Academic staff promotion and employment security status
Academic staff, on this page you will find comprehensive information on the criteria, processes, and expectations for academic staff seeking promotion and employment security status (ESS) within our institution. Our guidelines are designed to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process, supporting academic staff in your professional growth and recognizing your contributions to our academic community.
All questions regarding promotion and tenure policies, procedures, and submission instructions should be forwarded to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Procedures and factors
The collective bargaining agreement between WSU and the AAUP/WAU provides procedures and criteria for promotion. They should assist candidates for promotion to understand the scope and the process of assessment and evaluation to which their credentials are subject.
For academic staff ... The assessments of a candidate’s qualifications shall be based on excellence in job performance. Excellence in professional achievement is also required, but is given secondary weight in promotional decisions. Excellence in scholarly achievement, at the option of the academic-staff member, will be considered but is not required. Assessments of a candidate’s qualifications must take into consideration proven professional abilities, professional experience and potential for continued professional growth and leadership as appropriate to the candidate’s current and contemplated ranks. (Article XXIII.B.3.a - AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement
Guidelines for promotion
The Promotion packet should be prepared and submitted as a single PDF file, bookmarked by heading. All packets should be submitted to the Provost’s Office by school/college/division. A full list of required documents can be found in the guidelines above.
Employment security status
Employment security status (ESS) is a contractual status granted by the University to members of the academic staff who have qualified through the Employment Security System. When a member of the academic staff receives employment security status, the terminal date of the bargaining-unit member’s appointment is eliminated. There is no right to receive ESS, but there is a right to fair consideration for ESS. The guidelines linked above provide the required documents and suggested timeline for ESS consideration.
Academic staff in the employment security system who have four (4) years of full-time service on the ESS clock, including credited prior service, must, upon application, be considered as candidates for ESS. Written application requesting ESS shall be made to the director/chair/dean at least six (6) months, but no more than twelve (12) months, prior to the individual’s fifth (5th) anniversary of employment on the ESS clock. Written application instructions including a list of materials shall be provided by the director/chair/dean within ten (10) days of receipt of the written request for ESS.
Timeline for ESS
Below is the recommended timeline for academic staff to submit their materials to their supervisors:
- Eight (8) months prior to their fifth anniversary - The academic staff member should submit their packet to their supervisor and request a letter of support.
- Four (4) months prior to their fifth anniversary - ESS/Promotion Review Committee meets to evaluate the candidate and makes their recommendation.
- Three (3) months prior to their fifth anniversary - Vice President or Dean approves or denies ESS, and the candidate is notified of the decision.