President Tony Marx opened the meeting by acknowledging with sadness the tragic events at Virginia Tech. He assured those present that the administration has been working on measures to secure the College community.
Discussions crystallized around two points. First, faculty members disagreed about whether the policies the Faculty Handbook has prescribed for the promotion of post-tenure professors is actually practiced. The Faculty Handbook explains that "promotion to the rank of Professor usually originates with the department and usually occurs between six and eight years after the tenure decision, although a department may present a candidate in the fifth year."
A member of the faculty is initially an Assistant Professor without tenure, but becomes an Associate Professor upon being granted tenure. Some noted that this is often ignored, and cited the prevailing practice to promote professors after only six years of tenure. One member of the faculty said that in the last decade, 34 associate professors were promoted after six years of tenure, whereas only one was promoted after five, seven and eight years each. He added that these numbers only suggest a common practice, and do not show that it contravenes procedure. He also noted that although this does not prove that practices do not conform to policies, it adds to evidence that may prove such a thing.
Some were concerned that current practices are more like "a rubber stamp" than a real evaluation that would be more appropriate for promotional procedure. A member of the Committee of Six said, "Current practice represents a loss of opportunity … an opportunity for faculty to reflect on where they are and where they may be." Others echoed the need for practices and policies that would facilitate more discussions and evaluations. However, some disagreed that the current system makes this kind of discussion impossible.
The motion passed after a written ballot. Further meetings will decide whether to add language to the current policies regarding promotion.