uDenver approves pathways to long-term contracts for non-tenure-track faculty

The board of governors at the University of Denver recently approved changes to the institution's appointment, promotion, and tenure policies that some say could serve as a prototype for other institutions that employ large numbers of full-time, non-tenure-track faculty members. Under the new system, proposed by the university's faculty, non-tenure-track instructors can be hired on annual contracts for no more than 5 years, at which point they are either released or promoted to an assistant professorship with a new, renewable contract that can extend for up to 3 years. Assistant professors can apply for promotion to associate professor at any time, but must be evaluated after 6 years' time; if they receive a positive review, they receive the promotion with a 5-year contract. They can subsequently apply for promotion to full professor. There are still many unanswered questions, including whether or not this program will lead to fewer tenure-track appointments. Moreover, there are no raises associated with the new system, just longer-term contracts. However, advocates say that the benefits of the new approach will likely outweigh any risk involved and that the program may help the institution attract high-quality teachers to its faculty. Inside Higher Ed