Section 1.
Non-tenured, tenure-track faculty above the rank of instructor may claim that a given year of appointment should not be included in the count of accumulated years toward eligibility for tenure.
Section 2.
For all such claims, the circumstances of that year shall pose distinct difficulty in accomplishing what is expected of faculty by the time of tenure candidacy. Included in the range of possible such circumstances are the birth of a child, the adoption of a child, extraordinary responsibilities in caring for parents or dependents, and the undertaking of special opportunities in the faculty member’s professional field.
Section 3.
Claims for not counting a particular year as a qualifying year of eligibility toward tenure shall be made in the form of a request for approval to the provost, whenever possible in advance of the year that is requested. Claims shall be in writing, accompanied by evidence and reasoning believed sufficient to warrant the claim and lead to its approval. The response of the provost shall be in writing, and shall have been informed by consultation with the faculty member’s chair (where applicable), dean, and the chair of the Rank and Tenure Committee.