Extensions to the Probationary Period

Extensions lengthen the faculty member’s probationary period by adding a year to the end of their current approved appointment term. With this extra year added to the probationary period, there is a resulting adjustment (or “pushing out”) of the mandatory review year for promotion consideration.

Policies

Policy on Extension of the Probationary Periods that Apply to Granting of Tenure or Promotion to Associate Professor - Faculty Handbook II.E.3. Link to Provost website.

Key Info

Who is Eligible: Faculty on the Tenure, CE, and Research tracks
Qualifying Events: New child in home, serious health condition (self or care giver), and personal and professional catastrophic events, military service. A complete description of qualifying events and other important information can be found in Policy II.E.3 of the Faculty Handbook.
Submission Timeline: Requests must be submitted to OAA within one year of the qualifying event.
Process: Complete and submit the Extension Request Form to your department Faculty Coordinator (FC). The FC will review, obtain Chair’s signature, and forward to PSOM’s Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) Director of Academic Review.
Listen to our Podcast on Extensions (opens in a new window)
Review Presentation Slides
For Academic Support Staff extensions, please visit our Academic Support Staff page.

Requesting an extension for any qualifying event is always recommended and encouraged by the Provost, the Dean, and PSOM COAP; there is no deleterious effect on future promotion evaluations.

Extensions FAQ

Question	Answer
How many extensions can I take?	A maximum of 3 (automatic COVID extensions granted between March 2020 – June 2021 are not counted towards the maximum of 3).
How long is an extension?	An extension is 1 year.
Is it looked upon negatively to take an extension?	No. The Provost, Dean, and PSOM COAP encourage faculty with qualifying events to apply for extensions; there is no deleterious effect on future promotion evaluations.
If an extension has been granted, can a faculty member still be proposed in their original mandatory review year	Yes. Faculty do not have to use a previously granted extension. If the faculty member does not feel they need the extra time, DCOAP may review and approve the promotion proposal prior to the adjusted mandatory review year.
How do extensions effect my timeline?	Adds a year to the end of a current approved appointment term, subsequently pushing out the mandatory review by one year. The timing of scheduled reappointment reviews and submission of dossiers to the school and University will be postponed by one year. Faculty typically take full advantage of the “extra year” granted to them with an approved extension, however they do not have to be used. Departments, together with the faculty candidate, may choose to propose a candidate for promotion prior to the extension adjusted mandatory review year (at the time of the original MRY or in rare cases even earlier) if the DCOAP determines that they have already met the criteria.

Special AY 21 Covid Extensions

Forms

Notification for Extension to the Probationary Period Form. Tenure, Clinician Educator (CE) and Research track faculty.