PT Soliciting External Reviews for Promotion to Professor (Tenured)

CAS Model Letter Soliciting External Reviews for Promotion (to professor)

DATE

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP

Dear NAME:

[CANDIDATE FULL NAME], associate professor in the [DEPARTMENT OF X1] at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is undergoing review for promotion to the rank of professor.  As part of this review, we require letters of evaluation from highly qualified scholars outside of our university.  On behalf of my colleagues, I write to ask if you are willing to assess the work of Professor [CANDIDATE].

We seek an independent evaluation of:

  • The quality, significance, and impact of [CANDIDATE’s] research and creative activity to date.  The assessment can consider the entire career but should place emphasis on the period since promotion to associate professor.
  • The candidate’s trajectory and prospects for scholarly growth and achievement.
  • The candidate’s national or international reputation, if appropriate to the subject of their work.
  • Other factors you believe may be of importance in evaluating the candidate’s capabilities, accomplishments, and reputation. 

 The deadline for submitting your review will be [DATE2]. Your letter would become part of [CANDIDATE] promotion and tenure 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. Enclosed you will find copies of a current CV and the waiver signed by the candidate in connection with this review.   If you agree to take part in this evaluation, we will provide you with a link to a folder containing the candidate’s complete file. 

We know that writing reviews is time-consuming, and we hope that you will agree to help us.  Could you let me know as soon as possible but no later than [DATE], whether you will be able to provide this assessment? 

Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

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

Cc: (if candidate is jointly appointed) [CHAIR OR DIRECTOR OF SECOND UNIT]

1 If jointly appointed, can frame as: {NAME OF FACULTY}, who is jointly appointed in {FIRST UNIT} (%FTE) and {SECOND UNIT} (%FTE) with their tenure home residing in {APPROPRIATE UNIT}, is ..

2 Please reverse calendar the promotion process based upon the College submission deadline and the time required for review processes (allowing necessary time in the event of requests for reconsideration).