Appeal Process for Promotion or Tenure Denial Policy : 5:02:03:25

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Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs  

I. PURPOSE 

The purpose of this policy is to outline the appeal process for any Motlow State Community College (Motlow State) faculty member who has been denied a promotion or tenure. 

Ii. TIME FRAME

Any faculty member who wishes to appeal the President’s recommendation for denial of tenure or promotion should do so in writing within five (5) business days of receiving a written notice of that decision.

IIi. WRITTEN APPEAL

  1. The written appeal to the President of Motlow State should be in letter or professional memo form and state the basis of the appeal.  The memo must be sent by email with delivery and read receipt requested or by certified mail.
  2. The written appeal should provide evidence that the denial of tenure or promotion was based on one or both of the following circumstances:
    1. The faculty member’s supporting tenure or promotion packet was improperly evaluated, and/or
    2. The faculty member’s denial for tenure or promotion was based on unfair or discriminatory evaluation of the application.
  3. Improper evaluation appeals may occur when elements of the tenure or promotion materials do not receive sufficient consideration.
  4. Unfair or discriminatory evaluation appeals may occur when tenure or promotion decisions are based on factors not set forth in the criteria of tenure and promotion policies.
  5. The candidate may not add any documentation to or revise their promotion or tenure packet in any way when making an appeal application, and the appeal process is not to be used as a mechanism for improving a poorly prepared packet or a packet that does not follow the relevant policies and guidelines. 

Iv. APPEALS COMMITTEE

  1. Once the President has received the written appeal, they will form an Appeals Committee of five (5) faculty members.
  2. Committee membership must be compromised of tenured faculty who are not from the same department as the faculty member filing the appeal.
  3. One (1) of the committee members will be a Faculty Council member with tenure.
  4. Any member of the Promotion and Tenure Committee shall be excluded from membership due to the possibility of conflict of interest.
  5. The Executive Director of Human Resources will serve as a non-voting advisor to ensure compliance with Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) policy. 

V. DUTIES OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE

  1. The Appeals Committee members should meet within seven (7) business days after their initial appointment.
  2. The Appeals Committee shall elect a chairperson who will report in writing the findings of the committee to the President.
  3. Committee members shall review the written appeal and vote on the relevancy and appropriateness of its content as defined in Section III. Committee members may review the applicant’s packet, the dean’s letter, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO)’s letter, the President’s letter, a summary of the committee vote and rubric, and any additional documentation that is deemed appropriate and allowable by Human Resources.
  4. The Appeals Committee shall reach one of the following decisions by a majority vote:
    1. Deny the appeal: There was not sufficient evidence to establish any grounds for the appeal or,
    2. Grant the appeal: At least one issue raised by the candidate was found to have clear and convincing evidence to merit reevaluation of the candidate’s tenure or promotion packet. 

Vi. FINDINGS

  1. If the appeal is denied, the President will report that finding in writing to the candidate. If the appeal is denied, the President will report that finding in writing to the candidate, the appropriate dean, and the CAO. The process will go no further.
  2. If the appeal is found to have merit, the President will give a final ruling on the appeal and communicate their final decision to the candidate, the appropriate dean, and the CAO. 

Sources

History

April 8, 2013; approved by the President’s Cabinet on June 21, 2016; November 3, 2025 

Revised: October 28, 2024; August 14, 2025 

Institutional Oversight Committee Approved: October 17, 2025 

Faculty Council Approved: September 17, 2025 

TBR Academic Affairs Approved: TBD (Under Review) 

TBR Office of General Counsel Approved: TBD (Under Review) 

Effective Date: June 21, 2016; November 3, 2025