The Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences (BHHSS) represents diverse disciplines and requires a balanced, flexible, and equitable promotion and tenure policy consistent with the directives and spirit of University Academic Policies AC21 and AC23. In broad terms, the policy is intended to ensure that members of the Division are effective teachers, productive scholars, and responsible members of the university and professional communities. Reviews shall be conducted with due respect and confidentiality.

The Division Promotion and Tenure Review Committee, formed via the Altoona College Promotion and Tenure Review Procedures, will make its recommendations based on careful review of all the available evidence in relation to the following criteria:

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Effective teaching is critical for promotion or tenure. Although most teaching occurs in the classroom, teaching is understood in its broadest sense and may include a variety of contacts with students such as advising, independent studies, the planning and implementing of out-of-classroom learning experiences, and engaged scholarship. It is essential that the instructor communicates effectively, is fair, and maintains sound academic standards in evaluation of students. Student ratings shall be obtained using the Student Educational Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ) in accordance with the University Administrative Guidelines for AC23. The evaluation of teaching effectiveness will extend beyond SEEQs. Peer evaluations will be conducted in accordance with the Division's Guidelines for Peer Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness and the Second Form of Student Evaluation. In addition, one alternative assessment documenting teaching effectiveness shall be included for each academic year, beginning with 2020-2021.

The Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments

An active record of scholarly research or creative accomplishments is essential for promotion and tenure. While concrete evidence of achievement in this area is required, research, scholarship, and creative work are not defined narrowly and may take diverse forms. In addition, the P&T committee acknowledges pedagogical materials, curriculum development, and textbooks as products of scholarly accomplishment. The Division’s statement on the Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments serves as the faculty member’s guide in this area. The Division encourages its faculty to seek external grants, present papers at professional meetings, develop new courses and programs, and engage in the full range of activities associated with this area. The Division fully supports encouraging innovative and interdisciplinary ways for faculty to realize professional growth and achievement.

Service and the Scholarship of Service to the University, Society, and the Profession

The Division values service as part of a long-term professional trajectory for faculty. Service comes in many forms but primarily falls into four categories: service to the institution, community and civic engagement, community outreach, and service to the discipline or profession. The Division’s statement on Service and the Scholarship of Service to the University, Society, and the Profession provides guidance. The scope (e.g., short-term or ongoing), the method of attainment (e.g., elected, invited, volunteered), the leadership potential (e.g., member or chair), and the impactful nature (e.g., robust participation versus mere attendance) are all considered in the evaluation of the faculty member’s service commitments. Ultimately, the Division does not view service as a series of disconnected actions or “add-ons” to a busy schedule. It is viewed as an essential part of a well-functioning academic unit, College and University.

Division Promotion and Tenure Review Committee

Composition

As mandated by the Altoona College Promotion and Tenure Policy, the Division will form a Promotion and Tenure Review Committee by mid-April. All eligible Division Faculty members will be invited to indicate their willingness or inability to serve. From those who are willing, a committee will be elected in accordance with the following constraints:

Eligibility and Voting Procedures

  • Only standing tenure-line faculty are eligible to vote.
  • Faculty members on leave of absence, including sabbatical leave, are prohibited from serving on promotion and tenure committees.
  • The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes will serve on the committee. In the event multiple seats are open, those receiving the next highest vote totals will also serve on the committee.
  • In the event of a tie, a second vote by standing tenure-line faculty will select the candidate. Should a tie remain after this vote, the Division Head will select from the remaining candidates.

Committee Composition

  • The committee will be composed of three members or an odd number equal to or greater than the number of different disciplines represented among the candidates for that year.
  • The committee must include at least one member, eligible to vote, representing each candidate's discipline. Two candidates from the same discipline may be represented by one committee member, and one committee member may represent more than one discipline among the candidates.
  • The committee members must hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. All members must be tenured.
  • Committee terms are for one promotion and tenure cycle.

Evaluation-Specific Requirements

  • For evaluation of candidates seeking promotion, only members of higher ranks may vote, and there must be at least three members eligible to vote.

Provisions for Exceptions

  • The Division Head will appoint committee members from outside the Division, if necessary, to meet these requirements or to replace elected members who are unable to serve.

Division Promotion and Tenure Review Committee Composition Guidelines

  • Revised and Approved April 2000
  • Revised and Approved November 2002
  • Revised and Approved February 2017
  • Revised and Approved May 2017
  • Revised and Approved February 8, 2018
  • Updated May 25,2023
  • Revised and Approved April 21, 2025