The faculty system is designed to be flexible and to appreciate that a faculty member’s interests may change or evolve over time.
Therefore it is possible for a faculty member to move between tracks.
The specific details, requirements, expectations, and approvals required for these transitions are described below.
Tenure Track to Clinical Track
A faculty member may transfer from the tenure track to the clinical track at any time during the probationary period. In the past this transfer had to occur prior to the fourth year review. This is no longer the case. A transfer to the clinical track can occur any time up to and including during the mandatory review year. If it becomes clear that a faculty member’s pattern of accomplishment and activity is not well suited to the tenure track, it is in everyone’s interest to re-deploy that faculty member as soon as possible to a track that is better suited to their interests and strengths.
A Department may not unilaterally transfer a faculty member from the tenure track to the clinical track. In some cases the decision to transfer to the regular clinical track is the result of feedback from the department regarding the faculty member’s progress. The ability to transfer to the regular clinical track is dependent upon the Department having a clinical track position available. In all cases the request to transfer to the regular clinical track is initiated by the faculty member. The faculty member must write a letter requesting the transfer, and must acknowledge that by doing so they understand that they are relinquishing their eligibility for tenure. The request must also clearly state how the faculty member’s career goals and activities have changed. The request for the transfer requires approval by the Department Chairperson, College Dean, and Executive Vice President and Provost. (See University Rule 3335-7-09)
Transfer to the clinical track entails a new position, and therefore a new letter of offer is required. Since the pattern of responsibilities and expectations for clinical track and tenure track are different, it is essential that the new letter of offer clearly describe the expectations regarding the clinical track appointment. Any years of probationary service on the tenure track do not count toward the probationary period for a new clinical track appointment.
Tenure Track to Research Track
A faculty member may transfer from the tenure track to the research track at any time during the probationary period.
If it becomes clear that a faculty member’s pattern of accomplishment and activity is not well suited to the tenure track, it is in everyone’s interest to re-deploy that faculty member as soon as possible to a track that is better suited to their interests and strengths.
Transfer to the research track is not appropriate for a faculty member who has been unsuccessful in meeting research expectations as a tenure track faculty member.
Transfer to the research track to avoid a negative tenure decision is not permitted.
A Department may not unilaterally transfer a faculty member from the tenure track to the research track. In some cases the decision to transfer to the regular research track is the result of feedback from the department regarding the faculty member’s progress. The ability to transfer to the regular research track is dependent on the Department having a research track position available. In all cases the request to transfer to the regular research track is initiated by the faculty member. The faculty member must write a letter requesting the transfer, and must acknowledge that by doing so they understand that they are relinquishing their eligibility for tenure. The request must also clearly state how the faculty member’s career goals and activities have changed. The request for the transfer requires approval by the Department Chairperson, College Dean, and Executive Vice President and Provost. (See University Rule 3335-7-38)
Transfer to the research track entails a new position, and therefore a new letter of offer is required. Since the pattern of responsibilities and expectations for research track and tenure track are different, it is essential that the new letter of offer clearly describe the expectations regarding the research track appointment. Any years of probationary service on the tenure track do not count toward the probationary period for a new research track appointment.
Clinical Track or Research Track to Tenure Track
Transfer from either the regular clinical track, regular research track, or the auxiliary track is not permitted.
However, faculty members who are appointed to positions on these tracks are eligible to apply for tenure track positions that become available, and must compete for these positions in the context of a national search. (See university Rule
3335-7-10 and
3335-7-39)