Term Professor

A Term Professor is hired full-time for a limited and specified period but without tenure-track status.

Term Professors may hold the rank of instructor, assistant, associate or professor. This status will be used where a tenure-track faculty position is not feasible. Examples of the uses of these appointments would be: to explore new curricular areas, to support experimental term-limited new initiatives or grant-funded programs, to provide coverage for unexpected ranked faculty departures or leaves, or to provide coverage for tenure-line faculty in term-limited administrative appointments. A contract will specify teaching, and other responsibilities, as well as remuneration and term of contract. Normally these contracts are non-renewable and may be issued for a one to five-year period. The rank shall be determined or modified in accordance with the timetable and criteria for tenure-line faculty, or as otherwise negotiated with the Term Professor, Dean, and FPC. Term Faculty receive the same annual review processes as tenure-line faculty and are eligible for the faculty development procedures outlined in Section VI, except for sabbatical. The number of Term positions normally shall not exceed 25% of the tenure-line faculty.  

Position Approval  

Term Professor positions are approved (and if necessary renewed) by the Faculty Council on the Dean’s recommendation with consultation from disciplinarily-appropriate faculty, with input from Curriculum Committee regarding curricular needs and the Faculty Personnel Committee regarding rank and workload/responsibilities of the position.  

Position Search  

Term Professors positions are filled through an open search on a shortened timeline, with disciplinarily-appropriate faculty representation during creation of the job description and interviews. Ideally such a search would include advertising the position to elicit a diverse pool of qualified candidates. Recommendations for hire should normally follow the recommendation procedures outlined in III.C.4-III.C.5.

Committee Service

Term Professors may serve on institutional committees, as masters’ thesis and independent study advisors, set comprehensive exams and teach courses at the doctoral level, and are expected to provide academic mentoring for their students.

Service on Faculty Council

Term Professors serve on Faculty Council for the duration of their contract. 

Compensation

Term Professors will be compensated equitably with tenure-line faculty in similar ranks.

Voice and Vote on Faculty Council

Term Professors are members of the Faculty Council and have voice and vote on all non-personnel issues before the Council for the duration of the appointments. When voting on personnel matters, the Tenure-Line Faculty will meet in Executive Session.   

1. Term Professors will be offered written contracts and receive annual reviews and be eligible for promotion in accordance with the protocols for Tenure-line faculty.  
2. Term Professors will be given twelve months advance notice about the renewal or non-renewal of their contract. Decisions not to renew a Term Faculty Professor will be at the Discretion of the Dean in consultation with the disciplinary-appropriate faculty and the Faculty Personnel Committee, and concurrence of the Faculty Council. Decisions to terminate a Term Professor for cause will be made in accordance with Faculty Handbook criteria and protocols.  

Contract Non-Renewal  

Term Professor contracts are subject to non-renewal before the end of the contracted term under the conditions described in Section X.A.