(date)
(address)
Dear (name):
This year Dr. XXXX is being considered for promotion and tenure to Associate Professor. In
accordance with Texas Tech University’s promotion and tenure policies, one important element
of the evaluation process is input from distinguished scholars regarding Dr. XXXX’s
contributions to the discipline.
You have been recommended as an appropriate person to provide an external evaluation of Dr.
XXXXs scholarly achievement. I would greatly appreciate your evaluation of Dr. XXXX’s
accomplishments in the area of scholarship, and to the extent you can, in the areas of teaching
and service. The University and the College want to advance only the best among us, those
faculty members who:
 demonstrate effectiveness as a teacher;
 exhibit a record of peer-reviewed publication and/or peer-reviewed creative activity
which has contributed to the discipline or field of study, to the candidate’s intellectual
and artistic development, and to the quality of the academic unit;
 provide professional service appropriate to the discipline, the academic unit and, where
possible, the department, college, and/or University; and
 have promise of growth in teaching and research or artistic and creative activity.
Regarding scholarship, the Promotion and Tenure Committee is interested in your opinion of
the quality of Dr. XXXX’s research (grantsmanship and publications or creative activity as
appropriate), as well as the level of its respect by other academic colleagues. We request that
your evaluation include the following:
 Does Dr. XXXX’s work, taken as a whole, constitute a serious and significant contribution
to the discipline?
 What is your assessment of Dr. XXXX’s contributions in the areas of research,
scholarship, or other creative activity?
 Is Dr. XXXX currently known as a scholar whose work is likely to be known and respected
by other leaders in the field?
 What is the nature of your professional contact with and knowledge of Dr. XXXX?
 Would Dr. XXXX be promoted and tenured at your institution?
 Do you recommend promotion and tenure for Dr. XXXX?
To assist you in your evaluation of Dr. XXXX’s teaching, research, and service performance, I am
enclosing the following material:
 Texas Tech University/College of Human Sciences TPolicy
 Dr. XXXX’s vita
 A list of websites which offer further information regarding Dr. XXXX’s accomplishments.
After you examine this material, please feel free to call me at (phone) or email at XXXX should
you have any questions or concerns. A written response is requested by (date) so that the time
line can be met. Please be sure to include a brief bio with your recommendation letter.
Your response will be reviewed by the Department, College, and University Promotion and
Tenure Committees, the Provost, and the President. Otherwise it will be treated as confidential
to the extent permitted by law. Dr. XXXX will be allowed to view the response if (he/she) so
requests.
Having served as an external evaluator many times, I am well aware of the amount of work it
represents and appreciate your willingness to participate in the peer review. On behalf of the
(department/program) and the College of Human Sciences, I would like to thank you in advance
for your letter of evaluation of Dr. XXXX’s candidacy for tenure and promotion to the rank of
Associate Professor.
Sincerely,
(name)
(title)
Enclosure