P&T Follow-up: Promotion in Research Ranks

DATE

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP

Dear NAME:

Thank you for agreeing to assist us by providing an assessment of the work of [NAME OF FACULTY], a candidate for [PROMOTION TO ASSOCIATE or FUL] Research Professor in [UNIT¹].

Enclosed you will find a copy of [NAME OF FACULTY's] current vitae and a statement in which the candidate describes the impact and significance of their contributions. I have also provided a link to a secure SharePoint folder containing [BRIEFLY LIST CONTENTS; YOU CAN ALSO INCLUDE THE LINK HERE]. Let us know if you have any trouble accessing the contents of this folder. I can also send you hard copies if that is what you prefer.

I have attached a copy of a signed waiver form. [NAME OF FACULTY's] signature indicates that they have [SUMMARIZE THE WAIVERS, IF ANY, THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS SIGNED]. We shall consider your reply to be confidential to the extent permitted by law and the signed waiver. Your letter will become part of [NAME OF FACULTY's] promotion file. This file will be evaluated by a faculty review committee within our department [ALTER THIS PHRASE IF JOINTLY APPOINTED], the College Promotion and Tenure Committee and Dean, the Executive Vice Chancellor, and the Chancellor.

The Research Professor track at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln was created to provide a career track for non-tenure-track faculty whose primary contributions are to the research mission of the university. Faculty of Research can be appointed to multi-year terms with no time limit on their aggregate length of service. They are also represented in Faculty Senate and have full voting rights as faculty with the exceptions of evaluations related to tenure and any constraints imposed by the bylaws of the appointing units. The candidate's appointment at UNL includes the following apportionment of duties: XX% research, XX% teaching, XX% service, XX% extension, and XX% administration (include only categories with nonzero apportionment). Because of the emphasis on research, the promotion decision will be based primarily on the candidate's contributions in research. The nature of assigned duties for Faculty of Research can vary significantly [CAN INCLUDE A SHORT BLURB IF NEEDED TO EXPLAIN NONTRADITIONAL DUTIES-PLEASE CHECK WITH AD-F BEFORE SENDING].

We seek an independent evaluation of:

• the quality, significance, and impact of the candidate's research contributions;
• the candidate's trajectory and prospects for continued scholarly growth and achievement;
• the candidate's national or international reputation, if appropriate to the nature of their work; and
• other factors you think may be of importance to us in evaluating the candidate's capabilities, accomplishments, and reputation.

Please begin your review by identifying your current rank and institutional affiliation and the relationship, if any, that you have with [NAME OF FACULTY] (e.g., dissertation or postdoc advisor, current or past collaborator, or former colleague). If at all possible, we would like to receive your assessment of [NAME OF FACULTY's] work by [AN APPROPRIATE DATE GIVEN THE UNL AND COLLEGE PROMOTION AND TENURE SCHEDULE]. You may send the review to me by e-mail [E-MAIL ADDRESS] or by FAX to [FAX NUMBER].

We know that these evaluations are time-consuming and we thank you for your help with this very important process. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[TITLE, e.g., “Professor and Chair"]

Cc: {CHAIR OR DIRECTOR OF SECOND UNIT IF JOINT APPOINTMENT}