Date
Dear Professor [name]:
Thank you for agreeing to serve as a referee in the [Action: e.g., tenure and promotion] review of
Professor [Name] to the rank of [Rank] in the Department of [Department name] at American
University. We set high standards for faculty performance here at AU and value your frank
assessment of Professor [Name’s] accomplishments.
Please include the following elements in your review (as applicable):
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A statement on how long and in what capacity you have known Professor [Name];
An analysis of [his/her] contributions to the advancement of [knowledge/creative
endeavor/similar] in [discipline];
An evaluation of the impact of this work on Professor [name]’s specific fields of
specialization: (1) [area 1]; (2) [area 2]; (3) [area 3]; (4) [area 4]; etc.
Your estimation of Professor [Name]’s demonstrated capacity for sustained scholarly
[creative, etc.] achievement and professional growth;
An assessment of the overall quality of the work with special emphasis on the merit of
the journals, presses, or other venues [modifiable in the case of creative performances] in
which this work appears;
Any insight you might have into Professor [Name]’s teaching and professional service;
A summary recommendation regarding Professor [Name]’s candidacy for [proposed
action, including new rank, as appropriate].
In order to assist you in your analysis of Professor [Name’s] work, I am enclosing [or attaching,
in the case of electronic submissions] [his/her] curriculum vitae, publications, and other
supporting materials [list here whatever you are sending]. American University has set high
expectations of its faculty members in the realms of both teaching and scholarly
accomplishment. Tenure-track faculty generally teach four courses per year.
While fully recognizing the demands on your time and the effort it takes to write such a careful
analysis, I would appreciate receiving your letter by [date, usually August 30th] so that we can
move ahead with our review process on schedule. Your comments will be made available to
Professor [Name] only after any identifying information—including your name, your institution,
and any comments or characteristics that might suggest your identity—have been carefully
removed. [Or, as applicable: Your letter is confidential and will not be made available to
Professor (Name).]
We require an original, signed document in hard copy. Please include your current curriculum
vitae with your letter for us to keep on file. Please also include your social security number so
that we may process your honorarium.
If you have questions or are unable to provide this assessment, please contact me at 202-885XXXX or XXXX@american.edu.
I join my colleagues in the [Department name] in the [School/College name] in thanking you for
your willingness to help us with this important review.
Sincerely,
Professor [Name]
[Title: e.g., Chair; Chair, Rank and Tenure
Committee]
Department of [Name]