Do experts from outside Hopkins carry too much weight in the tenure decision-making process? Some faculty at Arts & Sciences think so. "We rely very, very, very heavily on the opinions of outsiders who probably aren't as familiar with the work of the people here as their colleagues in their own department," says political science professor Matthew Crenson. "On occasion, the Academic Council will dismiss unanimous recommendations of a department, sometimes of a department and an ad hoc committee. I've seen some terrible mistakes made."

Frances Ferguson, who recently served on the Academic Council, says that when a department is overruled, it's usually a matter of a weakness in the letters that come in. An ad hoc committee may unintentionally make mistakes about whom to consult, she says. If a noted expert is not familiar enough with a candidate's work, for instance, the letter may be "a little too vague to be convincing"--which can leave the council wondering about the candidate's influence within the field.

Outcome of promotions brought forward to the Academic Council of Arts & Sciences and Engineering

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