EMU offers a variety of faculty titles to provide 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 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. Teaching beyond the 24-semester-hour regular contract is compensated at 75% of scale per semester hour (capped at $1,700.00 per semester hour).
Non-tenure-track Renewable Contracts
Titles: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate 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 program while maintaining primary appointment and salary with another academic or administrative unit in the university. Internal affiliations occur at the recommendation of the “receiving” program and must have the consent of the “sending” program. 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 program 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 programs. 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.
Practitioner-in-Residence
Titles: Practitioner-in-Residence, Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence
Definition: Person with a strong record of professional practice in a field related to an EMU program of study. Duties are primarily focused on professional mentoring or research. Duties may include guest lectures, classes, or joint research with EMU faculty or students as appropriate. The practitioner-in-residence will engage with the campus and community while drawing upon their professional networks to help EMU faculty and students develop new and fruitful external collaborations. 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 as 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 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
Approved by Provost's Council, April 30, 2020
Responsible Party
The provost is responsible for this policy.
Policy Review
This policy is to be reviewed annually.