Medicine

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

DEPARTMENTAL STATEMENT
REQUIRED BY SECTION 7.12 OF
REGULATIONS CONCERNING FACULTY TENURE 

I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
This document describes the specific criteria and standards which will be used to evaluate whether candidates meet the general criteria in Section 7.11 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure. For a complete perspective, the reader is advised to review Section 7 in its entirety. Section 7.11 is printed in its entirety in III. Criteria for Tenure (see below). 

The criteria, standards and procedures are applied without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status or sexual orientation. 

II. MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Medical School is to conduct high quality programs of research, education, and service through which the college contributes significantly to the provision of excellent health care for the people of Minnesota. 

The Department of Internal Medicine is committed to the overall objectives of the University of Minnesota and its Medical School in maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence in programs of undergraduate and graduate medical education, in the application of necessary clinical services to patients, continued medical education for physicians, and basic and applied research to clinical problems. 

III. CRITERIA FOR TENURE
Section 7.11 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure states: "General Criteria. The basis for awarding indefinite tenure is the determination that the achievements of an individual have demonstrated the individual’s potential to continue to contribute significantly to the mission of the University and to its programs of teaching, research and service over the course of the faculty member’s academic career. The primary criteria for demonstrating this potential are effectiveness in teaching and professional distinction in research; outstanding discipline-related service contributions will also be taken into account where they are an integral part of the mission of the academic unit. The relative importance of the criteria may vary in different academic units, but each of the criteria must be considered in every decision. 

The individual’s participation in the governance of the institution and other services to the University and service to the academic unit may be taken into consideration, but are not themselves bases for awarding tenure. 

Indefinite tenure may be granted at any time when the candidate has satisfied the requirements. A probationary appointment must be terminated when the appointee fails to satisfy the criteria in the last year of probationary service and may be terminated earlier if it appears that the appointee is not making satisfactory progress toward meeting the criteria within that period." 

Standards for Tenure ­ Department of Medicine

The Department of Medicine accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Tenure of Faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department. 

A. TEACHING

Teaching activities may occur in a variety of educational settings and formats, including: didactic presentations, lectures, seminars, conferences, tutorials, laboratories, advising of students, case discussions, grand rounds, hospital and clinic rounds, patient care, surgical and other procedures, continuing education. 

The following are educational activitiesin which competence and accoplishments in teaching can be demonstrated: 

1. Full participation in the practical and classroom education of undergraduate medical students. 

2. Full participation in teaching and advising of professional students, including students in the M.D. curriculum and other professional educational programs. 

3. Service and distinction as a faculty adviser to post-M.D. residents (Medical Fellow Specialists or Medical Fellows), post-residency clinical fellows, visiting foreign post-doctoral fellows and faculty. 

4. Service as a faculty mentor to students in undergraduate and graduate categories who engage in research activities within the Department. 

Demonstrated ability in teaching will be evidenced through pertinent written evaluations by students, by subspecialty Section Directors, written statements by the Head of the Department or by others familiar with the candidate’s teaching performance. 

B. RESEARCH/SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarly activitiesof a faculty member will be evaluated according to the following standards: 

1. Scientific Publications 

Substantial contribution to high impact journals as well as first ranked journals in subspecialty areas. 

2. External Research Funding 

A candidate should be the recipient of grant(s) or contract(s) by designation as Principle Investigator, a major collaborator, or other similar title, from a national or regional granting agency which customarily utilizes scientific peer review as the primary basis for awards. Examples of granting agencies include, but are not necessarily limited to: 

An Institute of the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, or other similar federal agency or national foundation. 

3. Publications in Monographs, Reviews and Other Books 

Publications though these modalities are part of the scholarly activities of a faculty member, but cannot be considered as the sole basis for tenure. 

4. Service as an Editor or Member of the Editorial Board of a Reputable Journal or Monograph in a Biomedical Discipline 

5. Invited Participation in Symposia, Meetings and Seminars 

Participation as invited faculty to a scientific symposium, meeting or lecture demonstrating a recognition of expertise in a particular scientific field. Appropriate examples are the following: visiting professorships at major universities, invited lectureships to professional organizations and honorary lectureships at universities or professional societies. 

6. Service as a member of a peer review structure or competitive, sponsored research support agency, such as an Institute of the National Institute of Health, Public Health Service or other similar funding agency. 

C. SERVICE

Service, although not primary criterion for tenure, will be taken into consideration in making decisions on tenure. Performance of service, however exemplary, cannot substitute for the primary criteria, research and funding. 

IV. PROMOTION

Standards for Promotion ­ Department of Medicine

The Department of Medicine accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Promotion of faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department. 

A. To Assistant Professor 

A candidate for promotion to Assistant Professor is judged according to the following standards: 

1. Evidence of scholarship in the candidate’s academic record as judged by election to prestigious undergraduate and graduate societies and honors awarded during the academic career. 

2. Although independence may not always have been evident, research by the individual which demonstrates high quality and which has been accepted for publication or has been published in peer reviewed national journals. 

3. Documentation of the individual’s skills in teaching and communication. 

4. Letters of evaluation from individuals with whom the candidate has worked, particularly as preceptors and/or supervisors. 

B. To Associate Professor 

The criteria and standards for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor are those stated for consideration of tenure (see III above). 

A recommendation for promotion to Associate Professor is made when an eligible faculty member has fulfilled the general criteria applicable to tenure, as stated in Section 7.11, and the specific criteria standards for promotion to Associate Professor (same as for tenure) as stated by the Medical School and the Department. 

C. To Professor 

A candidate for promotion to Professor is judged according to the following standards: 

Continued adherence to the standards on which promotion to Associate Professor was based, with respect to performance and accomplishments in teaching and research, and, in addition, 

1. Establishment of a training program for pre- and/or postdoctoral fellows in a specific discipline that has resulted in the placing of trainees in academic positions. 

2. Election to prestigious scientific and/or professional organizations which recognize excellence and significant academic contributions; membership on editorial boards, national review panels; holding of offices in national and international societies. 

3. Letters from authorities attesting to the candidate’s acknowledged national and international reputation and recognition of leadership in his/her field; letters from prominent senior faculty members at other universities assessing the candidate’s qualifications. 

V. PROCEDURES

In considering proposals for tenure and/or promotion in rank, the Medical School and its Departments comply with the procedures described in the document, "Procedures for Reviewing Performance of Probationary Faculty", distributed annually by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. These procedures are provided for by Sections 16.3, 7.4, and 7.61 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure. 

The Medical School issues annually to each department, for distribution and information to faculty members, a set of instructions, memoranda, and other documents, giving detailed information on the procedures to be followed in the preparation and consideration of each proposal for tenure and/or promotion in rank. The pertinent documents are identified as exhibits enclosed with a cover memorandum from the Dean. 

Designated non-tenured faculty members holding appropriate appointment and rank at affiliated hospitals are eligible to vote on proposals for promotion in rank of candidates, in accordance with approval for this procedure granted by the University Tenure Committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.