Index of the UNLV Bylaws

Chapter III
Section 16. Guidelines for Promotion or Appointment to Academic Rank for Academic Faculty

• 16.1 Criteria for Peer Evaluation. Each department shall establish criteria for peer evaluation. The following is a general set of descriptions that point out the differences between academic ranks. These general guidelines should be used for recommendations regarding appointment to academic rank and for promotions in academic rank. Eligibility for promotion is evaluated by reference to certain essential requirements and by evaluation of certain other specified desirable accomplishments. In rare instances, there will be individuals who do not hold a terminal degree, but who possess a high degree of professional experience and who are held in such high esteem in their disciplines that they should be considered for academic rank based on the merits of their personal record. Applications by such individuals must be accompanied by substantial evidence supporting the request for exception to the rule requiring the terminal degree. In any case of equivalence to a degree, the burden of proof rests on the candidate.


• The "essential requirements" in themselves would not suffice for advancement; instead, when the essentials are judged to have been met, then the promotion may be recommended provided there has been sufficient accomplishment of the additional criteria, as judged by the peers and administrators involved in the review process from department to college to the Faculty Senate Tenure and Promotion Committee to the Executive Vice President and Provost. The Tenure and Promotion Committee shall review promotion recommendations in order to insure comparable rigor of criteria and procedure across units. Anomalous cases will be referred back to colleges and school or department level for reconsideration. The committee shall meet with the Executive Vice President and Provost to forward the results of its deliberations. (B/R 3/03)


• 16.2 Instructor. The rank of instructor is used for appointments where the individual does not possess a terminal degree in the discipline or special field in which appointed.


• It is intended and expected that a person holding an appointment of instructor will complete the requirements for the terminal degree and be promoted to assistant professor. The time allotted for obtaining the terminal degree may be specified by each department but cannot exceed the six-year time period for probationary employees. If the terminal degree has not been obtained by this time, the individual will not be considered for tenure.


• 16.3 Assistant Professor.


• A. The individual will meet all of the following essential qualifications:


• 1. Possession of the appropriate terminal degree.


• 2. Effectiveness as a teacher, or promise of becoming an effective teacher.


• 3. Satisfactory professional development as evidenced by involvement in research or other creative activities.


• A. The individual will be evaluated with respect to the following additional criteria:


• 1. Definite interest and potential in counseling students.


• 2. Commitment to the education of students.


• 3. Evidence of professional commitment as demonstrated by membership in professional organizations.


• 4. Collegial potential, which is the potential ability to work productively with colleagues, staff and students. (B/R 10/98)


• 16.4 Associate Professor.


• A. The individual will meet all of the following qualifications:


• 1. Possession of the appropriate terminal degree.


• 2. Demonstrated effectiveness as university teacher or, in the case of individuals with non-teaching backgrounds, promise of effectiveness as a university teacher.


• 3. Continuing satisfactory productivity in creative or research activity with due recognition for the different forms such productivity may take in the various disciplines. Review of such productivity shall include the use of external referees. The use of external referees shall be governed by the following regulations.


• (a) For promotion to associate professor, the department will obtain not less than four letters from outside the university. At least two of these shall be from persons drawn from a list of names suggested by the candidate, and at least two shall be from persons not suggested by the candidate.


• (b) All letters which departments solicit must be forwarded with the recommendation regarding promotion. (B/R 6/08)


• B. The individual will be evaluated with respect to the following additional criteria:


• 1. Demonstrated success as a counselor of students.


• 2. Continued evidence of professional commitment as demonstrated by membership and participation in professional or academic organizations.


• 3. A record of contributions to the university community through participation in various administrative, governance, and planning activities.


• 4. Collegiality, which is the demonstrated ability to work productively with colleagues, staff, and students. (B/R 10/98)


• 5. Other accomplishments of relevance to an evaluation of the individual's contribution to the university community.


• 16.5 Professor.


• A. The individual will meet all of the following essential qualifications:


• 1. Possession of the appropriate terminal degree.


• 2. Continued development of teaching effectiveness or, in the case of individuals with non-teaching backgrounds, promise of excellence as a university teacher.


• 3. Continuing satisfactory productivity in creative or research activity, resulting in significant contributions to the discipline. Due recognition shall be given to the different forms such productivity may take in the various disciplines. Review of this productivity shall include the use of external referees. The use of external referees shall be governed by the following regulations:


• (a) For promotion to professor, the department will obtain at least four letters from outside the university. At least two of these shall be from persons drawn from a list of names suggested by the candidate, and at least two shall be from persons not suggested by the candidate.


• (b) All letters which departments solicit must be forwarded with the recommendation regarding promotion. (B/R 6/08)


• B. The individual will be evaluated with respect to the following additional criteria:


• 1. Demonstrated success as a wise counselor of students.


• 2. Evidence of professional commitment as demonstrated by leadership in professional or academic organizations.


• 3. A significant record of contributions to the university community through participation in various administrative, governance, and planning activities.


• 4. Collegiality, which is the continued maintenance of ability to work productively with colleagues, staff and students. (B/R 10/98)


• 5. Other significant accomplishments relevant to an evaluation of the individual's contribution to the university community.


• 16.6 Time Periods for Promotion Recommendations.


• A. An instructor may be considered for promotion any time upon completion of the terminal degree.


• B. An assistant professor is normally considered for promotion in the sixth year but may be considered earlier in exceptional circumstances. Assistant professors must be considered for promotion after a period of not more than six years in this rank. (3/10)


• C. An associate professor is normally expected to be in rank for five years prior to applying for promotion to professor. In exceptional circumstances an application for promotion may be considered earlier. (3/10)


• D. In the evaluation of a candidate's qualifications for any promotion, any accomplishments relevant to the criteria for promotion occurring any time during the period since the last promotion may be considered.


• 16.7 Review of Academic Promotion Recommendations. All academic promotion recommendations shall move through proper faculty and administrative channels from department or school to college to the Executive Vice President and Provost to the President. Except for Rank 0 faculty, the Executive Vice President and Provost shall provide the Faculty Senate Tenure and Promotion Committee with the promotion recommendations. The Tenure and Promotion Committee shall consult with the Executive Vice President and Provost to ensure comparable rigor of criteria for recommendations across units. Faculty members not recommended for promotion may request reasons for denial, request reconsideration, and file a grievance to the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee. (See Nevada System of Higher Education Code, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3 and 5.2.4, and UNLV Bylaws, Chapter I, Section 4.6.6. and Chapter III, Section 20) (B/R 3/03) (C 06/16)


• 16.8 Statement of Reasons for Denial. An academic faculty member who has been denied a promotion may, within 15 calendar days after notification of such denial, provide a written request to the department chair, supervisor, or dean who rendered the negative decision asking for a statement in writing of the reasons for the denial. The response must be received by the faculty member within 15 calendar days after the appropriate administrator received the written request for reasons. (See Nevada System of Higher Education Code, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3.)


• 16.9 Reconsideration of Personnel Action Denying Appointment With Tenure, Salary Increase, Promotion, or Reappointment. Within 15 calendar days after the receipt of the written reasons for denial of appointment with tenure, a salary increase, promotion, or reappointment, a faculty member may request reconsideration of such denial. The request shall be submitted to the faculty member's department chair or supervisor together with the reasons, arguments, and documentation supporting the request for reconsideration. The request for reconsideration shall be promptly directed through regular channels with recommendations from each administrative level for or against reconsideration of the decision. Final action shall be taken within a reasonable time by the president after receipt of the recommendations. If the president decides to recommend tenure or promotion to associate professor (Rank III) or professor (Rank IV), the final decision must be made by the Board of Regents. If the denial is not reversed after reconsideration, the faculty member may petition the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee, except in cases of denial of reappointment, which are not subject to grievance. (See also UNLV Bylaws, Chapter I, Section 4.6.6 and Chapter III, Section 20.) (B/R 3/03) (B/R 2/92)