Overview
The mission of the Office of Faculty Affairs at the School of Design is to support the Dean and the School by facilitating the recruitment and appointment, promotion, and retention of distinguished faculty. Faculty Affairs at the School of Design provides administrative support to our faculty by coordinating with the University Provost’s Office. This office manages academic appointments, promotion and tenure processes; provides oversight and guidance for Standing Committees of the School of Design; supports University initiatives to enhance faculty recruitment and retention; provides resources, policies, information, and operates with peer institutions on important initiatives for faculty.
Contact
Karyn Tufarolo, Associate Director for Faculty Affairs
Email: tufarolo@design.upenn.edu
Office Phone: 215.573.4123
Location: Meyerson Hall, Suite 102
The faculty at the University of Pennsylvania is divided into several categories:
- Standing faculty
- Associated faculty
- Academic support staff
- Emeritus faculty
Each group has distinct privileges and responsibilities, and plays a unique and complimentary role in the academic life of the school. Separate criteria apply for appointments and review of faculty members in each category, reflecting differences in expectations and roles.
The Process
Faculty Personnel actions originate within the academic departments. The standing faculty of a department will review the required material for the action and vote upon all appointments, reappointments, promotions and permanent tenure proposals for standing faculty, professors of practice and associated faculty. Faculty actions follow policies in the University of Pennsylvania Faculty Handbook, outlined in the Procedures for Appointment and Promotion PDF and the Documentation of Promotion and Appointment PDF, as well as the PennDesign Faculty Handbook. Please note: specific questions should be directed to the School of Design Associate Director for Faculty Affairs.
The Department Chairman will submit a written recommendation to the Personnel Committee to include the evaluation of submitted material and a final vote.
The Personnel Committee
The School of Design Personnel Committee consists of five full professors, appointed by the dean on the recommendation of department chairs. The Committee generally meets once a month to review personnel actions submitted by the Department Chairman. The Department Chairman will present all appointments, reappointments, promotions and permanent tenure proposals to the Personnel Committee. The Committee will meet and review the required documents by the School and the University. Once the review is complete, the committee will vote on the case and the Personnel Committee Chairman will communicate the sentiment of the Committee and the reasons for its action in a letter to the Dean.
In favorable support of personnel actions, the Dean will write a letter of endorsement and the complete dossier is submitted to the Office of the Provost for consideration. The appropriate Provost’s Office Committee will review the action for preliminary University approval. In a favorable Provost’s Committee outcome, the action is submitted to the University Board of Trustees approval at a quarterly meeting.