Annual Conversations

Annual Conversations with Tenure-Track Faculty
July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

From Faculty Legislation, page 58-59:

During the term of a non-tenured member of the department it is the chair's responsibility, at least annually, to arrange for the review with each such member of the problems, progress, and plans of the junior colleague. Such consultations should convey the evaluations of colleagues and students; they should be aimed at realistic assessment of performance and at assistance in development.

All tenured members of a department shall meet to discuss with the department chair what shall be said to each continuing untenured member at the annual review. This discussion shall, at a minimum, review the untenured member's teaching evaluations and scholarly work. Two tenured members of the faculty shall participate in the conversation with the junior faculty member under review. One shall normally be the chair; the other, when department size permits, another member of the department chosen by the junior member. (In a small department, the other tenured member preferably should be someone from outside the department who would be likely to serve on a special committee for reappointment or tenure.)

The senior members should not, however, indicate a department intention, affirmative or negative, concerning a recommendation on reappointment or tenure. Nevertheless, they should give the junior colleague a clear and current statement of any agreement between the department and the President concerning tenure openings and the size of the department which would bear upon the member's prospects at Mount Holyoke.

These conversations shall be held in late spring or early the next fall, no later than October 1.  A record of this conversation, normally written by the chair, shall be given promptly to the untenured faculty member, who shall sign a copy of it acknowledging receipt. The summary should be forwarded annually to the President and the Dean of Faculty. The untenured faculty member may, if there is disagreement on the accuracy of the report or the substance of the review, write separately to the President and the Dean of Faculty about the annual conversation.

By Friday, June 26, 2009 please send your records of annual conversations to the Dean of Faculty.  If these will be late, please let us know.  Be sure to keep a copy for your files and for reappointment and tenure dossiers.