Automatic Extensions of the Tenure System Probationary Appointment

November 3, 2022

Dear Colleagues, 

I write to call your attention to the policy for requesting an extension of the tenure system probationary appointment. The policy includes a number of reasons for automatic extensions, including, upon request of the faculty member, a one-year extension for reasons related to the birth or adoption of a child. The policy on Extending the Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Review Timeline (Extending the Tenure Clock) is included in the Faculty Handbook. 

Probationary faculty wishing to request an automatic extension for reasons related to childbirth or adoption should provide written notification to the department chairperson or school director (or dean in non-departmentally organized colleges), including the name of the child and date of birth/adoption. Please note that probationary faculty are eligible even if the birth/adoption occurred prior to an appointment at MSU. However, the request for an automatic one-year extension related to the birth or adoption of a child must be submitted within two years of the birth/adoption, but no later than the due date for submission to the department/school of the dossier for the next reappointment/promotion/tenure review. The department/school/college will forward the request to the Office of the Associate Provost/Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs.  

Please contact Faculty Academic Staff Affairs at fasaffairs@msu.edu with any questions.  


Thank you,  

Ann Austin 
Interim Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs 
University Distinguished Professor 
Office of the Provost 
Hannah Administration Building 
426 Auditorium Road, Room 438 
Michigan State University 
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046 
Phone:  517-353-5300 
aaustin@msu.edu