The University Senate of Michigan Technological University


PROPOSAL 4-95

DEFINITION OF ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Faculty Appointments

Tenure Track Appointments

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR: An appointment requiring an earned doctoral or terminal degree or equivalent and the potential for excellence in teaching and research.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR: An appointment requiring an earned doctoral or terminal degree or equivalent and demonstrated quality teaching, recognition for scholarly activities, and service to the university community.

PROFESSOR: An appointment requiring an earned doctoral or terminal degree or equivalent and demonstrated sustained quality teaching, wide recognition for scholarly activities, and substantial service to university and appropriate outside communities.

All tenure-track appointments entail full responsibility for teaching, performing research, advising students, and performing professional and University service.

Non-Tenure Track Appointments

INSTRUCTOR: An appointment requiring a master's degree, or a bachelor's degree and professional qualifications. Such appointments entail full responsibility for teaching undergraduate courses, with limited or no responsibility for advising, research, and service. Appointments shall be for no more than one year, with possible subsequent appointments of up to one year at a time, depending on the University's instructional needs.

LECTURER: An appointment requiring at least a master's degree or equivalent professional qualifications. This position entails full responsibility for teaching courses, advising students, serving on committees, and being active in professional societies. It may also have limited research responsibilities. Appointments are for up to three years followed by possible subsequent appointments of up to three years at a time.

ADJUNCT (Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor): An appointment at this rank is offered to persons not regularly or primarily employed within the academic unit to which the appointment is made. Such individuals--because of training, experience, credentials, and interest--are invited to participate in the teaching, research, and/or instructional programs of academic departments. Ordinarily no remuneration is associated with adjunct appointments, but on the approval of the President, remuneration may be provided for teaching and/or research activities. Appointments shall be for no more than three years with the possibility of subsequent reappointments.

ROTC FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: An appointment conferred upon ROTC officers assigned to duty with the Army or Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps units at the University. The senior commissioned officer of the Army or Air Force units shall be appointed Professor of Military Science or Professor of Aerospace Studies, respectively. Commissioned officers or other warrant officers shall be appointed Assistant Professor of Military Science/Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies or Instructor of Military Science/Instructor of Aerospace Studies. Non-commissioned officers shall be appointed Instructor of Military Science/Instructor of Aerospace Studies. These appointments involve no compensation from the University and terminate when the duty assignment ends.

VISITING (Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor): A guest appointment normally offered to a faculty member from another institution and appointed at the rank of that institution. Responsibilities will normally be similar to those of tenure-track faculty in the department to which the appointment is made. Visiting appointments shall normally be for one year or less.

EMERITUS (Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor): An honorary rank awarded to retirees who have tenure in the professorial ranks and have served the University with distinction. Recommendations for emeritus status shall be made by the members of the retiree's academic department through administrative channels to the President for presentation to the Board of Control (Board of Control Policy 16.8). Emeritus faculty shall be invited to participate in commencement processions and similar ceremonies and be entitled to certain other privileges within the University such as parking and library access.

Non-Faculty Academic Appointments

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT (GRA): A part-time appointment requiring at least one academic degree at the baccalaureate level and awarded to individuals who are enrolled as a full-time graduate student. Graduate Research Assistants are expected to assist faculty on research projects. The appointment is generally granted by the department supervising the research activity and is usually associated with a specific research project, grant, or contract. Appointments are made for up to a year with the possibility of renewals.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT (GTA): A part-time appointment requiring at least one academic degree at the baccalaureate level. It is awarded to individuals who are enrolled as a full-time graduate student. Graduate Teaching Assistants are generally responsible for classroom or laboratory instruction under the supervision of faculty. Appointments are made for up to a year, usually by the department in which they are pursuing graduate work, with the possibility of renewals.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE: An appointment reserved for persons who have recently completed a doctoral degree and are engaged in research and/or teaching for a restricted period under the direction of a faculty mentor. Funding is usually from external sources. Appointments are initially for up to one year, but renewable, depending on funding, for one year periods for up to a maximum of three years.

RESEARCH (Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor): An appointment offered to persons with qualifications commensurate with the research qualifications and the level of accomplishment of a regular tenure-track faculty of the same rank. These appointments entail full responsibility for research activities and limited responsibility for teaching, advising, and service activities. Appointments are initially for up to one year and are renewable depending upon funding for one year periods.

VISITING SCHOLAR: A courtesy appointment granted to a person holding a terminal degree pursuing a research or study program using University facilities and who is sponsored by an academic unit of the University. Ordinarily no remuneration by the University is associated with this appointment. Visiting Scholars are not allowed to pursue consulting work using University resources or facilities. Appointments are made by the sponsoring academic unit and are generally for one year or less. Renewals will normally not be permitted.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF: Professional staff who teach classes will be given faculty appointments at an appropriate level for the period that they are teaching.

NOTE: No changes in definitions shall be applied detrimentally to individuals employed at MTU as of January 25, 1995.

Adopted by Senate: January 25, 1995
Approved by President (with modifications): March 15, 1995
Modifications Adopted by Senate: March 22, 1995
Approved by Board of Control: November 17, 1995

Became Senate Policy 701.1, 701.2, 701.3