Important Information on Tenure Clock Extensions

March 31, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to take a moment to share an important resource that may be helpful as you navigate your path toward tenure - MSU’s Extending the Tenure Clock policy.

This policy is designed to support tenure system probationary faculty who encounter circumstances that may affect their ability to meet tenure expectations. There are two types of tenure clock extensions:

• Automatic Extensions – Granted in six specific situations outlined in the policy, including the birth or adoption of a child.

Faculty requesting an automatic extension for childbirth or adoption must notify their department chairperson, school director, or dean (for non-departmental colleges) in writing, including the child's name and birth/adoption date. Eligibility applies even if the birth/adoption occurred before joining MSU. Requests must be made within two years of the event and before the dossier submission deadline for the next reappointment, promotion, or tenure review.

• Non-Automatic Extensions – May be requested due to significant disruptions such as family care responsibilities, personal health matters, taking a prestigious award, fellowships, or special assignment opportunity, or other serious constraints impacting progress toward tenure. The latter is broadly interpreted and includes challenges related to research progress or shifts in external funding. 

We recognize that recent and evolving changes in federal research funding may be creating uncertainty and challenges for some faculty. These shifts can disrupt research plans, affect funding stability, and prompt the need to reconsider short- and long-term scholarly goals. If you find yourself impacted, please know that MSU’s Extending the Tenure Clock policy is available to support you during this time.

While we are closely monitoring developments at the federal level, the full scope and duration of their impact remain uncertain. As such, non-automatic tenure clock extension requests should continue to be submitted on an individual basis, grounded in each faculty member’s unique circumstances.

To assist faculty in understanding the tenure clock extension process, we encourage you to review the following resources:

• Extending the Tenure Clock Policy – Full details of the policy and how to apply.
• Tip Sheet: Extending the Tenure Clock – This document outlines the process for requesting a non-automatic extension.  
• Assistant Professor Tenure Clock Guide – This document is designed to serve as a resource for tenure system assistant professors who are looking to gain a better understanding of the timeline of their tenure review. 

Your chair, school director, or dean will be helpful to you as you consider whether to request an extension. In addition, your unit’s peer review committee or your mentor/mentoring committee can serve as a resource. These conversations can help you think through not only the immediate benefits of an extension but also how it may shape your longer-term progress toward tenure, including expectations for your next review. Thoughtful planning and open dialogue with your department or college leadership can help you navigate both the decision to request an extension and how best to sustain your momentum in the years ahead. 

If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss your specific situation, my offices—the Office for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs and the Office for Faculty and Staff Development—are here to provide guidance and support to ensure you have the resources and flexibility needed for success.

Best regards,

Teresa Mastin, Ph.D.
Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs
Michigan State University