Faculty Titles

EMU offers a variety of faculty titles to provide departments and programs flexibility in meeting their teaching, research and program needs. The tenure-track contract system is the primary mode of faculty relationship to the university. Alternative titles may be offered as appointments at the discretion of the deans upon recommendation by department chairs or program directors, and with authorization by the provost. All alternative appointments follow appropriate search and hiring procedures, and use the screening criteria and procedures previously established for the hiring of adjunct and non-tenure-track annual contracts.

Tenure-track contracts

Titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor

Definition: Long-term faculty appointment. Qualifications, duties, terms, and promotion procedures as defined in EMU Faculty Handbook.

Compensation: Regular faculty scale. Summer teaching beyond the 24-semester-hour regular contract is compensated at 75% of scale per semester hour.

Full-time Non-tenure-track Renewable contracts

Titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor

Definition: Person whose qualifications and duties are similar to regular fixed-interval contract faculty, but whose appointment is renewed annually based on the needs of the university. Appointments are half-time or more. Expectations of duties are specified in the letter of appointment.

Compensation: Regular faculty scale

Adjunct

Titles: Adjunct Faculty Member

Definition: Person whose primary employment is not as an EMU faculty member, but is otherwise qualified to teach a particular course either through academic training or professional expertise. Employment as an adjunct is normally part-time and discontinuous.

Compensation: Paid per course at the university adjunct rate.

Lecturers

Titles: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer

Definition: Person who is hired either part-time or full-time whose primary duty is to provide classroom or lab instruction. There are minimal advising expectations and no expectations for scholarship or university service. Qualifications include strong teaching skills and appropriate academic or professional training or experience. Appointment is renewable annually based on university needs. Promotion to Senior Lecturer is indicated after serving successfully as Lecturer for at least five years.

Compensation: Lecturer: 75% of regular scale. Senior Lecturer: 85% of regular scale.

Affiliate

Titles: Affiliate Assistant Professor, Affiliate Associate Professor, Affiliate Professor

Definition: Person who holds a part-time or full-time faculty appointment, but is not eligible for a tenure-track contract. Typically, persons with affiliate appointments have previously been employed outside the academy, but are otherwise qualified for the faculty position. Appointments are made to meet particular university needs and may be renewed on an annual basis. Duty expectations are specified at the point of hire, but typically will include scholarship and service along with teaching. This title may also be used internally to designate affiliation with one department while maintaining primary appointment and salary with another academic or administrative unit in the university. Internal affiliations occur at the recommendation of the “receiving” department and must have the consent of the “sending” department. The nature of the affiliation is specified in writing and approved by the appropriate dean/s.

Compensation: (Applies to external affiliate appointments only.) Regular scale if half-time or more. Less than half time, range between 67% and 85% of scale per semester hour, dependent upon level of scholarship and service expectations.

Of the Practice

Titles: Associate Professor of the Practice, Professor of the Practice

Definition: Person who demonstrates extensive and distinguished service in the practice of a discipline or profession and whose primary university responsibilities are in teaching, advising, and/or service. Normally, person will hold terminal degree in discipline or profession, or equivalent stature based on experience. Rank is based on professional stature and experience.

Compensation: Regular scale if half-time or more. Less than half time, range between 67% and 85% of scale per semester hour, dependent upon level of additional expectations beyond teaching.

Research

Titles: Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Research Professor

Definition: Person who meets the research qualifications of the rank and whose primary duties are related to ongoing research in a university department or center. Person may teach on a limited basis as appropriate and/or permitted by funder.

Compensation: Normally, compensation will come entirely from external grants and contracts supporting the research. Salary is negotiated with the funder, but should be commensurate with the regular faculty scale. If teaching is not supported by the funder, compensation will be 67% of scale per semester hour.

Clinical

Titles: Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Professor

Definition: Person whose primary duties are to provide training, instruction or mentoring in the practice of a discipline or profession. Typically, this title is used in disciplines or professions that require licensure, but may be used for analogous purposes in other disciplines or departments. Specific duties and terms of the appointment are specified in the letter of appointment. Rank is determined by relevant academic and professional accomplishments.

Compensation: Regular scale if half-time or more. Less than half time, range between 67% and 85% of scale per semester hour, dependent upon level of scholarship and service expectations.

Artist-in-Residence

Titles: Artist-in-Residence, Distinguished Artist-in-Residence

Definition: Person in the creative or performing arts whose duties are related to artistic practice. These may include lectures, performances, demonstrations or master classes. Qualifications are based on superior proficiency and artistic excellence recognized by peers. Rank is based on experience and stature. Terms of appointment may vary and are specified in the letter of appointment.

Compensation: Negotiated on case-by-case basis.

Scholar-in-Residence

Titles: Scholar-in-Residence, Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence

Definition: Person with a strong record of research or scholarly activity whose duties are primarily focused on scholarly practice or research. Duties may include guest lectures, classes or demonstrations as appropriate. Qualifications are previous experience and promise of productivity during the time of appointment. Rank is based on experience and stature. Terms of appointment may vary are specified in the letter of appointment.

Compensation: Negotiated on case-by-case basis.

Visiting

Appended to any of above titles as appropriate.

Definition: Normally intended for person with a regular faculty appointment in another institution who desires affiliation with EMU for a limited period of time.

Compensation: Normally used as an uncompensated courtesy appointment, with EMU providing space and institutional resources as available. If compensated, regular scale if half-time or more. Less than half time, range between 67% and 85% of scale per semester hour, dependent upon level of scholarship and service expectations

Distinguished

Appended to any of above titles as appropriate.

Definition: Honor bestowed on rare occasions to a faculty member whose accomplishments in his/her field have earned national or international renown for the faculty member and the university. Such a person’s work may be considered “field-shaping” or “paradigm-shifting.” Teaching load and other duties are determined on a case-by-case basis, and may include activities beyond normal teaching, scholarship, and service expectations (e.g., “public intellectual” or “university ambassador” work).

Compensation: Regular faculty scale. May be considered for Category C.

Senior

Appended to any of above titles as appropriate.

Definition: Normally intended for persons who have had a significant record of service at EMU, but desire to reduce their involvement prior to retirement or to remain connected after retirement. Expectations are normally for teaching only, and are negotiated course by course, based on department or program needs. Specific duties and terms of the appointment are specified in the letter of appointment.

Compensation: Ranges between 67% and 85% of scale per semester hour, dependent upon level of scholarship and service expectations.

Note: For all titles, compensation of part-time teaching is capped at a maximum salary established by the Academic Cabinet.

Approved by Academic Cabinet, May 12, 2010

Approved by President’s Cabinet, May 12, 2010

Revision approved by Academic Cabinet, November 13, 2012

Revision approved by President’s Cabinet, November 14, 2012

Updated by Academic Cabinet, April 9, 2014

Responsible Party

The provost is responsible for this policy.

Policy Review

This policy is to be reviewed annually.