A. ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE COMMITTEE

The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee is responsible for all matters of policy related to academic freedom and faculty tenure, including the Regents' policy, "Faculty Tenure." The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee reports to the Faculty Senate and does not deal with individual disputes.

Membership

The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee shall consist of (1) no fewer than 7 members of the faculty, of whom at least 5 must be tenured and at least one must come from a campus other than the Twin Cities, and (2) two academic professional members whose responsibilities are primarily teaching or research. The academic professional members may not vote on any issue related to faculty tenure; the decision about whether a matter relates to tenure shall be determined by the chair. Committee members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed with the approval of the Senate. The chair of the committee shall be a tenured faculty member.

Duties and Responsibilities

a. review periodically the University’s policies on academic freedom, its underlying principles, and the tenure regulations.

b. review periodically the tenure-and-promotion system for faculty appointments, and any related policies, and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate and to the appropriate senior academic administrators.

c. review proposals from any source for amendment of the Regents Policy on Faculty Tenure and report its views to the Faculty Senate within the time limits provided by the Regents' Policy.

d. review annually the use of contract and non-faculty instructional appointments in all departments and colleges, and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate and the appropriate senior academic administrators.

e. provide Interpretations of the tenure policies in accordance with the Regents' Policy.

f. monitor the post-tenure review process.

g. review and monitor issues of academic freedom arising in, pertinent to, or affecting the University of Minnesota.

h. promote understanding of the concepts and exercise of academic freedom across the University.

i. advise senior academic administrators concerning issues of academic freedom, and of academic tenure and rank.

j. make recommendations it deems appropriate to the Faculty Consultative Committee or other committees of the Faculty Senate.

(updated: 10/3/08)

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