5.2 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Ranks

5.2.1 Non-Tenure-Track Teaching Faculty Ranks

Full-time, non-tenure-track teaching faculty are hired primarily for teaching and institutional service. They are not generally expected to conduct research, provide public service, or provide disciplinary service as a condition of their employment. However, discipline-appropriate research, scholarship and creative activity, and service activities should be recognized depending on the needs of the department and the skills and desires of the faculty member. A complete and thorough documentation of the non-tenure-track teaching faculty’s responsibilities and workload distribution will be provided by the hiring unit to the faculty member at the time of initial appointment and updated each time the faculty member is reappointed.

Teaching is a core mission central to the purposes and objectives of a university.

Non-tenure-track teaching faculty are expected to provide excellent instruction. This encompasses classroom instruction, course development, serving as instructor of record, mentoring students in academic projects, testing, grading, and the professional development of the faculty member as a teacher. Mentoring students at all levels is an important aspect of teaching. The creative and effective use of innovative teaching methods and curricular innovations are encouraged. Evaluation of the quality of instruction should follow standard practice for the discipline. Since such evaluation is a qualitative process, multiple sources of evidence, should be employed.

Among the characteristics of excellent instruction are the following practices:

Establishing, applying, and maintaining rigorous expectations for student performance;	Constructing appropriate and effective assessment activities;
Facilitating student learning through effective pedagogical techniques;	Incorporating collaborative and experiential learning in regular classroom instruction;
Using instructional materials appropriate to the program and discipline;	Providing timely and useful feedback to students;
Providing current information and materials in the classroom and/or laboratory;	Revising course content and scope as required by advances in disciplinary knowledge or changes in curriculum;
Engaging students in an active learning process;	Revising teaching strategies with innovations in instructional technology.

Ranking Specific Requirements for Teaching Faculty

While the minimum qualifications for appointment and the criteria for performance at a particular rank are consistent across the university, the specific requirements of the varying ranks are a function of the discipline and are typically defined by the faculty of the academic unit and/or department in which an appointment resides.

Assistant Professor of Teaching
Evidence of potential ability in teaching and service. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Associate Professor of Teaching
Documented evidence of high-quality teaching, service to the institution, and contribution to student development and success. Served at least five years at the rank of assistant professor of teaching. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification can be approved by the provost. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Professor of Teaching
Documented evidence of teaching excellence; service to the institution, and contributions to student development and success. Served at least five years at the rank of associate professor of teaching. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification can be approved by the provost. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

5.2.1.1 Terms & Procedures for Appointment & Reappointment of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty of Teaching Ranks

The primary criterion for appointment and reappointment of a full-time, non-tenure-track teaching faculty is excellence in teaching and institutional service. However, documented evidence of excellence in discipline-appropriate scholarly and/or creative activity, and/or service to the discipline or profession, may be included as supplementary criteria, depending on the needs of the department and the skills and desires of the faculty member.

Initial non-tenure track teaching faculty appointments are typically for a term of one year or less. After the first year, all non-tenure-track teaching faculty appointments will be made for a term of at least one year and not more than five years.

The title of Visiting may be assigned or attached to a full-time non-tenure-track teaching faculty in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5.2.5.

< 5.2 TOC

5.2.2 Non-Tenure-Track Research Faculty Ranks >

<< Section 4

Section 6 >>