II. ASSOCIATE RESEARCHERS AND RESEARCHERS

3. Accelerated and Deferred Merit Increases

   An acceleration occurs when a candidate moves to a rank or step in advance of the normal period of time.  A proposed acceleration requires evidence of exceptional achievement and promise.  An example of a two (2) year accelerated merit would be an Associate Researcher who is two years at Step I and is being proposed for an accelerated merit increase to Step III.

   A deceleration occurs when a candidate does not advance at the normal period of time.  An example of a two (2) year decelerated merit would be a Researcher who is five years at Step II (normal is 3 years) and is being proposed for a merit to Step III.

   One year acceleration or deceleration:  Follow the review procedures for normal merit increases.

   Two or more years acceleration or deceleration:  Require submission of publications and review by the Council on Academic Personnel (CAP).

   The department must consider the candidate’s research performance since the last review.  The effective date for all merit increases is July 1.  Please refer to The CALL, Professional Research Series for policy on merit increases.  Additional procedural information can be found in The CALL, Summary of Procedures #9.
   
   

   1. Submitting the Action (two or more years of acceleration or deceleration).
      1. Original plus one (1) copy of the dossier.
      2. Publications. Place in a box or envelope.
         
         
   2. Dossier Contents in the order below:  (Use the appropriate Data Summary pages from APO’s Website.)
      1. Professional Research Merit Increase Data Summary cover page. Annual salaries should be taken from the Professional Research Series Salary Scale.  A Dean can approve a proposed annual within the five columns of the Associate Researcher or Researcher rank.  An annual higher than the maximum for each step is considered an off-scale annual and requires Vice Chancellor approval.
      2. History record (updated by the department).
      3. Data Summary page 2. Candidate must initial this page.
      4. Bibliography.  The L&S bibliography format must be used.  A copy of the bibliography must be placed in the publication box or envelope.
      5. "Prior" certification page (data summary, page 3). This page must be read by the candidate before signing.  Information and evidence supplied by the candidate must be listed on this page (see top of page, section 1, II) and placed immediately behind it:
      6.  
         1. CV, self-statement, or any other documents submitted to the department must be listed.
         2. Bulky items (exhibits, grant proposals, etc.) should include a footnote: “See teaching envelope (or box).”  These items must be placed in the box or envelope.
      7. "After" certification page (data summary page 4).  This page must be read by the candidate before signing.
      8. Candidate’s written response to the departmental assessment ("h" below), if submitted.  See APM 220-80. e. and “After” certification page I and III.
      9. Departmental assessment.  This is a letter written by the Chair, or a letter from the principal investigator, endorsed by the Chair, recommending the promotion.
      10. Chair’s individual recommendation (may be submitted in a separate statement).
      11. Departmental ad hoc or standing committee report, if applicable.
      12. Unsolicited letters of evaluation.  If an unsolicited letter of evaluation is to be included in the dossier, a letter should first be sent to the writer setting forth the Statement of Confidentiality and asking that individual to respond whether in light of this University policy the letter of evaluation should be included or returned (CALL, Summary of Procedures #10, last sentence).  Please write “Unsolicited” at the top right corner of letter.  English translations must be provided for letters written in another language.  Please label them as translations and place immediately after each letter.

          Publications:  All publications must be submitted since last review.  Work in progress manuscripts, if available, should also be submitted.
          
          

   3. Routing and Approval
      The L&S Personnel Office staff will review the case and will then forward it to CAP. CAP will examine the case and make a recommendation to the Dean, who then will make a final decision on the appointment. Once the final decision is been made, the department will be notified.