[murgie]

My 2 cents' worth: many universities I know have a multi-step faculty evaluation process (at dept, college and university level), with varying degrees of transparency in promotion and tenure. But a common requirement is that at least in case of an ADVERSE recommendation against a faculty candidate at any level, the candidate (and sometimes, even the prior evaluation levels) MUST be informed and given an opportunity to respond, so that when the process goes further, the adverse recommendation is accompanied by the response if any, of the candidate and anyone else.

I don't think the process works perfectly all the time -- no process with human beings in a competitive environment can be insulated from various pressures. But there must be something to be said for this type of process, that has made at least a large number of universities adopt it. Maybe it will also be useful in the context of ACRs. It may reduce subsequent grievances. Best,

Murgie