(2009 Ratified Contract, blue highlights are new/revised)
8.1 Appointments
8.1.1
Non-tenure-track faculty are usually appointed for the longest period of time that the need for their services
can be anticipated by the University,
not to exceed three years per contract.
8.1.2
Non-tenure-track appointments expire at the end of the contract period. Non-tenure-track faculty are not
eligible for tenure, and appointments do
not normally lead to a change in appointment to a tenure-track position.
8.1.3
Prior to extending an offer, the terms and conditions of employment of a non-tenure-track faculty member must be
approved by the department chair,
dean, and Provost.
8.1.4 Contracts offered to all non-tenure-track faculty
shall be presented in a Letter of Offer that states departmental assignment,
non-tenure-track faculty title, the effective dates of the appointment,
compensation, benefits, the FTE, a description of specific responsibilities,
and any other accommodations negotiated by the faculty member. Non-tenure-track
faculty will not be expected to perform duties for which they are not paid:
that is, duties not outlined in the Letter of Offer.
8.1.5 When programmatic need exists, senior
instructors may be granted multiyear appointments not to exceed three years.
8.1.6 Normally, contracts for returning non-tenure-track faculty will be awarded no later than July 15. Teaching sections may be added to existing contracts after July 15.
8.1.7 The University will consider
qualifications such as teaching experience, diversity, merit and length of service at the university
when making hiring and renewal
decisions. The effective recommendation for hiring nontenure-track faculty lies
with the department, and shall be conducted according to departmental policies and procedures, subject
to approval of the dean and
Provost. Current non-tenure-track faculty shall not be denied reappointment for the sole purpose of
hiring another non-tenure-track
candidate at a lower salary.
8.2 Non-tenure-track Faculty Titles
8.2.1 Instructor. Faculty employed for a
non-tenure-track position outside the
structure of tenure.
8.2.2 Senior Instructor. An instructor who has taught a
minimum of five separate academic years at 0.5 annual FTE or more at the
University with satisfactory evaluations in each of those five years shall be
appointed Senior Instructor effective the following September. The 0.5 annual
FTE is based upon a nine-month appointment at the University and on the
teaching of credit bearing and/or degree applicable courses. Summer Session FTE
may be included in the calculation of 0.5 annual FTE. Appointment to Senior
Instructor shall not result in additional duties without compensation beyond
the Senior Instructor salary increase.
8.2.3 Affiliated faculty. Non-tenure-track
faculty employed to provide
supervision of practica, internships and student teaching; and
non-tenuretrack faculty employed only to provide individualized music lessons.
8.2.4 Visiting Faculty. An individual may be
appointed as Visiting Assistant
Professor, Visiting Associate Professor, or Visiting Professor,
provided the individual qualifies
for the rank and the appointment is for a
designated term.
8.3 Evaluation of non-tenure-track faculty
8.3.1 Non-tenure-track faculty shall be evaluated by the department chair in a manner established by the departmental evaluation plan and on the basis of expectations and duties defined in the Letter of Offer. The evaluation will include student evaluations of all courses taught, except in unusual circumstances. The department chair may consult with the tenured and tenure-track faculty of the department if deemed appropriate by the chair or the faculty member. The department chair shall summarize the results of his/her evaluation in a letter. The faculty member shall receive a copy of this letter and have the opportunity to respond before it is submitted to the dean. The dean will review the letter to verify compliance with departmental and college standards. A copy of the dean’s letter shall be provided to the faculty member, the department chair, and the Provost.
8.3.2 Under no circumstances shall a
performance evaluation of a faculty
member be undertaken without the faculty member’s knowledge.
8.3.3 Senior Instructors shall be evaluated once during the period of their appointment. All other non-tenure-track faculty shall be evaluated annually.
8.4 Termination
8.4.1 Termination of Non-tenure-track faculty
during their contract term may
occur due to:
8.4.1.1
Dismissal as provided in Section 18.
8.4.1.2
Reduction in force as provided in Section 21.
8.4.1.3
Inability to perform responsibilities as defined in the Letter of Offer.
8.4.1.4 Disability, in accordance with appropriate federal and state laws.
8.4.1.5 Resignation.
8.5 Non-Renewal
8.5.1 Senior Instructors with multi-year
contracts shall be given notice of nonrenewal by March 15 of the final year of
the appointment. Failure to
provide notice will result in a terminal one-year contract.
8.5.2 Non-renewal is not grievable.
8.6 Working Conditions
8.6.1 Non-tenure-track faculty shall have
access to workspaces and support
staff, as needed and appropriate in order to perform duties outlined in
the Letter of Offer. 8.6.2 Non-tenure-track faculty shall have
access to materials as needed and
appropriate in order to perform duties outlined in the Letter of Offer
and as determined by the department
chair and dean. Such materials may
include, but are not limited to, a computer (laptop for faculty who
teach at multiple sites), access
to a printer and phone.