SPEC Kit 293: External Review for Promotion and Tenure (August 2006)
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38 · SPEC Kit 293 University of Arizona http://academicaffairs.arizona.edu/p&t/section5.pdf SECTION V: LETTERS FROM OUTSIDE EVALUATORS Note to candidate and to department head: The function of outside evaluators is to provide independent assessments of the candidate's work and professional standing. For this reason, it is essential that the candidate not influence, or attempt to influence, the assessment provided by the outside evaluators. The candidate may submit names of possible evaluators to the department head however, no more than half of the total evaluators may be from the candidate's list. If the candidate has engaged in extensive collaboration, and the ability of the candidate to make independent contributions may be difficult to ascertain, it may be helpful to request letters from one or more of his/her collaborators describing the extent and nature of the candidate's contribution to the collaboration. A sample letter to outside evaluators is included as Appendix D. Deviate from the wording of the sample letter only with the permission of your dean. The content of all questions included in the sample letter must be included in your letter unless you have permission from the Provost to eliminate. Include in the dossier: One sample copy of request letter sent by department head or head of department review committee Summary of process used to select outside evaluators to be provided by department head List all outside evaluators recommended by candidate List additional outside evaluators recommended and by whom List all outside evaluators contacted whether or not they agreed to serve as evaluators Describe criteria used in selecting outside evaluators Describe who selected final list of outside evaluators Brief statement on each evaluator's national or international standing (Identify those who can be judged as independent of the candidate. Do not include full CV.) Letters from Outside Evaluators Three to eight letters from similar academic departments outside the University of Arizona dated within one year of the department committee's report All letters must be from independent, outside evaluators who are not the candidate's major professor, co-author, dissertation advisor, or otherwise closely associated with candidate All letters received from outside evaluators must be included Letters from Collaborators Letter(s) describing extent and nature of candidate's contribution to collaboration when candidate has engaged in extensive collaborative work Letters of Evaluation Department heads should clarify how letters of evaluation were solicited. By University of Arizona faculty colleagues By present or former graduate students