Anesthesiology, Office of Education, Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota

October 15, 1993: Approved

I. Introductory Statement
This document describes the specific criteria and standards which will be used to evaluate whether candidates meet the general criteria in Section 7.11 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure.  For a complete perspective, the reader is advised to review Section 7 in its entirety.  Section 7.11 is printed in its entirety in III. Criteria for Tenure (see below).

The criteria, standards and procedures are applied without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status or sexual orientation.

II. Mission Statement
The mission of the Medical School is to conduct high quality programs of research, education, and service through which the college contributes significantly to the provision of excellent health care for the people of Minnesota.

The missions of the Department of Anesthesiology are: to promote undergraduate and postdoctoral medical trainees with education and experience in the clinical practice of anesthesiology; to conduct scientific investigation and research training relevant to the field of anesthesiology and, through such a program, to foster entry of selected trainees into an academic career; through a continuing medical education program (outreach, visiting professor program, etc.) to serve as the focal point for educational relationships with the regional medical community.

III. Criteria for Tenure
Section 7.11 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure states: "General Criteria.  The basis for awarding indefinite tenure is the determination that the achievements of an individual have demonstrated the individual’s potential to continue to contribute significantly to the mission of the University and to its programs of teaching, research, and service over the course of the faculty member’s academic career.  The primary criteria for demonstrating this potential are effectiveness in teaching and professional distinction in research; outstanding discipline-related service contributions will also be taken into account where they are an integral part of the mission of the academic unit.  The relative importance of the criteria may vary in different academic units, but each of the criteria must be considered in every decision.

The individual’s participation in the governance of the institution and other services to the University and service to the academic unit may be taken into consideration, but are not in themselves bases for awarding tenure.

Indefinite tenure may be granted at any time when the candidate has satisfied the requirements.  A probationary appointment must be terminated when the appointee fails to satisfy the criteria in the last year of probationary service and may be terminated earlier if it appears that the appointee is not making satisfactory progress toward meeting the criteria within that period."

Standards for Tenure, Department of Anesthesiology
The Department of Anesthesiology accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Tenure of faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department.

A. Teaching
Teaching activities may occur in a variety of educational settings and formats, including: didactic presentations, lectures, seminars, conferences, tutorials, laboratories, advising of students, case discussions, grad rounds, hospital and clinic rounds, patient care, surgical and other procedures, and continuing education.

The following are educational activities in which competence and accomplishments in teaching can be demonstrated:

1. Participation and competence in teaching undergraduate (pre-baccalaureate) students.
2. Participation and competence in teaching professional students, including students in the M.D. curriculum or other professional education programs.
3. Service and distinction as a faculty adviser to post-M.D. residents (Medical Fellow Specialists or Medical Fellows), post-residency clinical fellows, or advanced degree candidates in medical disciplines, interdisciplinary programs or collaborative research programs.
4. Service as a faculty mentor or adviser to students in any of the above categories, including medical students in the clinical courses of the M.D. curriculum.
5. Service as a faculty mentor to students in any of the above categories who engage in research activities in the department.

B. Research/Scholarship
Scholarly activities of a faculty member will be evaluated according to the following standards:

1. Scientific Publications
Scientific articles reporting quality biomedical research published in appropriate peer-reviewed journals related to the discipline(s) of medicine.

2. External Research Funding
Recipient of grants or contracts by designation as Principal Investigator or major collaborator from a national or regional granting agency which customarily utilizes scientific peer review as the primary basis for awards.

3. Publication in Monograms, Reviews and Other Books
Publications through these modalities are part of the scholarly activities of a faculty member and can be considered as part of the basis for tenure.

4. Service as an Editor or a Member of the Editorial Board of a Reputable Journal or Monograph in a Biomedical Discipline

5. Invited Participation in Symposia, Meetings and Seminars
Invitation by national and international scientific organizations to participate in symposia and meetings.  Invitations to give seminars before peers in other institutions both nationally and internationally.

6. Presentation of Papers at National and International Scientific Meetings
Abstracts should be published in scientific proceedings or journals related to those meetings.

C. Service
Service, although not a primary criterion for tenure, will be taken into consideration in making decisions on tenure.  Performance of service, however exemplary, cannot substitute for the primary criteria, research and teaching.  Recognized national and international expertise in a clinical field, however, may be an important consideration, especially for faculty members on the clinical track of the tenure process.

IV. Promotion

Standards for Promotion - Department of Anesthesiology
The Department of Anesthesiology accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Promotion of Faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department.

A. To Associate Professor
The criteria and standards for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor are those stated for consideration of tenure (see above).

B. To Professor
A recommendation for promotion to Professor is made when an Associate Professor  has fulfilled the criteria and standards for the rank of Professor as stated by the Medical School and the Department of Anesthesiology.  The criteria and standards stated for promotion to Associate Professor will continue to be applicable during the intervening period of time.  The proposal of a candidate for Professor will also present evidence of additional academic, scientific, scholarly and professional achievements, such as:

1. The establishment of a training program for pre- and/or postdoctoral fellows in a specific discipline.
2. Election to prestigious scientific and/or professional organizations which recognize excellence and significant academic contributions.
3. Letters from authorities attesting to the candidate’s acknowledged national and international reputation and recognition of leadership in his/her field; letters from prominent, senior faculty members at other universities assessing the candidate’s qualifications for promotion to the rank of professor.
4. Evidence of national and international recognition of the candidate’s leadership and expertise in a clinical discipline may be an important criterion for a candidate in the clinical track of the tenure process.

V. Procedures
In considering proposals for tenure and/or promotion in rank, the Medical School and its Departments comply with the procedures described in the document, "Procedures for Reviewing Performance of Probationary Faculty", distributed annually by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  These procedures are provided for by Sections 16.3, 7.4 and 7.61 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure.

The Medical School issues annually to each department, for distribution and information to faculty members, a set of instructions, memoranda, and other documents, giving detailed information on the procedures to be followed in the preparation and consideration of each proposal for tenure and/or promotion in rank.  The pertinent documents are identified as exhibits enclosed with a cover memorandum from the Dean.