Sample letter requesting evaluation of a tenure candidate

The Physical Sciences Divisional Committee strongly recommends that departments use the following letter, appropriately edited, when requesting evaluations of tenure candidates from outside reviewers for either promotions or appointments with tenure. It is essential that the letters come from people able to give an objective assessment of the candidate's work and reputation, and that the letter writers address the points listed below. Letters that do not specifically address these points carry little weight with the Committee. See Section I of the Guidelines for Tenure for the criteria for selecting outside reviewers.

Note that the letter should be used when requesting evaluations of candidates in the course of a faculty search at the tenure level. All letters of evaluation received for a candidate must be submitted to the Divisional Committee. Letters that do not specifically address the items below may be useful in some ways, but are given lesser weight and may tend to dilute a case.

Sample letter:

Dear ... :

The Department of ... is considering the promotion (appointment) of (title and name) to the position of (Associate or Full) Professor with tenure. We are soliciting letters of appraisal of (candidate's) teaching (, outreach/extension,) and research activities to aid us in our deliberations. Appraisals are being solicited from leading authorities in the candidate's area of concentration and in related areas.

For your information, we are enclosing a resume for (candidate) which includes a listing of his (her) publications, conference addresses, (outreach/extension publications,) and research funding, along with representative publications.

It would be most useful to us if your appraisal could cover the following aspects of the candidate's teaching (, outreach/extension,) and research efforts. It is particularly important that it give specific evaluations of the quality and impact of the candidate's most important contributions, and his (her) standing in the field.

  • The candidate's effectiveness and special accomplishments in teaching and the mentoring of students, or evidence that indicates that the candidate would be effective in those roles.

  • (For outreach/extension candidates: Evidence that the candidate has developed and implemented a high quality extension/outreach program that has had a significant impact.)

  • The degree of originality, imagination, and creativity demonstrated in the candidate's research, and the impact of the candidate's research activities on the field. It is particularly useful to identify the candidate's most important results, and to comment on their significance. The candidate's role in collaborative research and in obtaining joint research funding should be noted if possible.

  • The candidate's productivity by the norms of the field, and the strength and the breadth or degree of specialization of the his (her) technical competence.

  • The candidate's overall standing in the field, in particular, how the candidate's work compares with that of nationally and internationally recognized researchers (and outreach/extension specialists) at a similar stage in their careers. Specific comparisons can be useful. Please include any additional information you feel is particularly relevant with respect to promotion (appointment) to a tenured position.

  • Whether the candidate would merit promotion (appointment) to a tenured position at leading departments in the candidate's area.
If you are personally acquainted with the candidate, we would appreciate knowing the length of time you have known the candidate and the nature of the association.

Should the Department decide to recommend the promotion (appointment) of (title and name), all materials pertinent to that decision would be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Physical Sciences Division for further review of the candidacy. The Executive Committee is advisory to the Dean.

In the interest of obtaining an entirely objective appraisal, the Wisconsin State Statutes allow letters of evaluation to be treated as confidential from the candidate. If you wish your letter to be treated as confidential, this must be stated explicitly in the letter. In order to meet college deadlines, it is crucial that I receive your comments by (date). I know how much time it requires to prepare thoughtful and informative letters of evaluation. On behalf of the faculty, I sincerely thank you for your important contribution to this review process.

Sincerely, ...


 
  Last updated March 10, 1998.

Physical Sciences page     Divisional Committees