CURRENT POLICIES ON FULL-TIME NON-TENURE TRACK FACULTY
These policies replace those in the 1987 USC Faculty Handbook. They were approved by Academic Senate Resolution 95/96-05 on March 20, 1996 and modified slightly by Academic Senate Resolutions 96/97-15, 96/97-16, and 96/97-17 on May 7, 1997. (The section called 2.5 in the new version below replaces Section 2.4d3 in the 1987 Handbook.)
Posted May 13, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Policies Governing Full-time Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Academic Definitions And Designations
2.5. Policies Governing Full-time Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Every school is required to maintain a written statement of policy on non-tenure track faculty. Proposed non-tenure track faculty policies of a school are formulated with the concurrence of the Dean and the tenure track faculty, e.g. the tenure track faculty on the elected faculty council or, in some smaller units, the entire tenure track faculty. The statement of policy will be submitted for approval by the Provost.
For each proposed statement of policy submitted for review, the Provost will seek the advice of the Academic Senate Executive Board on whether (1) the procedure used in formulating and endorsing the policy provided adequate means for the faculty to fulfill its responsibility for matters of faculty academic status; (2) the content of the proposed school policy is consistent with the university requirements set out below; and (3) the proposed policy has no adverse university-wide implications. School policies determined by the Senate Executive Board to meet the standards set out in this paragraph need not be considered by the full Academic Senate according to the process used for revisions of the Faculty Handbook.
Statements in this section in standard type apply to all schools- Statements in bold type indicate issues that every school policy must address in order to be approved.
a. Academic Freedom and Faculty Rights
Academic freedom protects all faculty -- non-tenure track faculty as well as tenure track faculty, with the understanding that all faculty have responsibilities set out in the Faculty Handbook.
b. Categories of Non-Tenure Track Faculty
All categories of non-tenure track faculty as described in Section 2.2.c. to be available for use in a school must be specified in the school policy.
c. Maintaining the Tenure System
1. An individual holding a probationary appointment in the tenure track faculty must, by the end of the probationary period, either be granted tenure or be given a terminal appointment; such an individual cannot be retained on a non-tenured full-time basis past the maximum probationary period unless under extraordinary circumstances and with the approval of the Provost, including use of a non-tenure track faculty title.
2. When there is a proposal to shift an individual from tenure track faculty status to non-tenure track status (before the end of the probationary period), documentation will be submitted for the Provost's review to show that the individual actually will have the work profile of a non-tenure track rather than a tenure track faculty member.
3. Each school policy will set a limit for the maximum number of non-tenure track faculty appointments, as a percentage of tenure-track faculty appointments, so as to preserve the tenure system as the basic form of faculty appointment.
4. The University has no obligation to renew a non-tenure track faculty appointment.
5. When a non-tenure track faculty member is renewed for more than three continuous years, documentation will be submitted for the Provost's review to show that the individual has the work profile of a non-tenure track rather than a tenure-track faculty member.
The contract for each non-tenure track faculty member must specify the length of the appointment and the duties of the appointment. The contract shall make clear that the non-tenure track faculty appointment does not count toward a probationary period and therefore does not require consideration for tenure. A signed copy of the non-tenure track faculty member's acceptance must be filed with the appropriate vice-president prior to commencement of employment.
1. Procedures for appointment, reappointment and promotion shall provide thoroughness and documentation sufficient for evaluation of the suitability and qualifications of the candidate and review and recommendation by an appropriate faculty body. Procedures for reappointment and promotion do not apply to individuals on non-renewable contracts.
2. Each school policy must address the question of review and recommendation procedures for appointment, reappointment or mid-contract termination of non-tenure track faculty. The procedures should be recommended by an appropriate faculty body and the Dean and approved by the Academic Senate Executive Board and the Provost as provided in these rules.
3. Wherever possible, non-tenure track faculty shall be provided with contracts longer than one year. Such contracts may provide for termination earlier than their stipulated end, with a minimum of 90 days notice, if there is a bona fide need to do so (a) based on cutbacks in external sources of funding for the specific activity, (b) based on substantial program change, or substantial resource limitations in the school, or (c) based upon poor performance, in which case the Dean must consult first with the same faculty body as in d.1. and d.2. above. Contract termination must be in accord with procedures specified in the Faculty Handbook. Thus, the same due process procedures available to tenured faculty members must also be provided in fact to non-tenured faculty in instances of prospective dismissal for cause before the expiration of a non-tenured faculty member's contract.
Full-time non-tenure track faculty are treated equally with tenure track faculty with respect to all fringe benefits as defined in the Faculty Handbook in Sec. 4.0. However, Visiting Faculty with appointments of up to one year are not eligible for pension benefits.
School policies may also extend eligibility for sabbatical leaves for research or other scholarly activity (consistent with the candidate's expected faculty profile) or other perquisites of tenure track faculty on an individual basis, or may provide for such extension on the basis of individual negotiation.
Each school must have active participation from non-tenure track faculty members on non-tenure track faculty policies. The Academic Senate Constitution has provisions concerning participation in faculty governance by non-tenure track faculty.
Faculty Handbook, Sec. 2.0-2.2
2.0 Governance: Academic Policies And Practices
2.1 Governance Of The University
Policies and practices of the University derive from the total body of charter provisions, bylaws, resolutions, and Presidential directives by which the corporate staff is guided, as well as by policies and regulations initiated and/or recommended by the Academic Senate, the Provost's Council, the Staff Assembly, and the Student Senate, as approved by the President.
2.2 Academic Definitions And Designations
a. The Faculty
Faculty are defined (expanding Section 1.5) as those properly appointed members of the teaching and research staffs holding the regular and non-tenure track faculty titles listed in Sections 2.2.b. and 2.2.c. below. Academic staff such as research or teaching associates, or graduate assistants (teaching, laboratory, research assistants or assistant lectures), distinguished practitioners, or others in affiliated areas are not designated as faculty.
Faculty academic status and matters related thereto are primarily a faculty responsibility. This includes appointments, reappointments, decisions not to reappoint, promotion, the granting of tenure, and dismissal.
Other areas of primary responsibility include curriculum, subject matter and methods of instruction, and research.
Regular faculty, normally appointed on a full-time basis, are tenured, have continuing appointment, or have probationary status. They are appointed to one of the following ranks:
Instructor
Appointed on an annual basis with the possibility of renewal. Entry-level position. Appointment at the Instructor rank is generally for those who have not yet completed their terminal degree. Must be approved by the appropriate vice-president or the Provost.
Assistant Professor
Appointed on an annual basis with the possibility of renewal. Entry-level position, generally, for those who have completed their terminal degree. Must be approved by the appropriate vice-president or the Provost.
Associate Professor
Generally carries tenure. (For new appointments, see Probationary Period, Section 2.4. d. 1.)
Professor
Highest regular faculty rank. Generally carries tenure. (For new appointments, see Probationary Period, Section 2.4.d.l.)
The following modifiers to professorial ranks may be used. They are subject to final approval by the President.
Distinguished Professor
Awarded on a very selective basis to those few professors in the University who have brought special renown to the University through their accomplishments.
University Professor
Awarded to a small number of professors who, because of their multidisciplinary interests and significant accomplishments in several disciplines, qualify for an appointment which transcends any single field of study. Generally, a faculty member accorded this title also has a regular faculty appointment in a specific academic unit.
Named Professor
Awarded to a distinguished faculty member in a specific discipline who is supported wholly or in part by funds given for this purpose. These appointments are generally made on a one-year or other short-term basis, subject to renewal depending on the practices and customs of the school in which the appointment is made.
Librarians I-IV
Librarians I, 11, III, and IV are regular faculty with titles corresponding to Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor respectively. Law Librarians I-IV are eligible for tenure. Librarians I-IV in the Central Library System and the Health Sciences Library System are eligible for continuing appointment.
Non-tenure track faculty are those on appointments which do not lead to consideration for tenure. They may be appointed on a full-time or part-time basis, as specified below. All initial appointments of non-tenure track faculty must be approved by the cognizant vice-president or the Provost.
Non-tenure-track faculty are appointed to fixed-term renewable contracts. The date on which appointment ends shall be specified in the letter of appointment. That letter also constitutes adequate notice of nonreappointment, unless rescinded by a later written agreement. Individuals on fixed-term renewable contracts should be given a minimum of 90 days notice of reminder if their contracts are not to be renewed.
The titles and modifiers below are restricted to non-tenure track faculty:
Lecturer
An individual engaged solely in teaching (and teaching-related duties) with no obligation for research or University service. Such an appointment may be up to three years, part-time or full-time.
Senior Lecturer (Special Skills)
An individual engaged solely in teaching (and teaching related duties) with no obligation for research or university service. Such an appointment may be made, based on careful academic review, following three years of full-time service as lecturer. Appointments as senior lecturer (special skills) are restricted to individuals teaching special skills which, although important to the academic enterprise, are ancillary to the central academic purpose of a degree-granting program and unit.
Special skills teaching is authorized for the teaching of undergraduate or professional school courses in the American Language Institute, foreign languages, laboratories (directors), Freshman Writing, business communications, business law, computer programming, musical instruments, acting, and technical aspects of cinema/TV. The President of the University may from time to time approve, after appropriate consultation, new categories of special skills lecturers.
Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure Track)
Designates faculty who have recently attained their degrees who are involved in research and teaching with no obligation for university service. Such an appointment may be made, based on careful academic review, for a term of up to three years with no possibility of renewal.
Adjunct
Designates an individual whose professional accomplishments qualify him/her for a ranked position on the faculty to teach in an area of special expertise. (Part-time only). The term is used to modify the titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor (such as "Adjunct Associate Professor").
Research
Designates an individual conducting research, principally on external funding, usually associated with a center, institute, or laboratory rather than a degree-granting, department. May engage only in limited teaching and only as an ancillary responsibility. The term is used to modify the titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor (such as " Research Assistant Professor").
Visiting
Designates temporary, faculty who are: (a) citizens of another country limited by their visas to temporary service; (b) on leave from another university or college; or (c) on leave from industry, government, or the professions. The term is used to modify the titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor (such as Visiting Associate Professor). Not appropriate for other full-time non-tenured faculty who are hired on a short-term or temporary basis. Appointed on an annual basis. May be renewed only once.
Clinical
Designates faculty primarily involved in clinical practice rather than teaching or research. (Part-time only.) The term is used to modify the titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor (such Clinical Associate Professor).
Professor of Clinical (Subject)
An individual usually on external funding, and engaged in teaching or research only as an ancillary responsibility. Usually located in a health service delivery department (e.g., a Department of Anesthesiology). In this case "Clinical" modifies the discipline rather than the rank and a location shall be specified (e.g., Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at the L.A. County / USC Medical Center).
Clinical Professor of Law
Designates faculty primarily involved in skills teaching through representation of clients and simulation exercises.
Professor of Research (Subject)
A Medical School title only. Equivalent to RESEARCH title described above.
Emeritus
Conferred upon tenure-track or full-time non-tenure track faculty members at the time of their retirement from the University with at least ten years of service. Conferred by the Provost upon the recommendation of the appropriate department or school and cognizant dean . Emeriti faculty may be offered full-time or part-time employment with the University for a specified term, subject to the approval of the Provost, as provided in Section 4.2.
The following titles are appropriate for individuals of special expertise or renown who come to the campus on a temporary basis (usually one year or less) with or without compensation and who are not members of the faculty:
Artist in Residence
Executive in Residence
Scholar in Residence
Writer in Residence
Postdoctoral Fellow
Visiting Scholar
Visiting Critic
Such titles are conferred upon the recommendation of the cognizant administrator of an academic unit. That administrator is responsible for informing the Provost of the conferring of this designation and its duration. These individuals shall be accorded courtesy privileges for the use of the libraries and other research facilities, eligibility for parking, bookstore privileges, and office space as available.