Adjunct Faculty
Date of Current Revision: July 2002
Responsible Officer: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- PURPOSE
This policy is designed to provide for the appointment of adjunct faculty members at James Madison University. The university recognizes the contribution made to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the institution by the dedicated group of faculty members who teach on a part-time basis or those who serve in a significant capacity without compensation. In appropriate cases, these individuals can be recognized by the award of adjunct rank.
- AUTHORITY
The Board of Visitors is authorized to enact personnel policies for all employees of the university. Where the Board has not exercised this authority, it is delegated to the President.
- DEFINITIONS
Adjunct:
An honorific title that may be granted to a person who teaches at the university on a part-time basis or who serves the university in a significant capacity without compensation. The title denotes an individual who is more than simply a part-time faculty member. - APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all adjunct faculty members at the university.
- POLICY
Persons employed in part-time teaching or those who serve in a significant capacity without compensation, can be appointed to an adjunct faculty rank under the appropriate conditions
- PROCEDURES
6.1 Eligibility
The conditions for appointment as an adjunct faculty member at the university are as follows:
- The individual has academic or other qualifications which could qualify the individual for appointment as a full-time faculty member at the rank of Instructor or higher,
- The individual brings a special expertise or honor to a program or academic unit, and
- There is a high likelihood of the individual's continued employment or service to the university on at least a part-time basis.
6.2 Rank
The rank awarded, Adjunct Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Lecturer, or Adjunct Instructor will be commensurate with the academic qualifications and professional experience of the individual.
6.3 Duration of adjunct appointment
Adjunct appointments will be made for and reviewed at periods of time as specified by the Department Head or other academic administrator on the Personnel Action Request (PAR) form (see Appendix A). Adjunct status may be removed at the discretion of the university at any time.
6.4 Effect of adjunct appointment
Time spent in an adjunct rank will not be counted toward the award of tenure. Award of adjunct rank does not constitute a guarantee of future employment at the university.
6.5 Procedures for appointment
Nominations for appointments to adjunct faculty rank are made by the appropriate academic unit head to the Dean of the college. The dean then makes a recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If Graduate Faculty status is recommended, the recommendation must be approved by the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. Recommendations must contain a full description of the qualifications of the individual and the justification for adjunct status. The decision on adjunct status rests with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President will notify the faculty member, the academic unit head, the dean of the college to which the adjunct will be assigned, the President, and the Board of Visitors of the award of adjunct status.
6.6 Assignments and responsibilities of adjunct faculty member
The responsibilities of an adjunct faculty are assigned by the Department Head or other academic administrator and are specified in writing.
6.7 Privileges of adjunct faculty member
Privileges of an adjunct faculty member include:
- Listing in the General Catalog and the Graduate Catalog, if a member of the Graduate faculty.
- Use of the Library and other University facilities (other than computer resources, use of which is limited and will require special permission) upon the same basis as that enjoyed by full-time faculty members.
- Participation in scheduled University activities, events, and meetings upon the same basis as full-time faculty members.
- RESPONSIBILITIES
The academic unit heads are responsible for nominating appropriate individuals for adjunct status.
The deans are responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs on any nominations for faculty assigned to their colleges to be granted adjunct status.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for awarding adjunct status to appropriate individuals, and for notification of such status to all appropriate parties.
- SANCTIONS
None.
- EXCLUSIONS
This policy does not apply to classes taught by faculty members outside of the regular academic year if no prior arrangement has been negotiated to count such courses as "banked" hours.
This policy does not apply to part-time faculty members, or to A&P faculty who teach courses occasionally.
- INTERPRETATION
The authority to interpret this policy rests with the president, and is generally delegated to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Approved:
July 2002
Linwood H. Rose,President
Index Terms
Adjunct faculty