RTP Review Process
Review Process by Year
Probationary faculty are evaluated annually until they achieve tenure and promotion, normally following the sixth-year review. Evaluation for promotion to full Professor, Librarian or the equivalent normally occurs in the fifth year at the Associate rank. This page outlines the normal progression of reviews for faculty hired at the Assistant rank. Variations from this progression may apply for faculty in special circumstances such as those hired with service credit, pursuing early tenure or promotion or extending the probationary period.
SFSU uses an online platform called eWPAF to conduct the RTP process electronically for each year. Learn more about eWPAF.
Process by Year
Short reviews are conducted in the odd years one, three and five for probationary faculty. Faculty submits a CV and current department RTP criteria, according to the current RTP calendar. Both reviewers and faculty under review may request a comprehensive review during an odd year. Such requests happen during the prior year’s review.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- Provost
Comprehensive retention reviews are conducted during years two and four for probationary faculty.
The second-year review will be based upon performance during the first year of probation. It shall contain an evaluation of teaching effectiveness and any other descriptive material or commentary relevant to the other retention criteria. The recommendation shall be for retention or termination.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- Provost
Short reviews are conducted in the odd years one, three and five for probationary faculty. Faculty submits a CV and current department RTP criteria, according to the current RTP calendar. Both reviewers and faculty under review may request a comprehensive review during an odd year. Such requests happen during the prior year’s review.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- Provost
Comprehensive retention reviews are conducted during years two and four for probationary faculty.
The fourth-year review shall be a comprehensive evaluation of the first three years of probation addressing all criteria for retention. The recommendation shall be for retention or reappointment for a terminal year.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- Provost
Short reviews are conducted in the odd years one, three and five for probationary faculty. Faculty submits a CV and current department RTP criteria, according to the current RTP calendar. Both reviewers and faculty under review may request a comprehensive review during an odd year. Such requests happen during the prior year’s review.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- Provost
The sixth-year review shall be a comprehensive summative evaluation of the preceding five years of probation according to all criteria for tenure. The recommendation shall be for tenure or a terminal year appointment.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- University Tenure and Promotions Committee
- Provost
- President
A faculty member shall not normally be promoted during probation. A probationary faculty member shall normally be considered for promotion at the same time they are considered for tenure.
Promotion of a tenured faculty member shall normally be effective at the beginning of the sixth (6th) year after appointment to their current academic rank/classification. The performance review for promotion shall take place during the year preceding the effective date of promotion. This provision shall not apply if the faculty member has requested in writing that they not be considered for promotion.
In some circumstances, a faculty member may, upon application and with a positive recommendation from their department or equivalent unit, be considered for promotion to Professor or Librarian equivalent prior to having satisfied the service requirements as described above.
Activities while in current rank are of primary relevance to promotion considerations. Verifiable accomplishments, while in the same rank at other institutions or equivalent accomplishments in a non-academic setting may be included in the eWPAF. When former lecturers have performed academic work comparable to that of faculty at the rank to which they have been appointed, that work may be used toward promotion. Activities engaged in while in their former rank are relevant when they form part of a process that occurs, in part, while the candidate is in current rank.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- University Tenure and Promotions Committee
- Provost
- President
A faculty member shall not normally be promoted during probation. A probationary faculty member shall normally be considered for promotion at the same time they are considered for tenure.
Promotion of a tenured faculty member shall normally be effective at the beginning of the sixth (6th) year after appointment to their current academic rank/classification. The performance review for promotion shall take place during the year preceding the effective date of promotion. This provision shall not apply if the faculty member has requested in writing that they not be considered for promotion. In some circumstances, a faculty member may, upon application and with a positive recommendation from their department or equivalent unit, be considered for promotion to Professor or Librarian equivalent prior to having satisfied the service requirements as described above. Promotions may be granted to faculty who have been engaged in administrative activities outside the department. Such promotions must be made according to the procedures in this policy.
Activities while in current rank are of primary relevance to promotion considerations. Verifiable accomplishments, while in the same rank at other institutions or equivalent accomplishments in a non-academic setting may be included in the eWPAF. When former lecturers have performed academic work comparable to that of faculty at the rank to which they have been appointed, that work may be used toward promotion. Activities engaged in while in their former rank are relevant when they form part of a process that occurs, in part, while the candidate is in current rank.
Levels of Review: Reviews are routed in the following order after the faculty member submits their file.
- Department RTP Committee Members
- Department Chair
- College Dean
- University Tenure and Promotions Committee
- Provost
- President