UK-FRAME implementation update

Colleagues, 

I am writing to provide an update regarding the new faculty performance and productivity review process, UK-FRAME (Feedback-Responsive Allocation, Metrics and Evaluation).  

As you may recall, the Board of Trustees approved UK-FRAME in December 2025, and it will be used for the first time following the conclusion of the current academic year (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027).  

At the end of the evaluation process, each faculty member will receive feedback from their department chair and/or college leadership, along with one of three overall ratings: "Exceeds Expectations," "Meets Expectations" or "Does Not Meet Expectations." Faculty whose overall rating is "Does Not Meet Expectations" will be expected to participate in a performance remediation plan. 

In the next few weeks, your college will communicate specifics about the metrics and criteria that apply within your college. The metrics are drawn from a university-wide list of faculty activities, such as peer-reviewed journal publications, artistic exhibitions or performances, instruction, clinical service and extension engagement. The Office of the Provost has collaborated with each college’s leadership to develop a list of relevant metrics and discipline-appropriate performance criteria for each metric. Performance and productivity expectations are relative to each individual faculty member’s Distribution of Effort (DOE) assignment.  

All full-time faculty, regardless of title series, rank or tenure status, will participate in the UK-FRAME process annually. In the spring semester, documentation of the review process will be shared widely; the documentation will be specific to each college's metrics and criteria.  

Thank you.

Rebecca Thomas
Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement