Probationary Period Policies
[The following policies were approved unanimously at the May 10, 2006 Faculty Senate meeting, pending clarification of the wording about the maximum number of extensions allowed; the Executive Committee unanimously approved the clarification on June 7, 2006]

Proposed Policy on Extension of the Probationary Period for Childbirth or Adoption

An untenured tenure-track faculty member who becomes a parent due to the birth or adoption of a child and who is responsible for the primary care of that child will be given a one year extension of the probationary period.  The faculty member is responsible for notifying his/her Department Chair of the qualifying event in writing within six months of the qualifying event.  The Department Chair will acknowledge the extension of the probationary period and will inform the faculty member of the revised year of tenure review, with a copy to the Dean who will then notify the provost’s office.

Unless the faculty member expressly declines the extension in writing at the time the notice is given, the probationary period will be extended by one year.  The probationary period may only be extended for a total of two years, one year for each qualifying event. Requests for extensions of the probationary period normally will not be considered after March 1 of the academic year prior to the tenure review period. 

This policy does not address faculty leave, nor does it affect any existing policy or policies relating to faculty leave.

The terms in this policy shall be defined in accordance with the definitions contained in the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Proposed Policy on Extension of the Probationary Period for Emergencies

An untenured tenure-track faculty member has the right to request an extension of the probationary period because of family emergencies or other serious personal circumstances.  Circumstances that may justify an extension include, but are not limited to, serious illness and injury, responsibility for the primary care of a close relative who is disabled, elderly or seriously ill; or other serious disruptions or unexpected reasons beyond the faculty member’s control.

Requests must be made in writing and submitted within six months after the emergency circumstances or personal circumstances occur. The request must be forwarded through the Department Chair and Dean to the Provost. The Provost will inform the dean of his/her decision and the year of tenure review.

Requests for extensions of the probationary period normally will not be considered after March 1 of the academic year prior to the tenure review period. 

This policy does not address faculty leave, nor does it affect any existing policy or policies relating to faculty leave.

The terms in this policy shall be defined in accordance with the definitions contained in the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

   Change SAM 06.A.09

2.7 Probationary period - The probationary period is defined as the time a faculty member spends under appointment in a tenure-track position prior to being awarded tenure. It shall not exceed seven years, and the conditions of the period shall be specified in the appointment letter. Up to three years of prior full-time collegiate level teaching at the rank of assistant professor or above may be credited to the probationary period.

   Change to:

2.7 Probationary period - The probationary period is defined as the time a faculty member spends under appointment in a tenure-track position prior to being awarded tenure. Normally it shall not exceed seven years, and the conditions of the period shall be specified in the appointment letter. Up to three years of prior full-time collegiate level teaching at the rank of assistant professor or above may be credited to the probationary period. The probationary period is subject to up to a two year extension if the faculty member has received an extension of the probationary period for childbirth, adoption, or emergency purposes.