SU Policies & Resources
Key university policies, procedures, and contacts that every SU faculty member should know. Knowing your rights starts here.
TENURE & PROMOTION
Tenure and promotion decisions are among the most consequential a faculty member faces. The policies below govern the process at SU. SU AAUP recommends that all faculty — especially those approaching review — read these documents carefully and consult with colleagues or the chapter if they have concerns.
Faculty Manual: Tenure Policy
The SU Faculty Manual section on tenure outlines criteria, timelines, and procedures for tenure review. This is the foundational document governing tenure decisions at SU.
Read the Tenure Policy →Promotion Guidelines
Guidelines for promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor, and Associate to Full Professor, including school- and college-level criteria and the role of external review.
Read the Promotion Guidelines →Non-Tenure Track Faculty Policies
Policies governing appointment, review, and renewal for non-tenure track faculty, including lecturers, instructors, and clinical faculty.
Read NTT Policies →Grievance Procedures
If you believe a tenure or promotion decision was made improperly, these are the formal procedures for filing a grievance. SU AAUP can help you understand this process.
Read Grievance Procedures →WORKLOAD POLICIES
Workload policies govern teaching loads, research expectations, and service requirements. Understanding these policies is essential for managing your responsibilities and pushing back on unreasonable demands.
Faculty Workload Policy
The university-wide workload policy sets baseline expectations for teaching, research, and service. Individual schools and colleges may have additional guidelines.
Read Workload Policy →Course Release & Reassigned Time
Policies governing course releases for research, administrative duties, and other activities. Includes procedures for requesting reassigned time.
Read Course Release Policy →ACADEMIC FREEDOM & FREE EXPRESSION
Academic freedom is the foundation of the university. These policies and statements define its scope and protections at SU — and SU AAUP actively monitors and advocates for their enforcement.
Faculty Manual: Academic Freedom
Section 3.51 of the SU Faculty Manual defines academic freedom protections for SU faculty. SU AAUP has identified gaps in this language and is working toward a stronger Alternative Framework.
Read Academic Freedom Policy →The Syracuse Statement
SU’s institutional statement on free expression and academic freedom. SU AAUP has analyzed this statement and identified areas where protections fall short of AAUP standards.
Read the Syracuse Statement →SU AAUP Alternative Framework
Our proposed framework for stronger academic freedom protections at SU, developed by the chapter’s Academic Freedom Committee. Read our analysis and recommendations.
Read the Alternative Framework →AAUP National Policy Statements
The national AAUP’s foundational statements on academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance — the gold standard against which SU policies can be measured.
Read AAUP Policy Statements →FACULTY SENATE
The Faculty Senate is SU’s primary shared governance body. Knowing who your senators are and how to contact them is one of the most direct ways to make your voice heard in institutional decision-making.
Faculty Senate Members & Contacts
Find your school or college’s Faculty Senate representatives. These are your elected colleagues — reach out to them directly about issues affecting your department or school.
View Senate Members →Faculty Senate Meeting Schedule
Faculty Senate meetings are open. Attending is one of the best ways to stay informed about institutional decisions and to make faculty concerns visible to university leadership.
View Senate Schedule →Faculty Senate Bylaws
The bylaws governing how the Faculty Senate operates, including how senators are elected, how committees are formed, and how votes are conducted.
Read Senate Bylaws →How to Run for Faculty Senate
Faculty Senate elections take place annually. Running for Senate is one of the most impactful ways to serve your colleagues — find out how the process works and when elections are held.
Learn About Senate Elections →Have a question about your rights?
SU AAUP can help you understand university policies and navigate difficult situations. Reach out — all inquiries are confidential.
Contact SU AAUP →Quick links
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