From the Dean: Vote on revision to clinical faculty appointment, promotion guidelines

The University revised its guidelines for the appointment and promotion of clinical faculty in spring 2023, so it was necessary for us to revise the College’s guidelines to bring them into alignment with changes made at the university level. The changes at the university level included adding the provision that clinical faculty could transfer to tenure-track positions in exceptional circumstances and requiring five years in rank (rather than four years) as a clinical assistant professor before seeking promotion to the rank of clinical associate professor.

A faculty committee, chaired by Kim Viel-Ruma, clinical professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, reviewed our existing guidelines to see if additional changes were needed beyond those made by the University. The decision was made not to duplicate most of the information in the University guidelines to avoid issues with conflicting guidelines should future changes be made. Thus, the College document now contains a preamble, discipline specific criteria for appointments and promotions, and details about the College promotion committee.

The resulting document now requires a college-wide vote of all clinical faculty and all tenure-track faculty, regardless of rank or tenure status. Eligible faculty will receive an electronic ballot by email. Following the college vote, the guidelines will be sent to the Provost for approval and will be effective August 1, 2025 for those being hired during 2025-26 for an August 1, 2026 start date and for those seeking promotion during 2026-27 beginning with a preliminary consideration vote in spring 2026.

• View current College guidelines
• View University’s revised guidelines
• View proposed College guidelines
• View tracked changes comparison of current proposed College guidelines

I want to express my appreciation to the members of the committee for their time and care they took with the revision of these guidelines as well as their discussion of other matters important to clinical faculty:

• Kim Viel-Ruma, chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education
• Chris Mojock, Department of Kinesiology
• Liz Saylor, Department of Educational Theory and Practice
• Jamon Flowers, Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy
• Lou Tolosa-Casadont, Department of Language and Literacy Education
• Cindy Vail, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education
• Alisa Fountain, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education (through Sept. 1, 2024)