The South Dakota Board of Regents has approved (Dec. 11, 2025) a new post-tenure review policy designed to support continued excellence among tenured faculty across the state’s public universities.
Executive Director Nathan Lukkes (lucas) says the policy outlines a clear, consistent five-year review cycle intended to promote high-quality teaching, research, and service throughout a faculty member’s career. He says implementation begins in the 2026–27 academic year, with tenured faculty phased into review groups over five years. Starting in year six of implementation, every faculty member will be reviewed once every five years.
Lucas says the state’s public universities employ exceptional faculty who are committed to student success, research, and institutional accomplishments. He says this new policy reflects the Board’s confidence in the faculty’s work and creates a structure that supports continued excellence by providing a clear review process and opportunities for development.
Under the policy:
- Tenured faculty will undergo a comprehensive review every five years.
- Reviews will evaluate contributions in teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and service.
- Evaluations will draw from student feedback, annual performance reviews, and other documentation.
Lucas says tenure remains a core element of institutional stability in higher education and this new policy affirms the Board of Regents’ commitment to retaining those values while clearly defining and consistently applying performance expectations. He says the goal is to create a fair review process that supports academic growth, transparency, and professional accountability, thus strengthening the academic environment for both faculty and students.
Comments