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In order to secure and retain an exemplary faculty, the following all-University criteria, as demonstrated by suitable evidence, shall be used to make tenure recommendations:

• high-quality teaching and academic advising;
• research, scholarly and/or creative achievement of high quality and its prospective continuation;
• productive professional service; and,
• professional collegiality within the department, division, campuses, and University community.

The usual emphasis, in descending order of significance, for the above criteria shall be:

1. high-quality teaching and academic advising,
2. a record of research, scholarly and/or creative achievement of high quality and its prospective continuation,
3. productive professional service, and
4. professional collegiality.

The University places importance on both teaching and research, scholarly and/or creative achievement. Neither aspect of a candidate’s career should be neglected if tenure is to be achieved.

The criteria applied to tenure recommendations are normally the criteria in force at the time the application is considered. In cases where new specifically-stated criteria have been adopted since a candidate was first appointed to a tenure-eligible position at Miami, the candidate has the option of being judged by the criteria in force at the time of appointment.

For the policy regarding eligibility to participate in the tenure and promotion process, see “Employment of Members of the Same Family”

7.8.a Candidate’s Preparation of Tenure and Promotion Materials

Individuals in their final probationary year and other members of the instructional staff who wish to be considered for promotion are responsible for assembling and submitting a dossier of relevant supporting materials (the application). Candidates may solicit suggestions from the department chair as to appropriate materials. The Promotion and Tenure Guidelines for Dossier Preparation are reviewed and approved each year by University Senate.

In the spring of the year prior to the candidate’s final tenure and/or promotion evaluation, the chair will develop a list of potential external reviewers, in conjunction with the candidate, the committee, and the dean. From this list, a minimum of four reviewers will be selected, from whom letters evaluating the candidate’s scholarship/creative activity will be solicited.

7.8.b Departmental Evaluation

After receiving the positive or negative recommendation of the department tenure or promotion committee, the department chair makes a positive or negative recommendation on the application to the divisional dean. The department's recommendation to the dean may be a joint report of the committee and the department chair. However, if the recommendations of the committee and the department chair differ, both are transmitted to the dean. The Promotion and Tenure Guidelines for Dossier Preparation are reviewed and approved each year by University Senate.

Note: To evaluate candidates seeking promotion to full professor, members of the promotion committee must hold the rank of full professor with tenure. To evaluate candidates seeking promotion to associate professor, members of a promotion and tenure committee must be tenured and hold the rank of associate or full professor. In the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, all faculty at appropriate rank serve on these committees.

7.8.c Divisional Evaluation

The faculty of each division may develop procedures for divisional handling of tenure and promotion matters. The dean of the division is responsible for making a positive or negative recommendation on each application for tenure or promotion. If the dean’s recommendation differs from the department chair’s or the department committee’s, the dean will discuss the case with the department chair or the committee (as appropriate) prior to the University Promotion and Tenure Committee meeting.

7.8.d University Promotion and Tenure Committee Evaluation

The Committee consists of the Provost as chair, the deans of the academic divisions, the Graduate Dean, the Dean of the Regional Campuses, and six tenured members of the instructional staff (at least one of whom is based on a regional campus) appointed by the President as members for staggered three-year terms. This committee considers all candidates who have received a positive recommendation on their application from the department committee, or the department chair, the program director (when appropriate), or the dean. The candidate’s application, the departmental or program (when appropriate) recommendation(s), and the dean’s recommendation shall all be forwarded to the University Promotion and Tenure Committee.

7.8.e Provost, President, and Board of Trustees Evaluation

Candidates who receive a positive recommendation from the University Promotion and Tenure Committee are advanced to the Provost for consideration. Candidates who receive a positive recommendation from the Provost are advanced to the President for consideration. Candidates who have the positive recommendation of the President are advanced to the Board of Trustees. Final action is taken by the Board of Trustees. If granted, tenure and/or promotion is conferred effective the next July 1 and is not specific to a given campus.

7.8.f Procedure When a Negative Tenure Recommendation is about to be Made

In the event any individual or committee is about to make a negative tenure recommendation, the annual written evaluations described in Section 7.5, Annual Review of Probationary Members of the Instructional Staff, will be reviewed by the individual or committee and appended to the candidate’s tenure application.

7.8.g Notification of Recommendation by Any Individual or Committee

A candidate who receives a positive recommendation is notified as soon as possible.

A candidate who receives a negative recommendation is notified in writing with a Statement of Reasons for the negative recommendation. This written Statement of Reasons, which becomes part of the record, must be given no later than ten (10) working days from the date the negative recommendation is made.

7.8.h Effect of Degree Completion on Promotion

No promotion is effected solely by the completion of a degree. In those cases where an individual’s appointment letter offers a rank contingent upon the completion of a degree, rank will be assigned as of the first day of the first regular academic term following award of the degree or the next July 1, whichever is earlier.