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7"Tenure" is the right of faculty members to hold their positions until retirement, resignation or dismissal from the university without reduction of salary, without demotion in rank and without termination, unless such reduction, demotion or termination be for adequate cause (see Chapter V, Part A, Section 2a - p.20) for discontinuation of an existing program, school, or department; (see Chapter V, Part A, Section 2b - p.20) or for institutional financial exigencies as provided for in this faculty code. (See Chapter V, Part A, Section 2c - p.20).
Section 2 - Policies Governing Tenure
Tenure is essentially for academic freedom and security, but it must be earned through superior professional achievement. Tenure is a career-long commitment by the university to the faculty member. It should be regarded by both parties with great care. The tenure decision is usually the most important decision the university shall make concerning a faculty member's entire career.
Section 3 - Procedure for Granting Tenure
The status of tenure may be conferred only by action of the university Board of Trustees. Such action shall be upon recommendation of the president, following the completion of the evaluation procedure provided for in Chapter III (p.11) of this faculty code.
Section 4 - Criteria for Tenure8
The service previous to tenure is a trial period in which the faculty member's fitness for tenure is tested. The essential criterion for the awarding of tenure is the appraisal of excellence as a professional, rather than measurement of the faculty member's ability to avoid some deficiency. Specifically, the factors to be considered in making the tenure decision are: 1) proven excellence in teaching, (2) distinct evidence of professional growth, (3) a record of service to the university and (4) the needs of the department, school, or program and the university. Unless there is affirmative evidence of excellence in areas (1) and (2), a record of service in area (3) and demonstrated need in area (4) of this paragraph, tenure should not be granted. All persons participating in the evaluation for tenure and in the tenure decision shall be guided by these criteria.
Section 5 - Normal Time for Tenure
The decision to grant tenure must be made not later than during a tenure-line faculty member's sixth year of career service at the University of Puget Sound. Leaves of absence are not generally included in computation time. If tenure is not granted by that time, the seventh year's contract shall be terminal. Tenure may be granted earlier for relevant previous experience or exceptional achievement.
Section 6 - Effect of Prior Experience
Faculty members who have had full-time faculty service in other institutions before employment by the University of Puget Sound shall be evaluated for tenure at a time specified in the faculty member's initial contract. If tenure is not granted at the time specified in the initial contract, the next contract shall be terminal. In no case shall the time for consideration of tenure exceed the time set in Section 5 for faculty persons without previous experience.
Section 7 - Dismissal of Tenured Faculty
a. A faculty member who has tenure may be dismissed by the university only for adequate cause, for institutional financial exigencies, or for discontinuation of an existing program, school, or department, as provided for in Chapter V (p.20) of this code.
b. A tenured faculty member who is dismissed by the university shall receive salary through the academic year following the academic year in which the dismissal notice is given, whether or not that person is assigned appropriate duties in the university for that year. However, salary shall not be paid or owing if the termination was for cause as defined in Chapter V, Part A, Section 2.a., (2) or (3) (p.20) of this code.
7Revision adopted 4/21/87 by Faculty; 5/2/87 by Trustees
8Revision adopted 11/16/94 by Faculty; 2/10/95 by Trustees
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