Procedures for Full-time Appointments to the Faculty
When a new full-time appointment to the Faculty is contemplated, the Dean of the College shall appoint a special search committee of at least five members of the Faculty. This committee, which shall normally include the Division Chair, one or more members of the program concerned, and at least one member from outside the program, shall work with the Dean to seek a person suitable for recommendation to the President of the College. Most often, search committees include three program members, the division chair, and one member from outside the program.
Recommendation for appointment shall be made by the search committee, in consultation with the members of the program, to the Dean of the College. The Dean shall review the recommendation with the President. The President shall review the recommendation and, if in agreement with it, the Dean shall make the offer of appointment. If a regular (tenured or tenure-track) offer is accepted, the President shall ask the Board of Trustees to approve the appointment at its April meeting.
The selection process for full-time faculty appointments includes: (1) search (recruitment) (2) screening, (3) campus interview, (4) recommendation, (5) appointment, and (6) report. Candidates shall be informed of the status of their application and of decisions that affect their candidacy.
- Search (Recruitment)
Normally, the search shall include a formal announcement of the opening in major publications and national journals, along with notice to graduate schools in the field as well as personal contact with colleagues. The announcement shall be prepared by the search committee in consultation with the Dean of the College. It shall include such information as rank, responsibilities, and deadlines, and shall specify materials to be submitted.
- Screening
An initial screening shall be conducted to identify superior candidates (usually from eight to ten). Screening shall be based upon a review of the resume‚ recommendations, and other materials submitted by the applicant. When feasible, an initial videoconference or preliminary interview at a professional meeting shall be arranged by the search committee. Information from this preliminary interview will be used to reduce the number of candidates for campus interviews to two (visiting positions) or three (tenure-track candidates). If additional on-campus interviewees are deemed necessary, permission should be sought from the Dean of the College. Candidates to be invited to campus are approved by the Dean of the College before an invitation is extended. Phone checks of references of final two or three candidates are made before inviting candidates to campus.
- Campus Interview
The College shall reimburse the invited candidate for travel expenses incurred and shall provide meals and lodging throughout the scheduled interview period. Normally, during the campus visit the search committee shall arrange meetings for the candidate with the President, the Dean of the College, members of the appropriate program, including students, and such other members of the campus community as may be helpful to the committee's considerations. The candidate normally shall give a lecture or other instructional presentation as additional evidence of his or her interests and teaching abilities. A presentation by the candidate on their research/professional scholarship may also be warranted.
- Recommendation
The search committee shall maintain confidentiality of all candidates and upload to Interfolio summary findings of all superior candidates and the on-campus finalists. In consultation with the members of the program, the search committee shall recommend a candidate to the Dean of the College. The recommendation should include rank and other terms of the appointment.
- Appointment
The President, upon the recommendation of the Dean of the College, shall offer to the individual selected formal appointment to the Faculty (when tenured or tenure track, subject to confirmation by the Board of Trustees). Following a successful background check, the offer shall be made in writing and shall specify rank, salary, and other conditions of appointment. Where appropriate, the individual shall be advised prior to probationary appointment of the criteria and procedures for reappointment and for tenure. The individual shall also be advised of the institutional factors that may affect his or her prospects for renewal and tenure.
- Report
The search committee chair shall submit a report to the Dean of the College indicating the manner in which the position was advertised, the total number of candidates broken down by gender, degrees held, and diversity information, the top candidates and their characteristics, and a rationale for the outcome. Detailed instructions for searches are provided to search committees early in the fall term.
Note: This search process shall be abbreviated when time does not permit. However, under such circumstances, no tenure-track offer shall be made.