AA 2004-17

For an applicant who is all but dissertation (ABO) to be considered a viable candidate for a tenure-track position, ABO will mean the candidate's dissertation committee has accepted the dissertation proposal. At the time of appointment, the candidate should be in the process of writing or completing the dissertation. Furthermore, an expected date will have been established for the candidate to defend the dissertation.

The expectation is the candidate who is ABO will have completed all work on the doctoral degree and will be able to provide verification of the award of the doctoral degree by the end of the first probationary year. Verification may be either (1) an official transcript or (2) a signed letter from the chair of the dissertation committee or the dean of the college attesting to the imminent award of the degree. This shall be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs Personnel Services.

The University recognizes the above definition is a traditional one and may not apply for certain disciplines/fields. For appointment purposes, when considering a candidate for a tenure-track position who is ABO, the Dean recommending the appointment, working in consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Affairs, is authorized to make the determination of equivalency when applying the standard of completion and verification of the doctoral degree by or before the end of the first probationary year.