Wickert provides promotion and tenure update to senate

In his annual report to the Faculty Senate on April 23, senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert said 70 of Iowa State's 76 promotion and tenure cases this spring are recommended for approval. The recommendations still need official approval from the state Board of Regents, which likely will happen at a special meeting later this month or in May.

Tenure is recommended for 34 faculty, 33 of whom were promoted to associate professor. Among tenured faculty, 36 are recommended for promotion to full professor.

In a breakdown by gender and ethnicity, 43 of 70 cases are males -- 31 are white, 10 are Asian or Asian-American and two are Latino. Among the 27 female faculty, 22 are white and five are Asian or Asian-American.

"We continue to see high-quality cases," Wickert said. "Not just the accomplishments of the individual faculty, but the way the cases are prepared and presented."

Post-tenure review

Wickert said the colleges conducted 78 post-tenure reviews. Three faculty received "below expectations" evaluations, requiring an action plan for improvement, the fewest since FY15.

"I am asked by people about post-tenure review quite often," Wickert said. "The fact that the Faculty Senate has put together fair policies for post-tenure review that are focused on improvement really puts us in a good position when we go around the state talking about tenure and faculty advancement."

Classroom disruptions policy

Senators approved changes for the Faculty Handbook policy regarding classroom disruptions. Among the changes is an expanded definition of learning environments to include online and virtual spaces, labs and offices. It also provides examples of disruptive behavior. Senators amended the policy to clarify that single serious incidents or persistent actions can be considered disruptive behaviors.

The policy includes a procedures and guidance document that describes a graduated approach to dealing with disruptive conduct.

Other business 

• Senators approved a Master of Athletic Training degree in the College of Human Sciences. The program would begin in May 2020.
• Two executive board seats were filled. Claire Andreasen (veterinary pathology) was reelected as faculty development and administrative relations council chair, and Tim Day (biomedical sciences) was elected to judiciary and appeals council chair.