Interfolio Quick Guide for Committee Members

This quick guide provides step-by-step instructions for NIU department personnel committee members, college council committee members, and faculty senate personnel committee members reviewing faculty promotion and tenure cases in Interfolio Review, Promotion & Tenure (RPT). It highlights what you need to know to fulfill your role effectively and in alignment with NIU policies.

Your Role as a Committee Member

As a committee member, you are expected to:

• Access assigned cases in Interfolio.
• Review the candidate’s submitted materials and external/internal reviews.
• Deliberate with your committee in accordance with NIU procedures.
• Vote as part of your committee deliberations, with the committee chair to record a vote tally.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Logging into Interfolio

1. Go to niu.edu/interfolio.
2. Click LOG IN TO INTERFOLIO.
3. Enter your NIU credentials (same you use to login to access your email) and follow the prompts to authenticate.
4. You will be taken to your Interfolio Dashboard.

Accessing Assigned Cases

1. From your Dashboard, click the Cases tab.
2. Locate cases under My Tasks.
3. Click the candidate's name to open the case.

Reviewing Case Materials

• Navigate to the Case Materials tab.
• Review materials organized by sections (e.g., CV, Teaching, Research, Service).
• Use the Search bar or Filter to find specific documents.
• Use Read Case to open within Interfolio.
• Keep private notes in Private Notes (visible only to you).

Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest

• Do not discuss case materials outside of official committee deliberations.
• If you believe you have a conflict of interest, notify your committee chair immediately.
• If recused, you will not participate in discussions or voting for that case.

Committee Deliberations

• The department personnel committee typically meets to discuss cases (format determined by department).
• Interfolio does not replace deliberation — it supports it.
• Ensure your comments and evaluations align with relevant NIU promotion/tenure guidelines.

Deadlines

• Deadlines, if entered into the system by the Case Administrator, appear on the Case Details page.

Troubleshooting and Support

• Technical Help: Contact Interfolio Scholar Services at 833-844-2118 or email interfolio-support@elsevier.com
• Procedural Help: Contact your Department Chair or the Office of the Provost
• Resources:
  • Committee Member's Guide to Interfolio RPT
  • Case Review Steps at NIU
  • Add Annotations Using the Document Reader

Committee Member Frequently Asked Questions