The disruption caused by COVID-19 in spring 2020 totally changed faculty work this year. In response, the Commissioner of Higher Education issued a one-year extension on the tenure clock for all faculty who were probationary (on the tenure track) at the time. Individuals may opt out of this extension if they wish.

The Office of the Provost encourages faculty submitting IPRs to include a section on how the pandemic has affected your performance. Consider addressing the way the pandemic impacted your teaching, scholarly, and service goals (by preventing you from traveling to share your work with colleagues, for example.) In addition, consider providing documentation to help evaluators appreciate ways you have adapted: providing more emotional support to students, participating in training sessions to become a better remote teacher, service on UM committees responding to COVID, etc. Your efforts need to be considered and honored.