Proposal Letter from Department Chair
Tenure
I.
Introductory paragraph. State the candidate’s full name, degree, and academic rank.
II.
Teaching. Provide a detailed assessment of the candidate's accomplishments as a teacher.
Provide concrete examples of why the candidate's teaching accomplishments justify tenure.
III.
Research. Discuss the candidate's accomplishments in research. Provide assessments of
why the candidate's research accomplishments warrant considerations of tenure.
IV
Scholarly publications. Review the strength and nature of the candidate's publications.
Emphasize how the candidate's efforts have contributed to the research mission of the college.
V.
Clinical Practice (Omit for nonclinical faculty). Describe the candidate's clinical practice
and how the candidate has contributed to patient care in the College and community. What is the
exceptional nature of the candidate's clinical practice that warrants tenure?
VI.
Discuss the attributes of the candidate in light of the interests of the College and
University. Consider professional judgment, wisdom, collegiality, citizenship in the academic
community, the capacity to develop colleagues and students, contributions to the College's
academic and societal mission, and the commitment to scholarly exchange and intellectual
exploration.
VII.
Summary and recommendations
Example Letters for Tenure
Dear (Dean):
I am pleased to have the privilege of proposing James E. Jones, MD, for tenure in the Department
of
. I have reviewed the criteria for tenure, which, I believe, Dr. Jones has ably
fulfilled. Dr. Jones has held the rank of in the
track since 19 . His
accomplishments and contributions to the University have established his academic maturity and
the mutual trust that merits tenure.
Teaching
Dr. Jones came to MUSC with recognized talents in education. In his first year at MUSC, he was
selected as a Dean's Teaching Scholar and received training in curriculum development, teaching,
and adult learning theory.
He has been an active participant in teaching of medical students, pediatric residents, medicine
residents, and fellows in pulmonary and critical care. He is a lecturer in pulmonary
pathophysiology for first and third year medical students and has served as a mentor for medical
students on research electives and rotations through clinic and consult services. He presently
works with 3 to 5 students during their third year clinical rotation in pulmonary every month in