About
What is a COVID-19 Impact Statement?
A COVID Impact Statement is an optional statement that faculty can include in their annual review materials. The statement should briefly document the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has directly had on faculty workload and professional opportunities and the resulting impact on faculty productivity, performance and trajectory. This two-page statement can be shared with faculty review committees to contextualize the faculty member’s performance and contributions, and can be included in annual, mid-probationary, promotion and tenure, and comprehensive periodic reviews.
Although not required during academic year 2020-21, it is expected that this statement will be required as part of the annual review process in the coming years. Faculty are therefore encouraged to record the impact now while the information is fresh.
For more information, please see the Provost's Office's FAQ on COVID Impact Statements.
Writing a COVID Impact Statement
Writing a COVID Impact Statement
The COVID Impact Statement:
- Should not contain ANY personal information (e.g., dependent care inaccessibility challenges, personal or dependents’ health information, etc.).
- Should include time period (ONLY– not the reason) for approved medical or personal leaves.
- Should describe the faculty member’s workload, performance and trajectory prior to COVID.
- Should describe the impact COVID has had on workload, performance and trajectory in each of the relevant areas of specialization (research and creativity, teaching, advising, service, awards).
- Should describe how the faculty member has adjusted or plans to adjust their work in light of COVID to continue or re-build their trajectory.
- Should not be longer than two pages.
- May detail different kinds of professional impact on faculty work (negative and/or positive).
For examples of professional impacts that could be included in the COVID Impact Statement, please see the Faculty Annual Review in 2020-21 and COVID Impact Statements.
Impact on Reviews
Annual Reviews
For annual review, departments will decide whether or not a COVID Impact Statement is required or optional. If a faculty member decides to write a COVID Impact Statement to document the professional effect of the pandemic on their work, it will be included in their review materials to provide reviewers information they need to perform a fair, contextualized review of the faculty member’s performance and contributions.
Promotion and Tenure and Other Periodic Reviews
COVID’s impact does not change the standards for review and promotion, nor is it meant to be an explanation for not meeting standards. The 2020-21 Provost’s Office’s General Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure currently mentions consideration of the pandemic’s impact on CIS ratings as well as its potential disruption of scholarly productivity and products and creative performance. Future versions of the General Guidelines will include guidance for candidates to highlight the specifics of COVID’s impact in the statements associated with each area of specialization (e.g., research, teaching, service, etc.). External reviewer solicitation letter templates will also be updated to include a reminder about considering COVID’s impact.
In addition, the College of Natural Sciences may add additional guidelines for promotion and tenure, mid-probationary and comprehensive periodic reviews around inclusion of COVID Impact Statements. Departments will be informed if and when guidelines are added for these periodic reviews.
Questions or concerns: Contact CNS Faculty Affairs
