Teaching Professor Promotion Procedures, Department of History
Policy
Purpose:
To articulate the standards and procedures for promotion of Teaching Professors for the Department of History.
Applies to:
Teaching Professors within the Department of History.
Campus:
Lawrence
Policy Statement:
I. Promotion Standards for Teaching Professors
A. Introduction
General Principles
The University strives for a consistent standard of quality against which the performance of all faculty members is measured. Nonetheless, the nature of faculty activities varies across the University and a faculty member’s record must be evaluated in light of their particular responsibilities and the expectations of the discipline. The following criteria state the department’s expectations of performance in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service for teaching professors necessary to satisfy the University standards for promotion to associate teaching professor and for promotion to full teaching professor. This policy is to be read as governed by, and conforming to, the university “Teaching Professor Job Title Series Guidelines.”
The particular weight to be accorded to each component of a teaching professor’s activities depends upon their contractual responsibilities and allocation of effort. While the contractual obligations for teaching professors sometimes vary, whenever possible, the efforts of teaching professors shall be categorized in terms of teaching, research, or service.
Academic Freedom
All faculty members, regardless of rank, are entitled to academic freedom in relation to teaching and scholarship, and the right as citizens to speak on matters of public concern. Likewise, all faculty members, regardless of rank, bear the obligation to exercise their academic freedom responsibly and in accordance with the accepted standards of their academic disciplines.
Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest
Consideration and evaluation of a faculty member’s record is a confidential personnel matter. Only those persons eligible to vote on a teaching professor’s promotion may participate in or observe deliberations or have access to the files of materials pertaining to such cases in the department (except that department administrative associates may assist in the preparation of documents under conditions that assure confidentiality).
No person, including the candidate’s spouse or partner, shall participate in any aspect of the promotion process concerning a candidate when participation would create a clear conflict of interest or compromise the impartiality of an evaluation or recommendation. See also the university “Employment of Relatives” policy and the “Nepotism Policy for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.”
If a candidate believes that there is a conflict of interest, the candidate may petition at all levels of the university, including the Department Chair or Dean, to have that person recuse themself. If a committee member does not recuse themself, a decision about whether that person has a conflict of interest shall be made by a majority of the other committee members.
Timeline for Promotion in Rank and Title
See the university policy on the teaching professor job title series, linked above.
B. Teaching
Teaching is a primary function of the University, which strives to provide an outstanding education for its students. The evaluation of teaching includes consideration of syllabi, course materials, and other information related to a faculty member’s courses; peer and student evaluations; a candidate’s own statement of teaching philosophy and goals; public representations of teaching; and other accepted methods of evaluation. High quality teaching is serious intellectual work grounded in a deep knowledge and understanding of the field and includes the ability to convey that understanding in clear and engaging ways. The conduct of classes is the central feature of teaching responsibilities at KU, but teaching also includes supervising student research, mentoring and advising students, and other teaching-related activities outside of the classroom.
Under University standards for promotion to associate teaching professor, the record must demonstrate effective teaching, as reflected in such factors as command of the subject matter, the ability to communicate effectively in the classroom, a demonstrated commitment to student learning, and involvement in providing advice and support for students outside the classroom.
In the Department of History the following teaching expectations to meet University standards apply for promotion to the rank of associate teaching professor:
1. Candidates should document effective teaching of two or three courses per semester, as defined by their contract of appointment and the teaching needs of the department, with exceptions for approved leaves or reduced teaching loads, on all levels at which they teach. The record must demonstrate that a candidate’s teaching reflects knowledge of their field, and that the candidate is effective in encouraging students’ interests, helping them to think critically and to apply their knowledge, pointing them toward broader implications of their study.
2. Candidates should provide written student evaluations according to the latest University regulations.
3. Candidates should make their teaching available for peer evaluation. This evaluation may be based on a combination of types of evidence: study of syllabi, examinations, and assignments; classroom observation; reports of guest lecturing and/or team teaching; consultation with the candidates; assessments of advising, new courses developed, teaching awards, and other evidence supplied by the candidates; and public representations of teaching. Evaluations of teaching may be authored by faculty and staff from outside the Department of History. Because of the central importance of teaching to the overall activities of a teaching professor, such peer evaluations should be completed with frequency, and will preferably be made by faculty already engaged with faculty evaluation and/or by highly experienced members of the department well known for the efficacy of their teaching.
4. Candidates are expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
5. Recommendation for promotion requires a positive assessment by the Promotion and Tenure Committee of the overall quality and quantity of a faculty member’s teaching and advising.
Under University standards for promotion to the rank of full teaching professor, the record must demonstrate continued effectiveness and growth as a teacher, as reflected in such factors as mastery of the subject matter, strong classroom teaching skills, an ongoing commitment to student learning, and active involvement in providing advice and support for students outside the classroom.
In the Department of History, the following teaching expectations to meet University standards apply for promotion to the rank of full teaching professor:
1. Candidates should demonstrate continued effective teaching of two or three courses per semester, as defined by their contract of appointment, with exceptions for approved leaves or reduced teaching loads, effectiveness on all levels at which they teach. The record must demonstrate that a candidate’s teaching reflects knowledge of their field, helping them to think critically and to apply their knowledge, pointing them toward broader implications of their study.
2. Candidates must provide written student evaluations since promotion to associate teaching professor, according to the latest University regulations.
3. Candidates should make their teaching available for peer evaluation since promotion to associate teaching professor. This evaluation may be based upon a combination of evidence: review of new courses taught and/or developed; study of syllabi, examinations, assignments; classroom observations; reports of guest lecturing and/or team teaching; assessments of advising, teaching awards, consultations with the candidates, and other information provided by the candidates; and public representations of teaching. Evaluations of teaching may be authored by faculty and staff from outside the Department of History. Because of the central importance of teaching to the overall activities of a teaching professor, such peer evaluations should be completed with frequency, and will preferably be made by faculty already engaged with faculty evaluation and/or by highly experienced members of the department well known for the efficacy of their teaching.
4. Candidates are expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
5. Candidates have demonstrated growth as a teacher since their promotion to associate teaching professor.
6. Recommendation for promotion requires a positive assessment by the Promotion and Tenure Committee of the overall quality and quantity of a faculty member’s teaching and advising.
C. Scholarship
The concept of “scholarship” encompasses not only traditional academic research and publication, but also the creation of artistic works or performances and any other products or activities accepted by the academic discipline as reflecting scholarly effort and achievement for purposes of promotion. While the nature of scholarship varies among disciplines, the University adheres to a consistently high standard of quality in its scholarly activities to which all faculty members, regardless of discipline, are held. For teaching professors, publications relating to pedagogy are considered scholarship.
Under University standards for promotion to the rank of associate teaching professor, the record must demonstrate a successfully developing scholarly career, as reflected in such factors as the quality and quantity of publications or creative activities, unpublished or published reviews of the candidate’s work, the candidate’s regional, national, or international reputation, and other evidence of an active and productive scholarly agenda.
In the Department of History, the following scholarship expectations to meet University standards apply for the promotion to the rank of associate teaching professor:
1. Candidates should have in print or formally accepted and scheduled for publication (a) at least two substantial articles either in respected, peer-reviewed or refereed research journals or in respected publications relating to pedagogy, or (b) refereed critical editions, collected volumes, journal issues, compilations, translations, electronic publications, and public exhibits equivalent in scholarly significance to (a). Alternatively, candidates may have in print or formally accepted and scheduled for publication a book-length peer-reviewed or refereed study with a respected press relating to research or pedagogy.
2. Candidates should provide information concerning the refereeing or review process for their scholarship relating to research or pedagogy.
3. Candidates should demonstrate a sustainable program of scholarly activity and successful development in their careers as scholars appropriate to their allocation of effort for research.
4. Recommendation for promotion requires a positive assessment by the Promotion and Tenure Committee of the overall quality and quantity of a faculty member’s scholarship on research and pedagogy.
In the Department of History, the following scholarship expectations to meet University standards also apply for the promotion to the rank of full teaching professor:
1. In addition to work published or formally accepted and scheduled for publication at the time of their promotion to associate professor, candidates should have in print or formally accepted and scheduled for publication (a) at least two articles either in respected, peer-reviewed or refereed research journals or in respected publications relating to pedagogy, or (b) refereed critical editions, collected volumes, journal issues, compilations, translations, electronic publications, and public exhibits equivalent in scholarly significance to (a). Alternatively, candidates may have in print or formally accepted and scheduled for publication a book-length peer-reviewed study with a respected press relating to research or pedagogy.
2. Candidates should provide information concerning the refereeing or review process for their scholarship relating to research or pedagogy.
3. Candidates should demonstrate a sustainable program of scholarly activity and successful development in their careers as scholars appropriate to their allocation of effort for research.
4. Candidates should provide copies of evaluations (reviews, citations, reports by other scholars, etc.) of scholarship published, accepted for publication, or exhibited since the time of promotion to associate teaching professor.
5. Candidates should demonstrate national and/or international recognition as scholars and/or teachers.
6. Recommendation for promotion requires a positive assessment by the Promotion and Tenure Committee of the overall quality and quantity of a faculty member’s scholarship on research and pedagogy.
D. Service
Service is an important responsibility of all faculty members that contributes to the University’s performance of its larger mission. Although the nature of service activities will depend on a candidate’s particular interests and abilities, service contributions are an essential part of being a good citizen of the University. The Department of History accepts and values scholarly service to the discipline or profession, service within the University, and public service at the local, state, national, or international level.
Under the University standards for promotion to associate teaching professor, the record must at least demonstrate a pattern of service to the department and the University. Service to the discipline or profession, and/or to the local, state, national, or international communities is also desirable.
In the Department of History, the following service expectations to meet University standards apply for the promotion to the rank of associate teaching professor:
1. Candidates are expected to engage in service chiefly at the departmental level, though service to other units, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University, faculty governance, the historical profession, and the broader community will be recognized. It is expected that for most teaching professors, part of this service will be closely related to their teaching.
2. Service will be evaluated with respect to quality as well as to quantity and with regard to the candidate’s contractual allocation of effort. For promotion to associate teaching professor, this means fulfilling assigned service roles on the department’s regular committees each year in which the candidate is not on leave, regular attendance and participation in departmental and committee meetings; and for teaching professors with at least a ten percent allocation of effort to service, fulfilling at least two professional service roles outside the department. This can include but is not limited to service elsewhere in the University, to reviewing books or manuscripts, organizing conference panels, giving public talks to non-academic audiences, serving as an officer in a professional organization, or serving as a member of an editorial board.
Under University standards for promotion to the rank of full teaching professor, the record must demonstrate an ongoing pattern of service reflecting substantial contributions to the department and the University at one or more levels, to the discipline or profession, and/or to the local, state, national, or international communities.
In the Department of History, the following service expectations to meet University standards apply for the promotion to the rank of full teaching professor:
1. Candidates are expected to engage in service at the following levels: the department, the College or University, and public or professional. It is expected that for most teaching professors, part of this service will be closely related to their teaching.
2. Service will be evaluated with respect to quality as well as to quantity and with regard to the candidate’s contractual allocation of effort. For promotion to full teaching professor, this means meeting all expectations of service for those seeking promotion to associate teaching professor, plus the following: regular and engaged participation in service roles beyond the department but within KU; and an ongoing pattern of professional service roles including but not limited to reviewing books or manuscripts, organizing conference panels, giving public talks to non-academic audiences, serving as an officer in a professional organization, and serving as a member of an editorial board.
E. Ratings for Performance
Using the criteria described above, the candidate’s performance in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service will be rated using the terms “excellent,” “very good,” “good,” “marginal,” or “poor,” defined as follows:
a. “Excellent” means that the candidate substantially exceeds expectations for promotion to this rank.
b. “Very Good” means the candidate exceeds expectations for promotion to this rank.
c. “Good” means the candidate meets expectations for promotion to this rank.
d. “Marginal” means the candidate falls below expectations for promotion to this rank.
e. “Poor” means the candidate falls significantly below expectations for promotion to this rank.
Absent exceptional circumstances, no candidate may be recommended for promotion without meeting standards in all applicable areas of performance, and strong candidates are likely to exceed expectations in one or more categories.
II. Promotion Procedures for Teaching Professors
At this time, the College and University have not developed elaborate formal policies for promoting teaching professors. This section will be more fully developed after the promulgation of these official policies. In the meantime, we expect promotion procedures for teaching professors to be similar to, but less elaborate than those for tenure-stream faculty. Promotion procedures will have the following basic steps:
A. Promotion and Tenure Committee
Department-level recommendations for promotion of teaching professors will be made by the same Promotion and Tenure Committee charged with making recommendations for tenure-stream associate and full professors, plus any teaching professors at or above the rank to which the candidate aspires to be promoted (see appendix).
B. Initiation of Review and Preparation of the Promotion File
At an appropriate time in keeping with College and University Policy, teaching professors with at least six years of experience at their current rank should inform the Department Chair that they will initiate procedures for promotion at the next available opportunity. It is the responsibility of the candidate to complete all appropriate forms and provide all necessary documents and information in accordance with University policy on the promotion of teaching professors, and with the assistance of the department’s administrative associates, to make these materials available to the department for thorough review.
C. Certification Committees
The Department Chair will appoint a Certification Committee consisting of three tenure-stream faculty or teaching professors of the department at or above the rank to which the candidate aspires to be promoted. The Certification Committee will first complete a preliminary review of the candidate’s record of teaching, scholarship, and service and determine if it meets the requirements for certification and will inform the Department Chair in writing of its decision. If the candidate meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for promotion in all three areas of teaching, scholarship and service, the Certification Committee will write a more detailed report summarizing the candidate’s record of teaching, scholarship, and service for use by the Promotion and Tenure Committee. This report must be provided at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
D. Departmental-Level Review and Recommendation
The Department Chair will arrange a convenient time for a meeting of the Promotion and Tenure Committee, well in advance of the deadlines for submission of nominations to the College, with separate meetings for consideration of the promotion of assistant and associate teaching professors, typically done in parallel with consideration of tenure-stream faculty.
The first order of business for each candidate will be to accept the written report of the candidate’s Certification Committee. Amendments may be offered by motion and approved by majority vote. Once accepted, this report shall serve as the basis for the Promotion and Tenure Committee’s summary evaluation to be included in the candidate’s dossier when it is sent to the College. After discussion, secret ballots will be cast to determine ratings for each area of performance and to recommend the candidate for promotion. Votes can only be cast by members who have attended the discussions of the Promotion and Tenure Committee relative to each candidate and who have studied the dossier of the candidate. Those members otherwise unable to attend may submit signed letters in regard to individual candidacies that may be read or distributed to members of the Promotion and Tenure Committee, but cannot vote.
The overall rating of performance by the Promotion and Tenure Committee in teaching, scholarship, and service will be the average of the ratings submitted by voters for each respective category, rounded to the nearest whole number. The majority of votes will determine the Promotion and Tenure Committee’s overall recommendations for or against promotion.
Following the Promotion and Tenure Committee meetings, for each candidate, the Certification Committee shall prepare the Promotion and Tenure Committee’s recommendation, ratings of performance, and summary evaluation sections on the appropriate forms and forward these to the Department Chair. The Department Chair shall indicate separately, in writing, whether they concur or disagree with the recommendations of the Promotion and Tenure Committee. The Department Chair shall then communicate in writing these recommendations and their own concurrence or disagreement with these recommendations to the candidate. If the Promotion and Tenure Committee’s recommendation is negative, the review will not be forwarded automatically to the College. In that case, the Department Chair will inform the candidate that they have the right to halt or proceed with forwarding the dossier to the College for further review.
Contact:
Department of History
1445 Jayhawk Blvd.
3650 Wescoe Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-3569
Approved by:
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Approved on:
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Effective on:
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Review Cycle:
Annual (As Needed)
Keywords:
Teaching Professor, History, promotion standards, promotion procedures, teaching
Change History:
01/31/2024: Corrected title.
10/19/2023: Policy added to Policy Library.
10/09/2023: Approved and accepted by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
09/29/2023: Updates approved by vote of the faculty in the Department of History.
09/13/2019: Approved and accepted by the College Dean’s Office.
04/17/2019: Approved by vote of the faculty in the Department of History.
School/College Policy Categories:
Additional Policies
