PROMOTION POLICIES
BOR Reference: USG Academic Affairs Handbook: 4.5 http://www.usg.edu/academic_affairs_handbook/section4/
The current promotion regulations as adopted by the Board of Regents are incorporated into this Policy by this reference. The policies related to promotion shall be the following:
A. Recognized faculty ranks are Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. Promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer shall be governed by Board of Regent's policy. Administrative officers of the University may be given appropriate faculty rank and/or status at the discretion of the President.
B. The faculty member's length of service at the University shall be taken into consideration in determining if a faculty member can be considered for promotion given that promotion to a specific rank requires a minimum length of service with an institution as specified in the policies of the Board of Regents.
C. Criteria for promotion to all professorial ranks shall include the following:
1. At a minimum promotion shall be based on:
a. Superior teaching.
b. Outstanding service to the institution.
c. Academic achievement.
d. Professional growth and development.
2. Noteworthy achievement in all four of the above need not be demanded, but should be expected in at least two, one of which shall be superior teaching.
3. Promotions to the rank of associate and full professor shall require a terminal degree or equivalent as defined in Article III. Section 1. GCSU Statutes: http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/univ_senate/statutes.htm
4. Neither the possession of a terminal degree, nor longevity of service, is a guarantee per se of promotion.
5. Individual academic units of the University, along with the University Library or any other academic unit, may adopt additional and/or higher standards, as well as, more detailed criteria and procedures for promotion so long as they are consistent with this Article III. GCSU Statutes: http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/univ_senate/statutes.htm
GCSU Procedures:
A. The following procedures shall govern the recommendations for, or against, promotion of eligible faculty members.
1. The Office of the Provost shall make available a list of eligible faculty to the "line of authority" supervisors, when faculty are eligible for promotion and the dates when every promotion recommendation is due to appropriate University officials.
2. Formal recommendation for, or against, promotion shall be made initially by peer faculty within the candidate's own department (or similar body of comparable faculty) to the "line of authority" Department Chairperson. This recommendation shall be presented in writing and accompanied by the faculty member's documentation supporting his or her candidacy for promotion. A copy of the recommendation to the Chairperson shall also be provided to the faculty member being considered for promotion. If a recommendation is made against promotion, the faculty member has ten (10) calendar days from receipt of such notice to submit to the "line of authority" Chairperson a written statement in support of his or her candidacy for promotion.
3. The "line of authority" Chair shall next provide a formal written recommendation for, or against, the faculty member's promotion to the "line of authority" Dean. This recommendation shall be presented in writing and accompanied by the faculty member's documentation supporting his or her candidacy for promotion. A copy of the Chairperson's recommendation to the Dean shall also be provided to the faculty member being considered for promotion. If the Chairperson recommends against promotion, the faculty member has ten (10) calendar days from receipt of such notice to submit to the "line of authority" Dean a written statement in support of his or her candidacy for promotion.
4. The "line of authority" Dean shall next refer the department Chairperson's recommendation for, or against, promotion (along with the faculty member's documentation supporting their candidacy for promotion) to the promotion committee of the eligible faculty member's academic unit for review, consideration, and recommendation. The promotion committee's formal recommendation shall be presented in writing to the "line of authority" Dean with supporting documentation used in making the recommendation.
5. The "line of authority" Dean shall next provide a formal written recommendation for, or against, the faculty member's promotion, along with supporting documentation that has been provided in support of the faculty member's candidacy for promotion, to the Provost. A copy of the Dean's recommendation to the Provost shall also be provided to the faculty member being considered for promotion. If the Dean recommends against promotion, the faculty member has ten (10) calendar days from receipt of such notice to submit to the Provost a written statement in support of his or her candidacy for promotion.
6. The Provost shall next provide a formal written recommendation for, or against, the faculty member's promotion, along with supporting documentation that has been provided in support of the faculty member's candidacy for promotion, to the President of the University. The Vice President and Deans of Faculties' recommendation to the President of the University shall also be provided to the faculty member being considered for promotion. If the Provost recommends against promotion, the faculty member has ten (10) calendar days from receipt of such notice to submit to the President of the University a written statement in support of his or her candidacy for promotion.
7. The President of the University shall be responsible for and approve all promotions for the institution after review of documentation supporting the faculty member's candidacy for promotion, recommendations, consultation with "line of authority" supervisors, and/or other appropriate faculty. The President's decision regarding the eligible faculty member's candidacy for promotion shall be provided to the faculty member once determined.
A documented record detailing a combination of all the following may be considered as equivalent to the terminal degree. "Equivalent" shall be used very sparingly and for only fully justified and fully documented reasons.
A. Distinguished reputation in the discipline of appointment.
B. Extraordinary accomplishments in research, scholarly publications, and/or creative work.
C. Superior teaching.
D. Significant level of formal and integrated study beyond the master's degree.
Minimum Year of Service for Application for Tenure and Promotion---Approved Academic Council 4-25-00
Faculty should be eligible for consideration of tenure and promotion according to the following schedule:
From Instructor to Assistant Professor during their 3rd year of service;
From Assistant Professor to Associate Professor during their 5th year of service as an Assistant Professor
From Associate Professor to Professor during their 5th year of service as and Associate Professor
For tenure during their 5th year of eligible service
College may add additional requirements beyond the minimum years of service for a recommendation for promotion.
This procedure becomes effective Fall 2000 for all faculty hired as of Fall 2000; current faculty would be provided the option of being considered under this revised schedule.