Document 42


November 19, 1998

Professor Peter Berkowitz
Department of Government
Littauer 323

Dear Professor Berkowitz:

In your letter of November 9th to Dean Carol Thompson ( a copy of which you sent to me), there were several statements that indicate some misunderstanding of the tenure review process in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. I am writing so that if you choose to proceed with your grievance, you are able to do so on the basis of an accurate understanding of our procedures.

First, the composition of ad hoc committees is the responsibility of a tenured member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences who serves as an Associate Dean of the Faculty for this purpose. The membership of the committee, and the choice of witnesses invited from the department, are not the responsibility of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Indeed, Dean Thompson did not participate in your tenure review, and has recused herself from any proceedings that have followed from the President's decision on your case.

Second, the faculty Associate Dean responsible for assembling an ad hoc considers seriously the recommendations of the proposed candidate's department, but is not bound by them. As indicated in the document describing the FAS tenure process, the Associate Dean "consults widely, using authorities suggested by the department and others, such as scholars who have written especially thoughtful blind letters, scholars on the recipient list who did not respond, past or present visiting committee members, and other individuals suggested by those who have been consulted."

Since Dean Thompson has recused herself, the Secretary of the Faculty (John Fox) suggested that you consult with Dean Garber or Dean Doherty if you wished to pursue this step in the Faculty's procedures. He also suggested that you could, if you wish, omit this step and proceed directly to file a formal grievance that will be considered by the Docket Committee. If you have further questions about these procedures, I shall be glad to try to answer them.

Finally, I should tell you that it is established practice in the FAS that tenured colleagues who serve in part-time administrative capacities (for example, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Dean for Affirmative Action, or the Associate Provost) are expected fully to participate in tenure deliberations in their home departments. In such cases, they naturally recuse themselves from any involvement in the administrative processes leading to consideration at an ad hoc committee.

Yours sincerely,


Jeremy R. Knowles

JRK/lw