Appendix C
PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE FACULTY OF EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
[1]

 

I.    Selection and Appointment of New Faculty

A.  Determination of Number and Nature of Positions

Needed allocation of positions is the prerogative of the vice chancellor for academic affairs, the vice chancellor for health sciences and the vice chancellor for student life, as appropriate.

 

The unit administrator is responsible for recommending through administrative channels to the vice chancellor for academic affairs, the vice chancellor for health sciences, or the vice chancellor for student life the number and nature of positions needed to carry on the functions of the unit.

 

The unit administrator, in keeping with the mission of the unit and the institutional context, shall follow the provisions of the unit code in making recommendations concerning the number and nature of positions needed.

 

B. Selection Procedure

The unit administrator shall notify the unit personnel committee of the number and nature of positions allocated to the unit. The actual selection process must then proceed in accordance with Appendix D, Tenure and Promotion Policies and Procedures and Part VI, General Personnel Information, the most recently revised Affirmative Action Plan, and applicable unit code provisions.

 

C.  General Criteria[2] 

For appointment, as well as reappointment and promotion, the faculty member is evaluated on potential or achievements in:

·        Teaching

·        Creative Activity/Research

·        Service to the university, the profession, and the community.  East Carolina University recognizes the primary importance of teaching.

1.   Teaching

East Carolina University expects each member of the faculty to have knowledge of subject matter commensurate with one's teaching assignment, to maintain awareness of developments in one's discipline, and to communicate to students one's knowledge of and interest in the discipline. The faculty member will encourage students in responsible and careful inquiry, in appreciation of the interrelation of various disciplines, and in recognition of the uses of learning and the value of the educated mind.  Teaching includes activities and responsibilities beyond the classroom setting, e.g., advisement; mentoring; laboratory supervision; clinical rounds by a physician/professor accompanied by students; the direction of research projects and papers, dissertations, and theses; and other contacts and relationships outside the classroom.  (Faculty Senate Resolution #97-43, December 1997)

2.   Creative Activity/Research

East Carolina University encourages and supports the continuing efforts of faculty to develop a deeper appreciation of the importance of professional competency acquired through scholarship, research, and other creative activities appropriate to one's discipline. A faculty member's research and creative activities shall reflect the high professional standards incumbent upon those who enjoy full academic freedom; such activities must be measured by standards of quality, not merely by quantity.

3.   Service

East Carolina University considers service to the university, the academic profession, and the community as an important aspect of academic performance. (See Section III.)

 

D. Requirements for ranks and titles

1.   General Provisions

Appointments are made at the academic ranks of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. These are the only ranks which may involve a permanent tenure commitment. Appointments to all other titles are for a definite term and do not involve a permanent tenure commitment.

 

The following are the minimum required qualifications which may be considered when making appointments.

 

2.   Ranks of Tenure-Track appointments

Instructor

·        has evidence of a sound educational background for the specific position, or has
equivalent professional experience

·        has completed most or all the requirements for the appropriate terminal degree

·        has demonstrable proof that the degree will be obtained within a short period of time as agreed upon by the academic unit and the appointing officer

·        has demonstrated potential for effective teaching

·        has demonstrated potential for effective clinical practice in disciplines where appropriate

 

Assistant Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous rank

·        holds the appropriate terminal degree, as evaluated by the academic unit and affirmed by the appointing officer and the profession concerned

·        shows evidence of potential for continued professional growth in teaching effectiveness, creative activity, or research

·        has ability and willingness to participate in departmental, college, and university affairs

·        has membership in professional organizations

·        has demonstrated expertise in clinical practice in disciplines where appropriate

 

Associate Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous rank

·        has demonstrated teaching effectiveness

·        has a record of creative or research activity resulting in publication or comparable productivity

·        has demonstrated ability and willingness to participate in department, college, and university affairs

·        has a record of effective service to the profession

·        has a record of effective clinical practice in disciplines where appropriate

 

Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous rank

·        has an established record of excellence in teaching

·        has a significant record of creative or research activity resulting in publication or comparable productivity

·        has demonstrated excellent ability and willingness to participate in department, college, and university affairs

·        has a record of significant service to the profession

·        has a record of effective clinical practice in disciplines where appropriate

 

3.   Titles of Fixed-Term Appointments

 

a.   Faculty with duties primarily in instruction

Teaching Instructor

·        holds, at a minimum, a master’s degree appropriate to the area of instruction, or has equivalent professional experience

·        has demonstrated potential for effective teaching

 

Teaching Assistant Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        holds the appropriate terminal degree, as evaluated by the academic unit and affirmed by the appointing officer and the profession concerned

·        has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching

 

Teaching Associate Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has demonstrated superior teaching ability

·        engages in professional development activities

 

Teaching Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has demonstrated excellence in teaching

·        engages in professional development activities

·        has demonstrated a degree of proficiency sufficient to establish an excellent reputation among colleagues

·        is qualified and competent in mentoring others (such as graduate students, teaching instructors, etc.)

 

b.   Faculty with duties primarily in research

Research faculty are typically externally funded. Research faculty are encouraged to give seminars and teach occasional courses in their specialty. Teaching is at the discretion of the unit and the availability of funds.

Research Instructor

·        holds a minimum of a master’s degree appropriate for the specific position or has equivalent professional experience

·        has demonstrated potential for effective research

·        should be capable of carrying out individual research or should be trained in research procedures

·        should have had the experience and specialized training necessary to develop and interpret data required for success in such research projects as may be undertaken

 

Research Assistant Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        holds the appropriate terminal degree, as evaluated by the academic unit and affirmed by the appointing officer and the profession concerned

·        has demonstrated effectiveness in research

·        is qualified and competent to direct the work of others (such as technicians, graduate students, etc)

 

Research Associate Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has extensive successful experience in scholarly or creative endeavors

·        has the ability to propose, develop, and manage major research projects

 

Research Professor.

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has demonstrated a degree of proficiency sufficient to establish an excellent reputation among colleagues

·        has demonstrated scholarly production in research, publications, professional achievements or other distinguished and creative activity

 

c.   Faculty with duties primarily in clinical teaching

Clinical Instructor

·        holds, at a minimum, a graduate degree appropriate for the specific position or has equivalent professional experience

·        has demonstrated potential in clinical practice and teaching in the field

 

Clinical Assistant Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        holds the appropriate professional degree, as evaluated by the academic unit and affirmed by the appointing officer and the profession concerned

·        has training and experience in an area of specialization

·        has demonstrated expertise in clinical practice and teaching in the field

 

Clinical Associate Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has extensive successful experience in clinical or professional practice in a field of specializations, or in a subdivision of the field, and in working with and/or directing others (such as professionals, faculty members, graduate students, etc) in clinical activities in the field

·        has demonstrated superior teaching ability

 

Clinical Professor

·        has qualifications of the previous title

·        has demonstrated a degree of sustained excellence in clinical practice and teaching sufficient to establish an outstanding reputation among colleagues

d.   Additional faculty titles

Artist-in-Residence; Writer-in-Residence. These titles may be used to designate temporary appointments, at any salary and experience level, of persons who are serving for a limited time or part-time, and who are not intended to be considered for professorial appointment.

 

Adjunct Instructor; Adjunct Assistant Professor; Adjunct Associate Professor; Adjunct Professor. These titles are used to appoint outstanding persons who have a primary employment responsibility outside the university or in a different department in the university, and who bring some specific professional expertise to the academic program. These positions are typically unfunded.

 

Affiliate Instructor; Affiliate Assistant Professor; Affiliate Associate Professor; Affiliate Professor. These titles are used in the School of Medicine to appoint outstanding persons who have a primary employment responsibility outside the university and who bring some specific professional expertise to the academic program. These positions are typically unfunded.

 

Visiting Instructor; Visiting Assistant Professor; Visiting Associate Professor; Visiting Professor. The prefix “visiting” before an academic title is used to designate a short-term full or part time appointment without tenure. Therefore the visiting title shall not be used for periods of time beyond the initial contract period. It shall be used only for those fixed-term faculty members who are visitors, temporary replacements, or for whose disciplines the institution in good faith expects to have only a short-term need. Use of the visiting title for an individual for more than 3 years is a misuse of this title.

 

4.   Emeritus status

The titles “emeritus” and “emerita” will be conferred upon those retired faculty, including those on Phased Retirement, who have made a significant contribution to the university through a long and distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and/or service.

 

E.  Initial Appointment

Appointment to the faculty is made by the chancellor or his/her designee.[3] Criteria for evaluation of faculty performance shall be provided in writing and discussed before initial employment.  A record of this discussion shall be placed in the faculty member's personnel file.  Any action conferring permanent tenure with the initial appointment requires approval of the board of trustees. The initial contract shall be signed by the chancellor, or his designee, and the appointee. This contract shall be accompanied by and elaborated on by a letter signed by the chancellor, or his designee, and a letter signed by the unit administrator.

 

The chancellor's letter shall specify rank or title; salary; length of appointment; and tenure status, whether fixed term, probationary term appointment, or appointment with permanent tenure (ECU Faculty Manual, Appendix D). The unit administrator's letter shall establish the specific conditions of employment.

 

 



[1]For other policies and procedures dealing with faculty appointments, see ECU Faculty Manual, Appendix D.

 

[2]These criteria are not designed to be used for persons with administrative rank to evaluate their administrative service.  Criteria for that purpose shall be developed by proper administrative authority.

 

[3]Reference to the chancellor's designee shall include and be limited to the vice chancellor of academic affairs, vice chancellor for student life, or the vice chancellor for health sciences.