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[august]

My tenure review is officially next year.  However, I've been given a year extension due to having some children.  I have received excellent reviews for every year I have been here, my colleagues like me, and I have a reasonable publication record.  That said, I am wondering if I should go up for tenure of take the year extension...?

This is a university that is on "the way up," and the tenure bar gets higher each year.  This makes me want to get tenure sooner.  However, if take the extension, I might get one or two more publications. 

I am grateful for any input from those who might have an opinion on the matter.

[litdawg]

Who "gave" you the extension?  Was it pro forma or suggested, possibly upon a peremptory review of your record? How do senior members of your department view the extension?  How have they answered you when you sought their input on what is a very difficult and department-specific decision?

[sciguy]

Tenure decisions are done a bit differently everywhere, so it's hard to say for sure.  If you think you are ready, talk to your chair and ask for their opinion, you could also check with your Dean.  If they like you and want you to stay, they'll let you know what is best (unless of course you have a penny pinching dean who wants to save the money from the raise that typically comes with tenure).