Retention
Probationary faculty have an annual review by the department retention and tenure committee, the department chair, and the college dean for the purpose of recommending retention or termination to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The purpose of retention review is to assess the faculty member's performance against criteria in order to make personnel recommendations, and to provide helpful information to the faculty member about performance expectations. Reviews and recommendations for the purpose of decisions relating to retention are based solely on material contained in the Working Personnel Action File (WPAF). The WPAF contains the faculty member's materials and index, student evaluations of teaching effectiveness, and all other information provided by faculty, students, academic administrators, and others who must be identified by name.

Tenure
“Tenure" means the right of a faculty member to continue at San Francisco State University unless voluntarily terminated or terminated for cause, lack of funds, or lack of work. Decisions with respect to the award or denial of tenure to a probationary academic employee shall be on the basis of full-time service in accordance with the procedures established. Reviews and recommendations for the purpose of decisions relating to tenure are based solely on material contained in the Working Personnel Action File (WPAF). For those denied tenure following the final probationary year, a terminal year shall be awarded if the probationary faculty has served a minimum of three years. A probationary academic employee shall not serve more than seven successive full-time years. Tenure at this university shall be effective at the beginning of the academic year following the year in which tenure is awarded.

Resources for retention and tenure processes are available on the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development website.

Library Retention and Tenure
Librarians are evaluated for retention and tenure according to the Retention and Tenure Policy (S88-120) for all faculty, with the exception that the criterion of teaching effectiveness is replaced by the criterion of effectiveness in library assignment.

Student Affairs Counselor Faculty
Student Affairs Counselor Faculty are evaluated for retention and tenure according to the Student Affairs Counselor Faculty Policy and Procedures.