Factors for promotion and tenure

Department of Sociology

Revised and adopted by the Department of Sociology faculty, March 2011

Approved by the Department of Sociology faculty meeting of March 30, 2011

Factors of tenure

In the Department of Sociology, a positive recommendation for continuing tenure is based upon excellence of performance by the candidate in scholarship, teaching and non-instructional services. Of the three, scholarship is the most important in that a high-quality or level of scholarship is a necessary condition for a positive tenure recommendation. In applying the factors, the Department of Sociology recognizes its responsibility to itself, its students and the university to upgrade the quality of its faculty continually. Integrity and high ethical standards are basic to a positive recommendation for tenure.

Scholarship

The Department of Sociology assumes that candidates for tenure engage in substantial scholarly projects which are published or are accepted for publication by high-quality periodicals and presses and other legitimate professional outlets both in the American Sociological Association official journals and reputable refereed journals in sociology or within the candidates' area of specialization. Candidates should realize that publications deemed valuable by the profession are the most important criterion for tenure. Also taken into account are external evaluations assessing a candidate's published research or that which has been accepted for publication.

Scholarly participation in professional association meetings, final reports, grant proposals, as well as grant awards, fellowships and other awards are also considered but are not given the same weight as publications. In evaluating the quality of scholarship, the department considers the nature, significance and scope of the material and the review process.

Teaching

Staff members of the Department of Sociology are expected to show excellence in classroom teaching. Syllabi, instructional materials and student course evaluations are considered in arriving at a tenured recommendation as well as peer evaluations when they are available. Initiation and development of new courses or seminars and updating of existing courses are examples of activities that also are considered. A candidate's participation in the direction of masters and Ph.D. level research contributes to tenure and promotion decisions.

Non-instructional service

The Department of Sociology expects its staff members to serve actively and constructively in committee work and other tasks related to the normal functioning of the department. Faculty also are expected to serve when called upon at the college and university level. Significant service to the profession, to the discipline and to the community are considered. Activity in regional, national and international professional associations certainly enhances and strengthens one's candidacy. Non-instructional service does not, however, serve as a substitute for excellence in scholarship and teaching.

Factors for promotion

The factors for promotion are similar to those for tenure except that the emphasis on the different elements may vary, with more attention given to scholarship and national recognition within the profession in the case of recommendations for promotion to Professor. Therefore, high-quality performance in scholarship is a necessary condition for a positive recommendation for promotion.