Getting Tenure

Participants
Monique Frize, Carelton University & University of Ottawa
Maria Klawe, University of British Columbia

This section is a synopsis of the first panel presented at the conference. It closely parallels much of the advice given in the other CRA-W workshops held. Please refer to http://www.cra.org/Activities/craw/projects/mentoring/mentorWrkshp for more information.

1. The Differing Tenure Processes

Each University has different processes and timelines one must go through to obtain tenure.  Please note that the American and Canadian tenure processes are quite different.  For example, some American universities hire at the Assistant Professor level without the expectation that tenure will be granted.  Canadian universities, however, hire new recruits with the expectation that they will eventually get tenured. We will be focusing on the Canadian system in this section.

The participants in this panel shared with us two different tenure processes from three different universities.  The following subsections will provide a brief outline of each process

1.1 The University of British Columbia (UBC)

UBC hires with the expectation that 90% of those that apply for tenure will be successful (in Science).  After being assistant professor for three years there is an intermediate review, and at 5 years there is a full review.  The time required to get tenure is between 5 and 7 years, with further delays for maternity leave allowed. 

The university requires six referees from the candidate.  They will then choose 2-3 from that list, as well as 2-3 referees of their own pick.  There are guidelines delineating who can or cannot be a referee.  A referee must know of you and your work, but you should not have co-written a paper with him or her, or have worked with him or her in a supervisor/ coworker situation.  You are also expected to provide a teaching committee report that includes peer and student evaluations.  The decision usually goes through 4 levels before an offer is made.  The first level is the departmental committee level, in which there has to be overwhelming support for you to go onto the next level. Added to the department's recommendation is the department head's recommendation.  It is then voted upon by the Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Dean.  The fourth and final level is receiving the university committee's and the provost's recommendation.  Each level has the authority to override the decision of the previous level.

1.2 The University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa's tenure process is different from that of UBC.  The university requires that you have been at the university for 2 years, and have had at least an additional 3 years of experience at another university or the University of Ottawa before applying for tenure.  To apply you need to present a teaching dossier and a research record to the committees.  There are 4 levels as well in the review process, just as in UBC.

1.3 Carleton University

At Carleton University there is a preliminary appointment for 3 years, which is then typically renewed for 2 additional years.  You are reviewed for tenure in your 6th year.  Promotions are given such that after 2 years (upon receiving your tenure?) you may become an associate professor, and after 5 or 6 years you can apply for full professorship.

2. Getting Tenure

The following section deals with hints and tips regarding getting tenure, along with some common pitfalls.

A good tenure dossier (presented at the time of application) is a complete file about your accomplishments.  Make sure it is complete and includes your teaching dossier and research record.  Your teaching dossier should indicate the courses you have developed during your time at the university, along with courses taught during that time period. It should also include the number of graduate students you have supervised and the talks and invited lectures you have given. Your research record should state the grants or scholarships you have received as well as peer-review conference proceedings and journals. Along with information on graduate student supervision, you may also want to include the research you have done with them as well as any undergraduate senior theses you have supervised.  It is important that you choose your graduate students carefully as they reflect on you.

As an assistant professor, you should get involved in a few internal and external committees and be visible within the department.  Some suggestions on joining committees include getting on the graduate admissions committee, which is good for finding good students to work with, and avoiding committees that deal with the allocation of resources within the department. Further suggestions to help in getting tenure are:

· Network outside of your university to become more visible. This can be achieved by volunteering to review papers for conferences as well as becoming a member of major associations in your field.  Networking is a good way to get yourself invited to give lectures and gain recognition within your field. 

· With teaching, it is recommended that you avoid first year courses or service courses at the beginning of your term because often they are not closely tied in with your research.

· Make sure that when you receive recognition, you let others know about it.  Promote yourself.  Email the department chair when you are invited to present a talk, and nominate fellow women for panels, awards and prizes, too.

· Ask for feedback on how you are doing both from senior people in your department and from people who have recently received tenure. In addition, you may want to discuss your tenure or promotion file with the faculty association "counselors" before the tenure or promotion process. 

· Getting a mentor is a good way to get feedback and help from someone senior in your field.