IFO Contract
What the contract says and what is left for interpretation in Article 25. For up-to-date guidelines, see:
How is Tenure Awarded?
Subd. 1. Tenure. The decision to award tenure shall normally be based on the faculty member’s work during the probationary period. A faculty member’s work at the university prior to the commencement of the probationary period, if any, may be considered. To be awarded tenure, the faculty member must demonstrate a record of positive performance and professionally competent achievement over the duration of the probationary period that is consistent with the goals and objectives of the university/college/department/program and with the goals of the process outlined in Article 22. The faculty member’s record will be evaluated based on all the criteria outlined in Article 22. Completion of the probationary period alone does not mean the standards of tenure have been met.
How is Promotion Awarded?
Subd. 2. Promotion. The decision to promote shall be based on the faculty member’s cumulative work record since the faculty member’s last promotion or since the date of hire as applicable. To earn promotion, the faculty member must demonstrate a cumulative record of professional performance and high achievement appropriate to the relevant rank and consistent with the goals and objectives of the university/college/department/program. The faculty member’s record will be evaluated based on all the criteria outlined in Article 22.
Bemidji State Tenure and Promotion Process
The following guidance is provided to assist faculty members who are preparing the Tenure and Promotion application. The aim of this assistance is to help faculty colleagues submit clear and effective documents in support of their applications for tenure and/or promotion. Those charged with evaluating such documents will be aided in their efforts to offer a thorough and objective recommendation if the materials submitted thoughtfully represent the candidate’s record in a well-organized and reflective way.
CPD is happy to schedule one-on-one consultations with faculty.
Tenure and Promotion Application
Applications of 100 pages or less generally address all appropriate issues and protect key elements from being obscured by tangential information. The evaluators will normally anticipate finding the following items in a faculty member’s packet:
- An updated CV
- A printed (paper) copy of the T & P Narrative*
- Evidence pertinent to each of the five areas of contractual responsibility, which demonstrates the pattern of professional growth and effective performance articulated in the narrative**
- Additional evidence and supplemental materials deemed important to the application.***
Tenure and Promotion Narrative
*A succinct narrative usually proves most clear in its presentation. Typically, a complete and concise narrative can be achieved in ten or fewer pages. It should provide a description of the applicant’s role and motivations as a professor along with a succinct summary recounting pivotal milestones in the faculty member’s growth and development over the years. The applicant should highlight as well several key examples relative to each of the criteria set out in Article 22 and reflect on successes, places where success fell short of expectations and efforts and assessments aimed at improvement through the lens of such experiences.
Evidence
**Normally, it proves helpful when the evidence presented expands upon, illustrates and explains the faculty member’s positive trajectory of professional growth from year to year (referencing PDPs and PDRs). Such growth over a period of time reflects the tenure and/or promotion standards set forth in Article 25 by articulating the sum of one’s progress and positive impact over the years. The preparer should consider including as part of this record all class evaluation data, a brief analysis of the data and reflective comments in light of what the data show as evaluators will likely wish to review this information.
Supplemental Materials
***The import of additional evidence, which is best submitted electronically, will be made more readily apparent through clear labeling of files and thoughtful organization.
Submission Process
Though digital submissions (not including the narrative) are preferred, faculty members who have already prepared a paper application need not undertake the burden of converting these materials to electronic form. Transition to sole use of electronic files through D2L or a USB drive is the intent, however, over the next few years.
Please do not use plastic page protectors, unless you need to protect a fragile document.
The Academic Deans, Associate VPAA and Provost will happily answer additional questions or offer clarifications. The Center for Professional Development also stands ready to provide helpful guidance and examples.
Workshops
The Center for Professional Development regularly offers workshops on the Professional Development Plan and Report (PDP/R) and Tenure and Promotion. Please look for these announcements on fac/staff emails and on the campus calendar.