Probationary Period

Staff

1. Initial Appointment
   All regular full-time employees, classified and non-classified will be required to serve a probationary period of six (6) months commencing on the first day of employment. Employees will accrue sick leave and vacation hours during the probationary period. Employees may take sick leave during their probationary period but not vacation. Employees will receive holiday hours when an official University holiday occurs during the probationary period.
2. Changes in Appointment
   An employee in the above categories who is promoted transferred, or reassigned to a different position, shall be required to serve another probationary period in the new assignment. Such probationary periods do not affect an employee's eligibility for accruing or using established benefits.
3. Rehired Employees
   A person rehired to the same position after a break in service of less than one (1) year will not be required to serve a new probationary period unless the break in service occurred during the probationary period of the previous appointment. A former employee hired for a different position after any break in service or to the same position after a break of one (1) year or longer will be required to serve a complete probationary period.
4. Performance Evaluations
   During the probationary period the employee’s supervisor will prepare written evaluation at least every two (2) months. The employee shall receive a copy of the evaluation and shall have the opportunity to meet with the supervisor to discuss the evaluation. A final performance evaluation shall be made at the completion of the probationary period and shall indicate whether or not the probationary period has been successfully completed.
5. Termination
   At anytime during the probationary period, the employment relationship can be terminated without cause either by the employer or the employee.

Faculty

Tenure

1. Tenure is a faculty status that assures that the faculty will be able to perform their professional institutional responsibilities without the fear of arbitrary dismissal. Tenure provides an employment framework that reinforces academic freedom and promotes a professional climate conducive to the success of the University in fulfilling its mission.
2. The decision to award tenure is the result of a collegial and administrative review of the candidate's performance, including teaching excellence, professional achievement and service. This review is conducted by a Departmental faculty committee, the Department Chair, a College/School faculty committee, the Dean, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President.
3. Each Department in consultation with the Dean is responsible for the development of a formal statement of basic performance requirements for candidates to have met in order to be considered for tenure. Not meeting these basic performance requirements shall lead to a terminal contract. Academic tenure shall be awarded only to individuals who have clearly demonstrated excellence in meeting professional responsibilities as determined by their unique mix of teaching, service and research and who show promise of making significant contributions to the University for the remainders of their careers. Technical tenure shall be awarded only to individuals who have clearly demonstrated excellence in meeting professional responsibilities as determined by their unique mix of teaching and service and who show promise of making significant contributions to the University for the remainder of their careers.

Probationary Period

1. The purpose of a probationary period is to allow reasonable time for faculty members to establish their academic performance and for academic evaluations to be made concerning the productivity and promise of probationary faculty. The granting of tenure is a deliberate act taken after considered evaluation of the appointee's past performance and potential for future performance.
2. The maximum period of probationary service in full-time tenure-track status in any academic rank or any combination of ranks shall be seven years. The minimum number of years of probationary service in full-time status in any academic rank or any combination of ranks shall be established at the time of employment. A faculty member who is serving the final academic year of the probationary period shall, upon completion of the final tenure evaluation, either be awarded tenure, which shall become effective at the beginning of the next academic year, or be notified that the subsequent year will be the terminal year of employment. Failure to act either by a probationary faculty member or by the University cannot lead to automatic tenure.
   Tenure status may only be granted by positive action by the Board of Regents based upon evaluation of the probationary faculty member.

Timeline

The faculty tenure procedure shall follow established time lines, review levels and procedures, and documentation based upon approved University policies.