Transcript “Understanding Contracts, The Medical University of South Carolina Promotion, and Tenure at MUSC” Co-sponsored by the Faculty Senate and the Women Scholars Initiative Friday, 3 April 2009

“Understanding
Contracts,
The Medical University
of South Carolina
Promotion, and Tenure at MUSC”
Co-sponsored by the Faculty Senate
and the Women Scholars Initiative
Friday, 3 April 2009
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Goal for Introduction
Provide background for a productive and
informative workshop.
Facilitate informative exchange of information
and ideas relevant to faculty contracts,
promotion and tenure.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Agenda
Introduction and background – John Raymond
Faculty contracts – Tom Higerd and Joe Good
College viewpoints – Deans and AP&T
Committee Chairs
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Faculty Contracts
Background will be covered by Dr. Higerd.
Discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Higerd and
Counselor Good.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Promotion and Tenure
Linked milestones in the progression of a
successful academic career.
Criteria for promotion and tenure overlap, but
are not identical.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Promotion and Tenure
Promotion is based on accomplishments and
contributions.
Tenure is based on projected future
contributions to the institution.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Tenure Process
Department
AP&T
Consultati on
Department
Chair
College
Dean
College
AP&T
VPAA &
Provost
Universi ty
AP&T
President
Board of
Trustees
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Promotion Process
Department
AP&T
Consultati on
Department
Chair
College
Dean
College
AP&T
VPAA &
Provost
Universi ty
AP&T
President
Board of
Trustees
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Promotion Process
Department
AP&T
Consultati on
Department
Chair
College
Dean
College
AP&T
VPAA &
Provost
Universi ty
AP&T
President
Board of
Trustees
Multiple tracks with descriptive modifiers,
tenure earning or not.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
A Typical Academic Progression
Tenure typically is considered between
Associate Professor and Professor
designations, but can be considered at
other times.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Tenure?
According to the MUSC Faculty Handbook section 6.04
(Faculty Tenure):
“Tenure shall be the assurance of continuous
appointment to a particular faculty rank, with
continuation of salary commensurate with the rank, as
long as duties are performed in accordance with
accepted standards,…”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Faculty Handbook section 6.04 (cont.)
“…subject to termination for cause, upon retirement, on
account of financial exigency, or the change or abolition
of institutional programs.”
“Tenure rests in the college or department of primary
appointment only.”
“The initial letter of appointment and/or contract and
annual renewals shall specify status with regard to
tenure.”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Faculty Handbook section 6.04 (cont.)
“The assurance of continuation of salary commensurate
with academic rank shall apply to that base salary which
is agreed upon by the individual department head and
faculty member.”
“The amount of the base salary shall be commensurate
with rank in the appointee's department, and defined in
the annual contract…”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Faculty Handbook section 6.04 (cont.)
“…It shall not apply to supplemental or additional
sources of funding including, but not limited to, clinical
practice income, consultation fees, administrative
payments, and special payments.”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Criteria for Tenure?
According to the MUSC Faculty Handbook section
6.04a:
“The faculty member must demonstrate competence
and promise of long-term usefulness to the missions
and programs of the University to be considered for
tenure…”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Faculty Handbook section 6.04a (cont.)
“…Each college, through its Appointments, Promotions,
and Tenure Committee shall develop a set of criteria to
be used in the consideration of granting tenure and
which shall have received the approval, through
appropriate channels, of the Board.”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Possible New Criteria for Tenure
Interdisciplinary and inter-professional initiatives
(teaching, research, service).
Entrepreneurship.
Collaborations.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
How Does One Maximize the Chances of
Obtaining Tenure?
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•
•
Make your accomplishments visible, tangible,
quantifiable, locally and nationally.
Perform consistently. Improve.
Establish independence, but balance with
collegiality.
Find a niche, establish your name in an area.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
How Does One Maximize the Chances of
Obtaining Tenure?
•
•
•
•
•
Understand “the rules”.
Make it a “no-brainer” for your Chair.
Work with your Chair to align your interests with the
needs of your department.
Set short and long term goals.
Get a mentor, and work with them.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
What is a Mentor?
According to the American Heritage® Dictionary of the
English Language, a mentor is “a wise and trusted
counselor or teacher.”
The Cambridge International Dictionary defines a
mentor as a “person who gives another person help
and advice over a period of time and often also
teaches them how to do their job.”
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
What is a Mentor?
The term “mentor” is derived from Greek
Mythology. Mentor was the faithful companion and
trusted counselor of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca.
When Odysseus left to campaign in the Trojan Wars,
he entrusted Mentor to remain in Ithaca to take charge
of the royal household. Mentor was also charged with
educating Odysseus’ beloved son, Telemachus, in
order to prepare him to become the next king.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
The Original Mentor
Mentor was a wise and trusted counselor for
Telemachus, safely guiding him through childhood,
adolescence and into adulthood. Mentor served as a
wise teacher, a role model, and a trusted counselor and
adviser to Telemachus.
The goddess of wisdom, Athene, was sufficiently
impressed with Mentor that she would often assume his
form.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Identify a Mentor
Meet with your mentor often.
Listen to them. Encourage unvarnished honesty.
Show them your grant applications, teaching
materials, tangible scholarship and manuscripts.
Solicit their advocacy.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Odysseus and Telemachus
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Potential Mentors
Division Director
Department Chair
Dean
Senior Colleague
Collaborator
Research, Clinical, Education Directors
Faculty Senator
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Great Mentors in Science
Bob Lefkowitz: My favorite academic mentor
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Great Mentors in Science
Bob Lefkowitz: My favorite academic mentor
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Maximize Your Chances of Success
Join a scholarly group with overlapping interests and
complementary skills.
Share ideas, reagents (teaching materials), methods.
Collaborate.
Solicit feedback on your scholarship (grants,
manuscripts, teaching materials).
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Maximize Your Chances of Success
Engage in visible citizenship activities, and do a good
job.
Remember, your administrators and mentors want
you to succeed. Your success is a positive reflection
on them, and on MUSC.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Maximize Your Chances of Success
Set goals. Plan ahead!
Identify obstacles and eliminate them.
Identify opportunities and pursue them.
Follow up progress. Take stock, assess.
Listen!
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Maximize Your Chances of Success
Do something every day to position yourself to optimize
your chances of success.
Make your independence obvious to everyone.
Stay focused, be determined.
Get and give feedback!
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Strive to be Thought of as…
Dependable.
Self-sufficient.
Devoted to excellence.
Accountable.
Brimming with potential.
An asset to those around you.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Take a Hard Look at your CV
Organization.
Identity with a scholarly area.
Presentation.
Can the reader quickly pick out your most
noteworthy accomplishments?
Scholarship, service/clinical care, teaching,
mentorship, science.
National and local visibility.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Independence
Necessary for tenure.
Tricky to develop independence in a mentored
environment.
Must develop a reputation that is clearly distinct from
your mentor.
R01 (or national award) is one of the best ways to
establish independence.
Editorial boards, Study Section memberships,
National policy, advisory or accrediting boards.
National teaching awards.
Faculty Senate
The Medical University of South Carolina
Thank you!