About
Probationary Extension Requests
Tenure-track faculty members who determine that certain personal circumstances may impede progress toward consideration for tenure may apply for an extension of their probationary period. Extensions are for one academic year. In special circumstances and in accordance with policy, a second year’s extension may be granted.
Personal circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- Childbirth or adoption
- Disability or illness of the faculty member
- Status of faculty member as caregiver of a family member who is a preschool child, a disabled person, or an elderly person.
See the Provost's Office website on probationary extensions for more information.
Process
Extension Request Process
Faculty members who would like to apply for an extension of their probationary period should submit their request to their Department Chair. Department Chairs will then submit the request to the CNS Faculty Affairs Office using the Department Chair Memo, including the Budget Council vote if applicable.
The Dean will then review the request and submit it to the Provost's Office for final approval. If approved by the Provost's Office, the faculty member will be informed in writing of the approved extension.
Automatic Approval
Extension of the probationary period is automatic for reasons of childbirth or adoption, upon formal completion of the request process.
Non-Automatic Approval
In all instances other than childbirth or adoption, extension of the probationary period is never automatic. The faculty member is responsible for providing appropriate documentation regarding personal circumstances that have led to this request. The documentation should include substantiation of why the circumstance placed an unreasonable burden upon the ability of the faculty member to meet progress expectations.
Required Materials
Required Materials
- Department Chair Memo
- Budget Council vote (for all reasons other than childbirth)
Rescinding Approved Extensions
Rescinding an Approved Extension
An approved probationary period extension may be rescinded at the faculty member's discretion.
A request to rescind an approved probationary period extension must be submitted in writing to the Department Chair no later than February 1st of the calendar year associated with the candidate’s intended fall promotion review. The Department Chair will then submit the request to the College.
Once the approved extension is rescinded, the faculty member's mandatory promotion and tenure review will occur one year earlier than indicated in the extension letter.
Extensions Related to COVID-19
COVID-19 and Extensions
A faculty member can request a probationary period extension due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on their scholarly and creative productivity. Note that the request must be formally submitted and follow the relevant deadlines and procedures, including being voted on by the department's Budget Council.
For more information on extensions related to COVID-19, please visit the Provost's Office website.
Eligibility for COVID-19 Related Extensions
Please note that only tenure-track faculty members who meet the following criteria are eligible for a COVID-19 related probationary extension:
- At least one of their probationary period years includes AY 2019-20, AY 2020-21, or AY 2021-22
- They must have started as a UT faculty member before May 31, 2022
Questions or concerns: Contact CNS Faculty Affairs
