External Evaluators from Peer Academic Institutions
When research is to be considered, all or nearly all evaluators should be from academic departments at peer institutions. A “peer institution” is one with a Carnegie Classification that matches that of WVU, namely “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity.” A list of such institutions is provided on the WVU Faculty Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure page. Up-to-date information can also be obtained on the Carnegie Foundation’s website.
Academic Rank
Each proposed external evaluator in an academic department must be at or above the rank to which the faculty candidate aspires. If the candidate is applying for promotion to Associate Professor, the external evaluators could be Associate Professors or Professors. If the candidate is applying for promotion to Professor, the external evaluators must be Professors.
External Evaluators from Other Academic Institutions
To propose an evaluator who is at a college or university that is not a Carnegie R1 institution, justification is required in the Department Chairperson/School Director’s final list. Perhaps the individual, by virtue of their scholarly specialization or standing in the discipline, is uniquely qualified to judge the faculty member’s research. Or perhaps the individual is a senior scholar who spent the bulk of their career at a peer institution and thus is capable of making appropriate judgments from the standpoint of a colleague at a peer institution. (These examples are not exhaustive.) The Carnegie Classification does not extend to academic institutions outside the United States. Proposals for external evaluators from such places should explain why it should be considered equivalent to a Carnegie R1. Please note: When research is the topic of review, only a small minority of evaluators can be from non-peer institutions.
External Evaluator of Teaching from Non-Academic Institutions
When teaching is to be considered, it may be appropriate to have external evaluators from a college or university that is not a Carnegie R1 institution, and justification is required in the Department Chairperson/School Director’s final list. In the case of a teaching associate professor seeking promotion to teaching professor, the external evaluators must be faculty members who hold the rank of professor and have been promoted, at least in part, because of significant contributions in teaching.
External Evaluators of Research from Non-Academic Institutions
When research is to be considered, it may be appropriate to have external evaluators from scientific organizations outside academia (e.g., from national laboratories). In such cases, justification is required, and external evaluators from such institutions should be in the minority.
External Evaluators of Service from Non-Academic Institutions
When service is to be considered, individuals in non-academic settings might be highly qualified. In such cases, justification is required. There is no limit on the number of such individuals who could serve as external evaluators, but they should be sensitive to the mission of the University.