GETTING TENURE AT FSU Janet Kistner VP Faculty

GETTING TENURE AT FSU Janet Kistner VP Faculty Development & Advancement April 2018

GETTING TENURE AT FSU • Hiring & Tenure Decisions are the most important decisions we make • Hired with the expectation that you will excel in your field • Our commitment to you: • Resources to launch your program of scholarship/creative works • Support for teaching • Positive work environment • Constructive, timely feedback on your progress toward tenure

UNIVERSITY TENURE CRITERIA • Meritorious performance in scholarly or creative accomplishments AND teaching AND service • Is there evidence that you: • have (or will) achieve national and international recognition as a scholar or creative artist in your field? • are an effective teacher and mentor? • make positive contributions in service to the university and your academic discipline?

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD TENURE?

FACULTY EVALUATIONS AT FSU • When do evaluations occur? • Annually: ratings plus progress toward P&T letters • 2 nd & 4 th year reviews (mini-P&T reviews) • P&T review • Who evaluates you for tenure? • Tenured faculty in your academic unit • Department Committee & Chair • College Committee & Dean • University Committee • Provost, President, Board of Trustees

TYPICAL TENURE TIMELINE* *FOR ASSISTANT PROFESSORS WITH NO “TENURE CREDIT” • Spring semester of your 5 th year: department recommends that you put together materials for P&T review (or recommends waiting a year) • Summer between your 5 th & 6 th years: outside letters are requested by your chair/dean and you are asked to prepare your P&T “binder” • Fall semester of your 6 th year: you submit your materials to the online P&T portal - the official start of your formal P&T review

TENURE TIMELINE (CONT’D) Fall Semester of your 6 th year: September: Department/School vote October: College vote (in A&S, college vote is preceded by votes by the Humanities and Sciences committees December: University P&T Committee votes January: review by Provost & President Final Decision: typically January-February

WHAT EVIDENCE WILL REPRESENT YOU? • Dean’s and Chair’s letters • External letters (from top scholars in your field) • C. V. • Evidence of Achievements (publications/supporting materials) • Research, Teaching and Service Statements • Annual Letters of Progress toward P&T • 2 nd & 4 th Year Review Narratives

PEER REVIEW, PEER REVIEW…. . • Peer reviews of scholarship and creative works • Peer reviews of grant proposals (in disciplines where external support is expected) • Peer (and student) “reviews” of your teaching • OUTSIDE LETTERS – all about peer review

YOUR ROLE IN FACULTY EVALUATIONS Make it easy for your faculty colleagues, chair, dean to see what you’ve accomplished Tell “your story” well • What are your most important professional accomplishments? • Why is your work important to the university, nation, world?

RESPONDING TO FEEDBACK • Be open to the feedback you receive (If your chair/dean tells you that you are not performing at the level expected, don’t question or debate the feedback) • Ask questions to clarify expectations and ask for suggestions about ways to improve • Thank your chair/dean for providing feedback – it’s the best thing a chair/dean can do for you is provide direct and timely feedback about your progress toward P&T

WHAT YOU CAN (SHOULD) DO NOW • Ask about your academic unit’s expectations of you and the criteria they most value in evaluating faculty performance • Seek mentors (both at FSU and outside of FSU) • Talk to recently tenured faculty colleagues to learn more about the process in your academic unit

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NCFDD Core Curriculum The NCFDD’s Core Curriculum is designed to teach 10 Key Skills that lead to thriving in the Academy.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SUCCESS • Stay focused on your goals • Maintain connections with leaders in your field of study • Seek mentors • Remember your timeline (amazing how fast the years go by) • Protect your time (but say yes to projects/tasks that will advance your career) • If you say you’re going to do something, do it well and on time

QUESTIONS?