Factors for promotion and tenure

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Considerations: Regular faculty members

I. Factors statement for tenure and/or promotion

A tenure and/or promotion recommendation that is considered by the Tenure and Promotion Committee of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is based on factors that relate to excellence of performance in a) research, b) teaching, and c) non-instructional services to the department or university or service outside the university benefiting the university and the discipline.

a. Research

The factors are those which provide evidence that a faculty member is an excellent, productive research physicist. Such evidence includes but is not limited to: publication of research on a regular basis in refereed national or international journals of high reputation; presentations at scientific conferences, workshops, and/or other meetings; the establishment of a significant on-going research program at Wayne State University; research support from outside funding agencies. The committee will solicit and consider written opinions concerning the quality of a candidate's research by a number of outside scientists of national standing.

b. Teaching

Evidence is considered that relates to excellence and effectiveness in classroom teaching both at undergraduate and graduate levels. Student course evaluations will be considered as one measure of teaching performance. Initiation and development of new courses or seminars, or modernization of existing courses, are examples of activities which are also considered. Research supervision by a faculty member of master's and Ph.D. students leading to completion of a degree is expected. Also considered will be the individual direction of undergraduate students.

c. Non-instructional service

A factor in tenure recommendations is the effective and collegial participation of a faculty member in departmental, college, and university committees, and/or public or professional service that benefits the University and/or discipline.

In addition to these factors, the department recognizes its responsibility to itself and to the rest of the university community, to upgrade itself continually. Thus, it is not sufficient that a candidate evaluated in light of these factors be the equal of some existing tenured member to insure a positive tenure and/or promotion recommendation. Assessments of a candidate's qualifications for tenure and/or promotion shall not be based primarily upon the length of service in rank, but shall take into consideration proven abilities and potential for continued excellence. A candidate will be recommended for tenure and/or promotion only if such action is expected to enhance the overall quality of the Department.

II. Procedures

The procedures employed in assessing the unit factors and arriving at tenure and promotion recommendations are described in the bylaws of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Factors statement approved: Department Tenured Faculty Meeting, November 1, 2011

Approved by the College: November 16, 2011