Dear Faculty,
We are most grateful to you for your extraordinary dedication and hard work over the past few weeks.
Shifting to a remote instructional mode, being unable to come to campus to conduct research, and working from home has had an impact on everyone’s personal and professional life. Many faculty members are caring for children, whose schools have closed, as well as family members with underlying health conditions and elderly parents and relatives who are at particular risk.
In light of these exceptional circumstances, the University Faculty Senate and the University Committee on Rank and Tenure both passed a recommendation that the Executive Vice Presidents provide a one-year extension of the tenure probationary period.
We agree with this recommendation and are hereby instituting a one-year extension of the tenure probationary period for all faculty who in Academic Year 2019-20 are in the sixth year or earlier of their probationary period (including those whose probationary period has been adjusted for any other reasons).
This extension does not take away the option to apply for tenure and promotion during any year of the tenure probationary period up to and including the sixth year.
The University Committee on Rank and Tenure is continuing to process all applications without interruption.
If you have initiated the application process, consult your Executive Vice President’s office for further information.
We hope this new policy will allow you to focus on your immediate personal and professional needs.
Sincerely,
Robert M. Groves, Provost
Edward B. Healton, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences and Executive Dean of the School of Medicine
William M. Treanor, Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center