Creighton University, a distinguished Jesuit institution, is located in Omaha, Nebraska. For faculty members at Creighton, understanding the pathways for professional growth is crucial. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the advancement in rank and tenure processes at Creighton University, ensuring faculty are well-informed about the standards, guidelines, and expectations set forth by the institution.
Understanding the Foundations: University and College Standards
The bedrock of faculty advancement at Creighton University is defined within the Faculty Handbook, specifically Article III, Section G. This section meticulously outlines the university-wide requirements for both promotion in rank and the conferral of tenure. It is imperative for all candidates to thoroughly familiarize themselves with these stipulations, along with the associated application procedures accessible under “Related Links” on the University’s official pages. The onus lies squarely on the applicant to compile and present a robust dossier, substantiated with compelling evidence that unequivocally supports their candidacy. As detailed in Section G.9.a.iii, the fundamental question guiding tenure applications is whether the candidate is fulfilling the role for which they were hired. For promotion, the central question shifts to whether the candidate’s accomplishments align with the elevated standards of the rank they aspire to achieve.
Beyond the overarching university guidelines, candidates must also adhere to the specific standards, guidelines, and expectations established by their respective colleges or schools within Creighton University. Links to these college and school-specific documents are conveniently located under “Related Links.” Furthermore, within the College of Arts & Sciences, departmental standards provide an even more granular level of criteria. It is essential to note that other colleges and schools may also have supplementary departmental standards that complement the published college/school-level guidelines. To navigate these layered expectations effectively, candidates are strongly encouraged to engage in proactive consultations with their deans, department chairs, and mentors. These experienced individuals can provide invaluable insights into the specific standards, guidelines, and expectations that will govern the evaluation of their applications. College and school-specific contact information is readily available to facilitate these crucial dialogues.
Navigating the Application Process: A Step-by-Step Review
The journey of an application for tenure and/or promotion at Creighton University involves a thorough evaluation process before reaching the President for a final decision. Each application undergoes scrutiny and assessment by multiple levels, starting with the candidate’s department chair, followed by the college/school committee, the college/school dean, and culminating in the University Committee on Rank & Tenure. At each stage, a letter is generated to communicate a recommendation – whether for or against promotion, tenure, or both – to the subsequent reviewer in the process. Crucially, these letters also include the results of a secret ballot vote (yes/no/recused/absent) cast by the committee members, ensuring transparency and documented consensus.
The evaluation net extends beyond internal committees. Peer reviewers, both from within and outside Creighton University, contribute their expertise to the assessment. Furthermore, evaluations from past and present students are integral components of the candidate’s dossier, providing a holistic view of their contributions.
Adherence to the prescribed timetable, meticulously detailed in the Faculty Handbook at Section G.11.a (under “Related Links”), is non-negotiable. Failure to meet any deadline within this timetable will result in the application’s rejection. For tenure-track faculty, the application for tenure is mandatory by the sixth year of employment, unless alternative terms have been formally negotiated. It’s worth noting that the School of Law operates under distinct terms, incorporating an interim step in the third year of the tenure process. In the event of an unsuccessful tenure application, a final opportunity for re-application is granted in the seventh and terminal year.
Candidates should also be aware that the awarding of advanced ranks, such as full professorships, is contingent upon meeting the specific standards associated with that rank. While dedicated service to the department, school, and university over time is valued and recognized through other avenues, professorships and associate professorships are exclusively conferred when the established standards are demonstrably met.
Promotion, or advancement in rank, is considered independently from the granting of tenure. The criteria used to evaluate candidates for promotion diverge from those applied to tenure qualifications. While a candidate seeking tenure may concurrently apply for a promotion in rank, it is not a mandatory requirement.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of both the promotion and tenure application processes, candidates are strongly encouraged to attend the informational workshops conducted by the University Committee on Rank & Tenure during the fall and spring semesters. Attending these workshops early in one’s Creighton career provides invaluable insights into how to strategically prepare for a successful promotion and/or tenure process throughout the probationary period. The informational slide show presented at the most recent Rank & Tenure Forum, accessible under “Related Links,” serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to familiarize themselves with the process.
The Role of University and College Committees on Rank & Tenure
Creighton University’s commitment to faculty governance is evident in the structure and function of its committees on rank and tenure.
The University Committee on Rank & Tenure
The University Committee on Rank & Tenure (U-CR&T) is an elected body of faculty members, further augmented by the inclusion of two key administrative figures: the university provost and the dean of the Graduate School. Elected members, representing diverse colleges and schools across Creighton University, serve staggered three-year terms and are eligible for re-election for one additional consecutive term, ensuring continuity of experience and expertise. Membership is restricted to tenured faculty holding the rank of associate professor or professor. A current list of U-CR&T members and their terms is publicly available on the University website.
The U-CR&T plays a pivotal role in the review process. This committee meticulously examines every candidate’s dossier from all colleges and schools, ensuring adherence to the Faculty Handbook requirements at each prior decision-making stage. Crucially, the U-CR&T formulates independent recommendations regarding each application, forwarding them to the university president for final consideration. In its evaluations, the University Committee draws upon university-wide standards, college/school-specific standards, and any published department or division standards, ensuring a comprehensive and nuanced assessment.
Each U-CR&T member casts a secret ballot vote on the committee’s recommendations, separately voting on tenure and promotion if both are sought. Maintaining strict confidentiality is paramount for all committee members, safeguarding all information pertaining to candidates and their dossiers. Communication regarding candidates and U-CR&T recommendations is restricted to committee members themselves, the university president, and the provost, as stipulated in the Faculty Handbook. The annually elected chair of the U-CR&T may engage with deans and their executive assistants prior to January 10th to facilitate dossier collection, solely to verify the completeness of required dossier components.
Candidates can be assured of the stringent protection of their personal employment and other sensitive information by the U-CR&T members. Barring lawful subpoenas or authorized requests from the Faculty Grievance Committee, committee members are prohibited from discussing individual cases with any external party, regardless of their affiliation with the University or prior access to candidate information. Following the process’s conclusion, candidates can seek information about their application from the Provost, the University’s chief academic officer. However, reviewer and committee recommendations remain confidential, adhering to Faculty Handbook rules and University Statutes.
To uphold the integrity of its work, U-CR&T members recuse themselves from evaluating dossiers of candidates with whom they have actual conflicts of interest (e.g., direct supervision) or relationships that could be perceived as conflicts. Furthermore, adhering to best practices, U-CR&T members who serve as peer reviewers for a candidate forfeit their participation in subsequent committee discussions and votes regarding that candidate’s dossier. All U-CR&T meetings are conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, ensuring procedural regularity and consistency across years, irrespective of changes in chairs or membership.
The College/School Committees on Rank & Tenure
Complementing the University-level committee, each college and school within Creighton University has its own elected, peer-review committee dedicated to evaluating promotion and tenure applications from candidates within their respective domains. The Faculty Handbook governs the composition of these college/school rank & tenure committees, mandating that all members be tenured regular faculty within the college/school. The sole administrator permitted to serve ex officio on a college/school committee is an associate dean for academic affairs (or equivalent), and such membership must be explicitly authorized in the college/school bylaws.
Contact information for the annually elected chairs and lists of members of each college/school committee can be accessed through the college and school pages linked under “Related Links.”
The college/school committees are responsible for a thorough review of all dossiers submitted by candidates within their college/school. Their mandate includes scrutinizing dossier contents and evaluating candidate qualifications against college/school (and departmental/divisional, if applicable) standards for the requested action. The findings of the college/school committee are formally communicated to the dean of the college or school in a letter. This report encompasses the outcome of the committee’s secret ballot vote on the candidate’s qualifications for tenure and/or promotion, the committee’s evaluative conclusion, and the rationale underpinning that conclusion. Any dissenting views within the committee, as well as reasons for recusals, are also documented in the letter. Adhering to best practices, the letter is signed by the entire committee membership, signifying collective accountability.
The Dossier: Compiling Evidence of Achievement
The dossier serves as the central repository of evidence showcasing a candidate’s accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, clinical work (where relevant), and service throughout their Creighton University career. Article III, Sections G.10.a and b of the Faculty Handbook meticulously list the mandatory components for a complete application. University standards for dossier evaluation are detailed in Sections G.10.c through G.10.h, accessible under “Related Links.”
A Faculty Profile is an optional, yet valuable, element of the dossier. This personal statement provides candidates with an opportunity to present information that might not be readily apparent in other dossier components. The Faculty Profile is carefully reviewed by all evaluators and can be strategically used to articulate how the candidate’s teaching, scholarship, and/or service aligns with Creighton University’s mission. It is important to note that Section G.9.a.i. explicitly designates the candidate as responsible for addressing the University’s mission within their dossier. Evaluators can only comment on their agreement with the candidate’s representation of mission alignment, without imposing their own interpretations. Candidates should carefully curate the information presented in their dossier, keeping in mind that both the President and the University Committee will be reviewing dossiers from across all colleges and schools. Conciseness is often key; the U-CR&T recommends Faculty Profile statements of 4 to 6 pages as both sufficient and effective.
Presidential Decisions and Subsequent Steps
The President of Creighton University holds the ultimate authority in deciding whether to grant a candidate’s request for promotion or tenure. All prior stages in the review process – peer reviews, student evaluations, department chair assessments, college/school committee reviews, and University Committee reviews – are advisory, culminating in recommendations to the President.
By the time a candidate’s dossier reaches the President, it is accompanied by a wealth of evaluations and recommendations. While reviewer consensus is possible, diverse perspectives and evaluations are common. Therefore, candidates are best served by constructing a coherent, honest, and comprehensive portrayal of their Creighton career within their application. This portrayal should present clear and convincing evidence of their contributions to teaching, scholarship, service, and clinical service (if applicable), substantiating their merit for the requested action.
Candidates who are not granted tenure or promotion are notified by the Provost before the public announcement deadline of March 31st. Following the President’s decisions, the Provost communicates the President’s identified areas of concern within the unsuccessful candidate’s dossier. This crucial step, as outlined in the Faculty Handbook, allows the Provost to counsel unsuccessful candidates, facilitating their remediation of identified areas in advance of any future applications. However, candidates are cautioned that all areas of evaluation must demonstrate sufficient achievement to meet college/school standards in any subsequent re-application.
In conclusion, a candidate who benefits from effective mentorship, strategically chooses their application timeline, diligently fulfills their University duties, demonstrates a thorough understanding and fulfillment of published standards, actively contributes to the University’s mission, and effectively communicates these achievements within their dossier is highly likely to achieve success in the tenure and promotion process at Creighton University, located in the vibrant city of Omaha, Nebraska.
