Professional Staff Promotion

PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROMOTION

The employee initiates promotions to a higher rank by submitting an application for promotion that will be reviewed by the immediate supervisor, the Professional Staff Promotion Committee, the appropriate assistant vice president or assistant provost, vice president, and the president. Final action regarding requests for professional staff promotions resides with for the Board of Trustees. General qualifications for promotion of professional staff follow the performance evaluation criteria as outlined in the Professional Staff Evaluation Form:
• Professional Responsibilities
• Professional Qualities
• Professional Skills
• Job Knowledge
• Evidence of Commitment to Program/Institution

The basis of promotion of professional staff members is not solely on seniority, but also includes qualification through job performance. Seniority merely determines a professional staff member’s eligibility for consideration for promotion. In order to receive a promotion to a higher rank, eligible professional staff members must document their job performance according to the criteria outlined below. The salary increase upon promotion for professional staff is $600.00 for promotions from Level I to Level II, $700.00 for promotion from Level II to Level III, and $800.00 for promotion from Level III to Level IV.

Professional staff members eligible for promotion are encouraged to attend the informational meeting held before October 1 each year by the Professional Staff Promotion Committee. Professional staff members submit promotion applications are submitted to this committee, which is responsible for making promotion recommendations for all professional staff employed at the Institution. Vice Presidents, however, have the prerogative for convening “area” committees to assist in the promotion process.

After the Professional Staff Promotion Committee reviews the application, a recommendation for or against promotion is then given to the staff member’s Assistant Vice President/Assistant Provost (or designee of the Vice President from Financial or Presidential Services). If the committee’s recommendation is negative, no further action is taken unless the applicant appeals. If the committee’s recommendation is positive, the Assistant Vice President/Assistant Provost/designee then reviews the application and makes his or her own recommendation. This process repeats through the upper administration levels until eventually the President is able to recommend applicants for promotion to the Board of Trustees.

Eligibility for Professional Staff Promotion
In order to be eligible for promotion consideration, a member of the professional staff must satisfy the seniority requirements as prescribed below:
1. Requirements for promotion from Level I:
A. To apply for a Level II professional staff rank, the professional staff member must serve a minimum of three years before making application for promotion.
B. An immediate promotion to Level II follows the professional staff member earning a master’s degree.
2. Requirements for promotion from Level II: A Level II professional staff member must serve a minimum of five years to be eligible for promotion to Level III.
3. Requirements for promotion from Level III: A Level III professional staff member must serve a minimum of five years to be eligible for promotion to Level IV.

Criteria for Professional Staff Promotion
For promotion, the professional staff member must meet the eligibility requirements listed above and in addition show evidence that he/she:
1. Understands the comprehensive community college philosophy;
2. Demonstrates outstanding employee competence in an area vital to the department/area’s functions;
3. Provides significant service to his/her department or area;
4. Participates in professional growth and development activities appropriate to the department’s mission and goals;
5. Possesses the potential to further the goals of the program, department, College, area, and University;
6. Satisfy all requirements of the position according to the job description; and
7. Verify through the supervisor or Human Resources Department eligibility for promotion.

Procedures for Applying for Promotion
Professional staff seeking promotion will submit the promotion packet to the chair of the Professional Staff Promotion Committee. The promotion packet should total no more than fifteen (15) pages (including all the documentation listed below), and must include:
1. Cover Sheet (found later in this section)
2. Letter of application
3. Letter from immediate supervisor
4. Documentation of Criteria
A. Revised Position/Job Description: Should be prepared in conjunction with the immediate supervisor.
B. Credentials: Limit documentation to activities since last promotion.
C. Philosophy: Submit a brief written statement explaining your professional philosophy and how it supports Vincennes University’s comprehensive community college philosophy.
D. Effectiveness/Expertise in Profession: Provide evidence of effectiveness or expertise in your area of employment. Examples of documentation may include annual evaluations, recognition of colleagues locally, regionally and/or nationally, and significant examples of contributions to the growth of your program, department or service and/or Vincennes University.
E. Professional Services: Provide evidence of personal contributions to your program that exceed the requirements of your job. In addition, demonstrate how your professional philosophy enhances the goals and objectives of your program.
F. Community Involvement: Document your non-job related community involvement.
G. Professional Growth: Provide documentation of activities in local, regional and/or national organizations plus involvement in workshops, seminars, presentations, and/or education.
H. Special Projects: Provide examples of additional responsibilities and service not previously cited in your job description.

For more information on Promotions, please see the University Manual.

Professional Staff Promotion Timeline