BURLINGTON COUNTY COLLEGE BOARD POLICY. NUMBER: 104 EFFECTIVE: July 18, 2006 SUPERSEDES: February 4, 1985

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1 Under the State and County College Tenure Act, which was adopted in 1973, faculty members shall be under tenure in their academic rank after five years of service to the College. Since tenure represents a commitment by the institution to a faculty member for the rest of that individual s working life, it is important the College carefully review any reappointments which include the conferral of tenure. The New Jersey State Commission of Higher Education has adopted administrative regulations to implement the tenure statutes which have been incorporated into the New Jersey Administrative Code and have the force of law (N.J.A.C. 9A: 7-3.1). In accordance with these regulations, the Board of Trustees is required to prepare a tenure plan for the College indicating the steps to be taken to achieve a balanced faculty in which no more than a reasonable proportion is tenured. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees is required to establish internal policies which indicate that it will impose specific restrictions or more intensive review procedures for any reappointment conferring tenure which brings the proportion of individuals in an academic division or in the College, as a whole, above its present level. Other Commission of Higher Education regulations concerning tenure include: 1. Reappointments conferring tenure may be offered only to faculty members who possess an appropriate degree or its equivalent, except under unusual circumstances when the granting of tenure to an individual not having these qualifications is judged by the Board of Trustees as being in the best interest of the institution. 2. Tenure should be awarded only to individuals whose performance during their probationary period gives clear evidence of their ability and willingness to make a significant and continuing contribution to the growth and development of the institution. 3. Tenure should be awarded after presentation of positive evidence of excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement, contribution to College and Community, and fulfillment of professional responsibilities, and not solely because negative evidence to the contrary is not presented. Thus, the Board of Trustees has a legal obligation to maintain a balance between tenured and non-tenured faculty members to maintain institutional flexibility and is required to use a standard of excellence in selecting faculty members to receive a reappointment including the conferral of tenure. This policy has been prepared in part to

2 respond to the mandate imposed by the aforementioned commission of higher education regulations. Tenure will be given to classroom instructional personnel on the basis of excellence in the combined areas of teaching, professional contributions, and service to the College and Community. Tenure will be given to librarians and counselors on the basis of excellence in the combined areas of work performance, professional contribution and service to the College and Community. In all cases, primary emphasis shall be applied in the area of performance for which an individual is employed. Conferral of tenure shall be made by a resolution of the Burlington County College Board of Trustees, and the resolution must state that the Board of Trustees deems this appointment to be in the best interest of the College. See N.J.A.C. 9A: et seq. Mere satisfactory performance, as reflected in an evaluation of the combined areas, will not suffice for the award of tenure. The College views tenure as a two-way commitment: The candidates commit themselves to strive for excellence in all aspects of performance, while the College commits itself institutionally to continue supporting the faculty member s academic activities. Part I TENURE REVIEW PROCESS 1. By January 15 of each year, the Office of Human Resources shall identify and notify candidates eligible for tenure review during the following academic year. 2. It is the candidate s obligation to prepare and submit a tenure review file. The tenure review file must contain clear and convincing evidence of the candidate s ability and willingness to make a significant and continuing contribution to the growth and development of the institution. And, it is the candidate s responsibility to present and submit in his/her tenure review file clear, convincing and positive evidence of excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement, contribution to College and Community and fulfillment of professional responsibilities.

3 The candidate s tenure review file should include the following: a. A self-evaluation, which addresses how well the candidate has met the College s criteria for the award of tenure and provides a statement of the candidate s future plans, goals and objectives, should be presented in the tenure review file. Updated, standard curriculum vitae should accompany the candidate s self-evaluation. b. The candidate s last two Annual Performance Reports and Objectives. c. The Dean s evaluation, which accompanied these two Reports, should be provided. d. Four-year compilation of student evaluations and class room observations conducted by the supervisor. e. Letters attesting to professional recognition, superior ability in the area of employment, and excellence of service to the College and Community. Three such letters must come from sources outside the College. f. Documentation of any federal or state grants the candidate has been awarded. g. Documentation of any notable professional achievements. h. Documentation of any notable achievements that advanced the mission of the College. 3. The tenure review file shall be closed and considered as a completed submission by the candidate upon presentment to the Divisional Dean by November 15 of the candidate s fifth academic year of service to the College. The entire record of the candidate s service and employment at the College shall be made available for review and evaluation by the Dean (and subsequent review levels) including the candidate s Official Personnel File and all relevant data and information collected and maintained by the College. The Divisional Dean shall prepare and submit an evaluation of the candidate s application for reappointment that would confer tenure. A recommendation concerning reappointment or non- reappointment shall be provided by the Dean. The Dean s recommendation, either affirmative or negative on reappointment, shall provide written justification for his/her decision.

4 The Dean s evaluation and recommendation shall be submitted concurrently to the Chairperson of the Tenure Review Board and the Candidate on or before November 20. The candidate shall have the opportunity to provide and have written comment on the Dean s evaluation and recommendation considered by the Tenure Review Board. Such written comment, if any, must be provided by the candidate within five business days of receipt thereof and directed to the Chairperson of the Tenure Review Board, the Vice President of Academic Programs. 4. A tenure review board shall be convened for the purpose of reviewing the materials submitted by the faculty member and the written recommendation of the individual s divisional Dean. The review board will be scheduled to meet by its Chairperson, the Vice President of Academic Programs, no less than six business days from the date the candidate received notice of the Dean s evaluation. Membership of the review board shall consist of the following: a. Vice President of Academic Programs, who shall serve as Chairperson b. Vice President of Administration and Finance c. Vice President of Student Affairs d. Vice President of Marketing and Business Development e. Executive Director, Human Resources, who shall serve as secretary f. Executive Director, Office of Institutional Research g. Dean of Institutional Advancement 5. The Tenure Review Board shall review the application and tenure file provided by the candidate. The entire record of the candidate s service and employment at the College shall be made available for review and evaluation by the Tenure Review Board including supervisory

5 evaluations, Official Personnel File and all relevant data and information collected and maintained by the College. The Chairperson of the Tenure Review Board shall communicate the findings of the Board s deliberations and recommendation to the President on or before December 15th. The communication shall be in writing and express whether or not the candidate is recommended for reappointment that would confer tenure. A copy of this recommendation will be concurrently provided to the applicant. The candidate shall have the opportunity to provide and have written comment on the Tenure Review Board s recommendation considered by the President. 6. The President shall review the recommendation of the Tenure Review Board and, if it is his/her decision to recommend reappointment that would confer tenure submits a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for its consideration. A copy of this recommendation will be provided to the candidate. The Board of Trustees shall only consider and act on affirmative reappointment recommendations submitted by the President. 7. The Board of Trustees meeting in open public session shall vote by resolution on the President s reappointment recommendation to confer tenure. The candidate will be notified in writing by the Office of the President of the Board s decision on or before February 1.