In February 2024 the Faculty Senate approved the formation of an ad hoc committee charged with engaging Boise State University faculty in “current faculty conversations around revising P&T standards and to engage faculty members across campus in exploring some of the challenges and possible alternatives to our current approach for rewarding faculty work. The purpose of these conversations will be to gauge faculty interest in updating University tenure and promotion standards and gather recommendations for possible revisions.”
At Boise State University, faculty are at the heart of our mission to foster innovation, student success, and impactful research. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, it is more important than ever for faculty to have a say in how their contributions are valued and rewarded. That’s why the Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Promotion and Tenure (P&T) Standards Committee was formed—a faculty-driven effort to reimagine how we assess the diverse and meaningful work faculty perform.
We invite you, the faculty of Boise State, to join this effort to modernize our tenure and promotion standards and help shape the future of faculty success at our university. This initiative isn’t just about policy; it’s about recognizing the full spectrum of faculty contributions, from groundbreaking research to community engagement and innovative teaching practices. Together, we can ensure that the full scope of your work is valued and rewarded with respect to Boise State’s values, goals, and mission.
Campus-wide Survey
Please use this survey to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to promotion and tenure policies.
Executive Summary, Overarching Framing/Philosophy Document
Ad Hoc Committee Executive Summary
Faculty Promotion Philosophy and Framing
Proposed Policy Revisions
Faculty Promotion and Tenure Guidelines (Tenure Track)*
Clinical Faculty
Teaching Faculty
Research Faculty
*Format of proposed policy revisions: bolded text represents new material drafted by the ad hoc committee, regular formatted text represents existing policy language.
Why Your Participation Matters
As a faculty member, you have the professional responsibility and the power to define the standards by which your work will be evaluated. Whether you are on the tenure track or a member of the clinical, teaching, lecturer, or research faculty, your participation is critical to ensuring that Boise State’s Promotion and Tenure standards reflect the full range of contributions that make our university thrive.
This effort emerged from grassroots conversations among faculty who felt that our current P&T policies were not fully recognizing the innovative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged work that defines Boise State’s unique role as a comprehensive research university. Faculty members have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to shape these policies so that they reflect not just traditional scholarship and creative activity, but also the many ways in which your work positively impacts students, local communities, and society at large.
By participating, you have the chance to ensure that the work you do is fully valued and rewarded; you will also help protect the integrity of the faculty’s role in shaping university policies and ensuring that Boise State remains a dynamic institution where creativity, collaboration, and public service are valued and rewarded.
The future of our profession and its role in society depends on it.
Protecting Academic Freedom and Tenure
Academic freedom and tenure are essential for fostering bold, innovative scholarship. The P&T modernization process strengthens these principles by broadening the criteria used to evaluate faculty, ensuring that contributions across disciplines and faculty ranks are fully recognized. Tenure remains a vital protection for faculty, allowing them to engage in meaningful, impactful work that serves both the university and the public.
Demonstrating Accountability and Continuous Improvement
At Boise State, faculty are committed to continuous reflection and improvement in how we recognize and reward their contributions. The faculty-led effort to modernize P&T standards demonstrates proactive engagement in maintaining high standards of accountability, transparency, and public service—values that resonate with the expectations of both the university and the broader community. This effort is also aligned with national trends to reassess promotion and tenure standards. Rather than reacting to external critiques, this process highlights the ongoing commitment of faculty to uphold the very principles of rigor, excellence, and public accountability that ensure the success of Boise State’s mission.
By actively shaping these policies, faculty demonstrate how the work they do in teaching, research, and service addresses societal needs, elevating the public good while maintaining academic freedom and integrity.
Get Involved
The time to make your voice heard is now. Boise State’s faculty are leading the charge in rethinking what we value and reward in academic work. By joining focus groups, attending open discussions, and sharing your ideas, you can help create a system that recognizes the broader impact of your contributions.
Upcoming Events
Open Forums
- Fri Jan 30th, Open Forum (on Zoom) 12-2pm
Past Events
- Wed Jan 21st, Open Forum and ART Luncheon (12 to 1:15pm)
- Fri Jan 23rd, Open Forum 3-5pm – The Residence in The Space (2nd Floor of Albertsons Library)
- Mon Jan 26th, Open Forum 3-5pm- The Residence in The Space (2nd Floor of Albertsons Library)
- Thurs Jan 29th, Open Forum 8-10am- The Residence in The Space (2nd Floor of Albertsons Library)
Assessing Teaching Effectiveness
November 12, 2024
Community-Engaged Scholarship
September 25, 2025
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
April 20, 2025
- Dr. Rich Carter (PTIE – pronounced “P-Tie”)
- Dr. Carter’s Presentation Materials