3.11.1. Guidelines for Promotion

Promotion is recognition of promise and a sign of confidence that a faculty member is capable of greater accomplishments and of assuming greater responsibilities within UTC. The policy of UTC is to make promotion decisions objectively, equitably, impartially and strictly on the basis of merit.

At UTC, promotion is usually tied to tenure for tenure-track faculty members, as application for tenure is usually linked to application for promotion from the rank of Assistant Professor to the rank of Associate Professor. A tenure-track faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor must be granted tenure in order to be promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. A tenure-track faculty member initially appointed at the rank of Associate Professor or higher may be granted tenure without receiving a promotion.

Faculty members who wish to be promoted should meet the expectations of the new rank as outlined in the criteria for appointment to rank. In regard to librarian faculty, “librarian” should be substituted for the word “teacher.”

3.11.2. Procedure for Promotion Review

A calendar is established annually by the Provost that should be followed during the development of promotion recommendations. The calendar for the promotion process is available on the UTC Academic Affairs webpage here.

The procedure for consideration of and awarding promotion includes the following stages:

1. Submission of Promotion Dossier: The candidate prepares and submits a promotion dossier to the departmental RTP Committee. Similar to tenure dossiers, all promotion dossiers must include reviews from no fewer than two (2) external reviewers pursuant to the external review process established by the college or academic department (see Section 3.10.4.2. above).
2. RTP Committee’s Recommendation: After receiving and reviewing dossiers from each faculty member applying for promotion, the departmental RTP Committee (consisting of faculty already at or higher rank than the rank the candidate seeks) holds a preliminary review at which it has an opportunity to request clarifying information from each candidate prior to final consideration and forwarding of recommendations to the department head. The departmental RTP Committee’s recommendation is decided upon by majority vote (yes or no) of those committee members present and voting. Abstentions are permitted. A quorum, as specified by departmental bylaws, is required for actions to take place. The departmental RTP Committee will forward a written recommendation to the department head, together with records of committee membership, attendance at final discussions, and voting results.
3. Department Head’s Recommendation: The department head will make a written recommendation to the dean and inform the candidate in writing of the recommendation.
4. Dean’s Recommendation: The dean will make a written recommendation to the Provost and inform the candidate in writing of the recommendation.
5. Provost’s Recommendation: The Provost will make a written recommendation to the Chancellor and inform the candidate in writing of the recommendation.
6. Chancellor’s Recommendation: The Chancellor reviews all recommendations concerning promotions and recommends those to be approved to the President. The Chancellor will inform the candidate in writing of the recommendation.
7. President’s Action: The President reviews proposed faculty member promotions in rank, evaluates the recommendations submitted by the Chancellor, and makes final decisions on awarding promotions. The President informs the Board of the promotions awarded.

3.11.3. Appeal of Promotion Decisions

A decision not to award promotion may be appealed by a promotion candidate pursuant to the appeal procedure under Section 5.3. of this Handbook. A promotion candidate may not initiate an appeal until after the candidate receives notification of the Chancellor’s recommendation not to award promotion.