Academic Personnel Policy Revision 2017
Background Information
In late Spring 2015 the campus initiated the review of the Academic Personnel Policy of The UMass Chan Medical School (APP) [Doc. T95-022 as amended by the Board of Trustees August 23, 2006] with the intention to revise the policy. The APP is an important governing document as it defines the policies and procedural standards for faculty appointments, promotions and tenure as well as the policies for personnel actions such as leaves of absence, evaluations of performance and termination of faculty. Provost Flotte has appointed Dr. Luanne Thorndyke, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, to oversee this process.
Retreat
On June 18, 2015 approximately 80 academic leaders representing various faculty constituencies attended a half-day on campus retreat to kick-off the review process. During the retreat the following questions were addressed:
- Should we adopt a broader definition of scholarship (such as Boyer’s) for use in evaluating the contributions of faculty in the various mission areas?
- Is the institution of tenure at UMass Chan in need of reform?
- Shall we presuppose current tracks and pathways, or revisit our tracks, pathways and guarantees?
Download Summary Key Points 
of the discussion during the retreat.
Download Provost Flotte’s presentation titled 'Broader View of Scholarship, Tenure, Ranks and Tracks'