Policy

This policy establishes a post-tenure review (PTR) process for faculty who hold tenure status in compliance with  ORC 3345.453.

For purposes of this policy, each “evaluative category” for which a faculty is evaluated should be reflected in their annual workload document.

Evaluative Categories include: (1) Teaching, (2) Service, and (3) Research, Scholarship, Creative Achievement, and/or Commercialization (“RSCAC”), depending upon the faculty member’s workload as determined by the University.

I. A post-tenure review shall be initiated when:

1. A tenured faculty member receives an evaluation of ‘does not meet performance expectations’ in the same evaluative category (teaching, RSCAC, and/or service) for two of the past three consecutive years as reflected in the faculty member's annual performance evaluation, or; 
2. A tenured faculty member, who has been subject to a post-tenure review within the prior two years, receives an evaluation or assessment of ‘does not meet performance expectations’ in any evaluative category on their annual performance evaluation. 

Department Chairs who determine that a faculty member meets the requirements for PTR must communicate that determination and the rationale promptly to the Divisional Dean and the faculty member, but no later than 10 business days following the evaluation which triggers (a) or (b) above.

II. Immediate and For Cause PTR: A post-tenure review may be initiated by a department chair, dean, or provost for any tenured faculty member who has a documented and sustained record of significant underperformance outside the annual evaluation process. For purposes of this section, a “for cause” PTR shall not be triggered on the basis of a faculty member's expression of academic freedom as defined by University policy or Ohio law. 

III. Post-Tenure Review Process:  

1. Initiation of the PTR:
   1. When required by section I above, the department chair will notify the Divisional Dean, in writing, of the need to initiate a PTR.
   2. When prompted by section II above, the Provost, in consultation with the Divisional Dean, will make the determination to initiate an immediate and for cause PTR based on the information available to the university.
   3. The Divisional Dean shall be responsible for overseeing the PTR process.
2. The department chair will review the annual reports, evaluations, including student evaluations, peer evaluations and annual evaluations, and other relevant information, including prior assessments of all evaluative categories and prepare a report for the Divisional Dean summarizing the substantive issues with the faculty member’s performance in all areas.
3. The Department Chair will timely submit the summary and relevant supporting documentation to the Divisional Dean and the faculty member. The faculty member shall have 10 working days to submit a response to the summary incorporating any relevant information or materials, for the purpose of providing context or serving as rebuttal to the matters included in the summary document, to their Divisional Dean. The Divisional Dean may extend the time for submitting a response for good cause shown.
4. The Divisional Dean shall promptly review the Department Chair’s summary and accompanying materials along with the faculty member’s response and accompanying materials, if any. The Divisional Dean and the Department Chair may elect to schedule a meeting for further discussion regarding the materials. The Divisional Dean, at their discretion, may also elect to schedule a meeting with the faculty member to discuss the Chair’s summary, faculty’s response, and materials submitted to them.
5. Following the review set forth above, the Divisional Dean shall promptly submit a report to the Provost outlining the information contained in the summary information submitted by the Chair and the information submitted by the faculty member. If the Divisional Dean met with the Chair and/or the faculty in the process of their review, they should note that in their report and include a brief summary of the information discussed.
6. The Provost shall promptly review the report presented to them by the Divisional Dean. If the Provost believes they need additional information in order to inform their review and recommendation, they or their designee may, at their sole discretion, meet with the Chair, faculty member or Divisional Dean to discuss the information contained in the materials provided to them.
7. Following a review of the Divisional Dean’s report and additional information collected, if any, the Provost shall promptly issue a written recommendation regarding any administrative action to be taken in relation to the faculty member, along with a statement of reasons supporting that recommendation. The recommended administrative action may, for example, take the form of a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), remedial training, formal censure, revocation of tenure, or for cause termination.
8. The Provost’s recommendation for administrative action shall be provided to the Administrators of the University Promotion and Tenure Committee (UPT) for final decision of post-tenure review, and copied to the faculty member.
9. The Provost’s recommendation shall become final and the administrative action shall be implemented in relation to the faculty member, unless the faculty member elects to appeal the recommendation within the time frame provided below.

IV. Post-tenure Review Due Process 

1. A faculty member may appeal the administrative action recommended by the Provost to the Administrators of the UPT before the recommendation becomes final.
2. A faculty member’s written appeal shall be submitted to the Office of the Provost, within ten working days of delivery of the Provost’s recommendation, and include a written statement of reasons for appealing the recommendation. Upon request, an extension may be granted to the faculty member by the Provost for purposes of submitting the appeal with good cause shown. 
3. The Administrators of the UPT will review and consider the appeal based on the complete PTR record and submit a final decision. The decision of the Administrators of the UPT is final.
4. The university’s post-tenure review due process period, from beginning to end, shall not exceed six months, except that a one-time two-month extension may be granted by the university's president.

Related Form(s)

Additional Resources and Procedures

FAQ

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

July 2030

Responsible Officers

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Legal Authority

ORC 3345.453

Compliance Policy

Recent Revision History

Effective December 12, 2025