VCOM Faculty Handbook

Upon receiving the application packet and the above recommendations, the APT Committee will review the initial application packet and the recommendations for rank made by the Associate Dean, as Division Chair, and any other recommendations from the Discipline Chair(s) as appropriate. 1. Once the APT Committee convenes, the candidate’s initial application packet will be carefully reviewed and discussed. • The APT Committee will consider initial appointment at the next highest rank above their previous or current rank from another academic higher education institution if they have met VCOM’s criteria for appointment to that rank (including requisite number of years served at their current/previous rank from another institution and teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service requirements). 2. The APT Committee may recommend approval of the candidate for initial appointment, denial of the candidate for initial appointment, or delay in making a decision for initial appointment due to the need of further documentation. • Faculty applying for initial appointment with a previous or current rank from another academic higher education institution, who do not yet meet VCOM’s criteria for appointment to the next highest rank above their previous or current rank from another institution, will be granted years of service toward promotion in rank at VCOM. For example, a faculty member who held the rank of Assistant Professor at a previous institution for 2 years will be granted 2 years of service toward promotion in rank at VCOM. This faculty member would be eligible to apply for promotion in rank to Associate Professor after completing two years of academic teaching, research and service experience at the Assistant Professor level at VCOM. 3. A letter from the APT Committee as to the recommended approval of initial appointment, denial of initial appointment, or delay in a decision for initial appointment will be provided to the Campus Dean, who will approve, deny, or delay the initial appointment, and to the candidate. • A letter of recommendation for initial appointment by the APT Committee must outline the reasons upon which the recommendation was based and specify both the track and rank recommended. The letter will also include any years of service recommended to be granted toward promotion if applicable. • A letter of denial of initial appointment by the APT Committee must detail the reason(s) for denial and any recommendations to improve the application. • A letter of delay in making a decision regarding initial appointment by the APT Committee must detail the reason(s) for their inability to make a decision and must include any recommendations to improve the application, as well as identifying a mentor who will offer assistance to improve the application. 4. The Campus Dean will consider the recommendation of the APT Committee, investigate as needed, and will approve or disapprove the initial appointment. The Campus Dean may also return the application to the APT Committee for further documentation prior to approving or denying the initial appointment. 5. A letter from the Campus Dean as to the approval of initial appointment, denial of initial appointment, or delay in a decision for initial appointment will be provided to the candidate. • A letter of approval of initial appointment by the Campus Dean must outline the reasons upon which the recommendation was based and specify both the track and rank recommended. The letter will also include any years of service granted toward promotion if applicable.  A letter of approval of initial appointment by the Campus Dean for an academic track

faculty member whose degree is less than doctoral must:  Reference the APT committee’s recommendation,  Justify the faculty member’s professional and scholarly achievements and/or demonstrated competences in the discipline of hire, and  Specify both the track and rank recommended.

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