Old Dog, New Tricks

At Western Washington University, we’re required to produce a post-tenure review portfolio every five years to document our teaching, scholarship and service. In our college of education, this requires providing evidence that we’ve met or exceeded the expectations listed in our unit plan for professional development. It’s similar to the documentation we provide for applying for tenure and promotion, and the review process is, too. The portfolio is reviewed by departmental peers, chair, and tenure and promotion committee; then it goes to the college dean and the university provost. A successful post-tenure review may result in a slight salary increase, so it’s reasonable to spend ample time building a strong case. It’s also reasonable to consider the mode of presentation – paper versus electronic.