Important Note: This overview of the Probationary Review Process is supplemental and not intended to conflict with the requirements of CBA Section 7.6.
In the first year of a tenure track appointment, the faculty member meets with the department chair to discuss first-year goals specified in the letter of offer and progress towards tenure. This first Probationary Review occurs face-to-face between the review candidate and the department chair. Subsequent Probationary Reviews occur in Interfolio.
Eligibility
Every winter, all current tenure track, assistant (or associate) professors must undergo a mandatory annual review involving their peers. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states, “All probationary faculty are reviewed annually until tenure is granted or the faculty member is not reappointed.”
Year 1 Abbreviated Probationary Review Timeline
Review candidates should consult with their department and/or college regarding the deadlines for the steps specified below.
Department Chair Review
- Review Candidate meets with Department Chair to discuss first-year goals and progress towards tenure.
- Department Chair writes department chair letter and shares letter with Review Candidate, giving them 5 working days to respond to errors of fact.
- Review Candidate has 5 working days to respond to errors of fact.
- Department Chair sends department chair letter to College Dean.
College Dean Review
- College Dean:
- Reviews department chair letter to verify compliance with departmental and college standards and procedures.
- Writes optional college dean letter.
- Shares optional college dean letter with review candidate.
- Sends copy of final department chair letter to Provost by March 15.
Year 2-5 Probationary Review Timeline
Review candidates should consult with their department and/or college regarding the deadlines for the steps specified below.
Initiation and Submission of Review Packet
- Faculty Relations initiates review packet in Interfolio on or before September 16. Review Candidate receives email notification.
- Review Candidate completes and submits review packet. Tenured Faculty in Department receive email notification.
Department Review
- Tenured Faculty in Department review materials and email individual written assessments (or peer evaluations) to Department Chair.
- Department Chair collects all individual written assessments and moves review packet forward.
Department Chair Review
- Department Chair:
- Reviews materials.
- Uploads all department individual written assessments (or peer evaluations) and department chair letter.
- Completes department action record form inside of Interfolio.
- Sets case status.
- Shares department chair letter with review candidate inside of Interfolio, giving them 5 working days to respond to errors of fact. Review Candidate receives email notification.
- Review Candidate has 5 working days to respond to errors of fact. Submits optional response in Interfolio.
- Department Chair moves review packet forward. College Dean receives email notification.
College Dean Review
- College Dean:
- Reviews department chair letter to verify compliance with departmental and college standards and procedures.
- Uploads optional college dean letter.
- Shares optional college dean letter with review candidate inside of Interfolio.
- Closes review packet by March 15, setting final disposition.
- Faculty Relations adds a copy of final department chair letter to Review Candidate’s faculty file.
Contact
Contact Faculty Relations at facultyrelations@wwu.edu for general questions regarding the Probationary Review Process.