Tenure entails the faculty member's obligation to strive continuously to improve competence and to cooperate with colleagues in an effort to improve the quality of scholarship and teaching at the institution. The freedom and security provided through academic tenure are fundamental to the success of a university in fulfilling its obligations. While a faculty member holding a tenure-track appointment with the rank of instructor shall not be eligible for tenure, service at that rank shall count toward the probationary time period prior to a tenure decision. However, such individuals become eligible for academic rank only upon the recommendation of the academic unit in which such rank is to be held.
Tenure applies to faculty appointments.
Tenure Acquisition Tenure cannot be acquired automatically by length of service without action by the President. No appointment shall entail tenure unless the contract or official notification of appointment explicitly states this. Locus of Tenure Tenure is granted by the University under the authority granted to the President by the Board of Trustees. Tenure appointments shall be held only in academic departments or similar academic units. All changes in the locus of tenure require specific approval of the President.