(a) Professional employees may apply, and upon such application shall receive consideration, for promotion to vacant professional employee positions in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit which are to be filled, or for promotion in their present positions; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall affect or operate to invalidate any promotion or appointment, nor shall anything contained herein be construed to require promotions or appointments to vacant positions in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit to be made from among professional employees presently employed by the university.

(b) Prior to making promotions, or recommendations to the chancellor for promotion, of professional employees, the chief administrative officer shall review the supervisory evaluation and recommendations relating to such employees, together with the recommendations, if any, of the appropriate professional staff committees established for such purpose.