Externally funded appointments are renewed provided funding is maintained. The appointment can be terminated if there is no outside grant or contract support over one appointment year, regardless of the tenure status of the faculty member. The aim of the promotion and tenure policies of the Department of Physics is to recognize and reward colleagues who have achieved distinction in their academic careers, and who show expectation of continued intellectual development. Distinction is characterized by excellence in the conduct and direction of teaching and research, and the following paragraphs outline the Department's understanding of what comprises activity in these areas. Participation in service and extension activity, and general collegiality of faculty are also recognized as important contributions to the vitality of the Department.
Teaching is facilitation of learning aimed at helping students achieve their educational objectives.
Effective teaching is vital to the mission of the University and stimulating, rigorous and successful instruction should be the goal of every faculty member. In general, however, faculty should involve themselves in teaching at all levels. Innovative instructional methods, text development and new course development will be recognized as significant contributions to the teaching mission of the Department. Research is critical inquiry directed towards the creation of new knowledge or the creative synthesis of existing knowledge. Research will result in publication in refereed journals, and will be carried on in conjunction with participation in professional meetings and service in professional societies and organizations.