VCOM Faculty Handbook

• Applications for tenure must be supported by the Associate Deans, APT Committee, Campus Dean and the Provost to be forwarded to the Board. 10. The faculty member has the right to withdraw his or her application at any time. 11. The faculty member has the right to appeal the Campus Dean’s recommendation regarding promotion in rank to the Provost. • Upon receiving written notification of the Campus Dean’s recommendation regarding promotion in rank, the faculty member, within seven calendar days, may appeal, in writing, the Campus Dean’s recommendation to the Provost. • After careful consideration of the facts and deliberations of the APT Committee and the Campus Dean, the Provost will notify the faculty member, in writing, of the decision regarding promotion in rank within 14 calendar days from the time the appeal from the faculty member was received. The Provost may recommend approval of the faculty member for promotion in rank, denial of the faculty member for promotion in rank, or delay in making a decision for promotion in rank due to the need of further documentation.  A letter of approval of promotion in rank by the Provost must outline the reasons upon which the recommendation was based and specify both the track and rank recommended. o A letter of denial of promotion in rank by the Provost must detail the reason(s) for denial and any recommendations to improve the application.

o A letter of delay in making a decision regarding promotion in rank by the Provost 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. o If approved for promotion in rank by the Provost, the letter of promotion in rank and request for confirmation of promotion in rank will be sent to the Board for confirmation within 30 days of the date of the letter.

The Review Process for Equity in Promotion and Tenure

Any faculty member who believes they were not treated fairly or equally in the APT review process may request a formal review through the Provost. The Provost will appoint a special committee, which shall include the faculty member’s peers, to review the case and a new APT decision will be rendered by the Provost should the committee’s findings support the faculty member’s allegations. Every 3 years the APT Committee will participate in equity education. In addition, the Committee will perform a review of the APT decisions over the last 3 years for equity in faculty promotion and tenure. The review shall assure that VCOM has followed the guidelines for faculty promotion and tenure regardless of background or identity, and that all faculty have had an equal opportunity to be considered for promotion and tenure. If any appointments, denials, or difficulty in promotion is identified to have potential bias due to age, gender, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law, the Provost will appoint a special committee to hear the case and to review the APT Committee and shall cause the Committee to undergo further education. Such review may also result in the removal of APT Committee members or further disciplinary action.

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