Guidelines for Preparing Credentials for Tenure and/or Promotion Review:

II. Description of Teaching, Research, Service and Advising Activities

The purpose of a narrative format is to afford the candidate the opportunity to provide as comprehensive a statement as possible in support of his or her candidacy for either promotion and/or tenure. It is useful to provide in the Appendix as much documentation as possible (e.g. material from one's cumulative teaching portfolio such as student evaluations, course syllabi, tests; scholarly products such as reprints of articles, grants, reviews by one's peers; annual Department Chair and Dean evaluations) from the period under review. The documentation should appear in the Appendix in the order in which the items are first mentioned in the narrative. Pages in the Appendix should be correlated to the narrative.

 

A. Outline for Describing Teaching Activities (with reference to 3.1.31)

1. Statement of Teaching Goals and Philosophy: To the extent not covered in the course syllabi, describe your pedagogical practices as they are evidenced in your course assignments, exams, and classroom activities.

 

2. Description of Courses Taught: Please compile the titles and materials for the courses taught during the years leading to the promotion and/or tenure review (for promotion, materials from the previous five years will be sufficient). The materials should include syllabi, and representative handouts, assignments, and exams.

 

3. Description of Areas of Teaching Interest and Competence:

   a. Identify areas of teaching interest and competence;

   b. Describe how one's courses reflect these interests, and how (or whether) these interests have been shaped by teaching experience and/or curricular or programmatic needs.

 

4. Class Evaluations:

   a. Describe how evaluation forms were designed and by whom;

   b. Submit the student evaluations for each course described above (#2);

   c. Provide, if desirable, a response to these evaluations.

 

B. Outline for Describing Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities (with reference to 3.1.32)

1. For the purpose of providing an overview of the bibliography to follow, summarize the focus and direction of your scholarly or creative work.

 

2. Published Scholarly Work, Performances, and Exhibitions: If your work is usually exemplified by publications, please list them by the categories specified in 3.1.32, using the standard entry form of your discipline. Include items "in press," giving full publication information. In cases of multiple authorship or collaboration, please describe individual contribution.

 

If your work is usually exemplified by plays, concerts, music compositions, or art exhibitions, provide evidence of artistic achievement, such as reviews, purchase of work by museums, galleries, etc., with reference to the categories in 3.1.32b. In cases of multiple authorship or collaboration, please describe individual contribution.

 

3. Scholarly or Creative Works Soon to be Published/Exhibited/Performed: Follow the same format as above and identify each as "submitted" or "in preparation." Provide dates of actual or expected submission, exhibitions, or publications. Include such works as part of the documentation Appendix.

 

4. Oral Presentations Before Peer Professional Groups: Again, with reference to 3.1.32, list titles and dates of the presentations and the identity of the groups hearing them. Include copies of presentations as part of the Appendix.

 

5. Grants, Contracts, or Fellowships:

   a. Grants Awarded: Identify purpose for each. Include comments and critiques of reviewers or review panels.

   b. Grants Applied For (listed at the discretion of the candidate): Identify purpose for each. Include comments and critiques of reviewers or review panels.

 

6. Prizes or Other Honors: List the prize, title, or honor and the identity of the granting institution or organization.

 

C. Outline for Describing Service (with reference to 3.1.33)

Although service is an important contribution made by a candidate to the Department, College, University, and community, it cannot be regarded as a substitute for superior achievement in the areas of teaching and scholarship.

 

1. List the department committees, years served, and role (e.g., chair) on the committee; if necessary, describe the purpose and accomplishments of the committee.

 

2. List the University, Division, School, or College committees, years served, and role (e.g., chair) on the committee; if necessary, describe the purpose and accomplishments of the committee.

 

3. Identify other Departmental, College, or University responsibilities that constitute service.

 

4. Identify contributions to scholarly or professional organizations. These contributions may include holding office, serving on a committee, reviewing manuscripts, and so on.

 

5. Describe unpaid community service directly related to one's area of professional or academic area of expertise.

 

D. Outline for Describing Advising and Mentoring (with reference to 3.1.34)

Advising and mentoring students are extremely valuable activities. The goal of academic advising is to provide an ongoing and dynamic relationship between each student and advisor to facilitate the student's adjustment to and development within the academic environment. Mentoring encompasses activities similar to apprenticeship-preparation for entry into a profession or career. Formal advising assignments vary greatly. In fact, advising may not be part of the responsibility of all faculty. If advising is not part of your responsibilities, so state. Issues that might be addressed in describing your advising include:

 

1. Describe advising activities and approach. Include discussion of approximate number of advisees and contacts that you have with each advisee per year, and the general philosophy that guides your advising activities.

 

2. Indicate approximate number of students whom you have mentored. For each, describe the ways in which you act as a mentor.

 

3. Submit any materials that provide evidence about the overall quality of your advising and mentoring activities.