
FN
4
Indefinite tenure may be granted at any time the candidate has satisfied the requirements. A probationary appointment must be
terminated when the appointee fails to satisfy the criteria in the last year of probationary service and may be terminated earlier if the
appointee is not making satisfactory progress within that period toward meeting the criteria.
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Interdisciplinary work, public engagement, international activities and initiatives, attention to questions of
diversity, technology transfer, and other special kinds of professional activity by the candidate should be
considered when applicable. The awarding of indefinite tenure presupposes that the candidate's record
shows strong promise of the candidate’s achieving promotion to professor.
7.12. Departmental Statement. [FN
5
] Each department or equivalent academic unit must have a document
that specifies (1) the indices and standards that will be used to determine whether candidates meet the
threshold criteria of subsection 7.11 ("General Criteria" for the awarding of indefinite tenure); (2) the
indices and standards that will be used to determine whether candidates meet the threshold criteria of
subsection 9.2 ("Criteria for Promotion to Professor"); and (3) the goals and expectations to be used in
evaluating faculty members’ performance under subsection 7a (“Review of the Performance of Faculty
Members”). The document must contain the text and footnotes of subsections 7.11 and 9.2, and must be
consistent with the criteria given there but may exceed them. Each departmental statement must be
approved by a faculty vote (including both tenured and probationary members), the dean, and other
appropriate academic administrators, including the executive vice president and provost. The chair or head
of each academic unit must provide each probationary faculty member with a copy of the Departmental
Statement at the beginning of the probationary service. [INTERP 3]
7.2. Annual Review. The tenured faculty [FN
6
] of each academic unit annually reviews the progress of
each probationary faculty member toward satisfaction of the criteria for receiving tenure. The head of the
unit prepares a written summary of that review and discusses the candidate's progress with the candidate,
giving a copy of the report to the candidate.
7.3. Formal Action by the Faculty. The tenured faculty of the academic unit may recommend that a
probationary faculty member be granted indefinite tenure or that the appointment be terminated. If it does
neither, it is presumed to recommend a renewal of the appointment. In the final probationary year, if the
tenured faculty does not recommend an appointment with indefinite tenure, it must recommend
termination of the appointment. The recommendation is made by a vote of the regular faculty with
indefinite tenure in the unit. The presiding officer is not disqualified from voting merely because of office.
7.4. Procedures for Taking Formal Action. The academic unit must observe University procedures
established as provided in subsection 16.3. These procedures will provide the following:
(a) A good faith effort is made to gather all relevant information necessary to the decision. The
academic units have the primary obligation to assemble the file, but the faculty member also has
the right to add any material the faculty member considers relevant.
(b) The decision is made by vote, by written unsigned secret ballot, at a meeting of the regular faculty
who have indefinite tenure in the academic unit. The rules may provide for absentee ballots by
informed absent faculty members.
(c) Persons who have or have had a family or similar relationship to the candidate do not participate in
the decision. The procedures may establish methods for raising and ruling on such questions in
advance of the decision.
(d) Action is to be taken by majority vote. An academic unit may adopt a uniformly applicable rule that
a motion to recommend tenure must achieve a specified exceptional majority in order to constitute
an affirmative recommendation of that unit. In such case a motion which achieves a majority, but
not the required exceptional majority, must be sent forward for review by the appropriate review
process despite the absence of the unit's affirmative recommendation.
(e) The unit shall report the vote of the faculty, together with the reasons for the action taken. This
statement of reasons must take the form of a summary of both majority and minority views which
FN
5
“Departmental” refers to an academic department or its equivalent, such as division, institute, or unit.
FN
6
As used in this policy, “tenured faculty” means those members of the faculty who hold indefinite tenure.
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have substantial support which were expressed in the course of formal consideration of the action.
All statements must be made without personal attribution. A preliminary draft is open to members
of the faculty eligible to vote so they may comment and suggest changes. The final draft is sent to
the affected faculty member and is open to the faculty eligible to vote.
(f) Before submitting a formal recommendation for an appointment with indefinite tenure or for
termination of a probationary appointment, the head of the academic unit informs the appointee of
the recommendation and gives the appointee a copy of the final report. The appointee may submit
any comments upon the report to the academic administrator who will review the report, with a
copy to the head of the academic unit.
7.5. Nondisclosure of Grounds for Recommendation of Termination. The reasons for a
recommendation to terminate a probationary appointment may not be disclosed, except as part of the
review process, unless the faculty member requests such disclosure or makes a public statement
concerning the reasons for termination.
7.6. Review of Recommendations. Recommendations of academic units to grant indefinite tenure or to
terminate probationary appointments are reviewed at the collegiate and university levels.
7.61. Procedures. The review must be conducted according to University procedures, established as
provided in subsection 16.3. These procedures must provide for review and recommendations by the head
of the academic unit, by the dean of the collegiate unit, by faculty committees at the collegiate or University
level, and, when appropriate, by other academic administrators. The review must be conducted on the
basis of the standards and criteria established by subsections 7.11. and 7.12. and the applicable rules and
procedures. The rules may permit an administrator to refer the matter back to the unit for reconsideration,
but if the administrator and the unit do not agree after such reconsideration, both the recommendation and
the administrator's comments must be sent forward for final administrative action. A copy of each review
or recommendation must be supplied to the faculty member. The faculty member may comment thereon in
writing to those who will review the matter further.
7.62. Conflict of Interest. No one may participate both in an initial recommendation by an academic unit and
in a subsequent review of that recommendation, except that the head of the academic unit may make the
initial administrative review. No one who has participated in a recommendation or review may thereafter
serve as a member of the Judicial Committee in further consideration of that case.
Members of the Judicial Committee may not serve on collegiate or University review committees. Members
of the Judicial Committee may participate in initial recommendations by their own academic units, but are
disqualified from thereafter participating in Judicial Committee consideration of those decisions.
7.63. Final Administrative Action. The University may not act contrary to the recommendation of the
academic unit which made the initial recommendation except for substantive reasons which must be stated
in writing by the senior academic administrator to the faculty member, to the members of the academic
unit which made the recommendation, and to the president. The fact that participants in the review process
have recommended against the unit's initial recommendation is not, by itself, a substantive reason.
The senior academic administrator takes the steps necessary to make the necessary appointment or to give
notice of termination.
7.7. Improper Termination of Probationary Appointments. A person holding a regular probationary
appointment who has been given notice of termination may petition the Judicial Committee to review that
action. The Judicial Committee will not base its ruling on the merits of the decision itself, but will review
allegations that the decision was based in significant degree upon any of the following:
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(a) Personal beliefs, expressions or conduct which fall within the liberties protected by law or by the
principles of academic freedom as established by academic tradition and the constitutions and laws
of the United States and the state of Minnesota;
(b) Factors proscribed by applicable federal or state law regarding fair employment practices;
(c) Substantial and prejudicial deviation from the procedures prescribed in subsections 7.4 and 7.6 and
the procedural rules promulgated pursuant to those subsections;
(d) Failure to consider data available at the time of decision bearing materially on the faculty member's
performance;
(e) Demonstrable material prejudicial mistakes of fact concerning the faculty member's work or
conduct;
(f) Other immaterial or improper factors causing substantial prejudice; or
(g) Other violation of University policies or regulations.
Such proceedings are governed by section 15.
SECTION 7a. REVIEW OF FACULTY PERFORMANCE
7a.1. Goals and Expectations. The faculty of each academic unit must establish goals and expectations for
all faculty members, including goals and expectations regarding teaching, scholarly productivity, and
contributions to the service and outreach functions of the unit. The factors to be considered will parallel
those used by the unit in the granting of tenure, but will take into account the different stages of
professional development of faculty. The goals and expectations will be established in accordance with
standards established by the University Senate. They can provide for flexibility, so that some faculty
members can contribute more heavily to the accomplishment of one mission of the unit and others to the
accomplishment of other missions. The goals and expectations shall not violate the individual faculty
member's academic freedom in instruction or in the selection of topics or methods for research. They shall
include reasonable indices of acceptable performance in each of the areas (e.g., teaching contributions and
evaluations, scholarly productivity, service, governance and outreach activities). The dean reviews the
goals and expectations of each unit and may request changes to meet the standards of the University and of
the collegiate unit.
7a.2. Annual Review. Each academic unit, through its merit review process (established in accordance
with the standards adopted by the senate), annually reviews with each faculty member the performance of
that faculty member in light of the goals and expectations of the academic unit established under
subsection 7a.1. This review is used for salary adjustment and faculty development. The faculty member
will be advised of the evaluation and, if appropriate, of any steps that should be taken to improve
performance and will be provided assistance in that effort. If the head of the unit and a peer merit review
committee elected for annual merit review within that unit both find a faculty member's performance to be
substantially below the goals and expectations adopted by that unit, they shall advise the faculty member in
writing, including suggestions for improving performance, and establish a time period (of at least one year)
within which improvement should be demonstrated.
7a.3. Special Peer Review in Cases of Alleged Substandard Performance by Tenured Faculty. If, at the
end of the time period for improvement described in the previous paragraph, a tenured faculty member's
performance continues to be substantially below the goals and expectations of the unit and there has not
been a sufficient improvement of performance, the head of the academic unit and the elected peer merit
review committee may jointly request the dean to initiate a special peer review of that faculty member.
Before doing so, the dean shall independently review the file to determine that special peer review is
warranted. (in the case of an academic unit that is also a collegiate unit, the request shall be made to and
the review conducted by the responsible senior academic administrator.) The special peer review shall be
conducted by a panel of five tenured faculty members of equal or higher rank, selected to review that
individual. The faculty member under review shall have the option to appoint one member. The remaining
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members shall be elected by secret ballot by the tenured faculty of the unit. The members of the special
review panel need not be members of the academic unit. The special review panel shall provide adequate
opportunity for the faculty member to participate in the review process and shall consider alternative
measures that would assist the faculty member to improve performance. The tenure subcommittee may
adopt rules and procedures regulating the conduct of such reviews. The special review panel shall prepare
a report on the teaching, scholarship, service, governance, and (when appropriate) outreach performance
of the faculty member. It will also identify any supporting service or accommodation that the University
should provide to enable the faculty member to improve performance. Depending on its findings, the panel
may recommend:
(a) that the performance is adequate to meet standards and that the review be concluded;
(b) that the allocation of the faculty member's expected effort among the teaching, research, service
and governance functions of the unit be altered in light of the faculty member's strengths and
interests so as to maximize the faculty member's contribution to the mission of the University;
(c) that the faculty member undertake specified steps to improve performance, subject only to future
regular annual reviews as provided in subsection 7a.2;
(d) that the faculty member undertake specified steps to improve performance subject to a subsequent
special review under subsection 7a.3, to be conducted at a specified future time;
(e) that the faculty member's performance is so inadequate as to justify limited reductions of salary, as
provided in subsection 7a.4;
(f) that the faculty member's performance is so inadequate that the dean should commence formal
proceedings for termination or involuntary leave of absence as provided in sections 10 and 14; or
(g) some combination of these measures.
The panel will send its report to the dean, the head of the academic unit, and the faculty member. Within 30
work days of receiving the report, the faculty member may appeal to the Judicial Committee, which shall
review the report in a manner analogous to the review of tenure decisions (see subsection 7.7).
7a.4. Salary Reductions. If the special review panel recommends that the faculty member's performance
is so inadequate as to justify limited reductions of recurring salary, the head of the academic unit, with the
approval of the dean, may reduce the faculty member's recurring pay, subject to the following limitations:
(a) the amount of the decrease will not exceed 10% of the faculty member's recurring salary on the
basis of any one special review;
(b) recurring salary may not be reduced by more than 25% from the highest level of recurring pay ever
held by the faculty member;
(c) at least six months' notice of the decrease must be given;
(d) any decrease in recurring salary may be restored by the annual review process provided in
subsection 7a.2.
Within 30 work days of notice of the decrease, the faculty member may appeal this action to the Judicial
Committee, which shall review the action and the recommendation leading to it in a manner analogous to
the review of tenure decisions (see subsection 7.7). This review may not reconsider matters already
decided by the Judicial Committee under subsection 7a.3. Any decrease in recurring pay beyond the limits
specified in this subsection can only be imposed pursuant to sections 4.5, 10, 11, and 14.
7a.5. Peer Review Option. Upon application to it by the dean and faculty (or the elected faculty assembly)
of a collegiate unit, the Faculty Senate may adopt a system of peer review of performance of faculty of that
unit different from the system set forth in sections 7a.1 through 7a.4 if in the Faculty Senate's judgment so
proceeding is in the University's interest.
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SECTION 8. IMPROPER REFUSAL OF A NEW APPOINTMENT TO A TERM FACULTY MEMBER
A person holding a term faculty appointment who has been refused a renewal of that appointment or has
applied for and been refused a regular or a different term faculty appointment within six months of the end
of that appointment may petition the Judicial Committee to review the refusal, but only on the ground that
the decision was based in significant degree upon one or more of the following:
(a) Personal beliefs, expressions or conduct which fall within the liberties protected by law or by the
principles of academic freedom as established by academic tradition and the constitutions and laws
of the United States and the state of Minnesota;
(b) Factors proscribed by applicable federal or state law regarding fair employment practices;
(c) Essential and substantial written misrepresentation of the nature of the original appointment; or
(d) Other violation of University policies or regulations.
Such proceedings are governed by section 15.
SECTION 9. PERSONNEL DECISIONS FOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS AND PROFESSORS
9.1. Appointment of Associate Professors and Professors with Indefinite Tenure. Initial appointments
with indefinite tenure may only be made at the rank of associate professor or professor. Such appointments
may be made only after receiving the recommendation of the regular faculty holding indefinite tenure in
the academic unit concerned.
9.2. Criteria for Promotion to Professor. The basis for promotion to the rank of professor is the
determination that each candidate has (1) demonstrated the intellectual distinction and academic integrity
expected of all faculty members, (2) added substantially to an already distinguished record of academic
achievement, and (3) established the national or international reputation (or both) ordinarily resulting
from such distinction and achievement [FN
7
]. This determination is reached through a qualitative
evaluation of the candidate's record of scholarly research or other creative work, teaching, and service
[FN
8
]. The relative importance of these criteria may vary in different academic units, but each of the
criteria must be considered in every decision. Interdisciplinary work, public engagement, international
activities and initiatives, attention to questions of diversity, technology transfer, and other special kinds of
professional activity by the candidate should be considered when applicable. But the primary emphasis
must be on demonstrated scholarly or other creative achievement and on teaching effectiveness, and
service alone cannot qualify the candidate for promotion.
SECTION 10. UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR DISABILITY AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
10.1. Unrequested Leave of Absence for Disability. A faculty member who is physically or mentally
unable to perform reasonably assigned duties may be placed on unrequested leave of absence. The faculty
member is entitled to sick pay and disability insurance payments in accordance with University policy. The
FN
7
“Academic achievement” includes teaching as well as scholarly research and other creative work. The definition and relative weight of
the factors may vary with the mission of the individual campus. Not being promoted to the rank of professor will not in itself result in special
post-tenure review of a tenured associate professor.
FN
8
The persons responsible for this determination are the full professors in the unit who are eligible to vote. The outcome of the vote is
either promotion to the rank of professor or continuation in rank as an associate professor. The procedures for voting are identical to those
outlined in subsection 7.4 for the granting of indefinite tenure, the nondisclosure of grounds for the decision (subsection 7.5), and the review
of recommendations (subsection 7.6). In addition, a petition to the Judicial Committee for review of a recommendation of continuation in
rank as an associate professor follows the procedures specified in subsection 7.7 for decisions about promotion to associate professor and
conferral of indefinite tenure. See the definitions of "scholarly research," "other creative work," "teaching," and "service" in footnote [3]. A
greater contribution in the area of institutional service is expected of candidates for the rank of professor than was expected for the award of
tenure.
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Page 15 of 26
faculty member has a right to return to the faculty upon termination of the disability or upon cessation of
disability payments.
10.2. Disciplinary Action. [INTERP 4]
10.21. Termination or Suspension of a Faculty Appointment Before its Expiration. A faculty appointment may
be terminated or suspended before its ordinary expiration only for one or more of the following causes:
(a) sustained refusal or failure to perform reasonably assigned duties adequately;
(b) unprofessional conduct which severely impairs a faculty member's fitness in a professional
capacity;
(c) egregious or repeated misuse of the powers of a professional position to solicit personal benefits or
favors;
(d) sexual harassment or any other egregious or repeated unreasonable conduct destructive of the
human rights or academic freedom of other members of the academic community; or
(e) other grave misconduct manifestly inconsistent with continued faculty appointment.
10.22. Minor Disciplinary Actions. Minor sanctions, such as a letter of reprimand in the faculty member's file,
or the like, may be imposed for significant acts of unprofessional conduct. For minor sanctions, the dean
may impose the sanction after providing the faculty member notice of the proposed action and of the
reason that it has been proposed and giving the faculty member an opportunity to respond. If the faculty
member files a grievance under the University grievance policy to challenge a minor disciplinary matter,
the sanction shall be held in abeyance until the conclusion of the proceeding. The grievance panel shall
have jurisdiction to consider all claims raised by the faculty member, and if the case goes to arbitration, the
arbitrator shall be an individual with experience in academic matters.
10.3. Procedures. A faculty member may be placed on unrequested leave of absence or a faculty
appointment may be terminated or suspended for these the reasons specified in subsection 10.21 only in
accordance with the procedures set forth in section 14.
10.4. Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence. Notwithstanding other
provisions in these regulations, the process for decisions and appeals regarding disciplinary action in
response to complaints against faculty for alleged violation of Board of Regents Policy: Sexual Harassment,
Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence will be conducted under Administrative Policy: Sexual
Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence and related Administrative procedures. The
Administrative policy will provide that there will be a faculty member on the hearing panel for any case in
which a faculty member is a party.
SECTION 11. FISCAL EMERGENCY
11.1. Faculty Rights. The Board of Regents, if faced with the necessity of drastic reduction in the
University budget, has the power to suspend or abolish positions, or even entire departments, divisions, or
other administrative units. If confronted with such adverse contingency, the board will consult with and
secure the advice of faculty representatives, as provided in this section. Faculty members have the right to
full access to information about the situation and the alternatives being considered. In effecting
retrenchment because of financial necessity, the regents will make reductions in faculty positions only to
the extent that, in their judgment, is necessary after exploring various alternative methods of achieving
savings. The regents fully intend that the tenure system as a whole and the tenure rights of each individual
faculty member be protected in every feasible manner during periods of such retrenchment.
11.2. General Principles of Priority. The following general principles of priority apply in any financial
crisis.
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(a) first, the University must fully utilize all means consistent with its continued existence as an
institution of high academic quality to reduce expenses or to increase income which do not involve
the termination of faculty positions or the impairment of faculty rights.
(b) second, the University may consider alternatives which involve only the temporary reduction or
postponement of faculty compensation or the reduction of fringe benefits.
(c) only thereafter may the University suspend or terminate faculty positions in accordance with the
section.
11.3. First Stage: Alternative Approaches. If there has been a serious reduction in the University's
income, the president will report the matter to the Senate Consultative Committee. The president will
identify the magnitude of the shortfall, the measures which might be taken to alleviate it (which must not
involve impairment of faculty rights), and alternative measures which have been rejected. The president
will give the committee full access to all available information and will respond specifically to additional
proposals suggested by the committee. At this stage, the University will consider reductions in other
expenses. It will also consider increases in tuition, sales of assets, and borrowing. These steps will be
implemented by the president or the Board of Regents as is appropriate.
11.4. Second Stage: Reduction Or Postponement Of Compensation. If the University has implemented
all of the measures which are required to be considered in the first stage, which are consistent with its
continued operation as an institution of high academic quality, and they are inadequate to meet the
shortfall, the president may, after consultation with the Faculty Consultative Committee, propose the
temporary reduction or postponement of faculty compensation for a predetermined period not to exceed
one year, according to a mathematic formula or similar device. The Faculty Consultative Committee will
report on the adequacy of the steps taken in the first stage and make its recommendations on the proposal.
If the Faculty Senate approves the proposed action (or any modification of it) by an absolute majority of its
membership or by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting (a quorum being present), the
Board of Regents may take that action (or any less stringent action) and, to that extent, modify the terms of
the appointments of all faculty members. The Board of Regents may rescind the action at any time
thereafter. Such action may be repeated by the same procedures.
11.5. Third Stage: Fiscal Emergency. If there has been a reduction of the University's income which is so
drastic as to threaten its survival, and this threat cannot be alleviated by the measures specified above, the
Board of Regents may declare a fiscal emergency. During such an emergency, the Board of Regents may
terminate or suspend faculty appointments as provided in this section.
11.51. Preliminary Procedures. Before recommending to the Board of Regents that it declare a fiscal
emergency, the president must meet with the Senate Consultative Committee to examine alternatives to
and consequences of such a declaration. The president must provide the committee access to all available
information. The president must provide a written report identifying the dollar amount to be saved by
reducing faculty positions. This report must also identify the dollar amount proposed to be saved by any
other measures to be taken, including the level of any concurrent reductions in non-faculty staff during the
emergency. The Faculty Consultative Committee will prepare a written report on the president's proposal,
to which the Senate Consultative Committee may add additional comments. The Faculty Senate will first
consider and act on the proposal and reports. Thereafter, the University Senate may consider them. The
president must attend both senate meetings to explain the proposal and to answer questions.
After receiving the president's recommendation and the resolutions of the senates, the Board of Regents
may declare a state of fiscal emergency. Before action contrary to the recommendation of the University
Senate is subsequently taken, the president must report in writing and in person the reasons for this action
to the Senate Consultative Committee. The Board of Regents' resolution states the maximum amount to be
realized from termination or suspension of faculty appointments.
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Page 17 of 26
11.52. Duration. A fiscal emergency lasts no longer than 12 months unless renewed by the same procedure.
A fiscal emergency may be rescinded at any time by the Board of Regents.
11.53. Allocation of Shortfall. After consultation with the Faculty Consultative Committee and the Senate
Consultative Committee, the president proposes an initial allocation of the shortfall to the various collegiate
units, which need not be prorated. The committee must obtain the views of the faculty in the affected units
and must hold an open meeting at which anyone may comment upon the proposed action. It may also
request the assistance of other University or Senate committees in studying all or particular aspects of the
educational policies and priorities involved in the action. The colleges and campuses then allocate the
shortfall to the various academic units after similar consultation with the representative bodies and
academic units in the colleges and similar open meetings. The plans must reflect the principles and
priorities established in subsection 11.6. The colleges and campuses return their plans to the executive vice
president and provost, who prepares a comprehensive plan for the University, including a list of the
persons whose appointments will be suspended or terminated. This plan is submitted to the University
Senate and the Faculty Senate for their recommendation. The recommendations of the senate and the
executive vice president and provost's plan will be presented to the president and the Board of Regents for
action.
11.6. Principles Governing Termination or Suspension.
11.61. General Principles.
(a) Savings achieved through resignations, retirements, renegotiations of contracts, inloading or other
measures must be credited to the assigned shortfall before terminating or suspending faculty
appointments.
(b) A good faith effort should be made to use temporary suspensions or voluntary furloughs rather
than terminations. In this third stage, the Board of Regents may impose the temporary or
permanent reduction of faculty compensation or the reduction of fringe benefits, in excess of those
approved in the second stage. Suspensions without pay for no more than one-third of the annual
appointment in any year may be ordered in accordance with objective criteria, provided that faculty
members are given at least six months notice.
(c) Terminations may not be used in case of a short-term financial crisis, but only if the circumstances
are such that the shortfall is reasonably expected to continue over a substantial number of years.
(d) A good faith effort must be made to cover as much of the shortfall as possible by allowing non-
regular appointments to lapse and by giving notice to probationary faculty in accordance with the
terms of their appointments.
(e) A good faith effort must be made to cover as much of the shortfall as possible by transferring faculty
members to other positions for which they are qualified or by offering them retraining for available
positions.
(f) The selection of faculty members within an academic unit for termination must be made on
objective criteria. It may not involve a comparative evaluation of the relative merits of individuals
or a repetition of the tenure-granting process.
11.62. Priorities.
(a) Unless the unit can demonstrate that essential functions could not otherwise be performed:
1. all non-regular faculty within an academic unit must be suspended or terminated before any
regular faculty may be suspended or terminated in that unit; and
2. all probationary faculty within an academic unit must be suspended or terminated before any
tenured faculty may be suspended or terminated in that unit.
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Page 18 of 26
(b) Care must be taken to protect the employment of women and minorities entitled to affirmative
action. The executive vice president and provost must insure that for the University as a whole the
plan which is submitted does not reduce the proportion of appointments with indefinite tenure
held by women or minorities entitled to affirmative action, and does not reduce the proportion of
non-regular appointments held by women or minorities entitled to affirmative action.
11.63. Notice and Severance Pay. A faculty member whose appointment is to be terminated or suspended is
entitled to a minimum of one full academic year's notice or to one year's salary as severance pay in lieu of
notice, unless the appointments would otherwise expire earlier.
11.64. Reemployment Rights. The University will not fill any faculty position for which a faculty member
with indefinite tenure who has been terminated is qualified for five years after notice of termination, unless
it first offers the position to each such faculty member and gives a reasonable time for the faculty member
to accept or reject it.
11.7. Judicial Committee Report. A faculty member whose appointment is terminated or suspended may
make a written request for review by the Judicial Committee. The review will be conducted in accordance
with section 15. The Judicial Committee will not reexamine the determination that a fiscal emergency
exists, nor will it reexamine the educational policies and priorities pursued unless it finds a substantial
failure to follow the procedures established in this section. It will only examine whether the action was
taken in accordance with the procedures and standards set forth in this section, whether the action was
based on a violation of academic freedom or constitutional or legal rights, or was substantially based on
immaterial or improper factors. It may consolidate cases involving common issues for a single hearing.
SECTION 12. PROGRAMMATIC CHANGE
12.1. Programmatic Change. The University and faculty recognize that changes in academic programs are
an essential part of the development and growth of the institution. These changes should be based on
academic considerations and on long-term policy and planning, and may be undertaken only after
consultation with the faculty, including the appropriate governance structure.
12.2. Faculty Rights and Duties. In the event that programmatic change leads to discontinuation of a
program in which a member of the faculty is employed, the University recognizes its obligation to continue
the employment of regular faculty in accordance with the terms of their employment, and to continue the
employment of non-regular faculty for the term of appointment. In case of fiscal emergency, the provisions
of section 11 apply.
Regular faculty members who are so retained have the responsibility to accept teaching or other
assignments for which they are qualified, and to accept training to qualify them for assignment in other
fields. The University has the responsibility to assign such faculty members to responsibilities as closely
related to their original field of tenure as is practicable, to allow them time in which to continue scholarship
in their original field if they wish, and to recognize scholarly contributions in that field as valuable in
assessing their contribution to the University for pay, promotion and other purposes.
In addition to the steps mentioned above, the University has the right to offer inducements to faculty
members voluntarily to change fields of study, to seek employment elsewhere, or to accept early
retirement.
12.3. Reassignments. In cases of programmatic change, an officer designated by the president will make
the reassignment or offer of training. The officer will consult with the faculty member and the receiving
unit and will seek a mutually satisfactory assignment. If agreement cannot be reached, the University
officer will assign new responsibilities after consultation with the individual.
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The University may give the faculty member other assignments only if assignments to teaching in the
faculty member's discipline are not feasible. For example, faculty might be assigned
• to teach in another field in which the individual is qualified
• to perform professional or administrative duties, including professional practice in a field in which
the individual is qualified.
• to transfer effort, by assignment in a suitable professional capacity, at another educational
institution or similar entity, while retaining University tenure, compensation, and benefits.
A faculty member must accept any reasonable reassignment or offer of retraining. Following the
assignment, any dispute about the reasonableness of reassignment may be taken to the Judicial Committee,
as provided in section 15. The faculty member shall perform the reassignment pending resolution of the
dispute, unless the president on the recommendation of the chair of the Judicial Committee determines that
provisional measures are appropriate.
12.4. Termination of Appointment. A faculty member who chooses not to accept a reasonable
reassignment or retraining opportunity shall receive:
(a) Assistance in locating other employment;
(b) A minimum of one full academic year's notice or one year's salary as severance pay in lieu of notice,
unless the appointment would otherwise expire earlier.
(c) Continuation of the University's contribution to health benefits for one year after the date of the
termination of the appointment.
In place of the severance payment provided by this section, a faculty member may select another severance
program for which the faculty member is otherwise eligible at the time the appointment is terminated.
SECTION 13. JUDICIAL COMMITTEE
13.1. Membership. The Judicial Committee is composed of at least nine members of the regular faculty.
The number of members and manner of appointment is governed by the Faculty Senate bylaws.
13.2. Procedures. The Judicial Committee applies and interprets this tenure code in complaints that come
before it. The Judicial Committee has its own Rules of Procedure and may adopt additional rules with the
approval of the Tenure Committee, as provided in section 16.3.
In every case before the Judicial Committee the senior academic administrator may designate the academic
administrator who will represent the University as respondent. If the case involves two or more campuses
or areas, the president or the executive vice president and provost may designate the respondent.
13.3. Duty to Testify. Faculty members and administrators have an obligation to appear before the Judicial
Committee if asked to give testimony in matters pending before it.
13.4. Panels. The Judicial Committee may sit in panels to hear individual cases. In cases under sections 10
and 14, the panel must consist of at least five members. In all other cases, the panel must consist of at least
three members. The rules of the Judicial Committee will establish the respective functions of the committee
as a whole and of the individual panels.
13.5. Legal Officer. The Judicial Committee shall have its own legal officer, appointed by the Judicial
Committee with the approval of the president. The Judicial Committee also may, with the approval of the
president, appoint a deputy legal officer, or a substitute legal officer for a particular case, as necessary. At
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the direction of the committee, the legal officer may preside at hearings of Judicial Committee panels or
regulate the procedure in Judicial Committee cases. The legal officer may be present and participate in the
deliberation of a panel, but shall have no vote.
SECTION 14. PROCEDURES IN CASES OF UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR TERMINATION OR
SUSPENSION OF A FACULTY APPOINTMENT FOR CAUSE [INTERP 5]
14.1. Preliminary Proceedings. Only a dean or an academic administrator specially designated by the
executive vice president and provost or by the senior academic administrator may initiate preliminary
proceedings under this section leading to unrequested leave of absence or to suspension or removal or to
temporary or permanent reduction in rank. The dean [FN
9
] must first attempt to discuss and resolve the
matter with the faculty member involved.
The dean must then submit the matter to the tenured faculty of the academic unit involved for their
recommendation.
If the executive vice president and provost and the Faculty Senate have expressly approved the submission
of allegations of the violation of a specified policy to another body for preliminary recommendation, in
place of submission to the tenured faculty of the academic unit, the dean must submit the matter to that
body for its recommendation.
Both the dean and the faculty member may submit their views, in person or in writing, to the body making
the recommendation, but neither of them may participate in the deliberation or vote. The body making the
recommendation does so by secret ballot and makes a written report to the dean within 40 work days of
submission of the issue to it, indicating the number of votes for and against the proposed action and the
reasons articulated. A copy of the report shall be sent to the senior academic administrator and to the
faculty member.
14.2. Formal Action. Within 40 work days after receiving the recommendation of the tenured faculty or
other body, the dean must decide whether to proceed with formal action. Before taking formal action, the
dean must consult with the senior academic administrator. If the dean does not proceed within 40 work
days, the charges are dropped and the faculty member and the academic unit are so notified in writing. If
the dean decides to proceed with formal action, the dean must give written notice to the faculty member.
The notice must specify the action proposed, identify the specific ground upon which it has been taken, and
summarize the evidence in support. It must inform the faculty member of the right to request a hearing
before the Judicial Committee and advise the faculty member of the applicable time limit for making such a
request.
If the faculty member does not request a hearing within 30 work days, the president may take the action
proposed in the dean's notice, without further right to a hearing.
14.3. Judicial Committee Hearing. The faculty member may request a hearing before the Judicial
Committee by written request to the chair of the committee, filed within 30 work days of the notice. The
Judicial Committee may extend the 30 day period for good cause. The dean will be responsible for
presenting the case. The dean has the burden of proving the case for the proposed action by clear and
convincing evidence and also has the burden of demonstrating the appropriateness of the proposed action,
rather than some lesser measure.
FN
9
Throughout this section the word "dean" means the dean of the collegiate unit or other equivalent officer or an academic administrator
specifically designated for this purpose by the senior academic administrator or by the executive vice president and provost.
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The Judicial Committee makes written findings of fact, conclusions, and a recommendation for the
disposition of the case. If the committee finds that action is warranted, it may recommend action that is less
severe than that requested in the written notice, including but not limited to, permanent or temporary
reduction in salary or rank. It may not recommend more severe measures than those proposed in the
dean's notice.
The Judicial Committee sends its report to the president with copies to the faculty member, the dean and
the senior administrator.
14.4. Action by the President. The president shall give the faculty member and the dean the opportunity
to submit written comments on the report. In determining what action to take, the president may consult
privately with any administrators, including attorneys, who have had no previous responsibility for the
decision at issue in the case and have not participated in the presentation of the matter to the Judicial
Committee. The president may not discuss the case with any administrator who was responsible for the
decision at issue in the case or who participated in the presentation of the matter to the senate Judicial
Committee. Such administrators may communicate with the president in writing, but only if the full text of
the communication is given to the faculty member and the faculty member is given a reasonable
opportunity to respond to it.
The president shall not take action materially different from that recommended by the panel unless, prior
to the action, the president has consulted with the committee. Parties and their representatives shall not be
present at any meeting between the president and the committee nor shall their consent be required for
such meeting.
In addition, the president may request the Judicial Committee to make further findings of fact, to clarify its
recommendation or to reconsider its recommendation. The reconsideration will be made by those who
have heard of all of the evidence in the case, but the full Judicial Committee may consult with them on
questions of general policy.
The president may impose the action recommended by the committee, or any action more favorable to the
faculty member. The president may impose action less favorable to the faculty member only for important
substantive reasons, which must be stated in writing, with specific detailed reference to the report of the
Judicial Committee, the evidence presented, and the policies involved. The president's written statement
must be given to the parties and to the Judicial Committee. If the Judicial Committee decides that the
president has imposed an action that is less favorable to the faculty member than it had recommended, it
shall inform the faculty by publication of the president's action in the docket of the Faculty Senate. If the
faculty member waives rights to confidentiality, the full text of the statement will be published. Otherwise a
summary of the statement will be published without identification of the faculty member or information
that may indirectly identify the faculty member.
14.5. Appeal to the Board of Regents. If the action involves removal or if the action involves a sanction
more severe than that recommended by the Judicial Committee, the faculty member may appeal to the
Board of Regents. In cases in which the president imposes a sanction more severe than that recommended
by the Judicial Committee, the faculty member and the president may present to the board evidence with
respect to issues on which the president differs from the recommendation of the Judicial Committee. The
request for a hearing must be made to the secretary of the board within ten work days of the president's
action.
14.6. Temporary Suspension During Proceedings. The dean may temporarily suspend a faculty member
during the proceedings, but only if there is clear evidence that the faculty member is likely to cause serious
harm or injury or is not available for work. The suspension will be with full pay, unless the faculty member
is not available for work. Before ordering such suspension, the dean must present the evidence to a special
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panel of the Faculty Consultative Committee and receive their written report. The faculty member must be
given the opportunity to contest the suspension before the panel.
If no final decision has been rendered one year after the commencement of formal proceedings, the faculty
member shall be temporarily suspended without pay, unless the parties agree otherwise, or unless the
hearing panel of the Judicial Committee extends the time period because of undue delays in the procedure
attributable to the action of the University. This provision applies only in a case in which the majority of the
tenured faculty of the academic unit concurred in the recommendation to terminate the appointment. If the
faculty member is reinstated or if the president determines that the temporary suspension without pay
was not warranted, then the president shall order the repayment of back pay to the faculty member with
interest thereon from the date it would originally have been paid.
In case of any suspension under this section, the faculty member shall continue to receive full medical
insurance and disability benefits without regard to the suspension.
14.7. Resignation During Proceedings. A faculty member may submit a written notice of resignation to
the president at any time during Judicial Committee proceedings pursuant to this section. Upon the
effective date of such resignation, the proceedings will be discontinued unless the faculty member
concurrently files a written request with the Judicial Committee that they be carried to completion.
SECTION 15. APPEALS TO THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE [INTERP 6]
15.1. Right to Review. Any faculty member who claims that the faculty member’s rights or status under
these regulations have been adversely affected without the faculty member’s consent may seek review
before the Judicial Committee. Cases arising under sections 1, 4, 7, 7a, 8, 10, 11 or 12 must be brought
directly to the Judicial Committee. In these cases, that is, the Judicial Committee has original jurisdiction. In
other cases, the faculty member must exhaust all other available University remedies before bringing the
case to the Judicial Committee; the Judicial Committee will not proceed with such a case until the
appropriate University body has either decided it or has refused to consider it. In such cases, the Judicial
Committee has appellate jurisdiction.
15.2. Procedure for Securing Review. A written request for review must be filed with the chair of the
Judicial Committee within 30 work days of written notice of the action challenged. The request must
specify the action complained of and the remedial action the individual seeks. Within 30 work days of filing,
the chair of the Judicial Committee must send copies of the request to the head of the academic unit
concerned and to the senior academic administrator.
The Judicial Committee, however, may extend the time for filing for review for reasons that seem
compelling to the committee, such as mental or physical illness, or serious personal or family problems, or
doubt concerning when final action was taken.
15.3. Hearings Before the Judicial Committee. The person seeking review has the burden of proving by
the preponderance of the evidence that the action complained of was improper unless the Judicial
Committee, for good cause, otherwise directs.
The Judicial Committee does not itself decide whether the faculty member is professionally worthy of a
faculty position, but only determines whether the action was based in significant degree upon any of the
factors specified in subsection 7.7 or section 8.
In cases involving sections 7, 8, or 11, the Judicial Committee hears the merits of the case, as provided in
those sections. In other cases, if there is an appropriate University body to review the matter, the Judicial
Committee will only determine whether that body has given the faculty member due process and whether,
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on the basis of the facts found by that body, there has been a violation of these regulations or of the faculty
member's academic freedom. If there is no appropriate University body to hear such a case, or if the
Judicial Committee finds that the body which heard the case did not provide due process, the Judicial
Committee may hear the merits or may appoint an ad hoc tribunal to hear them.
15.4. Action by the Judicial Committee. The Judicial Committee makes written findings of fact,
conclusions, and a recommendation for the disposition of the case.
If the Judicial Committee finds that the action complained of was improper, it also specifies the respects in
which it finds the action to have been improper and recommends appropriate remedial action.
If it recommends reconsideration, it may specify the manner in which reconsideration will be undertaken
to avoid the influence of improper factors. If a probationary faculty member has reached the maximum
probationary period, the committee may recommend a non-regular appointment for an additional
academic year to provide for reconsideration.
The Judicial Committee sends its report to the president with copies to the faculty member and the
administrator who appeared as respondent.
15.5. Action by the President. The president must give the faculty member and the administrator the
opportunity to submit written comments on the report. In determining what action to take, the president
may consult privately with any administrators, including attorneys, who have had no previous
responsibility for the decision at issue in the case and have not participated in the presentation of the
matter to the Judicial Committee. The president may not discuss the case with any administrator who was
responsible for the decision at issue in the case or who participated in the presentation of the matter to the
senate Judicial Committee. Such administrators may communicate with the president in writing, but only if
the full text of the communications is given to the faculty member and the faculty member is given a
reasonable opportunity to respond to it.
The president shall not take action materially different from that recommended by the panel unless, prior
to the action, the president has consulted with the committee. The parties and their representatives shall
not be present at any meeting between the president and the committee nor shall their consent be required
for such meeting.
In addition, the president may request the Judicial Committee to make further findings of fact, to clarify its
recommendation or to reconsider its recommendation. The reconsideration will be made by those who
have heard all of the evidence in the case, but the full Judicial Committee may consult with them on
questions of general policy.
The president may impose the action recommended by the committee or any action more favorable to the
faculty member. The president may impose action less favorable to the faculty member only for important
substantive reasons, which must be stated in writing, with specific detailed reference to the report of the
Judicial Committee, the evidence presented, and the policies involved. The president's written statement
must be given to the parties and to the Judicial Committee. If the Judicial Committee decides that the
president has imposed an action that is less favorable to the faculty member than it had recommended, it
shall inform the faculty by publication of the president's action in the docket of the Faculty Senate. If the
faculty member waives rights to confidentiality, the full text of the statement will be published. Otherwise a
summary of the statement will be published without identification of the faculty member or information
that may indirectly identify the faculty member. The president's written statement must be given to the
parties and to the Judicial Committee.
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15.6. Actions Requiring Reconsideration. If the Judicial Committee recommends reconsideration of an
action, that reconsideration will be undertaken under the supervision of the senior academic
administrator, unless otherwise specified. The Judicial Committee may retain provisional jurisdiction of the
matter to review allegations that the reconsideration itself was improper, and may make supplementary
findings, conclusions, and recommendations in this regard.
15.7. Recommendations for Changes in University Policies and Procedures. As a result of Judicial
Committee proceedings, the Judicial Committee, the Tenure Committee or the executive vice president and
provost may initiate steps to clarify or improve University rules or policies involved. The changes will not
affect the outcome of the case before the committee.
SECTION 16. ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE COMMITTEE
16.1. Membership. The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee (referred to elsewhere in these
regulations as the Tenure Committee) is composed of at least seven members of the faculty and such other
persons as the Faculty Senate bylaws shall provide. The manner of appointment is governed by the Faculty
Senate bylaws.
16.2. Interpretations. The executive vice president and provost and the Tenure Committee may propose
formal interpretations of these regulations, consistent with their terms. Such interpretations must be
reported to the Faculty Senate and the Board of Regents. If adopted by the Board of Regents, such
interpretations will be binding in all cases subsequently arising.
16.3. Procedures. The executive vice president and provost and the Tenure Committee may jointly adopt
the procedures provided by subsections 7.4 and 7.61, and jointly approve the procedures proposed by the
Judicial Committee under subsection 13.2. Such procedures must be reported to the Faculty Senate and the
Board of Regents before they go into effect.
16.4. Additional Functions. The Tenure Committee also advises the University and makes
recommendations concerning the interpretation and amendment of these regulations.
SECTION 17. WRITTEN NOTICE
Notices of termination of a probationary appointment, of suspension or termination of an appointment, or
of placement on unrequested leave of absence for disability, must be sent by registered or certified mail to
the last known residence address of the faculty member concerned and also by campus mail to the faculty
member's campus address, if any. The written notice satisfies the applicable time requirement if it is
postmarked at or before midnight of the applicable date.
Failure to comply fully with this section is immaterial if, in fact, the faculty member was not prejudiced by
such failure.
SECTION 18. PUBLICATION
These regulations, and the interpretations referred to in section 16, will be published and made available to
all faculty members. Every faculty member who holds a regular or non-regular appointment, except for
courtesy faculty appointments without salary, must be given a copy of the current regulations and copies of
subsequent amendments or published interpretations.
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SECTION 19. AMENDMENT
These regulations are subject to amendment by the Board of Regents. Proposed amendments from any
source will be submitted to the Faculty Senate for its advice and recommendation before final action by the
Board of Regents. The Faculty Senate will solicit the recommendations of the Faculty Affairs Committee, the
Judicial Committee, and the Tenure Committee, before giving its advice and recommendation.
REVISION HISTORY
Adopted: February 9, 1945
Amended: November 22, 1963; April 10, 1964; January 13, 1967; December 8, 1972; March 13, 1981;
February 8, 1985; September 13, 1991; March 12, 1993; November 10, 1994; October 10, 1995; November
7, 1996; December 13, 1996; June 13, 1997; September 12, 1997; June 9, 2000; March 9, 2001; June 8,
2007; June 10, 2011; July 30, 2020
Technical Correction: March 31, 2016; December 17, 2021
Last Comprehensive Review: 2019
Supersedes: Regents' Policies Statement dated February 8, 1974; and Authority to Correct Policies dated
July 8, 1983.
INTERPRETATIONS
Dated April 12, 1985; September 8, 1988; March 12, 1993 and October 13, 1985; June 9, 2000; June 10,
2011.
1. Interpretation of Subsection 4.4: Definition of Recurring Salaries.
It is expected that any salary increases normally will be added to recurring salary if recurring funds are
available for that purpose. Subsection 4.4 does not give any specific faculty member a legal entitlement or
right to an increase in recurring salary.
2. Interpretation of Subsection 4.5: Financial Stringency.
Financial stringency in subsection 4.5 is understood to mean financial difficulties that are unusual in extent
and require extraordinary rather than ordinary responses. Section 11 may be invoked if the regents are
“faced with the necessity of drastic reduction in the University budget,” reductions so severe that they may
“threaten [the] survival” of the University. It is understood that the financial difficulty that would permit
the president to propose temporary reductions or postponements in compensation under subsection 4.5 is
less severe than the “fiscal emergency” outlined in section 11, but it is also understood that “financial
stringency” should not be invoked to respond to foreseeable fluctuations in the University’s budget and
finances.
3. Interpretation of Subsection 7.12: Review of Departmental Statements. June 9, 2000
The faculty of an academic unit are expected to periodically review their criteria for awarding indefinite
tenure and for promotion in rank and reflect any new criteria in a revision of their subsection 7.12
Statement. The new criteria and subsection 7.12 Statement must be adopted in accordance the established
procedures of the University, after consultation as required by those procedures. Current probationary
faculty in the unit may elect to be evaluated on the criteria for tenure and promotion in the previous
subsection 7.12 Statement or on the new criteria. This option is also available to current tenured faculty in
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their evaluation for promotion to the next level. Probationary or tenured faculty must make this decision
within one year of the date of administrative approval of the new criteria.
4. Interpretation of Amendment to Subsection 10.2: Faculty Assignments.
Faculty members are free to choose topics for research or outreach and to discuss all relevant matters in
the classroom, in accordance with the principles of academic freedom and responsibility. The head of the
academic unit will assign individual faculty members to teach specific courses in accordance with the
academic workload statement and other policies adopted by the faculty of that unit. A faculty member may
challenge an assignment by showing that it is unreasonable. An assignment is unreasonable if: (a) taken as
a whole, it exceeds the workload expected in the workload statement of that unit, (b) the faculty member
lacks the basic qualifications to teach the course, or (c) the assignment was made in violation of the faculty
member’s academic freedom or in violation of another specific university policy. The faculty member
should carry out the teaching assignment pending resolution of any grievance, unless the responsible
grievance or hearing officer or panel indicates that provisional measures are appropriate.
5. Interpretation of Amendments to Subsections 14.1 and 14.2: Timely Responses in Cases of
Unrequested Leave of Absence, Termination, or Suspension.
The timelines for responses by either the involved faculty member or administrator may be extended by
agreement of the parties to the proceeding or for extraordinary circumstances. An agreement of the parties
to extend the time limit shall be in writing, signed by both parties or their representatives. If the parties do
not agree, either party may apply to the chair of the Senate Judicial Committee for an extension of the time
in which to take the steps required in this section. If the faculty member has failed to act within the time
limits prescribed in these sections, the responsible administrator may request the chair of the Senate
Judicial Committee to set a specific date by which the faculty member must take action; if the faculty
member fails to do so, the petition for review will be dismissed without further proceedings and the
requested disciplinary action (or any lesser sanction) may be taken. If the responsible administrator has
failed to act within the time limits prescribed in these sections, the faculty member may request the chair of
the Senate Judicial Committee to set a specific date by which the administrator must take action; if the
administrator fails to do so, the proceedings shall be dismissed and further action can be taken only by
reinitiating the entire proceedings.
6. Interpretation of Section 15: Judicial Committee Review of Decisions on Promotions.
As stated in the Preamble, the tenure regulations "provide a comprehensive set of policies dealing with the
relationship between the University and its faculty," including decisions regarding promotions in rank that
may or may not involve questions of tenure. When a faculty member's request for promotion is not
approved, the Judicial Committee shall conduct a review in a manner analogous to the review of tenure
decisions (see subsection 7.7). Such cases may be brought directly to the Judicial Committee without a
requirement that the faculty member exhaust all other available University remedies before bringing the
case to the Judicial Committee.
7. Interpretation of Subsection 6.3: Relation Between Tenure and Promotion.
Regular faculty with appointments as assistant professors with indefinite tenure at the time of the adoption
of this interpretation in 2011 will continue to hold these appointments until they retire, subject to the
review provisions of subsection 7a and as otherwise provided in these regulations.
