Bill > HB1437

This bill requires North Dakota's higher education institutions under the state board of higher education to develop a comprehensive academic tenure policy by July 1, 2026. The policy must establish clear guidelines for faculty tenure progression, including defining advancement criteria and implementing a rigorous evaluation system. Specifically, institutions must create procedures for annual evaluations of all faculty and post-tenure reviews, with the first post-tenure evaluation occurring within three years and subsequent reviews at least every five years. The post-tenure evaluation committee must include the faculty member's administrative supervisor, at least one ranking administrator, and tenured faculty comprising one-third to one-half of the committee. The policy allows for potential removal from a position following an unsatisfactory review, with such decisions made jointly by the employing institution and the state board of higher education. Additionally, the bill mandates that job advertisements for faculty positions clearly specify whether the role is tenure-track or non-tenure-track, and institutions must provide the detailed tenure policy to candidates offered a tenure-track position. The proposed policy must be approved by the state board of higher education, ensuring a standardized approach to academic tenure across state institutions.

Education, Military Affairs and Security

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1437.html