91ɬÂþ

POLICY #6.0
SUBJECT: Definition of Faculty

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to define and differentiate the various categories of “faculty” recognized at Southern Utah University and to outline the employment terms inherent in each Faculty designation.

II. REFERENCES

1. Southern Utah University Policy 6.1 Faculty Evaluation, Promotion and Tenure
2. Southern Utah University Policy 6.27 Faculty Workload
3. Southern Utah University Policy 6.38 Faculty Hiring

III. DEFINITIONS

1. Faculty: The Faculty consist of personnel appointed by the University for the purpose of carrying out one or more of the following primary functions of the university: academic instruction and technical training, and enlargement of knowledge through scholarly or creative activity. Included are personnel whose appointments carry the titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, clinical Faculty, emeritus Faculty, professional-in-residence, visiting Faculty, lecturers, and adjunct Faculty.
   
   Selected members of the administration may also hold Faculty status and rank if recommended by appropriate departmental Faculty and approved by the Board of Trustees as per 91ɬÂþ policy.

IV. POLICY

1. Faculty hold professional positions which are exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
2. Faculty positions are established in academic departments and in the library of the University.
3. Faculty members receive appointments in one of the following four (4) separate categories: 1) tenured or tenure-track appointments, 2) term appointments without eligibility for tenure, 3) special appointments without eligibility for tenure, and 4) emeritus appointment. The selection of persons to fill positions in any of the categories defined below should be carried out in a manner consistent with established criteria and in accord with University commitments to affirmative action and equal opportunity.

1. 1. Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty: An employment status in a budgeted and full-time (nine [9] months or more) instructional or library position in a department, and holding academic ranks as a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor either with tenure or tenure-track pursuant to Policy 6.1, individuals in administrative positions may also hold a Faculty position and be awarded tenure in an academic program. Tenured and tenure-track Faculty are expected to engage in teaching, scholarship/creative activities, and service as per Policy 6.1. They also have the responsibility for approved University curriculum and the learning quality of courses. Benefits of full-time status are accorded.
      
      Initial appointments to the rank of assistant professor or to a higher academic rank require the terminal degree in the teaching discipline. In exceptional cases, prominence in the field in which the Faculty member will have primary teaching responsibility may substitute for a terminal degree. Indicators/attributes for prominence and experience are articulated at the time of hiring by the search committee and the Department Chair, and are subject to action by the Dean and Provost.
   2. Term appointments without eligibility for tenure:
      1. Lecturer: Initial appointments to the rank of lecturer or to a higher academic lecturer rank (assistant professor, associate professor) require a master’s degree in the discipline (or a master’s degree and 18 graduate hours in the field) in which the Faculty member will have primary teaching responsibility. Further, these Faculty members are expected to provide service to the University, college and/or department. Employment contracts for these Faculty members are annually renewed and may be determined for up to five (5) years, with a potential for renewal. Benefits of full-time status are accorded.
      2. Clinical Faculty: Professionally licensed and/or credentialed individuals whose primary instructional contribution is supervising students in on-site clinical practicum, residency, and internship programs. Clinical Faculty provide course instruction as deemed necessary by the department, and maintain some engagement in professional clinical practice.
         
         Part-time Clinical Faculty are appointed to the rank of Clinical Instructor, and have no expectation of rank advancement. Part-time Clinical Faculty are appointed to temporary contracts, based on departmental need.
         
         Full-time Clinical Faculty are appointed to the rank of Assistant Clinical Professor, Associate Clinical Professor, or Clinical Professor depending on their professional experience and qualifications, years of service to 91ɬÂþ, and departmental criteria. Clinical Faculty ranks are awarded by the department chair, in consultation with program Faculty, the Dean, and the Provost’s Office. Applications for rank advancement follow departmental policies.
         
         Clinical Faculty appointments do not lead to tenure but those holding part-time or full-time positions may serve on department committees, and represent their departments in governance proceedings. Examples of Clinical Faculty may include student teacher supervisors, cooperative teachers, clinical supervisors, etc. Clinical Faculty have an expectation of ongoing employment, with an initial appointment of up to three (3) years. Contracts for the rank of Assistant Clinical Professor shall not exceed three (3) years, and are renewable. Contracts for individuals at the rank of Associate Clinical Professor or Clinical Professor should not exceed five (5) years, and are renewable. Annual reviews and promotion decisions for Clinical Faculty are made at the department level within their program, in consultation with the Dean over the academic department or College/School. The expectation of current licensure is required for continued employment.
      3. Adjunct/Part-time Faculty: Individuals having professional or specialized training, employed on a temporary or part-time basis, to provide instruction or instructional related services for one or more credit bearing courses. Such appointment has no significance for achieving or holding tenure. An adjunct Faculty must be appointed by an academic Dean for a specific period of time, but usually on a semester-by-semester basis. Conditions for appointment as an adjunct Faculty member at the University are that the individual will have at least a master’s degree in the teaching field or a master’s degree and 18 graduate credit hours in the teaching field or that the individual brings a special expertise or honor to a program or academic unit.
         
         Appointees to these positions shall not have the right to vote on matters relating to appointments, retention, tenure, or promotion. Appointees shall not be counted among the number of Faculty members in a representation area for purposes of apportioning membership in the Faculty Senate, shall not be eligible for election to the Faculty Senate, and shall not be eligible to vote for members of the Faculty Senate
   3. Special appointments without eligibility for tenure:
      1. Professional-in-Residence: A professional-in-residence or artist-in-residence requires prominence and experience in the field the appointee will be teaching, or a specialized certification in the discipline. Indicators/attributes for prominence and experience are articulated at the time of hiring by the Department Chair, and are subject to action by the Dean and Provost.
      2. Visiting Faculty: An employment status of intermittent or limited duration in a department. The appointment may be honorary, distinguished or made on the basis of extensive experience in a discipline. Visiting Faculty receive and are accorded full benefits and may be listed among departmental Faculty in University publications. Degree requirements are those demanded by the appropriate department, but a minimum of a master’s degree is required in the teaching field or a master’s degree and 18 credit hours in the field. The department specifies expectations of instruction, scholarship, and service.
      3. Faculty hired as emergency appointments do not go through the vetting process outlined in 91ɬÂþ Policy 6.38. As such, faculty hired as emergency appointments are "at will" employees. Due to this classification, they are not entitled to any due process rights as afforded to some faculty in other policy(ies), regardless of title.
   4. Emeritus Faculty: An honorary status bestowed upon Faculty who have formally and officially retired from the University pursuant to policy and who are accepted by the department as emeriti. University benefits are limited to those specified at the time of retirement. Emeritus status does not preclude individuals from accepting positions as part-time Faculty or adjunct/wage-rated Faculty as defined.

V. RELEVANT FORMS/LINKS

N/A

VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE

The responsible office for this Policy is the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

VII. POLICY ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT DATES

Date Approved: May 4, 2001

Amended: May 6, 2005; January 18, 2019; August 12, 2021; June 9, 2023