March 27, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
The University of Pittsburgh recognizes the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the scholarly activities and productivity of the faculty. This is the first of a series of messages related to T/TS/AS faculty appointment, reappointment, promotion and tenure. This first message addresses the concerns of tenure stream faculty. Additional guidance will be shared in the days ahead.
The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic may be particularly profound on faculty in their probationary period (i.e., tenure stream faculty), who have a mandatory review period but whose work may be temporarily interrupted or impeded by COVID-19. As a result, and with the agreement and support of the Council of Deans and the Senate, tenure stream faculty are offered a one-year extension to the tenure clock.
Specifically, all faculty in their probationary period who are not currently under review for tenure can request a one-year Type E temporary transfer out of the tenure stream. The request will be approved by the Provost.
Faculty who wish to request a one-year Type E extension should submit a request via email to provost@pitt.edu, copying their chair (if applicable), and dean or regional campus president. Faculty will receive notification of approval from the Office of the Provost.
Faculty whose mandatory tenure review is scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic period must request a Type E extension by June 1, 2020. Other faculty have a longer window to opt in, and must request a Type E extension by January 1, 2022. Faculty who choose not to request a Type E extension, but who later decide the pandemic has had negative repercussions on their scholarly productivity, can apply for a Type A temporary transfer out of the tenure stream, per existing University policy.
For faculty who receive a Type E extension prior to their third-year review, the third-year review will be postponed by one year.
Newly hired tenure-stream faculty whose appointment begins in the 2020-2021 academic year may also request a one-year Type E extension by January 1, 2022.
Faculty who receive a Type E extension may opt to go up for tenure early.
Questions can be directed to faculty@pitt.edu.
Sincerely,
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Professor of Philosophy
University of Pittsburgh