This summary is solely based on Rice Policy 201C: Procedures for Faculty Reappointments, Promotions and Tenure. Please visit the actual policy for more details.

1. Reappointment of Assistant Professors (Third-Year Review)

• Occurs in 3rd year of initial 4-year contract
• Evaluates progress in scholarship, teaching, and service
• No external reviewers typically required, but department may request if beneficial
• Successful reappointment leads to second 4-year contract
• Timeline:
  • March 1: Candidate compiles internal dossier
  • March 15: Internal dossier completed
  • April 1: Department reviews and notifies dean
  • April 15: Dean reviews and forwards to provost
  • June 30 (no later than): Provost notifies candidate of decision
• Unsuccessful candidates entitled to one full year of employment following review

2. Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

• Typically occurs in 6th year of tenure-track appointment
• Comprehensive review process includes:
  • Detailed dossier preparation
  • Minimum 6 external reviewer letters (at least 4 from department-suggested reviewers)
  • Internal reviewer evaluation
  • Department faculty vote
  • Dean's review and recommendation
  • Promotion and Tenure (P&T) Committee review
• Evaluates:
  • Quality and impact of scholarship
  • Teaching effectiveness and mentoring
  • Service to university and profession
  • Potential for continued productivity and leadership
• Timeline:
  • Spring semester prior to review:
    • March 1: Candidate compiles internal dossier
    • April 5: Department initial deliberation
    • April 15: Chair solicits external reviewer names
    • May 1: Internal reviewer chosen
    • June 15: Materials sent to external reviewers
  • Fall semester of review:
    • October 1: External review deadline
    • November 1: Department faculty vote
    • December 1: Dean's review completed
    • December 15: Dossier forwarded to P&T Committee
  • Spring semester of review:
    • January-March: P&T Committee review
    • April 1: President's decision
    • May: Board approval
    • June 30 (no later than): Official notification
• Early reviews possible for exceptional cases, but require strong justification

3. Promotion to Full Professor

• No set timeline; typically considered after 6+ years as associate professor
• Similar process to tenure review, with higher expectations:
  • Established national/international reputation
  • Sustained high-quality scholarship and impact
  • Excellence in teaching and mentoring
  • Leadership in service and professional activities
• Department initiates process, usually in consultation with candidate
• Timeline similar to tenure review, starting in spring before review year
• Dossier emphasizes work done since last promotion

Key Principles and Considerations

• Strict confidentiality maintained throughout process
• Clear communication of expectations to candidates
• External reviewers should be leading scholars without conflicts of interest
• Decisions based on past performance and future potential
• Increasing importance of documenting individual contributions in collaborative work
• Appeals possible only on procedural grounds, not on substantive issues
• P&T Committee reviews all cases forwarded by deans, even if negative at department level

Candidate Responsibilities and Rights

• Provide materials for dossier promptly and accurately
• May suggest potential external reviewers, collaborators, and internal reviewer
• Can request confirmation of dossier completion (reviewer identities remain confidential)
• May provide up to two names of potential reviewers to exclude (with justification)
• Right to withdraw from process at any point before final decision
• For mandatory reviews (typically 7th year for assistant professors), full process proceeds unless candidate withdraws
• Unsuccessful tenure candidates typically have one additional year of employment
• Right to appeal on procedural grounds within 30 days of official notification

Notes on Dossier Preparation

• Includes detailed CV, research statement, teaching philosophy, and service summary
• For collaborative work, clearly document individual contributions
• Update dossier with significant new achievements during review process
• Schools may have specific requirements; consult with department chair and dean