ABSTRACT
The qualifying criteria are outlined in the collective bargaining contract or the faculty manual, depending on the institution. There are usually slightly different requirements for promotion than for tenure. Two of the most important issues related to the promotion and tenure (P&T) process, especially within a collective bargaining system, are what can be placed in the faculty member's file, and when it can be placed there. Collective bargaining contracts and faculty manuals sometimes identify, in addition to the specified requirements for P&T, workload responsibilities. There are normally fairly strict guidelines available in contracts and/or faculty manuals that tell faculty members when they are eligible to apply. The collective bargaining agreement, however, is only as powerful as the language used therein and the enforcers of the agreement. The dean's response to the annual evaluation of untenured faculty members is one of their most important responsibilities.
