Faculty may be considered for tenure at any time during their probationary period (NSHE, Title 2, Section 3.3.2). Pre-tenure faculty may apply for an early tenure review, or for an extension of their probationary period. Such recommendations must be made and final approval granted by the President prior to initiating any formal review of the faculty member’s tenure materials. 

Approval of an adjustment to the probationary period establishes a new tenure review cycle, which replaces the original or previously approved review period. Any new adjustment to a tenure review cycle requires an additional tenure flexibility request. Faculty are reviewed for tenure only once. An unsuccessful review at any point during the probationary period results in a terminal contract for the following academic year. 

The probationary period for all tenure-eligible faculty shall not exceed seven years of uninterrupted full-time employment. Typically, faculty begin the tenure application process in the spring of their 5th year, with the decision being final at the end of their 6th year. Standard practice at UNLV is to include the expected tenure review in the employment contract.

Tenure and promotion are considered together*. In cases of an early or extended tenure review, the faculty member will also be reviewed for promotion in rank as part of the tenure review process.

Applications for early tenure or extensions begin with an application to the Office of Faculty Affairs, followed by approvals from the department chair/supervisor, dean, Executive Vice President & Provost, and President. See the Tenure Flexibility Process Flowchart.

Offers of employment to tenure-track faculty positions at UNLV shall include no specific designation of years towards tenure or assurances of an extended probationary period. Any dean recommending to the Executive Vice President and Provost that UNLV extend an offer of employment with Tenure on Hire must comply with the Appointment with Tenure policy (Board of Regents Code, Title 2, Chapter 3, Section 3.4).

* Untenured associate professors may be considered for tenure and promotion separately.

Early Tenure Review

Faculty may request an early tenure review for various reasons, including but not limited to holding a tenure-track appointment for at least one year at another institution prior to employment at UNLV and/or meeting the tenure and promotion expectations sooner than expected. Approval for tenure review prior to the sixth year of the probationary period will only be granted in “exceptional circumstances” (UNLV Bylaws, Chapter 3, Section 16.7.2). Upon approval, written notification shall be made to the faculty member, chair/director, and dean of the new expected tenure review date.

Faculty seeking an early tenure review should submit their application to the Office of Faculty Affairs before the end of the Spring semester prior to their intended review.

Extension of Tenure Review

The probationary period may be extended to seven or more years with the approval of the President, provided the faculty member has not already been subject to a complete tenure review.

Consistent with federal law (Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Family and Medical Leave Act), requests for an extension of the probationary period due to pregnancy are presumed to be approved by the President. This presumption applies only to the timing of the tenure review and does not affect medical leave provisions. (See Summary of NSHE Policies and UNLV Practices for Faculty Parental Leave). 

A faculty member with any other qualifying reason for a family or parental medical leave, including paternity and adoption, or for any other reason, may request an extension of the probationary period and a delay of the tenure review. A faculty member need not take leave, paid or unpaid, for medical or any other reason, to request an extension of the probationary period and delay of the tenure review beyond the sixth year.

In all circumstances, any professional work completed during a medical leave and/or during an extension of the probationary period shall count towards the tenure review, but the taking of a medical leave and/or an extension of the probationary period shall not change the standards applied to the tenure review. 

Faculty may request multiple extensions, though each request must be reviewed and approved separately by the president. Upon approval, written notification shall be made to the faculty member, chair/director, and dean of the new expected tenure review date.

Applications for an extension should be submitted to the Office of Faculty Affairs before the first day of instruction of the Spring semester prior to their intended review.