Activities that result in successful promotion and tenure begin at the time that the person is hired. These include mentoring from peers inside and outside the unit, meetings with unit leaders and unit P&T committee members, peer review, and annual evaluation. It may also include a 3 or 4 year review of materials that the candidate is preparing as documentation for their promotion and/or tenure dossier. The recommended timeline below includes those activities that are associated with the submission of candidate materials, and begins approximately 18 months prior to the granting of tenure or the awarding of promotion.
All dates are recommended unless noted.
Written Statement of Intent to Submit Materials
Prior to March 15, 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
Candidates inform unit leader, supervisor, and/or chair of the P&T/P committee of intent to apply for promotion and/or tenure 4-6 months prior to date by which materials must be submitted for consideration.
Initial Meeting with Unit Leader or Supervisor
Prior to April 2025
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor & Candidate
Unit leader or supervisor meets with faculty member to discuss file preparation and to review dates and processes associated with file review. If applicable, this includes a discussion of external peer review and how individuals are nominated and selected.
Selection of External Peer Reviewers (not applicable to Extension Educators)
May-Aug 2025
Responsible Party: Unit Leader & Candidate (some units include the P&T Committee Chair)
Candidate must complete and sign the Waiver of Right to See Information Form. Unit leader requests recommendations of external peer reviewers from candidates. The number of recommendations required of the candidate varies by unit/discipline, however, most require 5-10. The candidate includes the person’s name, contact information, and relationship to candidate. The unit leader notifies the chair of the P&T committee, and other unit faculty that the candidate is applying for promotion and/or tenure, and requests their assistance in identifying names of potential external reviewers. The unit leader, with the help of the P&T committee and other unit faculty, supplement the list with an approximately equal number of recommendations. If, on the Waiver Form, the candidate selects “I waive my right to inspect all written comments solicited from outside peer reviewers, provided I have agreed to a list of potential outside peers from which evaluation will be requested.” the unit leader will send the complete list of potential external reviewers to the candidate for approval. The unit leader or chair of the P&T committee (depending on unit rules) contacts the required number of people from the list to request that they serve as external reviewers and notifies them of the date the file will be sent and when the review is due back to the unit. [The number of letters is determined by what is appropriate to the respective discipline, however, a minimum of 3 are required and no more than 6 may be included in the candidate’s file.]
File Assembly
April–July 2025
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor & Candidate (some units include the P&T Committee Chair)
Candidate assembles file. Reminder is sent to the candidate about documentation format and the date the file is due to the unit’s office. It is recommended that the candidate consult with a mentor, senior faculty member and/or the unit leader/supervisor about file preparation. After the candidate assembles the file, the unit leader/supervisor or a senior faculty member will review and provide feedback. The unit leader/supervisor must review the file to verify that all necessary elements are included. Materials to be sent to the external reviewers are discussed with the candidate (not applicable to Extension Educators).
Completed package (including both Administrative and Candidate Sections) to Unit leader - Occur Prior to August 2025
Materials sent to peer reviewers - Early August
External Letters Due (not applicable to Extension Educators)
September 2025
Responsible Party: P&T Comm & Unit Leader
External letters are due in the unit and reminders are sent to external reviewers who have not submitted their letters.
Extension Educator Files Due to Supervisor
October 1, 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
P&T/P COMMITTEE REVIEW
No later than October 17, 2025
Responsible Party: P&T Comm
P&T/P committee meets to act on tenure and/or promotion applications. The P&T/P committee’s documentation of its recommendation and reasons for it is addressed to the unit leader/supervisor with a copy to the candidate. The candidate must be notified in writing by the P&T/P committee of its recommendation within 48 hours of the meeting.
Candidate Appeal (if applicable)
October 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
If candidate requests an appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the chair of the P&T/P committee within two days of being informed of the committee’s recommendation. Materials supporting the appeal must be received by the P&T/P committee within five days of the candidate receiving the committee’s recommendation.
P&T/P Committee Review Meeting to Address Appeals
No later than October 20, 2025
Responsible Party: P&T Comm
If an appeal request is received, the P&T/P committee will meet to reconsider their recommendation. Written documentation of the P&T/P committee recommendation and reasons are due to unit leader, with a copy to the candidate, within 48 hours of the reconsideration meeting.
Unit Leader or Supervisor Review
Early November 2025
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
Unit leader/supervisor conducts an independent review of all materials contained in the file, including the P&T/P committee recommendation. The unit leader’s/supervisor’s recommendation is documented with reasons addressed to the dean(s), with a copy to the candidate and the candidate’s file.
Candidate Appeal (if applicable)
Early November 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
If candidate requests an appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the unit leader/supervisor within two days of being informed of the unit leader’s/supervisor’s recommendation. Materials supporting the appeal must be received by the unit leader/supervisor within five days of the candidate receiving the committee’s recommendation.
Unit Leader/Supervisor Re-evaluation in Light of an Appeal
Prior to November 15, 2025
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
If an appeal request is received, the unit leader/supervisor re-evaluates the candidate materials in light of the appeal. Written documentation of the unit leader/supervisor recommendation and reasons are addressed to the dean(s) with a copy to the candidate, within 5 working days of receipt of the appeal.
Promotion and/or Tenure Files Due to the Office of the IANR Vice Chancellor
November 15, 2025 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Lead
Tenure and/or promotion recommendation files are due to the Office of the IANR Vice Chancellor for review by the deans. This includes extension educators being considered for promotion. Promotion effective dates will be July 1, 2026 for 12-month appointments and the August 15, 2026 for academic year appointments. NOTE: For faculty members on joint appointments between IANR and Academic Affairs,materials must be submitted to the offices of both the IANR VC and the EVC.
Notices of Non-Reappointment
December 5, 2025 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader
Unit leader/supervisor must give written notice to a faculty member in the second year of a Specific Term appointment if the faculty member will not be reappointed beyond the second year. If appropriate notice is not given, then the contract is automatically extended for an additional year. Non-reappointment deadlines are included as page 4.
Review by Dean(s) Overseeing Apportionment
Early December 2025
Responsible Party: Dean(s)
Deans who have responsibility for areas of the candidate’s apportionment together conduct an independent review of all materials contained in the file, including the P&T/P committee and unit leader/supervisor recommendations.
Candidate Appeal (if applicable):
December 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
If the candidate requests an appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the dean(s) within two days of being informed of the dean(s)’ recommendation. Materials supporting the appeal must be received by the dean(s) within 5 days of the candidate receiving the recommendation.
Dean(s)' Reevaluation in Light of an Appeal
December 2025
Responsible Party: Dean(s)
If an appeal request is received, the dean(s) re-evaluates the candidate materials in light of the appeal. Documentation of the reevaluation should be received by the candidate not later than 5 working days of receipt of the appeal.
Deans Meeting to Consider Candidate Materials
Early December 2025
Responsible Party: Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Deans
This meeting is coordinated by the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor. Deans must inform the candidate in writing of their recommendation. Documentation of this recommendation is included in the candidate’s file for review by the IANR Vice Chancellor.
Candidate Appeal (if applicable):
December 2025
Responsible Party: Candidate
If the candidate requests an appeal, the appeal must be made in writing to the deans within two days of being informed of the dean’s recommendation. Materials supporting the appeal must be received by the deans within 5 days of the candidate receiving the Committee’s recommendation.
Deans Meet to Address Appeals
January 2026
Responsible Party: Deans
Reconsider their recommendation. If an appeal is received, the deans meet to
P&T Reviews Completed by IANR Deans
January 2026
Responsible Party: Deans & Vice Chancellor
IANR deans forward their recommendations to the IANR Vice Chancellor.
P&T Reviews Completed by NU President/IANR Vice Chancellor
January–February 2026
Responsible Party: Vice Chancellor
NU Vice President/IANR Vice Chancellor reviews tenure and promotion files.
Annual Report of Faculty Accomplishments due to unit leader.
January 15, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Faculty Member
Progress Toward Tenure and/or Promotion
January – March 15, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Peer Review Committee
Unit Peer Review Committee completes progress toward tenure and/or promotion recommendation forms and provides summaries to the unit leader.
Annual Review Meetings
January – March 15, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
Unit administrators begin to review written annual evaluations with faculty members.
Annual Faculty Evaluations Due
March 15, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor and Unit Admin Assistant
The signed “Academic Performance Evaluation and Professional Development of Faculty” forms are due on SharePoint for all IANR faculty members.
Progress Forms Due
The signed “Faculty Annual Progress Form” (including Appointment Renewal section where applicable) are due on SharePoint.
Evaluation Rating Sheet Updated
The Evaluation Rating spreadsheet should be completed and sent to the appropriate business center upon their request.
Notices of Non-Reappointment
February 20, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
Unit leader must give written notice to faculty members in the first year of a Specific Term appointment if the faculty member will not be reappointed beyond the first year. NOTE: Unit leader must give written notice not less than three (3) months in advance of the termination date to a faculty member if the stated term of the appointment expires at the end of one year of service or sooner.
Notices of Non-Reappointment
May 1, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
Unit leader give written notice to faculty members on an academic year appointment completing three or more years of the appointment if the faculty member will not be reappointed beyond the end of the academic year.
Notices of Non-Reappointment
June 21, 2026 (deadline)
Responsible Party: Unit Leader or Supervisor
Unit leader must give written notice to faculty members on full-year Specific Term appointment completing two or more years of the appointment if the faculty member will not be reappointed beyond June 30, 2026.