Tenure Clock Policy

In an effort to create a more rational and fair system for determining the tenure review date for mid-year hires, the following change was made, beginning in academic year 2012-2013.

The majority of newly appointed tenure-track faculty arrive on campus between July 1st and August 23rd. The tenure clock begins immediately for these faculty members: their mandatory tenure review year is six years hence (three years for Associate Professors without tenure). Previously, October 1st started the new tenure-review year (i.e., candidates initiating their appointments October 1st or later have their tenure clocks start the following year). Commencing in the academic year 2012-2013, this “beginning date” changed from October 1st to January 1st of the following year.

Below are examples to illustrate the change:

• Candidate starts her employment on August 23, 2012 and begins her tenure clock immediately. Thus mandatory review would occur in the sixth academic year, 2017-2018.
• Candidate starts her employment on October 1, 2012, also beginning her tenure clock immediately, and is slated for a mandatory review in 2017-2018.
• Candidate starts her employment on January 15, 2013, so her tenure clock does not start until the 2013-2014 academic year. Hence her mandatory review year is 2018-2019.