V605.01 Faculty Appointments

Types of Appointments: At VCSU, faculty are hired in one of three types of positions:

1. Tenure track/tenure. Faculty in the tenure track demonstrate expertise in teaching and scholarly or creative work, along with research and study that contribute significantly to the depth of knowledge that informs classroom teaching, thereby benefiting both students and the university. They may also have professional expertise that provides meaningful context and application for students. Faculty in this track typically have a contract that includes 80% teaching (24 credit hours annually), 10% scholarship, and 10% service.

2. Practitioner Track. Faculty in this position track are hired in fixed year contracts of 1-3 years. They are expert teachers with strong practical credentials who provide meaningful contextual experience for students. Faculty in this track have contracts more heavily weighted toward teaching; service may be included in the contract, but scholarly work is not. Their contracts may range from 100% teaching (30 credits annually) to as low as 80% teaching and 20% service.

3. Adjunct. Part-time faculty who are hired on a term by term basis. They should not be hired for more than 8 credits per semester.

The following chart illustrates the differences between the appointment types:

Tenure/Tenure track

“Special Appointment” (SBHE 605.1)

Practitioner Track

Adjunct

Contract comes from

President

VPAA

FTE (based on 9 mo)

1 FTE

.75 – 1 FTE

<.5 FTE

Benefits

yes

Physical Presence

Required, but details subject to negotiation with Chair/VPAA

Telecommuting responsibilities/campus presence must be negotiated and documented in contract

Not required

Rank

Instructor - Professor

Instructor – Assistant Professor

Contract terms

Probationary (6 years); tenured thereafter

1-3 year contract; maybe renewed based on funding and faculty evaluation

Course by course; <8 credits per term or <15 credits per academic year.

How Paid

Salary over 12 months (could also choose over 9 months)

Per credit hour; contracted paid over semester employed

Base pay determination

85% + 1% per year of median for rank follows VCSU compensation model

Per credit hour as established by VPAA.

Teaching Load

Typically 24 credits (80% of contract); individual negotiation possible

24-30 credits, depending on statement in contract

<15 credits per academic year

University Service expectations

Typically 10% of contract, to include committee work and advising

Must be stated in contract; COULD include committee work and advising

None

Scholarship Expectations

Typically 10% of contract

Must be stated in contract.

None

Member of Faculty Association

Yes

No (although technically, if teaching >7 credits in a single semester, could be a member for that semester)

Evaluation

Use AA-4 or AA-5

AA-29

Use AA-29

Determining Faculty Rank: Faculty rank is determined by credentials at entry point and through annual peer review and recommendation.

1. Tenure track faculty who meet the minimum requirements of the job description begin their work at VCSU as an Assistant Professor. In cases where the best candidate falls slightly short of the stated minimum (ABD, for example, when searching for a PhD candidate), the committee may recommend the candidate, who must meet the minimum requirements before start of the term of hire. Failure to do so will reduce the rank to Instructor until the term following completion of the stated minimum.

2. Practitioner faculty who meet the minimum requirements for hire (see Faculty Qualifications policy, V605.01.04) begin their work at VCSU as an Assistant Professor.

3. Adjunct faculty must meet the minimum requirements for hire (see Faculty Qualifications policy, V605.01.04).

4. Evaluation, Tenure, and Promotion procedures are outlined in V605.01.01, V605.01.02, and V605.01.03.

The chart below illustrates the qualifications and for each rank and faculty position.

Rank Qualifications Adjunct
Not a full search. Meets minimum HLC requirements. Temporary employment. One rank only. Years at this rank do not count toward promotion.
Instructor

Primarily bachelor’s degree and exceptional qualifying experience for a specific teaching area, such as Spanish or private flute lessons

****

May be used for a Practitioner or tenure track candidate who does not meet Department Specific Requirements as advertised

Instructor or Assistant Professor – Practitioner Track
Not a full search. Meets minimum HLC requirements. 1-3 year appointment. Fixed term contract may include teaching, and service as determined by department.
Assistant Professor—Tenure Track
Meets minimum HLC requirements AND Departmental Specific requirements as advertised
Associate Professor—Tenure Track
Six years of teaching at VCSU (does not include years granted toward tenure)
Professor—Tenure Track
Ten years of teaching at VCSU (does not include years granted toward tenure)

Required Form:

AA-6b First Year Faculty Evaluation Professional Development Plan
AA-9 Faculty Qualifications Audit
AA-27a Self-Evaluation, Tenure and Non-Tenure Guidelines

Sponsor: Faculty Association

Reference: Approved by Academic Policy and Affairs Council and Faculty Senate in 1984

Reviewed: Winter 1996

Revised: Winter 2000

Revised: January 2011 (Revised from "Tenure Policy" to "Terminal Degrees, Tenure and Promotion." Policy and procedures for tenure, evaluation, and promotion are in policies V605.1.1, V605.1.2,and V605.1.3)

Revised and Name Change: March 2020

Revised: April 2022