Eligibility

[Excerpted from the UF Guidelines and Information Regarding the Tenure, Permanent Status and Promotion Process for 2009-2010.]

I. ABOUT TENURE, PROMOTION & PERMANENT STATUS: 2009-2010

3. In most cases, tenure and promotion require distinction in at least two areas, one of which shall be that of the faculty member’s primary responsibility, and those areas should be teaching and research unless the faculty member or extension faculty member has an assignment that primarily reflects other responsibilities, such as the Cooperative Extension Service. Merit should be regarded as more important than variety of activity. “Distinction” in the categories is defined by the University and clarified by each college, and department in terms tailored to the college and to department disciplines and consistent with University standards. Faculty and new hires should receive a copy of the college’s or equivalent unit’s and department’s criteria clarifying the expectations for promotion and tenure and the definition of distinction.

4. A faculty member in an eligible position must request to be nominated for tenure by the beginning of the last year of the tenure probationary period (July 1st), although consideration is normally given when the candidate’s record is ready. (That determination is made by the faculty member in consultation with the chair.) A faculty member who is considered for tenure but not supported by the president must be given a letter of non-renewal.

The tenure or permanent status probationary periods in each unit are as follows: …
• College of Fine Arts – 7 years

6. Tenure awarded to a candidate will be effective July 1, 2010 for 12-month faculty and at the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year for 9-month faculty. Permanent status awarded to a candidate in IFAS will be effective July 1, 2010. Permanent status awarded to a candidate from P.K. Yonge will be effective at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year. Promotions will be effective at the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year for 9 and 10 month faculty and on July 1, 2010 for 12 month faculty.

7. An eligible faculty member may initiate the application for promotion whenever s/he believes s/he has met the criteria for promotion by notifying the department chair before the tenure and promotion review cycle begins on July 1st.

II. ELIGIBILITY FOR TENURE AND PERMANENT STATUS

1. Only those employees who are classified as instructional and research faculty with the rank of assistant professor or above and who are employed in a tenure-accruing position under the provisions of University regulations are eligible for nomination for tenure. Tenure is normally held in an academic department. With the written consent of the Provost, the tenure of a faculty member may reside in a center or institute when the teaching, research, and other duties of the faculty member necessitate such a designation. 

2. Tenure or permanent status may be granted in the faculty ranks, but not in administrative
positions.

3. For purposes of calculating the tenure or permanent status probationary period, one year of academic service means employment during at least thirty-nine (39) weeks of any twelve (12)-month period beginning with the fall term. Employment for one semester (or its equivalent) constitutes one-half year of academic service. 

4. No tenure or permanent-status earning time shall be accrued during a semester leave of absence without pay or a reduced FTE appointment, unless the faculty member is on a joint appointment or exchange or a special assignment for the benefit of UF, or the primary purpose of the leave is to conduct research, or there is an agreement to the contrary in writing between the faculty member and the appropriate senior vice president entered into prior to the commencement of the leave. Such requests should be included in the request for leave of absence or reduced FTE and processed through appropriate administrative offices.

5. A one-year extension of the tenure probationary period may be requested if the faculty member becomes a parent or develops significant care responsibilities for a spouse or domestic partner, great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, brother, sister, child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of the faculty member, her/his spouse or domestic partner, or the spouse or domestic partner of any of them. Any faculty member requesting an extension of the probationary period must make the request in writing, with documentation, to the department chair within 24 months of the onset of the circumstances, and no later than March 31st of the final year of the probationary period. The chair must forward the request to the provost and dean with a recommendation that it be approved or disapproved. The Provost has final authority to approve the request, and will do so provided it falls within the allotted time limits, meets the criteria for family care defined here, and appropriate documentation is provided.