In UNM Interim Provost Chaouki Abdallah’s first month on the job, he reorganized the Provost’s Office and proposed a promotion and tenure plan for faculty.
In a July 20 email, Abdallah outlined two positions in the Provost’s Office, a change in one Provost’s title and responsibilities, the disintegration of one provost position, a promotion and tenure committee and several other changes.
“Since officially assuming the responsibilities of Provost … my first order of business was to evaluate and reorganize the Office of the Provost into a more coherent and responsive organization,” he said.
He said the positions of vice provost and deputy provost were consolidated into one. He added an associate Provost for Academic Personnel, and the existing position of Associate Provost for International Affairs was filled. Faculty hold the positions, which include the associate provost for Curriculum, on a part-time and rotational basis.
Abdallah’s proposed Promotion and Tenure Committee could have a large impact on faculty, and he said he will work with college deans and the Faculty Senate to assemble the committee for 2011-12. He discussed the committee with the Faculty Senate a month ago, Faculty Senate President Timothy Ross said.
UNM was under its current promotion and tenure process for 20 years. Ross said it’s time for change, and a varied committee could help with fairness.
“It’s a model that many other schools have, and it can work,” he said.
