I don't intend to offer advice about how to plan in general for tenure and promotion; that topic's been well-covered and can surely be located in some of our back issues of CoYM. Rather, as I sigh at the thought of gathering, arranging, and summarizing documents to demonstrate my professional "worthiness," I think about how much harder the task would be if I hadn't learned a few common tricks over the years.

1) Everyone will tell you -- keep an on-going activity folder!

Throughout the year, any time you do *anything* even remotely significant, toss a note or other reminder into that folder. If you give a talk, toss in a copy of the abstract. Paper submitted or accepted? Toss in a copy of your submission letter or the editor's reply. Make an extra copy of each exam you give and its grading key (if you write one) to put into this folder. If you write any special classroom materials (group activities, computer projects, writing assignments), save a copy of your work and maybe a few xeroxes of good student responses. When you have committee meetings, jot down a quick note to yourself about when the meeting was and anything that came of it, then toss that into the folder. Obviously, all student and peer evaluations of your teaching should go into this folder, as should copies of reprints, reviews or referee reports, flyers from talks or events that you organize or from meetings of student groups that you mentor, programs from professional meetings attended, and a xerox of your final grades for each course taught.

While this seems like a long list, it's just the *fodder* for your actual review packet. You can much more easily toss out extra items while assembling your file than track down that one significant piece of paper that you had put elsewhere earlier!

2) Set aside time to revise your CV at the end of every semester.

I haven't always done this and have certainly regretted it when such revision became necessary at an even more inconvenient time! You have a little spare time once grades are turned in at the end of the term, and, if you're like me, you're also trying to "clear the desk" for a fresh start next semester. It's the perfect time for looking back at what you've accomplished and doing a little minor typing to document it.

3) You may be expected to write a summary of your efforts in each of the areas of teaching, research, and service.

I didn't have to do this at my previous job until the year I actually went up for promotion and then again for tenure. In my current position, I don't think it's required, but since my materials go to both my dean and my provost, who are not mathematicians (nor even scientists), I figure it's easier and safer to write a tiny report explaining what I've been up to and why I think it's important. Obviously, though, this is an issue to get lots of advice from colleagues about!

4) Speaking of which, do ask for advice from your colleagues, especially those who have most recently gone through the same process.

They'll be your best sources for help in determining the items that matter in your activity folder and in deciding how to present them. It may sound trivial, but it is important to know what your folder should physically look like. Some departments and schools frown on anything larger than a simple manila file folder with half a dozen pieces of paper in it. On the other hand, the only criticism I received last year on my first-year review was that it had not been put into a binder with dividers and tabs! Ask your colleagues about expectations for contents and appearance in advance; then you'll know.

5) Finally, if it's at all timely, assemble your materials prior to the start of the semester.

Once classes begin, you'll have a lot more pressing things to take care of, and it will be a relief not to have that additional chore hanging over your head. Of course, this may not be possible, depending upon the timing of your reviews. Even if you can prepare in advance, you'll certainly want to reassess your materials before actually sending them on their way "up the line."