SUBJECT:  Faculty Service on Campus-wide Ad Hoc Review Committees

We are writing to share a concern about faculty service on campus-wide ad hoc review committees. As you know, these peer reviews are a crucial component of our academic personnel system, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation for each candidate being proposed for appointment at the tenure level, promotion to associate and full professor, and advancement to Step VI and Above-Scale. However, we have seen an increasing reluctance on the part of the faculty to serve on these committees-50% of those asked to serve decline-resulting in delays in the review process that may compromise our ability to retain and recruit faculty.

We are committed to making the review process as fair and efficient as possible. The Task Force on the Faculty Review Process recommended that faculty members serve on one ad hoc committee per year, if asked. After wide campus consultation, we have agreed to follow the recommendation of the Task Force. Faculty will be appointed to campus ad hoc review committees directly through a personal letter from the Senior Vice Chancellor; those who are unable to serve must write directly to Senior Vice Chancellor Chandler to explain their reason for not being able to serve.

We are aware of the time and effort involved in each review, and mindful of the many other deadlines and commitments that each of you have. Your effort in making service on a campus ad hoc committee an important priority is very much appreciated.

The timely review of personnel actions is in everyone's best interest and we hope that our new approach will facilitate achieving this goal.

                                                Marsha A. Chandler
                                                Senior Vice Chancellor

                                                Ramon Gutierrez
                                                Chair, Committee on Academic Personnel