The Ohio State University at Mansfield
ER-19: Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and Promotion

The university has a faculty rule, approved by the Board of Trustees, which specifically calls out the importance of interdisciplinary research:

"In evaluating the candidate's qualifications in teaching, scholarship, and service, reasonable flexibility shall be exercised, balancing, where the case requires, heavier commitments and responsibilities in one area against lighter commitments and responsibilities in another. In addition, as the university enters new fields of endeavor, including interdisciplinary endeavors, and places new emphases on its continuing activities, instances will arise in which the proper work of faculty members may depart from established academic patterns. In such cases care must be taken to apply the criteria with sufficient flexibility. In all instances superior intellectual attainment, in accordance with the criteria set forth in these rules, is an essential qualification for promotion to tenured positions. Clearly, insistence upon this standard for continuing members of the faculty is necessary for maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the university as an institution dedicated to the discovery and transmission of knowledge."

Additional links:
http://trustees.osu.edu/rules/university-rules/rules6/ru6-02.html
http://www.oaa.osu.edu/assets/files/documents/facultyappointments.pdf
http://oaa.osu.edu/governance.html

Additional contact:
Name: William L. MacDonald, Ph.D.
Position/Title: Executive Dean of Regional Campuses
Department: Executive Office
Email: macdonald.24@osu.edu