Instructions for Faculty Promotion and Tenure Packet Preparation and Submission in Interfolio

The Interfolio Review, Promotion and Tenure (RPT) system is designed to streamline the review process and ensure that your materials are submitted securely and efficiently. Please follow the instructions below carefully as you prepare your tenure and promotion packet for submission via Interfolio.

It's important to note that no requirements are changing for promotion and tenure consideration at NIU with the implementation of the Interfolio system. You should submit the materials already required in your department’s bylaws and follow the usual submission timeline established by your department.

Preparing Your Packet

Begin by compiling your packet materials as described below on your computer and then once you have all materials ready, upload them into Interfolio after you receive email notification that your promotion and/or tenure case is available to you. Learn more about the packet template that you will complete and submit for your promotion and/or tenure case in Interfolio.

Required Submission Materials

Your submission must include the following documents:

Application for Promotion and/or Tenure

In a web-based form within your packet you will copy/paste the following:

1. Applicant Name
2. Current Rank (ie: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor)
3. Department/School/Division
4. Educational Background (Include name of institution and location, dates attended and degree earned.)
5. Professional Experience (List institutions, rank or title and dates of appointment concerning all professional positions in chronological order showing the most recent first. Include name of institution, rank/title and appointment dates.)
6. Memorandum of Understanding (State whether this position is covered by a MOU that modifies promotion/tenure criteria or procedures. If yes, you'll be able to upload a copy of the MOU in a separate "Optional MOU" documents section above the application form.)

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

CV should be updated and follow any provided department or college guidelines and then upload.

Summary of Accomplishments Templates

Download the available summary of accomplishments document template from among the following that applies to you. Complete and upload.

• Clinical Faculty Summary of Accomplishments Template (DOCX)
• Faculty Summary of Accomplishments Template (DOCX)
• University Library Faculty Summary of Accomplishments Template (DOCX)

Personal Statements

Address your contributions and achievements in:

1. Teaching (or Librarianship)
2. Research/Scholarship/Creative Activities (or Clinical Activities)
3. Service

Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness

Upload any evidence of teaching effectiveness, which could include:

1. Student course evaluations
2. Peer teaching reviews
3. Sample syllabi and instructional materials

Scholarly or Creative Work

Upload copies of published articles, books, conference presentations or other relevant works.

Service Contributions

Documentation of university, professional and community service activities.

Additional Supporting Materials

Any other documentation relevant to your tenure and promotion case.

Formatting Guidelines

Document Organization

Organize documents on your personal computer or Office 365 file storage and then upload to your Interfolio case once finalized and ready for review.

File Format

Submit documents as PDFs unless otherwise specified.

File Naming

Use clear and consistent naming convention that begins with the year, followed by last name, first initial and description of the documents (e.g., Year_LastName_FirstInitial_CV.pdf, LastName_TeachingStatement.pdf).

Submission Process

1. Once you are notified that your case is created, log in to Interfolio using your NIU credentials.
2. Navigate to your case under the "Cases" section.
3. Upload all required materials to your packet in the designated sections.
4. Review your packet for accuracy and completeness.
5. Submit your packet before the deadline.

Once submitted, your case will move through the review process at the departmental, college and university levels.

Review Process Overview

Your case will be reviewed in the following sequence:

1. Departmental Review – Evaluation by department personnel committee and chair/director
2. College Review – Review by the college council and the dean
3. University-level Review – Review by the faculty senate personnel committee
4. Provost Review – Review by the provost
5. President Review and Final Decision - Review by University President and sent to Board of Trustees for final approval

You will be notified at each stage regarding the status of your case.

Deadlines

Check with your department and college for local deadlines as well as university deadlines listed in Faculty Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.

Contact Information for Assistance

For assistance or questions in preparing your promotion and/or tenure packet or the status of your case throughout the review process, contact your college Interfolio coordinator.

For detailed policy information, refer to NIU Faculty Senate Bylaws Article 8: The Academic Personnel Process and NIU Faculty Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.