Guideline G6-321A: Tenured Faculty Review (TFR) Timeline Extension

The definitions provided in Policy 6-321 apply for this guideline. 

The purpose of this guideline is to articulate how to proceed when a Tenured Faculty Member is unavailable to participate in all parts of a Tenured Faculty Review (TFR). The timeline for TFRs may be extended for the following reasons:

1.    Administrative Service. For a Tenured Faculty Member who spends at least half of their time serving in an administrative role, a TFR is not required until at least two years after service in the administrative position has ended and may be further delayed an appropriate period of time (but no more than five years) if the Tenured Faculty Member has had a lengthy period of administrative service. Upon completion of the administrative service, the Tenured Faculty Member, Department Chair, and Dean shall confer regarding the TFR schedule, and the Dean shall notify the cognizant Office for Faculty of the new review schedule.

2.    Leaves of Absence. For a Tenured Faculty Member who is on an approved leave of absence during the semester the TFR is scheduled to take place or if an approved leave affects the Tenured Faculty Member’s ability to prepare their TFR file, the TFR may be postponed to the following academic year upon agreement of the Tenured Faculty Member, Department Chair, Dean, and cognizant Office for Faculty. 

3.    Significant Medical or Family Condition. For a Tenured Faculty Member who has a significant medical or family condition during the semester the TFR is scheduled or if a significant medical or family condition affects the Tenured Faculty Member’s ability to prepare their TFR file, the TFR may be postponed to the following academic year upon agreement of the Tenured Faculty Member, Department Chair, Dean, and cognizant Office for Faculty. 

4.    Rank Advancement Review. Per Policy 6-321, for a Tenured Faculty Member who seeks rank advancement before or at the same time as the next scheduled TFR, the university’s rank advancement review constitutes the TFR. 

If a Tenured Faculty Member intends to seek rank advancement in the academic year immediately following a scheduled TFR, the Tenured Faculty Member may request in writing an extension of the scheduled TFR. The TFR may be waived upon agreement of the Tenured Faculty Member, Department Chair, Dean, and the cognizant Office for Faculty. If the rank advancement review does not take place during the proposed academic year, a rescheduled TFR must take place during that academic year.

If a rank advancement review includes a rating of not satisfactory in one or more of the applicable criteria, the cognizant Executive Vice President or designee may request an improvement or remediation plan consistent with Policy 6-321.

5.    Extraordinary Circumstances. An extension of the TFR period by one year may be granted when extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the Tenured Faculty Member-such as a natural disaster or war-prevent the faculty member from compiling the file. The Tenured Faculty Member must request such an extension from the Department Chair in writing. The TFR may be postponed upon agreement of the Tenured Faculty Member, Department Chair, Dean, and cognizant Office for Faculty.

For a Tenured Faculty Member who has a joint appointment, extensions to the TFR timeline must be approved by both of cognizant Department Chairs, Deans , and Offices for Faculty, as relevant.

A TFR timeline articulated in an improvement plan or remediation plan may only be extended for the reasons listed above and must include approval of the cognizant Department Chair, Dean, Office for Faculty, and Executive Vice President.

Questions regarding extensions to the TFR timeline should be directed to the cognizant Office for Faculty.

• For Academic Affairs: officeforfaculty@utah.edu
  • Academic Affairs Request Forms
• For Health Sciences: officeforuofuhealthfaculty@hsc.utah.edu
  • Health Sciences Request Forms