The tenure process at LMU refers to the procedure which culminates in a decision to grant (or deny) tenure. Such a decision is based on a clear and transparent set of performance criteria.
The tenure process is initiated following the submission of an "application for tenure evaluation" by the candidate concerned. The earliest date at which candidates may receive tenure is three years after their appointment. Candidates should expect to receive a letter specifically informing them of this option during their tenure-track phase. The latest date at which candidates may apply for tenure evaluation is at the beginning of the fifth year of their tenure-track phase.
Following the candidate's "application for tenure evaluation," the faculty responsible establishes a Faculty Commission. Based on at least two external reviews, this Commission considers whether the relevant performance criteria have been met. The tenure application and faculty vote are then forwarded to a university-wide Tenure Commission, which delivers an opinion on the tenure process. The University Governing Board then makes a decision concerning the tenure application based on the recommendations of both commissions.
If approved, candidates are appointed to a permanent W2 professorship. In addition, from mid-2018, newly appointed tenure-track professors receive a salary increase (on a fixed-sum basis) when tenure is granted.
If tenure is denied, candidates are offered appropriate completion funding in order to provide sufficient time to find new employment.
Tenure evaluation: performance criteria
Research performance
- Publications: number and volume of publications; frequency of citations; significance of the publishing journals in their individual fields of research
- Funding grants and other awards
- Research awards
Teaching Performance
- Teaching experience: duration and thematic breadth
- Faculty evaluation of the candidate’s teaching performance. Presentation of the candidate’s teaching portfolio and/or selected teaching materials
- Number of theses supervised
- Teaching awards
Further performance indicators
- Promotion of junior academics
- List place for professorship appointment at other universities
- Invitations to guest professorships or other guest teaching opportunities at other higher education institutions
- Invitations to give talks and/or attend academic national or international events
- Membership to scientific committees, expert panels, advisory boards, associations and societies
- Engagement as an academic reviewer or expert
- Publications in international academic journals
- Organization of international conferences