Click here for important updates on the 2026-2027 RTP evaluation process
Probationary faculty members are normally given a two-year initial appointment and are subject to evaluation before they are reappointed to subsequent probationary years or granted tenure. Tenure-track faculty are considered probationary faculty until they are awarded tenure or terminated.
Extensions to the probationary period are possible under particular conditions (see the Unit 3 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 13). Apply for extensions during non-academic leaves through HRDI. Faculty on non-academic leave, without an approved probationary period extension, may be expected to submit a file for RTP evaluation.
The evaluation process uses the
currently-approved
departmental standards that are posted on the Faculty Affairs and Records website. If departmental standards have changed since a faculty member was hired, then the new, approved standards will be used. There is not a "grandfather" clause that allows prior approved versions to be used. If there are no currently-approved departmental standards, then the process will use the campus policy on RTP standards.
Candidates for 2026-2027 actions are to submit their materials through Interfolio, the evaluation system implemented in 2017-2018. The template that candidates undergoing full performance reviews will use mirrors the requirements of UPS 210.000 and UPS 210.002. Interfolio is accessible through the Faculty Portal (for assistance see how-to login video). FAR provides a Files Organizer for full performance reviews that you can use to collect and assemble your documents prior to uploading them to your Interfolio portfolio. After downloading the Files Organizer, unzip it on your harddrive or cloud storage system and follow the instructions. (Files Organizer for Library Faculty) (Files Organizer for Counselor Faculty)
For more information on RTP, please see the slides from our latest candidate workshops.
For Counselors (CAPS) and Library Faculty, there are some documents that are specific to their portfolios under the Templates and Forms section of this page.
NEW --> Pre-tenure faculty members may use a probationary faculty tracking tool. It provides an OPTIONAL means of planning during the 4-6 years leading up to the tenure application.
Rebuttal versus Added Material
There are key differences and restrictions that pertain to rebuttals and added material requests. Rebuttal statements inform the next review level. A rebuttal meeting to seek clarification from the just-prior review level can be requested. Rebuttals and meeting requests must be made within 10 days of receiving a recommendation. It is not appropriate to add materials to a portfolio with a rebuttal statement. Added material requests will go to the Faculty Personnel Committee for approval. If approved, the material will be added to the portfolio and will trigger a reevaluation of the file by prior review levels. Added material requests must be submitted to FAR by the deadlines posted in the RTP timetables.
Promotion to Full Professor
Promotion of a tenured faculty member to Professor shall normally be considered during their fifth year in rank, with promotion being effective at the beginning of the sixth year. A tenured faculty member may request that they not be considered for promotion during their fifth year in rank by submitting a written request to FAR no later than the end of the second week of classes of the fall semester. After requesting that they not be considered for promotion, the faculty member will undergo post-tenure review per UPS 210.020. Tenured faculty may request promotion consideration in a future academic year by submitting a written request to FAR no later than the end of the second week of classes of the fall semester.
A request for promotion consideration prior to having completed four years in rank shall be defined as “early.” Early promotion to Professor requires that the faculty member has displayed excellence and sustained commitment to teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and service that promise future potential growth. Performance in all three areas of review shall be at the level of Excellent. Tenured faculty shall request early promotion by submitting a written request to FAR no later than the end of the second week of classes of the fall semester.
