Tenure-Related Letter and Access to it?

[Hibush]

I think "out of principle and transparency" is really, well, that you feel angry and hard-done-by, am I right?  But if you have a hope of wining tenure on your regular timeline, I would caution that being adversarial at this point is going to make things harder.

Why not start with a genuinely friendly chat with your department head, so you can see if she really does disapprove of your proposed extended timeline?  Rather than trying to force her hand into to showing you the letter, you may get the same information just by being collegial.

+1. It seems like the first step is asking the chair to help resolve the seemingly contradictory information you have been given. The chair said she would support your extension, the dean denied the extension based the chairs recommendation against the extension.

Try to ask in a collegial rather than an accusatory way. There could be many explanations, particularly if there was a misunderstanding at some point in the process. Those happen more often than you think.

[the-tenure-track-prof]

You have the right to review your file at any time. If there is a letter, a copy of the letter should be placed in your file. This will give you a better idea what to do next.

[pink_]

You have the right to review your file at any time. If there is a letter, a copy of the letter should be placed in your file. This will give you a better idea what to do next.

Not necessarily. Protocols for review and evaluation can be institution specific.

Faculty here have access to their own self-reports and the annual evaluation from the chair. Other reviews such as the peer reviews from departmental colleagues for the tenure process are confidential. The TAP committee and the dean see them, but the candidates themselves do not.

[Dismal]

So many schools are offering Covid- related extensions of the tenure clock- has this happened at your school?  I have a colleague who already stopped her clock twice and it was just stopped automatically again for Covid.  She can ignore this new extension by asking to go up "early."

[doc700]

I would second the suggestion to speak with a lawyer.  My brother is a labor and employment lawyer who represents individuals and unions; his practice would not represent university administration.  He works in a mid-sized city with one major R1 university and some larger universities in the towns in a 1-2 hour radius.  He has worked repeatedly with each of these schools with faculty with various issues and with multiple departments within each institution.  One of the professional schools seems particularly problematic since he has had repeat dealings with them but he has worked with many people throughout.  In your case, he would like meet with you for an hour to understand the situation and then review a draft of the emails you wanted to send to various people/stay in touch with you throughout the process. 

The only role of a lawyer is not suing or threatening to sue.  You also don't need to tell your department that you are consulting a lawyer.  They would be there to consult and support you.  Depending on your institution and city size, they may even already know some of the ins and outs from working with other faculty...

[mcj1218]

Thank you to those who gave advice. I will probably talk to an attorney about my basic options, but not until I am gone, my paychecks have cleared, and I ask my boss why she lied about supporting me via text. Maybe she will give me an honest answer and a case.