M5: Tenure

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Overview

In 1969, the Legislature enacted the tenure system to ensure effective teaching and professional development of the state's community and technical college faculty. Under this system, faculty members are granted the privilege of indefinite appointment after they are awarded tenure.

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Tenure Philosophy Statement

Clover Park Technical College recognizes the value of a strong, talented, diverse, and dedicated faculty. The robust tenure process includes mentoring, development, assessment, and self-reflection. Students, programs, and faculty benefit from timely feedback. This process supports all four of the College's core themes: Workforce Preparation, Student Success, Institutional Sustainability, and Equity.

The Tenure Process

Awarding tenure at CPTC is solely the responsibility and privilege of the CPTC Board of Trustees.

The tenure process includes a nine-quarter probationary period (not including summer quarter) that may be extended by a maximum of three quarters (not including summer quarter) by mutual agreement between the faculty probationer and the College.

When awarded tenure, a faculty member receives an indefinite appointment to their position.

The Tenure Committee

The Tenure Committee consists of three (3) tenured faculty members, one (1) administrator, and one (1) student. With the exception of the student, the term of committee membership is through the entire tenure process (usually three years). The chair shall be a faculty member selected by the committee and is expected to hold that position through the committee term. A support staff member also attends meetings to take minutes and keep track of documents but is not a member of the committee. Three members are required for quorum. The faculty probationer is not a member of the committee but must attend all meetings.

The purpose of the committee is to review the performance of the probationer; critique the probationer's instructional techniques; guide the probationer in professional development; and make formal recommendations regarding the continuation of probationary status to the College President (quarters 2 and 5) and the awarding of tenure to the Board of Trustees (quarter 8).

All information and data collected relative to the tenure process for the probationer is confidential unless disclosure is required by law. All related committee discussions and decisions are confidential and will only be shared with the Board of Trustees, the College President, and the Vice President for Instruction.

Tenure Meetings

Tenure Committee Meetings are mandatory. The committee meets twice in both Quarters 1 and 2. During the remaining quarters, meetings are held once per quarter. If quorum is not met, the committee must meet again. The first tenure committee meeting may include a large gathering of all first quarter probationers for an introduction and training related to tenure process.

Periodically, the probationer is required to provide information to the committee. The committee chair or staff assistant will inform the probationer what is due and when. The quarterly requirements and meeting schedule are summarized in this table Download table excerpted from the Tenure Handbook Links to an external site..

Assessments

Probationers are assessed in different ways during the tenure process. The first is through observations conducted by committee members. Members will come into the probationer's classroom (online Links to an external site. or face-to-face Links to an external site.) or office Links to an external site. (in the case of faculty counselors) and assess the probationer in their instructional or counseling activities.

Student assessments are conducted annually. These are tailored to the learning experience Links to an external site. and advising/counseling Links to an external site. session.

Faculty also complete self-assessments Links to an external site..

It is important to remember that the tenure process is a time to grow and develop skills as a faculty member. No one expects that a new probationer will perfectly complete all tasks immediately upon appointment. Just as your students grow knowledge and skills while attending classes, faculty grow and develop as instructors, librarians, and counselors. Also, remember an observation or student assessment only represents a single point in time. All feedback is intended to be constructive and help faculty development.

Skill Standards - Professional Technical Faculty

The State of Washington requires that all Professional-Technical faculty have a certificate to teach. The initial certificate is good for three years. To qualify for a standard five-year certificate, Professional-Technical faculty must complete training in Skill Standards A, B, and D.

Skill Standard A: Manage Learning Environment (30 hours minimum training)
Skill Standard B: Develop Outcomes, Assessments, and Curricula (30 hours minimum training)
Skill Standard D: Provide Student Instruction (30 hours minimum training)

As faculty have three years to complete training in these skill standards and the tenure process is also three years, the tenure committee will track progress as part of the process. Probationers will meet with their deans to develop a professional development plan (PDP) that incorporates Skill Standards A, B, and D as appropriate. The committee will also review the PDP and suggest activities that may help the probationer. Ways to complete the ABD standards include: courses offered at the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC); attending statewide Instructor BootCamp or New Faculty Institute; or taking courses offered at other institutions. Professional-Technical Faculty who served as adjunct faculty prior to their tenure-track appointment may have completed some or all of the skill standard requirements and will not be required to repeat that process.

Professional-Technical Faculty must have a certificate to teach. Failure to complete the standards to receive the standard certificate will result in an inability to teach and possibly employment termination.

Post Tenure

CPTC is developing a post-tenure process. Statute requires periodic, post-tenure evaluation of all full-time faculty consistent with standards under the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (our accrediting body).