The probationary period begins on July 1 of the calendar year of appointment with adjustments made for years of credit transferred from other institutions. Faculty members on tenure track are reviewed in the Fall of their sixth year because of the requirement to provide a letter of non-reappointment at least twelve months prior to the expiration of appointments. If "unexpected, special and extenuating circumstances" occur prior to the sixth year, application may be made for up to a one-year extension of the probationary period. This Regents' policy requires a formal petition, including any supporting documents from the departmental chair and Executive Dean, to be presented to the Chancellor.

The requirement to document that serious and unanticipated events have intervened in the anticipated completion of the normal probationary period is taken very seriously by the University. Even leaves taken under the Family Medical Leave Act may not automatically result in interruption of the probationary period. Faculty members who have reason to believe they will request interruption of the probationary period must have full discussions with their department chair and inform the Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs (Jo Halverson) early in the process.

7/20/04