Appraisals of Probationary Academic Professionals
Questions concerning appraisals of probationary academic professionals should be directed to the Office of the Associate Dean for Faculty.
Governing Documents
- Appointments of Academic Professional and Administrative Employees
- Appendix B: Administrative Guidelines for Review of Probationary (H) P&As Considered for Continuous (G) Appointment
- Appraisal of Probationary (H) Academic Professionals
(Form 26;
pdf; 
doc)
2007/08 Appraisal Deadline - Friday, 25 January 2008
Probationary (H) appointments for selected academic professional classifications lead to review and decision concerning a continuous appointment. During the probationary period, the individual is expected to establish a consistent record of achievements and show evidence of continued professional development and growth. A continuous (G) appointment cannot be achieved without appropriate review, recommendation, and approvals. If a continuous appointment is granted, such action becomes effective the fiscal year following the decision.
Probationary academic professional staff generally are reviewed for continuous appointment during the sixth year of full-time service or ninth year of part time service, unless extended. Prior to the decision year, appraisals of probationary academic professional staff are conducted in accord with the University's admininistrative guidelines, the unit’s continuous appointment criteria and procedures, and the individual’s job description.
Guidelines for Appraisals of Probationary Academic Professionals
From Appendix B: Administrative Guidelines for Review of Probationary (H) P&As Considered for Continuous (G) Appointment. Candidates and responsible administrators are strongly encouraged to consult the Guidelines in their entirety.
Annual Appraisal
The responsible administrator shall complete an annual performance review of the probationary (H) employee. This review is to assess for the year the candidate's overall accomplishments and professional growth related to the established criteria for continuous appointment in the position held. Upon completion of the review, form UM 26 "Appraisal of Probationary Academic Professionals" is to be completed and signed as required. The form is then retained by the department.
Job description and performance expectations shall be consistent with unit criteria for promotion to continuous status. It is expected that these criteria be kept up to date and are appropriate to discuss in the context of the employee's annual review.
Units shall prepare and submit an appraisal for every probationary academic professional employee in the unit. The annual performance evaluation for probationary academic professional employees must address the progress toward the decision concerning continuous appointment, with input from appropriate constituencies as defined by the unit. The performance appraisal shall include strengths and areas needing attention, so that the individual may build upon the strengths and receive timely guidance on areas where improvement is needed.
The responsible administrator initiates the appraisal and forwards the form 26 through appropriate administrative channels. Employees shall sign the annual appraisal form indicating their review of the summary evaluation. Employees may submit a written response to the evaluation, which shall be retained with the file. In addition, the responsible administrator must meet with the employee to discuss progress toward the continuous appointment decision. The annual appraisals provide a documented progress record covering the entire probationary period at the time the individual is considered for continuous appointment.
Required Documentation
- Annual Appraisal (form UM 26)
- Candidate's curriculum vitae
- Unit criteria for continuous appointment and review procedures
- Candidate's current job description.
Promotion
The procedures for considering promotions of academic professionals not involving continuous appointment are established by the unit.
Promotion dossiers submitted to the college are reviewed by the CLA P/A Promotion and Leave Review Committee, which makes a recommendation to the college on the request for promotion. Final decisions on promotions for academic professionals rest with the college. Approved promotions become effective with the candidate’s term of appointment in the following fiscal/academic year.
Non-reappointment
Recommendations of non-reappointment of probationary academic professional staff are reviewed by the CLA P/A Promotion and Leave Review Committee and by CLA Administration before being forwarded to central administration. Recommendations of nonreappointment must be accompanied by a complete set of documentation on the candidate’s record of teaching, scholarship or creative activity, and service. Notice of non-reappointment for academic professionals holding probationary appointments must be given by the senior academic administrator.
Continuous Appointment
Recommendations for continuous appointment of probationary academic professionals are reviewed by the CLA P/A Promotion and Leave Review Committee and by CLA Administration before being forwarded to central administration.
The basis for granting continuous appointment is the determination that the achievements of an individual have demonstrated the individual's potential to continue to contribute significantly to the mission of the University and to enhance its programs of teaching, research, and service/outreach over the course of the academic professional staff member's career. A mandatory decision on continuous appointment is required for probationary academic professionals in their sixth year of probationary service. During the six-year probationary period, the individual should establish a consistent record of achievements and show evidence of continued professional development and growth. Sustained accomplishments over a period of time constitute evidence that the individual is likely to continue to make significant contributions in the future. While recommendations prior to the sixth year of probationary service are permissible, a case for a sustained record of accomplishment must be made.
A checklist of suggested documentation for continuous appointment dossiers is available within Appendix B, Section IX, of the University's Administrative Guidelines.
Extension of Probationary Period
The maximum period of probationary service may be extended upon the request of a probationary academic professional employee:
- On the occasion of the birth of the academic professional employee's child or the adoption or foster care placement of a child with the employee;
- When the academic professional employee is a major caregiver for a family member who has an extended serious illness, injury, or debilitating condition; or
- When the academic professional employee is on extended medical leave.
The request for extension must be made in writing using form UM 1627 - Extension of Maximum Period of Probationary Service for Academic Professional Employees within three months of the events giving rise to the claim, and no later than June 30 preceding the year a final decision on a continuous appointment would be made. This provision may not be used more than two times during the employee's probationary period.
- Extension of Maximum Period of Probationary Service for Continuous Track Academic Professionals (Form UM 1627; pdf; doc)
Effective academic year 2007/08
Last updated 3 January 2008