EXTENSION OF TENURE CLOCK
(Proposal 13-06)
Senate Procedure 707.1.1
Background
Michigan Tech allowed extension of the probationary
period for “exceptional circumstances” some years ago at
the request of the faculty member with recommendation
from the cognizant department chair and/or dean,
recommendation by the Committee on Academic Tenure,
Promotion and Reappointment and approval by the
Provost. This policy was applied not only to “exceptional
circumstances” but also to the common circumstance of
pregnancy. However few faculty members at Tech have
applied for an extension; other universities with similar
policies have also noted that few faculty members have
applied for extensions of the probationary period for
reasons ranging from concerns of being perceived as less
dedicated to lack of understanding of how much addition
of a child would slow down their lives.
Other universities, led by Princeton, have changed their
tenure policies to provide for extension of the probationary
period for both men and women who have added a child by
birth, adoption or custody. These policies would appear to
have little downside as tenure candidates who, despite
having children, are ready for tenure in the standard period
or earlier can apply in the standard way.
Hence this proposal proposes such a policy for Michigan
Tech. The proposal comprises new section 5.1.1 Extension
of the Probationary Period and the relabeling of old section
5.1.1 Extension of the Probationary Period to 5.1.2
Exceptional Extension of the Probationary Period.
5.1.2 Exceptional Extension of the Probationary Period
has two changes. Requests for consideration of
exceptional circumstances are now to be made within
a reasonable period of time after the exceptional
circumstance rather than during or immediately after,
and the request should show reasonable, rather than
substantial, progress toward tenure.
Proposal: New section 5.1.1 and amended section 5.1.2 for
Tenure, Promotion and Reappointment Procedures
These changes will become effective for tenure candidates
whose mandatory review is after 2007-2008.
5.1.1 A Extension of the Probationary Period
The probationary period will be extended by one year,but
not more than 2 years total, for each child: 1) Born to or
legally adopted by the Candidate or his or her spouse
during the probationary period; or 2) over whom full time
physical custody is awarded to the Candidate or his or her
spouse during the probationary period by any court having
jurisdiction. Written notification must be given by the
Candidate or the Candidate's Chair or Dean to the Provost
prior to November 15th of the final year of the tenure
probationary period to entitle the Candidate to this
extension.
5.1.2. Exceptional Extension of the Probationary Period
Exceptional circumstances may sometimes effect a
prolonged disruption of professional responsibilities
during the tenure probationary period, requiring extensive
sick leave, unpaid leave, or substantial formal reduction of
professional responsibilities. A faculty member
encountering such circumstances may request a one-year
extension of the tenure probationary period. The
Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and
Reappointment considers all such requests and makes a
recommendation to the Provost on each.
This request should be made within a reasonable period of
time following the period of exceptional circumstances,
and in no case after November 15 of the final year of the
tenure probationary period. It should be accompanied by a
recommendation from the cognizant department chair and
the dean of the college, or from the dean of the cognizant
school. The request should clearly demonstrate that both
of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the exceptional circumstances requiring the
extension were such that normal conduct of
professional responsibilities could not reasonably be
expected. - exclusive of the period of exceptional circumstances,
the faculty member had made reasonable progress
toward achieving tenure.
Introduced in Senate: 15 February 2006
Revised Version Introduced in Senate: 5 April 2006
Adopted by Senate: 5 April 2006
Approved by Administration: 17 April 2006
Editorial Change Approved by Senate: 21 M arch 2007
Passed Referendum: 14 April 2008 (out of 347 possible
votes; there were 111 Yes votes and 17 No votes)