These proposed changes involve the size and composition of ad hoc committees, as well as policy changes to encourage participation in the ad hoc process. External Letters For major advancements, evaluations from external reviewers are an important part of a file. However, in the case of assistant-level appointments at Step III or lower, CAP accepts external referees who are associated with the candidate, since it may be too soon to have established an independent reputation. Departments should advise candidates of this policy, and that their own selections do not have to be fully independent reviewers. Faculty visits to classrooms can be used, and documentation of activities in curriculum development is also welcome.
Few departments provide evaluations for graduate student training in research.
Since one of the central tasks of the University of California is the training of future scholars and researchers, an evaluation of that training is a valid and important criterion. Files with inadequate evaluation of teaching may be returned to the department. CAP considered a request to clarify how scholarly independence may be demonstrated when a faculty member works as part of a large investigative team. Providing crucial technical support or lab service could be considered under the rubrics of Service or Research, depending upon the information provided in the file. Thus, CAP's view is that the burden of proof is on the department to establish that the candidate has played a pivotal role within a larger research unit, and that the role played by the candidate is itself a legitimate research activity rather than simply providing a technical service.