Tenure & Promotion Procedures- Confidentiality
[4] Confidentiality
Within the parameters of federal and state laws, we make every effort to maintain confidentiality on behalf of the individual candidate for appointment, promotion and tenure. Each department/school, college and central office as well as each Academic Area Advisory Committee member must be diligent in maintaining confidentiality with respect to the materials under review and the deliberations between involved parties.
Kentucky's Open Records Law makes clear that outside letters and internal letters are not protected by claims of confidentiality. In addition, all letters of evaluation are placed in the candidate's Standard Personnel File (AR II-1.0-1, Section II.G).
External and internal reviewers should be informed that their letters will not be confidential, but that our request is that they make an honest, professional opinion of the value and significance of the candidate's performance.
The courts have made clear that professional judgment that is professionally rendered, given without personal bias, will be protected. A university must be one institution in society where professional judgment of a colleague’s work is offered without malice and without fear of retribution.