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Dear Colleagues,

In my role as ADoF, I have received a number of inquiries over the past several months regarding the timing for pre-tenure comprehensive review and tenure review. The goal of this memo is to make transparent the policies that may impact this timing, so that pre-tenure faculty and their mentors are better informed about their options. As you consider the timing of your next review, please remember to speak with your Department Chair/Program Director about your plans, and to keep your Division Director informed of any potential changes to your timeline. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about how 51����’s policies apply to you, since everyone’s situation is unique.

COVID extensions

In the fall of 2021, Ellen Percy Kraly, Interim Provost and Dean of the Faculty, announced an extended timing policy for pre-tenure and tenure review for faculty members whose research or teaching were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this policy, members of the faculty who started in tenure-stream positions at 51���� before the fall of 2021 are eligible to extend the timing of their pre-tenure review and/or tenure review by a total of up to four semesters. Faculty who entered the tenure stream in the 2021-2022 academic year are eligible for extensions of up to two semesters. This policy does not apply to faculty who joined the tenure-stream ranks anytime after the spring of 2022.

Tenure review extensions resulting from pre-tenure leave

Starting with faculty hired in the 2019-2020 academic year, 51���� has granted a four-course leave automatically upon successful completion of the pre-tenure review (or the fourth year review for Category I faculty), with the understanding that pre-tenure leaves will normally be taken during the faculty member’s fourth or fifth year. According to a new policy adopted by the faculty in 2022-2023, “Pre-tenure scholarly leaves of 2 courses may extend the timing of the tenure review by one semester and leaves of 3 or more courses may extend the timing by two semesters. The timing of the tenure review should be discussed following a successful pre-tenure review, and a final decision of whether to stand for review in a particular semester will be made no later than the meeting with the division director that begins the preparation of the tenure dossier” (Faculty Handbook, ).  

Faculty members who are eligible for tenure review extensions under both of these policies may combine a COVID extension with an extension resulting from pre-tenure leave. 

Below, please see a grid that lays out the potential application of these leave policies, based on date of hire into a tenure-stream position:

Other factors that may extend the timing of pre-tenure or tenure review, including 51����’s Family and Medical Leave Act policy, are described in of the Faculty Handbook. Please let me know if you have any questions as you, your Department Chair/Program Director, and your Division Director plan the timing of your pre-tenure and tenure reviews.

All the best,

Christian DuComb
Associate Dean of the Faculty for Faculty Recruitment and Development