Promotion & Tenure - Candidate
This page is for candidates for promotion and/or tenure. It provides general steps to the process and how to use Interfolio to create and submit your application.
While this gives you a general overview of the promotion and tenure process, if you would like more details, please review the Faculty Handbook.
Step 1: Request P&T case opened
The P&T process begins in May. You will meet with the Provost, Dean, and P&T Chair to discuss details. When you are ready for your case to be set up, you will need to contact learningdesign@bentley.edu.
Step 2: Complete and submit your packet
Select each item to learn more about components of the process.
Log in via case email
You will receive an email beginning your P&T process. This message will include a link to your case.
- Please note: this link is only good for 30 days, but you can always access your case from your Interfolio account under Your Packets.
Log in via Interfolio
Log into Interfolio at: https://account.interfolio.com/sso
- If you forget how to log in, you can always review this instructional doc: How do I log into Interfolio?
Select Your Packets in the menu on the left and then under Active, select the packet that you would like to work on.
There is currently only one candidate form to complete, but it's an important one! It's the only item under the Candidate Application Form header.
You select the Fill Out Form button (or Edit Form if already started). The form will appear, and you will complete it with your information.

Whenever you want to save your work, select the Save Responses button. You will remain on the same page. When you have finished your form for that session, select Return to Packet button.
There are 4 sections that you will need to populate with documents. Within each section, some items are required, but others are optional.
- Candidate Documents
- Scholarship
- Teaching
- Service
Note: You will see a section entitled Files to Share with External Evaluators. This section will be used by your department chair when requesting external evaluator letters. Your department chair might ask you to add something there yourself too. Do not consider these files part of your case.
To add something, find the section and document name that you would like to add and select the Add button on the left.

A file upload window will appear, and you will select the Add a New File tab.
Select Browse to Upload. Find the document in your computer files that you want to add here. Select the document and then the Open button.
When the file has been uploaded completely, it will say Success and you can select the + Add button.
- Note: you will NOT be able to select the + Add button until it has been fully uploaded.
You will be taken back to your packet and you will repeat those steps for all of the documents in all of the sections that you would like to have in your packet.
In addition to files, you might have videos and/or websites that you would like to add to your packet. You can see details about uploading these materials specifically here: Add Links to Webpages and YouTube Vimeo Videos to Your Packet
Edit Document Title
Select Edit next to the desired packet item to edit its name. Reviewers see uploaded document titles as bookmarks in the document reader, so it is important to give these documents clear, meaningful titles.

Rearrange Files
If you uploaded a file to the wrong section or need to reorder materials, you can move materials by dragging and dropping while the section is unlocked.

Preview Packet
It is recommended to select Preview Packet in the upper right-hand corner before submitting sections. The preview shows exactly how your packet materials will appear to the committee in the document reader.
While you can submit each section individually, we recommend that you wait until you have completed them all and then submit them in bulk. Part of why we suggest this is because: once you submit a section, you cannot edit it any longer.
Candidates can submit all sections at once by selecting the checkbox at the top of the screen to check all sections and then selecting the white Submit Sections button that appears.

You will ultimately submit 5 sections total:
- Candidate Application Form
- Candidate Documents
- Scholarship
- Teaching
- Service
Please note a few more important details as you submit your sections and packet:
- You must check/select Submit for any of the sections above if you would like to include them in your packet. If you do not select Submit for a particular section, then it won’t get submitted and won’t be included in your packet.
- Remember that the section, Files to Share with External Evaluators, is used by your department chair when requesting external evaluator letters. These files are not part of your case and so do not necessarily need to be submitted unless your department chair tells you otherwise.
- When you have submitted all of the sections, they will then say Locked and there isn’t anything else to do at this time. Please make sure to add all of your materials and submit your case before the deadline of August 20. If you do not select Submit before the deadline, anything that you have added will be submitted automatically. Your application will likely be incomplete, and no further changes can be made.
- Candidates do not receive a confirmation email after submitting all sections. Your packet’s status updates to Submitted in your Interfolio account, and this status serves as confirmation that your materials were successfully submitted for review.
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE ON AUGUST 20th.
Besides those for Distinguished Lecturers, which are due on October 17th.
Once you submit your packet, your part of the P&T process is complete. You will receive a final decision in a few months. Below are the steps that your packet will go through to make that determination. In these steps, we have included some of the important dates. Please note that distinguished lecturers have different dates, and if you would like more details about the process, please refer to your Faculty Handbook.
Additionally, you might find that the committees will add files that you will want to view and respond to. Here are instructions if that comes up for you: View and Respond to Files Shared by a Committee (Rebuttal)
You will receive an email from your departmental review chair with your department committee letter once they have made their decision. At that time, you will then be given the opportunity to write any objections or additional information that you would like. The department letter and your response will then go to the next step (P&T Committee).
Please note: if you are up for Distinguished Lecturer, you can no longer withdraw your application at this time.
IMPORTANT DATES
Candidate informed of departmental committee decision: September 23
For Distinguished Lecturers: November 17
Application is forwarded to P&T Committee: September 30
For Distinguished Lecturers: December 1
Once the P&T Committee makes a decision, you will receive an email from the P&T chair with an update. At the same time, your case will go to the Provost and Dean.
When your application reaches the P&T Committee, you cannot withdraw your application for any promotions.
IMPORTANT DATES
P&T Committee decision: November 10
For Distinguished Lecturers: March 1
Once the dean and/or provost makes a decision, you will receive an email from the P&T chair with an update. At the same time, your case will go to the Board of Trustees for the final decision.
NOTE: Distinguished and Senior Lecturer candidates do not go to the Board of Trustees. You will receive a letter from the Provost's Office with your case's decision at this time.
IMPORTANT DATES
Dean & Provost decision: January 25
For Distinguished Lecturers: April 1
In their February Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees will decide on their action. Once the Board of Trustees makes a decision, you will receive an email from the Provost’s Office with your case’s final decision in 1-2 business days.
Remember that the above does not apply for Senior or Distinguished Lecturers.