2.3.H. Criteria

The University recognizes that there are significant variations in how candidates qualify for and secure initial appointment, reappointment and promotion, according to field and discipline.  Candidates come from different backgrounds and receive different educational training.  In addition, there may be great variation in emphasis among the components of activity (i.e., clinical care, teaching, scholarship and, in some cases, institutional service) considered under these criteria and guidelines. Given the many different activities in which UML faculty are engaged, such variations are expected and are appropriate.  Nevertheless, all faculty appointments have in common the requirement of excellence, however measured.

The criteria detailed below should be considered in concert with Sections 2.3.K, 2.3.L and 2.3.M, which address specific criteria for the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor, respectively.

1. Proportionality of Contributions

The allocation of an UML faculty member’s time is determined by the department chair in light of the strategic and programmatic needs of the department and School. While each faculty member will be expected to make contributions in clinical care, teaching, and scholarship, they will normally have a primary focus in one of these areas (that is, the area in which the highest proportion of their time and effort is dedicated) and will be evaluated for appointment, reappointment or promotion accordingly.  For example, a faculty member with a primary clinical commitment will be evaluated mainly on that basis, with proportionate consideration given to contributions in teaching, scholarship, and, where applicable, institutional service.

Typically, UML faculty members will spend the majority of their time on clinical care and teaching.  In such instances, a minimum of approximately 20% FTE should be protected for scholarly research from required clinical care, teaching and, if relevant, administrative duties.

Under certain limited circumstances, however, the highest proportion of time and effort may be dedicated to scholarship in order to meet a specific departmental programmatic need.  Occasionally, a proportion of up to 80% may be allowed for a limited period of time, usually in conjunction with grant requirements.

2. Excellence in the Overall Mix

In the UML, appointments (and subsequent reappointments and promotions) are based upon a requirement of excellence in the overall mix of contributions in clinical care, teaching, and scholarship that advances clinical medicine.  In determining whether this standard has been met, reviewing bodies should be guided by the expectation that faculty members will nearly always be required to establish and maintain excellence in the area in which the highest proportion of their time and effort is dedicated; given the nature of the line, however, excellence in clinical care is required regardless of the proportion of commitment.

Performance that falls below this standard of excellence in either the primary area or in clinical care, or that falls below the standard of acceptable performance in a secondary (non-clinical care) area, will normally result in a negative appointment, reappointment or promotion decision.  For further information, see Section 2.3.I.  Standards of Excellence, Acceptable or Unacceptable Performance.

3. Regional and National Recognition

Depending on their rank, UML faculty members are expected to have shown promise to attain or to have attained regional or national recognition in their field.  In addition to recognition garnered from clinical care, teaching and scholarship, regional or national recognition may be gained through and evidenced by such activities as membership on editorial boards; service on national committees or study sections; leadership, membership or participation in leading scientific or clinical societies having an impact in the  faculty member’s field; and invited lectureships and visiting professorships.

For appointment or reappointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, there should be evidence that candidates have the promise to attain regional recognition for excellence in the overall mix of contributions in clinical care, teaching, and scholarship that advances clinical medicine.

For appointment, reappointment or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, there should be evidence that candidates have attained regional recognition for excellence in the overall mix of contributionsin clinical care, teaching, and scholarship that advances clinical medicine. Such recognition should normally be confirmed in letters from independent external referees who do not have mentoring, collaborative or other relationships with the candidate that might raise a question about objectivity.

For appointment, reappointment or promotion to the rank of Professor, there should be evidence that candidates have attained national recognition for excellence in the overall mix of contributions in clinical care, teaching, and scholarship that advances clinical medicine. Such recognition should normally be confirmed in letters from independent external referees who do not have mentoring, collaborative or other relationships with the candidate that might raise a question about objectivity.

4. Criteria by Area of Primary Contribution

a. Clinical Care

For faculty members who make their primary contributions through clinical care, excellence in this area is required. A standard of excellence or of acceptable performance in teaching and in scholarship will normally be needed in order to achieve excellence in the overall mix of contributions.  For further information regarding the application of criteria for clinical care, see Section 2.3.I.

b. Teaching

For faculty members who make their primary contributions through teaching, excellence in this area is nearly always required, along with excellence in clinical care (the latter being the standard for all UML faculty). A standard of excellence or of acceptable performance in scholarship will normally be needed in order to achieve excellence in the overall mix of contributions.  For further information regarding the application of criteria for teaching, see Section 2.3.I.

c. Scholarship

For faculty members who make their primary contributions through scholarship, excellence in this area is nearly always required, along with excellence in clinical care (the latter being a standard for all UML faculty).  A standard of excellence or of acceptable performance in teaching will normally be needed in order to achieve excellence in the overall mix of contributions. For further information regarding the application of criteria for scholarship, see Section 2.3.I.

d. Institutional Service

Associate Professors or Professors who make their primary contributions through institutional service are understood to have less time for clinical care, teaching and scholarship compared with colleagues without such duties (though  administrative efforts per se may lead to scholarly activity or unusual opportunities for advancement of clinical medicine).  In those cases, the performance should nearly always be required to meet a standard of excellence, and may be considered in the reappointment and promotion process.  Excellence in clinical care is also required (as it is for all UML faculty). A standard of excellence or of acceptable performance in scholarship and teaching will normally be needed in order to achieve excellence in the overall mix of contributions.  For further information regarding the application of criteria for institutional service, see Section 2.3.I.

(Note:  Since a major commitment to administrative activities detracts from the time available for the primary areas of clinical care, teaching and scholarship, Assistant Professors are discouraged from significant administrative commitment and departments are discouraged from requiring such.)