Board of Regents Approves Policy Changes to Post-Tenure Review

The Board of Regents has voted to strengthen existing post-tenure review policies for tenured faculty at Utah’s colleges and universities. These changes will tighten already existing requirements, as well as clarify language to Regents’ Policy R481: Academic Freedom, Professional Responsibility, Tenure, Termination and Post-Tenure Review. The board unanimously approved the policy changes today [Nov. 18, 2011] at the Regents’ meeting at Utah Valley University.

“Tenure in higher education isn’t automatic; many are never eligible for it and for those that are given tenure, must earn it by meeting specific benchmarks,” said Commissioner Bill Sederburg. “This policy makes it clear that after it is granted, each school must have a post-tenure review process where faculty are evaluated by their peers, students and administrators every three to four years, as specified in institutional policies.”

“The Regents have always had a policy for post-tenure review, however today’s changes clarify guidelines that promote thorough and regular practices in order to properly evaluate faculty performance,” added Board of Regents Chair David Jordan

The revised policy, R481, clarifies that a thorough post-tenure review will be conducted on a regular schedule as determined by institutional and accreditation guidelines and includes processes to improve faculty performance as needed. This review is in addition to annual evaluations. Clarifications in the revised R481 include that tenured faculty can be dismissed for “just cause,” which includes incompetence in the classroom.

About The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit its website.

Contact: Holly Braithwaite, director of communications, Utah System of Higher Education,  

801-321-7110, hbraithwaite@utahsbr.edu| twitter.com/higheredutah  | facebook.com/higheredutah