A Benefit-Maximization Solution to Our Faculty Promotion and Tenure Process

Abstract

Tenure-track/tenured faculty at higher education institutions are expected to teach, conduct research and provide service as part of their promotion and tenure process, the relative importance of each component varying with the position and/or the university. However, based on the author’s personal experience, feedback received from several colleagues, and review of research on this topic, the authors note that there is considerable concern among many faculty members as to what constitutes an optimal mix of the critical components of evaluation.

Consequently, the authors present a cost-benefit utilitarian model using which, the faculty member can objectively allocate his/her limited resources, such as time commitment and effort, between teaching and research activities. The authors believe that such a blueprint will prove to be a critical tool for the tenure-track candidate, as well as for the university administration. One of the notable features of the proscribed tool is that it is not discipline-specific and therefore, has a wide application in university governance.