Criteria for Eligibility

Academic Qualifications

To be eligible for teaching undergraduate courses each faculty member is expected to have completed 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline and hold a masters degree, or hold the minimum of a master’s degree with a major in the teaching discipline. Faculty eligible for graduate level teaching are expected to hold the terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. EMU also considers competence, effectiveness and capacity, including, as  appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. Occasionally, such alternative considerations (as specified in the “Faculty Justification to Teach” procedural document) may be deemed equivalent to the minimal degree requirement noted above.

Approved by Provost's Council, April 6, 2021

Alignment with University Mission, Vision and Values

EMU will hire and maintain a teaching faculty in which all tenure-track faculty members support the mission, vision and Anabaptist core values of the university, and actively participate in a community of Christian faith.  

All faculty respectfully engage statements of faith and practice adopted by Mennonite Church-USA and the shared convictions of global Anabaptists (Mennonite World Conference). We are committed to interfaith engagement, education and service as a vital part of EMU’s educational mission to promote a more just and peaceful world.

Guiding Documents on Mennonite-Anabaptist Faith

• Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (Mennonite Church USA, 1995)

• Shared Convictions of Global Anabaptists (Mennonite World Conference, 2006) 

EMU is committed to gender and racial diversity.

Tenure with Post-Tenure Review

Long-term faculty appointments at EMU are made within a system of tenure with post-tenure review, which provides the context for regular contract renewal and promotion. Tenure with post-tenure review is constituted by a presumption of job security and contract renewal, and an assumption of continued performance to expectations in teaching, scholarship and service. The purpose of tenure with post-tenure review is to develop and maintain a high quality faculty; to promote professional growth of faculty members by supporting the unique gifts of individuals within the standards and expectations of specific disciplines; and to recognize the commitment to service to EMU, the community, and the larger world. The specific goals of tenure with post-tenure review are:

       1. To provide a system of fair remuneration and recognition for services rendered, and periodic opportunities for advancement in professional rank.
       2. To provide regular occasions for formative and summative feedback on performance and consideration of the quality of a faculty member's contribution to university mission and needs.
       3. To facilitate growth as a scholar, educator, and a contributing member of the EMU community.
       4. To safeguard professional autonomy, academic freedom, and the ability to take risks in innovative pedagogy and scholarship.

Faculty Recruitment

The following guidelines are used when recruiting faculty for tenure-track positions:

A.     Together the program director in consultation with the respective dean, identify a faculty position and request to initiate recruitment. The program director submits a Faculty Job Requisition Form (new faculty or replacement tenure-track full-time or part-time requests) by May 31. The form will be routed to the respective dean's office for a signature. Provost’s Council grants recruitment approval by June 30. Recruitment includes advertising in disciplinary venues, the Chronicle and Inside Higher Ed, Mennonite periodicals, and other outlets as appropriate. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, vita, and transcripts (unofficial acceptable). 

B.     The dean appoints and chairs a (school wide) search committee in consultation with the program director. Inclusion of students and a faculty member from outside the program is at the discretion of the program. The committee and HR reviews Interview Dos and Don’ts together.

C.     The respective dean’s office receives all applications. Those that are incomplete will be asked to submit the required documents in order to be considered. Candidates with complete applications will receive an email from the dean acknowledging receipt and indicating the anticipated timeline. The search committee reviews the pool of candidates and identifies those of interest by considering academic credentials, experience, fit with the institution, etc.

D.     A select number of applicants from among the applicant pool are chosen to participate in a phone or Zoom interview with the search committee. Prior to the phone interview, the dean emails these documents to the candidates who will receive a phone interview: EMU Mission, Vision and Values statements; Life Together: Commitments for a Community of Learning; a link to the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (Mennonite Church USA); a link to the Shared Convictions of Global Anabaptists (Mennonite World Conference); and the Personal Statement of Faith and Life form. The candidate is advised to be prepared to converse generally about any of these materials during the phone interview. The candidate is asked to return their response to the Personal Statement of Faith and Life to the dean’s office no later than two weeks after the interview. Best practices indicate that each phone interview be as similar as possible to the others by following the same interview format and asking the same questions. A discussion should take place immediately after each interview. After the phone interviews, the applicants who participated in a phone interview are asked to submit the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three or four references and are told their references will be contacted soon.

E.     Based on the search committee’s formal ranking and rationale of the phone interview and applications, the dean will invite two candidates to campus for an interview. Occasionally, a third candidate is invited if the candidate is local and the visit won’t incur much expense. Written candidate responses to the Personal Statement of Faith and Life should be on file prior to arranging the interview. Details regarding the candidate’s visit to campus are handled by the respective dean’s administrative assistant. 

While on campus, each candidate will participate in both formal and informal interviews with faculty, students, the search committee, the provost, and the president. Each candidate’s CV and faith statement should be shared with the president, provost, and search committee members, if not done so already. The candidate’s CV (but not the faith statement) may be shared upon request with interested EMU community members. Providing opportunity for input from faculty outside the program is encouraged. 

Candidates should teach a class period and conduct a scholarly presentation, both of which are open to anyone on campus. Candidates are evaluated not only on potential teaching and academic strength but also on their commitment to the mission and philosophy of the institution. The materials sent earlier (see D) are reviewed with the candidate at the interviews. 

While on campus, the candidate should complete and sign the Faculty Application (see myEMU > Employee tab > New Hire Forms; minus the references’ information) in anticipation of the background check HR will conduct if an offer is made.  The candidate will not meet with HR; instead, the current year’s benefit summary will be provided. Each candidate will meet with the respective dean who will share the salary range for the position.

F.     After the campus visit, the search committee evaluates the relative strengths and weaknesses of the candidates. Information gained from the references (either by letter or phone) should be included in the evaluation. The committee conveys a ranked order of the candidates, with rationale, to the respective dean. Final salary and academic rank are determined by the respective dean in consultation with the provost according to the Faculty Compensation and Contract policy published in the Employee Handbook and are conveyed by the dean to the candidate. The program director or seminary dean defines the load. If a candidate is recommended for hiring, the respective dean consults with the provost for agreement to hire. The provost may consult with the president if needed. The respective dean extends the invitation in writing to the candidate.

G.     Upon acceptance of an offer: 

1. HR conducts a background check as soon as the offer is accepted.  HR will communicate the results to the dean.
2. The hiring recommendation of tenure track only positions are taken to the Board of Trustees for final approval, and the candidate is informed in writing of the trustee action. The provost approves non-tenure track employment offers, and Board of Trustee action is not necessary.

Other applicants in the pool are notified by the dean’s office that the position has been filled.

Approved by Academic Cabinet, January 12, 2005

Updated and approved by Provost Council, February 25, 2019

Faculty Appointment

A.  All new tenure-track faculty members are appointed initially for one year. Pending satisfactory performance, two succeeding one-year contracts are issued prior to the offer of a three-year contract. New tenure-track faculty appointments are made by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the president, following review of the prospective faculty member’s vita and faith statement by the Academic Excellence Committee of the Board of Trustees. Details of full-time faculty appointments are communicated to the faculty member via an offer letter sent by the respective dean or the provost prior to their employment at EMU.

B.   When faculty vacancies occur and new positions must be filled between trustee sessions, the president is authorized upon a personal interview and review of vitae and faith statement and upon recommendation of the provost and respective dean, to employ a faculty member for an initial one-year contract.  The initial employment for one year shall not be renewed until the Academic Excellence Committee and the Board of Trustees has affirmed the president’s initial one-year employment contract.

C.   The awarding of tenure is contingent upon completion of the terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent, e.g., D.N.P., M.F.A. or J.D.). For professional programs EMU values professional credentials if accompanied by extensive practical experience.  Therefore, EMU accepts the M.S.W., M.B.A. to meet this requirement.  Additional exceptions may be made in individual cases in any program where other qualifications are deemed more important and achievement of university standards are not placed in jeopardy.[1]

D.  The affirmation by the Board of Trustees of the president’s recommendation for faculty appointments shall constitute approval for subsequent appointments beyond the first year with the understanding that all six-year contracts must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

E.   Short-term and Adjunct faculty: The university also employs adjunct and short-term faculty. Appointment of adjunct and short-term faculty is made by the respective dean, with recommendation by the program faculty as appropriate. Short-term and adjunct faculty are a valuable resource and are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in program activities in addition to their primary teaching responsibility. They are also invited to participate in broader university life, such as chapel and assemblies, monthly faculty meetings and public events, as schedules permit. Short-term and adjunct faculty appointments are made on a year-by-year basis and are not subject to the procedures outlined above. Individuals hired for adjunct or short-term teaching assignment are responsible to furnish the office of the respective dean with an up-to-date curriculum vitae and official transcripts for all graduate work. EMU at Lancaster adjunct faculty appointments are recommended by program directors and approved by the Lancaster leadership and the appropriate dean’s offices.

EMU offers a variety of short-term faculty titles to provide programs flexibility in meeting their teaching, research and program needs. Alternative titles may be offered as appointments at the discretion of the deans, with authorization by the provost.

All EMU adjunct faculty receive and sign a contract each semester they are employed. Part-time and full-time faculty members receive and sign an offer letter prior to their employment at EMU.

F.   Professional Librarians: Professional librarians at Eastern Mennonite University hold faculty status but without an academic rank designation. As such, professional librarians must meet the academic requirements of faculty teaching at the baccalaureate level. Salaries for professional librarians are calculated on the administrative scale for a 12-month contract. The director of libraries, who reports directly to the provost, supervises all library staff. All professional librarians will have an annual performance evaluation conducted by the director of libraries. With faculty status professional librarians are eligible to apply for professional development opportunities and sabbaticals.

Faculty Categories

Criteria for Eligibility - Alignment with University Mission, Vision, Values approved by Board of Trustees November 2018

[1] This was approved November 2000 and took effect Fall 2001.