CS guidelines for promotion follow from those used by the Media School (MS) and the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). Although there may be occasions where promotion is based on teaching, service, or a balanced case, promotion through an excellent research record is the general expectation. CS will refer to MS and COAS guidelines for promotion cases based on teaching, service, or a balance of teaching, service, and research.
Promotion candidates in CS are expected to have an excellent record of research that demonstrates national or international leadership in their area of inquiry. Examples of evidence include, but are not limited to, peer-reviewed publications, law reviews, books published by prestigious presses, invited chapters, grant applications and awards, invited presentations, citations from other scholars, editorial board memberships, and public activities based on research expertise that impact society (e.g., influence policy, influence creative work, influence national research agendas).
Evaluative categories for teaching are excellent, very good, effective, and ineffective. Candidates for promotion through research must be evaluated as effective or higher in teaching. In order to demonstrate effectiveness, candidates may use similar sources of evidence as listed in the CS guidelines for tenure.
Evaluative categories for service are excellent, very good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. Candidates for promotion through research must be evaluated as satisfactory or higher in service. The areas where service is expected mirrors the areas listed in the CS guidelines for tenure. However, candidates for promotion are expected to engage in, or at least volunteer for and be willing to engage in, more service than candidates for tenure. Candidates for promotion are expected to have taken positions of leadership when appropriate.
There is no particular timeline for promotion to full professor; however, the unit director is required by the VPFAA to meet with associate professors five years after tenure to discuss promotion goals and intentions. Faculty members at the associate rank who believe they have met the stated criteria (e.g. excellence in research or teaching or a balanced case) can, at any time, consult with the unit director and/or other senior faculty of the unit to plan and put forward a promotion dossier. Promotion cases will follow the same time line documented in the Communication Science policy on the annual review of non-tenured faculty.
Approved April 13, 2018
