(See Appendix I for University Organizational Charts.)

A. Definitions - Faculty Appointment Categories (excluding School of Law)

1. Tenure-track Faculty (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor)

Faculty with continuing appointment; eligible for tenure as outlined elsewhere in the Handbook. Normally a terminal degree is required for a tenure-track appointment.

2. Tenured Faculty (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor)

Faculty with continuing appointment; have received tenure as outlined elsewhere in the Handbook. Normally a terminal degree is required for an appointment of tenure.

3. Lecturer

Faculty hired to this position do not have the possibility of tenure. Normal workload is determined by the major academic unit, typically in the areas of teaching and service and are defined through contractual language. Normally, a minimum of ½ of the assigned workload responsibility must be devoted to teaching. Compensation is by annual contract, with eligibility for raises. May be full-time or part-time appointments.

4. Senior Lecturer

Faculty appointed to this position do not have the possibility of tenure. Normal workload is determined by the major academic unit. Normally, a minimum of ½ of the assigned workload responsibility must be devoted to teaching. This promotion may occur after eight years of service. In addition to eight years of service, the candidate must have completed at least seven years of service with evaluations at the level of “meets expectations” or higher. No person who is on a performance improvement plan at the time of application shall be eligible for promotion to Senior Lecturer. Compensation is by annual contract, with eligibility for raises. May be full- or part-time appointments.

5. Esteemed Lecturer

Faculty appointed to this position do not have the possibility of tenure. Normal workload is determined by the major academic unit. Normally, a minimum of ½ of the assigned workload responsibility must be devoted to teaching. This promotion may occur after the candidate has completed at least seven years of service since promotion to Senior Lecturer with evaluations at the level of “meets expectations” or higher. No person who is on a performance improvement plan at the time of application shall be eligible for promotion to Esteemed Lecturer. For promotion to Esteemed Lecturer, units will define criteria for their areas that demonstrate a distinguished and sustained record of excellence in teaching in addition to leadership in service. Compensation is by annual contract, with eligibility for raises. May be full- or part-time appointments.

6. Distinguished Lecturer would remain an appointment type and remain in current form and use. Faculty hired on an annual appointment without the possibly of tenure. Normal workload is determined by units, typically in the areas of teaching and service and are defined through contractual language. Normally, a minimum of 1/2 of the assigned workload responsibility must be devoted to teaching.  Compensation is by annual contract, with eligibility for raises. Individuals may be immediately appointed as a Distinguished Lecturer. Distinguished service and experience in business, industry, and/or higher education as determined by the academic unit and the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs is required. 

Amendment of Processes (Faculty Handbook Section 3 - new section entitled University Policy on Non-Tenured Faculty Promotion):

   A. Purpose: The Lecturer promotion process is a part of a continuing effort to maintain the quality of academic programs by supporting and rewarding sustained excellence for Lecturers. This process ensures that Lecturers who demonstrate consistent, high-level performance in teaching and service, (and other defined responsibilities as applicable) have a clear pathway for professional advancement. By providing opportunities for promotion, the university affirms its commitment to supporting non-tenure track faculty, fostering long-term engagement, and maintaining academic continuity. Promotion to Senior Lecturer or Esteemed Lecturer is never automatic; it must be earned.

   B. Eligibility: For promotion to Senior Lecturer, the candidate must have completed 8 years of service with at least 50% of their assigned workload activity devoted to teaching. For promotion to Esteemed Lecturer, the candidate must have completed at least seven years of service at the rank of Senior Lecturer with at least 50% of their assigned workload devoted to teaching. Pursuant to the Faculty Handbook, Section: 5.C.2.4., Sabbatical policy provides that faculty continue to accrue years of service.

   C. Criteria: The nature of lecturer activities varies across the university; therefore, promotion is granted based on successfully fulfilling unit guidelines and responsibilities defined within their position and normal workload as determined by the major academic unit.

   D. Procedures for Self-Nomination for Promotion: On or before November 1, Lecturers meeting the eligibility requirements may nominate themselves as a candidate for promotion. The candidate will notify their direct supervisor (department chair, director, Dean, or other) and Dean of their readiness for promotion review. On or before March 1, eligible candidates will submit to their direct supervisor a curriculum vitae, teaching evaluations, yearly departmental evaluations, any letters of support from colleagues, a brief written statement summarizing their fulfillment of unit guidelines, and any other materials required by the academic unit.

   E. Procedures for Evaluation for Promotion: The Dean or designee will ensure a committee is formed to evaluate the application for promotion. A committee of at least three Senior Lecturers and/or tenured faculty shall review the application for promotion. On or before April 15, the committee and unit supervisor will review the application and submit written recommendations to the College/School level administrator (Dean or equivalent) for approval. On or before May 1, the College/School level administrator will submit a written recommendation to the Provost. On or before May 15, the Provost will make a final decision on the application for promotion. The promotion will take effect on (date recommended by HR).

   F. Any individual promoted to Senior Lecturer prior to September 1, 2026  is not required to meet the length of service requirement at the level of Senior Lecturer for promotion to Esteemed Lecturer. However, they must have a combined 15 years of service at the rank of Lecturer and/or Senior Lecturer to qualify for promotion to Esteemed Lecturer.

   G. A candidate who has been denied a promotion may apply again in any subsequent year.

6. Librarians

Faculty with continuing appointment, without possibility of tenure. Compensation is by annual contract, with eligibility for raises.

7. Visiting Faculty

Temporary faculty with ranks and duties similar to tenure-track faculty; not eligible for tenure; appointment renewable up to 6 years.

8. Adjunct Faculty

Temporary instructional personnel, hired by department chair or dean on a one-semester contract. Compensation is per equated credit hour. Maximum load per semester is 6 equated hours of teaching or 2 courses, whichever is greater (or equivalent as assigned).

9. Senior Adjunct Faculty/Clinical Faculty/Emeritus Adjunct Faculty

Temporary instructional personnel, hired by dean on a one-year contract. Compensation is per equated credit hour, but may be guaranteed for the entire year. Maximum load per semester is 9 equated hours of teaching (or equivalent as assigned).

B. Definitions - Faculty Appointment Categories (School of Law)

1. Tenured Faculty (Professor of Law) or Tenure-track Faculty (Generally designated as Associate Professor of Law. Designation of Professor of Law may be granted by dean in exceptional cases.)

Faculty with continuing appointment; eligible for tenure as outlined elsewhere in the Handbook.

2. Non-tenure-track Faculty (Generally designated as Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Visiting Associate Professor of Law, or Visiting Professor of Law. Designation of Associate Professor of Law (without the qualifier of "visiting") may be granted by dean in exceptional cases.)

Hired on annual or semester contract with no possibility of tenure. Appointment renewable. Scholarship not expected.

3. School of Law Librarians

Hired on annual contract with no possibility of tenure. Appointment renewable. May have teaching responsibilities. Scholarship not expected. School of Law Librarians are not considered members of the law faculty, but they are voting faculty members of the University General Faculty.