Rank Change Reviews
6.) Reviews for Change in Rank
Reviews for change in rank are reviews conducted to evaluate whether a candidate may be recommended to move up the rank scale (from instructor through full professor). Note that tenure and rank change reviews may be conducted simultaneously. However, tenure and rank change reviews are not automatically conducted simultaneously. Tenure-track faculty members seeking simultaneous tenure and rank change reviews must specifically request this by May 1 deadline (in the academic year preceding the FRC review)
Timing of Rank Change Reviews
Tenure-track faculty members may request a review for a rank change from the FRC when they believe they have met the standards for advancement to the next rank. All rank change reviews are conducted by the FRC in the fall semester and must be completed by November 15.
Tenure-track faculty members seeking change in rank must inform the Chief Academic Officer and Faculty Review Committee chairperson of their desire to be reviewed for rank change in the academic year prior to the requested. The tenure review schedule for tenure track faculty can be found in the Office of Academic Affairs. A review by the FRC may include both tenure and rank change, if the tenure-track faculty member requests a review for rank change by the May 1 deadline.
Requirements to be Recommended for Rank Change
Greenville University tenure-track and tenured faculty earn promotion to a higher rank by meeting the standards which define that rank.
Standards for the rank of assistant professor:
1. Any of the following:
• A doctoral degree,
• “all but dissertation” status in a doctoral program,
• a terminal master’s degree1,
• in unusual circumstances, a master’s degree plus 30 semester credits leading to a terminal degree plus five years’ experience,
• significant professional accomplishment in a field related to the appointment
2. Individual Development Plan
3. A rating by the FRC of at least Satisfactory for the categories teaching and professional growth, and on one other self-selected category of the five faculty evaluation areas.
Standards for the rank of associate professor:
1. A doctoral degree or a terminal master’s degree, or, under unusual circumstances, a master’s degree plus 60 semester credits leading to a terminal degree.
2. Six years in previous rank (at any accredited academic institution). Other appropriate experience may be considered by the Faculty Review Committee.
3. Individual Development Plan
4. A rating by the FRC of at least Commendable for the categories teaching and professional growth, and on one other self-selected category of the five faculty evaluation areas.
Standards for the rank of professor:
1. A doctoral degree or a terminal master’s degree
2. Six years in previous rank (at any accredited academic institution). Other appropriate experience may be considered by the Faculty Review Committee.
3. Individual Development Plan
4. A rating by the FRC of at least Commendable for the categories teaching and professional growth, and on two other self-selected categories of the three optional faculty evaluation areas.
Deadlines for Rank Change Reviews
Request for Change in Rank:
Tenure-track and tenured faculty members must request a review for change in rank by May 1 of the academic year preceding the review. May 1 is the latest date that tenure-track faculty members requesting change in rank in the next academic year can inform the chief academic officer of their intent to be reviewed. These requests must come in writing and must be copied to the chair of the FRC.
Professional Portfolio Submitted:
September 1 of the academic year in which the change in rank review is conducted. All tenure-track faculty who are to be reviewed are responsible for ensuring that their Professional Portfolio is current, complete, and submitted in the learning management system.
Those faculty members failing to meet the September 1 deadline for the submission of their professional portfolio will be ineligible for promotion that year.
Deadline Date that the FRC Must Submit All Recommendations for Tenure, Rank Change, and Sabbaticals to the Chief Academic Officer:
November 15: The FRC must make all recommendations for tenure, rank change, and sabbaticals to the Chief Academic Officer by the FRC by November 15. The FRC will also
send a formal letter of evaluation for tenure and rank change to the faculty member, the Chief Academic Officer and the department chair and their direct supervisor. This letter should be sent by December 1.
Deadline Date for Notification by the President of Change of Rank:
December 15: Faculty requesting advancement in rank will be notified by the president by December 15; the date that contracts are issued for the next academic year.
Outcomes of Rank Change Reviews
When a rank change review is completed by the FRC, the FRC will make a recommendation to the chief academic officer in writing. This letter will include a thorough rationale for the recommendation, along with the evaluations and ratings. Tenure-track and tenured faculty members being reviewed for rank change will also receive the letter informing them of the recommendation the Committee made with regard to rank change, along with the evaluations and ratings that were used to make the decision. All letters will be placed in the faculty member’s permanent file and should be placed in the faculty member’s Professional Portfolio by the faculty member. The president makes the final decision on change in rank, after consultation with the chief academic officer.
Provision for Appeal
If a faculty member who is eligible for advancement in rank is denied, he or she has the right of appeal. The faculty member may first choose to pursue the grievance process. After or instead of pursuing the grievance process, an appeal may be made in writing to the president.
Either the formal appeal or pursuit of the grievance process must be initiated within 30 days of notification of the decision appealed. Grievance processes handled by the Faculty Assembly Executives must be concluded 45 days after they are initiated. If the grievance process is pursued and does not lead to a resolution acceptable to the faculty member, the formal appeal must be submitted in writing to the president within 15 days. Appeals considered by the president should be answered in a timely fashion.
1 A terminal degree is normally the highest degree available in a particular field. Examples of common terminal degrees are Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.F.A. If disputes exist as to what constitutes a terminal degree, the chief academic officer will consult with the appropriate department chair and/or direct supervisor as well as appeal to documented national or international standards, e.g., those set by professional associations or accrediting agencies.