PENN STATE MONT ALTO
PROMOTION AND TENURE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES
In compliance with the procedures established in HR-23: Promotion and Tenure Procedures and
Regulations and the Administrative Guidelines for HR-23, the Penn State Mont Alto Faculty Senate
has approved the following. All preceding guidelines pertaining to the Penn State Mont Alto
Promotion and Tenure Committee are hereby superseded by the following guidelines.
Purpose
The purpose of the Penn State Mont Alto Promotion and Tenure Committee (hereafter called the
Committee) shall be to serve the faculty of Penn State Mont Alto in matters relating to tenure and
promotion. The Committee shall provide the initial level of evaluation and recommendation under
the provisions of HR-23 for each Penn State Mont Alto candidate undergoing review for tenure
and/or promotion. The Committee shall also provide the candidates with information regarding
policies and procedures for tenure and promotion and, if requested by them, consultation.
Committee Composition and Method of Selection
1. The Penn State Mont Alto Faculty Senate (hereafter called the Senate)
shall establish annually the Committee, and it shall consist of five tenured
faculty members who hold the rank of Associate Librarian, Librarian,
Associate Professor or Professor. At least three of the Committee
members shall be from the local campus faculty and at least two members
shall be in the same discipline as the candidate being reviewed. If there is
not a sufficient number of eligible faculty to compose the local portion of
the Committee, then the Director of Academic Affairs (hereafter known as
the DAA) will seek such from other University College campuses.
2. Selection of the Committee members:
 The faculty will elect, by secret ballot from among volunteers of the
tenured faculty holding the rank of Associate Librarian, Librarian,
Associate Professor or Professor, two local members of the
Committee plus one alternate, to a two-year term. The Campus
Chancellor shall appoint one local member from among the
volunteers who hold the rank of Associate Librarian, Librarian,
Associate Professor or Professor, to a one-year term.
 In the event that one of the local members of the Committee is in
the same discipline as a candidate to be reviewed, that member
shall serve as one of the disciplinary members of the Committee
and the alternate will serve as the third local member of the
committee for that candidate. In this case, only one external
disciplinary member needs to be selected.
 The four local members shall select the disciplinary member(s), in
consultation with the DAA, from the list provided by the University
College plus any eligible, local faculty, not already serving on the
Committee, who are in the same discipline as the candidate.
3. The number to be elected each year will vary according to the number
retiring from the preceding Committee. When the faculty census is
sufficient, it is recommended that one local Committee member or the
alternate be elected each year; in order to maintain continuity, no more
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than two local, elected Committee members should be replaced in a given
year. Likewise, the Campus Chancellor will refill that appointed position
on a yearly basis.
4. Prior to the last full week of April of each year, the Chair of the Faculty
Senate will poll the tenured faculty who hold the rank of Associate
Librarian, Librarian, Associate Professor or Professor for volunteers to
serve on the Committee and will prepare a ballot that will list all
candidates for the election. Elections will be held during the last full week
of April via campus mail (or a method to be determined by the Senate
Executive Board). The chair will distribute a ballot to all faculty eligible to
vote by Monday of that week. Completed ballots will be returned to the
chair by noon of that Wednesday. The chair will tally the votes and
announce the results by that Friday. New members will take office
immediately.
5. All tenured and tenure-track faculty except those holding full-time
administrative positions shall be eligible to vote for Committee members.
6. Each newly constituted Committee shall elect a Chair at the first meeting
of the Committee in the Fall semester; the previous Chair will call the first
meeting and conduct the election of Chair.
Promotion and/or Tenure Review Procedures
1. The DAA will meet with all newly appointed tenure-track faculty during the fall semester of
each year in order to orient them to the promotion and tenure policies of the university.
2. The Committee shall invite the DAA to serve as a resource person, but he/she may not
participate in deliberative or voting sessions. As a resource person, the DAA shall provide
the Committee with any documents, information, and clerical assistance that the Committee
may require to complete its evaluation of the candidates.
3. The DAA shall provide the Committee with a list of all candidates under tenure review or
promotion consideration by September 1 of each year.
4. The DAA shall prepare the dossier with the assistance of the candidate.
5. The Committee will expect the finished dossiers at least one month prior to their being due
at University Park.
6. The Committee will evaluate each candidate by the criteria outlined in HR-23. In
accordance with HR-23, the Committee will apply these criteria in light of the mission of
Penn State Mont Alto and the professional responsibilities carried by the faculty member.
The mission of Penn State Mont Alto will be as defined by the University College in the
"Preamble" of the University College's Statement Of Expectations And Criteria For
Promotion And Tenure. As such, the Committee’s final recommendation in most tenure and
promotion decisions will be based primarily on "...consistent high quality, with qualitative
expectations being more important than quantitative expectations."
7. Once its deliberations are concluded, the Committee shall prepare a written statement of
evaluation and recommendation for each candidate. This evaluation shall address each
area of expectation: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; The Scholarship of
Research and Creative Accomplishments; and Service and the Scholarship of Service to the
University, the Public, and the Profession.
8. Once adopted by the Committee, the evaluation shall be signed by the Chair on behalf of
the Committee members and forwarded to the DAA.
9. The DAA should meet with each candidate to discuss the best approaches for having
him/her address the results of the evaluations at all levels: campus, college and University.
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Expectations and Methods of Evaluation
I. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
A. Expectations
1. Teach effectively a number of courses in a discipline by preparing clear, wellorganized classes which cover the course content, emphasize the main points,
and demonstrate the significance of the subject matter at a level appropriate to
the students enrolled the course
2. Implement additional teaching/learning strategies, such as interactive
discussions, experimentation, and co-operative learning projects
3. Prepare syllabi which indicate course objectives and student performance criteria
4. Maintain a classroom atmosphere which promotes learning
5. Maintain a positive attitude about course content at all times
6. Maintain a commitment to high academic standards at all times
7. Respond effectively to questions posed by students
8. Stimulate student thinking and intellectual curiosity
9. Provide assignments which assist the learning process outside of the classroom
10. Evaluate student performance fairly and consistently
11. Tolerate and encourage different student viewpoints
12. Be approachable and available to students
13. Advise students about current programs and course offerings
B. Evaluative Methods
1. Review the list of all courses taught in resident instruction, continuing education,
and in other circumstances
2. Review the compilation of SRTE results, second forms of evaluation, and letters
from present and former students
3. Review the evaluative statements made by the peer reviewers, one local and one
in the same or similar discipline as the candidate, as mandated by the University
College Peer Review Handbook
4. Review the evaluative statements made by administrators, including heads of
divisions and departments and their representatives
5. Review other evidence which supports the fulfillment of expectations outlined
above, such as the development of new courses or special recognition for
teaching and advising
II. The Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments
A. Expectations
1. Maintain a continuing program of research and/or creative activity which results
in the production of high quality publications and/or creative accomplishments
2. Pursue grants to fund research projects and/or creative activity
3. Present papers at technical and professional meetings
4. Attend workshops, seminars, mini-courses, or conferences intended to promote
continuing professional development
5. Hold memberships and participate in professional societies
6. Engage in other activities appropriate to the individual candidate, such as giving
speeches which demonstrate the candidate’s expertise within the University or in
the community
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B. Evaluative Methods
1. Review the list of publications in refereed or non-refereed journals, books or
parts of books, editorial work, and other research reports
2. Review the list of manuscripts which have been accepted or submitted for
publication, as well as those currently in progress
3. Review the list of research projects which have been completed, funded, or
proposed, as well as those currently in progress
4. Review the list of creative accomplishments
5. Review the list of honors and awards for scholarship
6. Review the list of descriptions of new courses or new teaching methods
developed
7. Review the list of papers presented at professional meetings
8. Review the list of attendance at professional meetings
9. Review the list of consultative work, including manuscripts refereed for
professional journals
10. Review the list of undergraduate theses and projects supervised
11. Review the previous evaluative statements made by review committees and
administrators, including the Chancellor, the DAA, heads of departments or
divisions, college review committees, and college deans
12. Review the external letters of assessment
13. Review any other evidence of research and/or creative accomplishment which
supports the fulfillment of the expectations outlined above, such as new product
development, new art forms, patents and copyrights obtained, and the
development of software
III. Service and the Scholarship of Service to the University, the Public, and the Profession
A. Expectations
1. Display an interest and involvement in student activities and organizations
2. Participate in the work of faculty organizations, including committees constituted
at Penn State Mont Alto, within the candidate’s department or division, college,
and other University bodies
3. Conduct administrative support work, such as acting as the college
representative
4. Participate in community affairs as a representative of the University
5. Serve public and private organizations
6. Engage in activities which support the University’s commitment to diversity
B. Evaluative Methods
1.
2.
3.
4.
Review the list of committee participation
Review the list of participation in student activities and organizations
Review the acknowledgment of service to public and private organizations
Review any other evidence which supports the fulfillment of the expectations
outlined above
Approved by the Penn State Mont Alto Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty on 09/01/2015
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