Ranks

The following definitions of academic rank are based on the premise that a vital University depends on the active participation of all of its members. Inherent in this charge are the basic activities of research, teaching, community outreach, and governance and professionally related service. All personnel decisions will reflect the need to create and maintain a diverse faculty. The academic ranks in the faculty and the minimum criteria for each rank are:

Emeritus: The Emeritus rank may be awarded upon retirement in recognition of outstanding performance.

Professor: A faculty member will normally not be considered for promotion to Professor until the fourth year in rank as an Associate Professor. Exceptions will be made only in extraordinary cases. Consideration for the promotion immediately upon eligibility should occur only on the basis of extraordinary achievement. Length of time in rank is not a sufficient reason for promotion.

Promotion to the rank of Professor requires the individual to have made significant contributions to knowledge as a result of the person's scholarship, whether demonstrated through the scholarship of research, teaching, or community outreach. The candidate's scholarly portfolio should document a record of distinguished accomplishments using the criteria for quality and significance of scholarship (see II. D). Effectiveness in teaching, research, or community outreach must meet an acceptable standard when it is part of a faculty member's responsibilities. Finally, promotion to the rank of professor requires the faculty member to have provided leadership or significant contributions to the governance and professionally-related services activities of the university.

Associate Professor: A faculty member will not be eligible for consideration for promotion to Associate Professor until the third year in rank as an Assistant Professor. In the usual course of events, promotion to Associate Professor and granting of indefinite tenure should be considered concurrently, in the sixth year in rank as an Assistant Professor. Exceptions which result in the consideration for the promotion immediately upon eligibility should occur only on the basis of extraordinary achievement. Length of time in rank is not a sufficient reason for promotion.

Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor requires the individual to have made contributions to knowledge as a result of the person's scholarship, whether demonstrated through the scholarship of research, teaching, or community outreach. High quality and significance are the essential criteria for evaluation. Effectiveness in teaching, research, or community outreach must meet an acceptable standard when it is part of a faculty member's responsibilities. Finally, promotion to the rank of associate professor requires the faculty member to have performed his or her fair share of governance and professionally-related service activities of the University.

Assistant Professor: Appointees to the rank of Assistant Professor ordinarily hold the highest earned degree in their fields of specialization. Rare exception to this requirement may be made when there is evidence of outstanding achievements and professional recognition in the candidate's field of expertise. In most fields, the doctorate will be expected.

Senior Instructor: The rank of Senior Instructor is used in those cases where the nature of the assignment requires special skills or experience in the instructional program but does not warrant the rank of Assistant Professor and in those cases where the performance of the individual could warrant the award of tenure.

Instructor: Appointees to the rank of Instructor ordinarily hold an advanced degree associated with their fields of specialization or have comparable experience. An instructor at 0.50 or more is appointed for a period of one year, may be reappointed, and can only be awarded tenure with concurrent promotion to the rank of Senior Instructor or Assistant Professor. Normally persons appointed at the rank of Instructor are not eligible for consideration for promotion within the first year of their appointment.

Fellow: This rank may be used in a variety of cases when individuals are associated with the institution for limited periods of time for their further training or experience.

Professorial Research Appointments: Professorial ranks will be available for faculty on Senior Research Appointments. Such appointments are for fixed-term faculty who are primarily engaged in research at a level normally appropriate for a professorial rank. Ranks for these appointments are Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, and Research Professor. The appointment status is "Other", and the title is "Research Associate-Senior Research." These faculty are identified as Assistant Professor-Senior Research, Associate Professor-Senior Research, and Professor-Senior Research.

Research Associate and Senior Research Associate: These ranks are appropriate for appointment of faculty whose primary responsibility is the conduct of independent research. Such appointees will normally hold the doctoral degree or the highest degree appropriate to the field.

Research Assistant and Senior Research Assistant: These ranks are appropriate for appointment of faculty whose primary responsibility is the conduct of research under supervision. Such appointees will hold a degree appropriate to the research skills required.

Conversion of a Research Associate to Assistant Professor-Senior Research is based on the nature of the position, its intended duration and responsibilities, and the incumbent's record of scholarly accomplishment and responsibilities. The conversion must be approved by the Dean and Provost. Promotion to Associate Professor-Senior Research and Professor-Senior Research requires the customary University promotion review.