DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGIC SURGERY
DEPARTMENTAL STATEMENT
REQUIRED BY SECTION 7.12 OF
REGULATIONS CONCERNING FACULTY TENURE
The mission of the Medical School is to be a leader in enhancing the health of people through education, biomedical research, and clinical programs.
The Department of Urologic Surgery is committed to the overall objectives of the University of Minnesota and its Medical School in maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence in programs of undergraduate and graduate medical education, in the application of necessary clinical services to patients, continued medical education for physicians, and basic and applied research to clinical problems.
Section 7.12 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 of the academic unit may be taken into consideration, but are not themselves basis 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 Urologic Surgery
The Department of Urologic Surgery 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. 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 should be published in appropriate peer-reviewed journals related to the discipline(s) of medicine.
Peer-reviewed journals that are recognized as outstanding and appropriate to the discipline include, but are not necessary limited to:
British Journal of Urology
New England Journal of Medicine
2. Publications in professional Monographs, Reviews and other Books
Publications through these modalities are part of the scholarly activities of a faculty member, but cannot be considered as the sole basis for tenure.
Examples included but are not limited to:
Urologic Clinics of North America
Instructional Course Lectures of AUA
3. External Research Funding
A candidate should be the recipient of a grant(s) or contract(s) by designation as principal investigator, a major collaborator, or other similar title, from a national or regional granting agency which customarily utilizes scientific peer-review as the primary basis for awards. Examples of granting agencies include, but are not necessarily limited to:
An Institute of the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, National Science Foundation, or similar federal granting agency;
American Cancer Society (unit or affiliate)
National Kidney Foundation (unit or affiliate)
Merit Review from the Veteran's Affair
Alternatively, the candidate may have an extensive experience with investigator-initiated grants and/or grants from the pharmaceutical, or biomedical industry.
4. Service as an Editor or Member of the Editorial Board.
Examples of appropriate journals include, but are not necessarily limited to those listed under Scientific Publications (above).
5. Invited participation in discipline-related Symposia, Meetings, and Seminars
Faculty members should be invited by national and/or international scientific organizations to participate in symposia and meetings and should be invited to give seminars before peers in other institutions both nationally and/or internationally. However, this cannot be used as the sole criterion for tenure.
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, grand 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 the teaching of organized educational programs of the
2. Participation and competence in the teaching and advising of professional students, including
students in the M.D. curriculum, and other professional educational 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 to students in any of the above categories who engage in research
activities in the department.
Service, although not a primary criterion for tenure, will be taken into consideration in making decisions on tenure. Performance or service, however exemplary, cannot substitute for the primary criteria of research and teaching.
The Department of Urologic Surgery Appointments and Promotions Committee and Post Tenure Review Committee will include all elected regular faculty of higher rank to that of the candidate. Prior to meeting, the members of the departmental P & T Committee will be provided with copies of the dossier and all referee letters. The size of the department's faculty dictates a broader review promotion and tenure decisions. Therefore, Urologic Surgery dossiers will be reviewed by the Department of Surgery's Promotion and Tenure Committee for the foreseeable future.
Dossiers with the Chair's letter of review and recommendation will be submitted to the Dean for review by the Medical School's Promotion & Tenure Committee. A schedule for the promotion and tenure cycle will be prepared each year by the Dean's Office. The dossier will follow the Medical School guidelines for preparation and will include all letters received from referees, the Chairman's description of the candidates' strengths and weaknesses, record of vote and an explanation of any non-positive votes from the departmental promotion and tenure committee.
The Medical School's Promotion and Tenure Committee will evaluate the dossier in the fall and may require the Chair to meet with them to discuss the candidate's achievements and proposed action.
The results of the Medical School's evaluation with the Dean's recommendation will be forwarded to the Senior Vice President of Health Services' office. Final action rests with the Board of Regents.
A. TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor requires completion of clinical training to meet the requirements for the American Board of Urology or a Doctoral Degree with substantial research experience. Appointment to this rank demonstrates a clear commitment of the individual to a career in Academic Urology. Individuals being proposed to the rank of Assistant Professor should provide evidence of a commitment to scholarship (including research) and teaching. Documentation of skill in teaching and research must be available in the Curriculum Vitae and from letters of support from nationally known urologists. Physicians must demonstrate excellence in the practice of their speciality.
B. TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
The criteria and standards for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor are those stated for consideration of tenure and for clinical scholar appointment (see above) as described by the University of Minnesota Medical School. In addition, the following guidelines should be met. While exceptions may be considered based on unusual strength in certain dimensions, these exceptions should be rare.
1. Research/Scholarship: The individual must have made scholarly contribution(s) to his or
her field as documented by:
At least twelve major articles published or accepted by high quality peer reviewed journals. The candidate should be first author on at least half of these. Case reports and publications in non-peer review journals carry less weight.
Evidence that the candidate is viewed as a scholar and respected authority by peers in his/her fields, for example, by:
i. Requested presentations at meetings of learned societies.
ii. Outside funding for research.
iii. Letters from national reviewers who are knowledgeable in candidate's area of expertise and who are able to assess the impact of the candidate's contributions to the field, but who are without ties to the candidate such as mentor, collaborator, etc.
Education and program development activities, book chapters, review articles, CME courses, and other educational material will also be considered.
2. Teaching: Excellence in teaching is indicated by:
A record of substantial teaching in local and national courses.
Satisfactory teaching evaluations by those being taught, as well as by peers.
Supportive letters from students, residents, and physician registrants in CME courses.
3. Clinical Care: Excellence in clinical care is indicated by:
Appropriate specialty board certification.
A significant clinical work load.
Garnering of a substantial referral practice.
Excellent collegial relationships.
Supportive letters from medical directors, colleagues, and referring physicians.
Regular participation in department clinical conference and quality assurance meetings.
4. Leadership: Evidence of participation in University, Medical School and/or departmental
committees is required, and promotion of relationships with the local and regional
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. The proposal of a candidate for Professor will also present evidence of additional academic, scientific, scholarly and professional achievements since previous promotion, such as:
1. Research/Scholarship: The individual must have significantly advanced his or her field by
sustained productivity in defined areas as documented by:
A total of approximately 25 major articles published or accepted by high quality, peer reviewed journals with 12 or 13 articles since promotion to Associate Professor and first or senior authorship on at least 9 articles since promotion to Associate Professor. Articles of substantial clinical impact may receive greater weight. Case reports and publication in non-peer reviewed journals carry less weight. Educational and program development activities, book chapters, review articles, CME courses, and other educational materials are considered as well.
Evidence that the candidate is viewed nationally and internationally as a scholar and respected authority by peers in his or her field, for example:
i. Invited authorship in major text.
ii. Requested presentation at meeting of learned societies (national and international).
iv. Committee positions in national and international organizations.
v. Awards from peer organizations.
vi. Obtaining sustained funding for research from competitive sources.
vii. 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.
viii. Number of citations by others.
2. Teaching: It is important that the quality of teaching be sustained.
Substantial teaching in local and national courses with favorable evaluations.
Satisfactory teaching evaluation by those being taught, as well as by peers.
Supporting letters from students, resident, and physician registrants in CME courses.
3. Clinical Care: It is essential that the potential candidate be viewed as a role model clinician:
Appropriate specialty board certification.
A significant clinical workload.
Good clinical results as documented by participation in clinical outcomes assessment program.
Garnering of a substantial referral practice.
Excellent collegial relationships.
Supportive letters from medical directors, colleagues, and referring physicians.
Regular participation in departmental clinical conferences, and quality assurance meetings.
4. Leadership: The individual must have provided substantial leadership at the Departmental,
Hospital, Medical School, and University levels as documented by:
Committee chairmanships/memberships (department, medical centers, school, university).
Special organizational activities.
Mentorship of junior faculty.
Promotion of relationships with the local and regional community.
Dedication to the missions of the University of Minnesota.
