III. Criteria for Promotion to Specific Ranks

Appointment or promotion to the rank of assistant professor shall be made after it has been determined that the individual has earned the terminal degree appropriate to the field of assignment as recognized by the academic discipline, has current capability for excellent scholarship, and demonstrates potential for significant growth in these areas.

Appointment or promotion to the rank of associate professor shall be made only after a candidate has met the criteria for assistant professor, has acquired five years of full-time experience (or its equivalent as determined by the CAFSSS faculty and the Provost/Vice president for Academic Affairs), and has demonstrated high achievements commensurate with the level of contractual obligations in the aforementioned areas of (1) research and/or teaching and/or extension and other creative activity based on the individual's appointment; (2) professional activity and contributions; and (3) professional, University, and public service. Particularly, an indication of continuous improvement and scholastic contributions should be evident as documented by the candidate. Further, the individual should have earned some external recognition for excellence appropriate to the field of assignment.

Appointment or promotion to the rank of full professor shall be made only after a candidate has met the criteria for associate professor, has acquired five additional years of full-time experience (or its equivalent as determined by the CAFSSS faculty and the Provost/Vice president for Academic Affairs) after Associate Professor rank, and has demonstrated high achievements commensurate with the level of contractual obligations in the aforementioned areas of (1) research and/or teaching and/or extension and other creative activity based on the individual's appointment; (2) professional activity and contributions; and (3) Professional, University, and public service. Particularly, such an appointment implies that, in the opinion of colleagues, the candidate's scholarship is excellent and, in addition, she/he has earned a high level of professional recognition. It should be stressed further that this rank is in recognition not only of length of service but also of achievement.

Professional competence in the respective professional research and/or teaching and/or extension position is the primary criterion for granting promotion and tenure. Evaluation of scholarship and service will be based on such effectiveness, which includes up-to-date knowledge of the discipline and is demonstrated through several performance objectives that include: (1) designing and implementing research projects as described in research proposals, supervising personnel, and managing resources and facilities; (2) publishing research results in refereed journals, books and book chapters, abstracts and proceedings, and other publications and media outlets; (3) teaching effectively; (4) participating in Extension activities as they relate to CAFSSS and the transfer of information and technology; (5) soliciting funds, collaboration, and other resources from public and private agencies to enhance the program; (6) teaching and mentoring students in various forums such as classrooms, COLTS programs, student workers, or graduate students; and (7)