What is the tenure process?
This, too, depends on your institution. Your chair, recently tenured colleagues, members of the tenure review committee, and often institutional offices such as the Provost’s Office should all be able to describe it to you. Be sure to ask about the pre-tenure year parts of the process, as well – annual reviews, third year review, and so on. Here are some common elements: • Annual reviews, every year prior to tenure • A more extensive third-year review • In some cases, a pre-tenure sabbatical semester is granted, to give you time to move your scholarly work forward and to prepare your tenure case • You prepare a tenure package that documents your excellence in teaching, research, and service • Outside review letters may or may not be requested, depending upon your institution • Typically there are multiple levels of review within the institution, usually involving a departmental tenure review committee, your department chair, perhaps a college tenure review committee and college dean, p
