Chapter 6

6.1-6.5 | 6.6-6.8

6.1-6.5
Faculty

Effective Date: 04/29/2022

6.1 Faculty Definitions

The faculty comprises individuals holding the following ranks: 

• assistant professor, associate professor, or professor (collectively referred to as “tenured and tenure-track faculty”); 
• assistant teaching professor, associate teaching professor, or teaching professor; 
• librarian, senior librarian, or principal librarian; 
• archivist, senior archivist, or principal archivist; 
• instructor;
• professor of practice; 
• research assistant professor, research associate professor, or research professor;
• visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, visiting professor, or visiting professor of practice; 
• adjunct assistant professor, adjunct associate professor, adjunct professor, adjunct assistant teaching professor, adjunct associate teaching professor, adjunct teaching professor, adjunct instructor, or adjunct professor of practice; 
• affiliated assistant professor, affiliated associate professor, affiliated professor, affiliated assistant teaching professor, affiliated associate teaching professor, affiliated teaching professor, affiliated instructor, affiliated professor of practice, affiliated research assistant professor, affiliated research associate professor, affiliated research professor, or affiliated emeritus professor; 
• ROTC faculty; 
• and emeritus faculty.

"Learned professions" shall mean those professions whose members are skilled in a calling or vocation requiring advanced knowledge as evidenced by a specific degree from a recognized College or University.

"Engaged in teaching" shall be interpreted to mean that the person is to teach during each academic semester of the normal academic year.

"Appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School" shall imply appointment to the Graduate Faculty as defined by the Graduate Council. Such appointment is limited to those with advanced degrees or equivalent experience, as well as interest and experience in research or teaching at the graduate level.

"Equivalent experience" shall be determined by the President of the University.

The Faculty of the University

The President shall hire the faculty of the University which shall consist of the Undergraduate and Graduate Faculties.

Each faculty member shall qualify for one or more of the following defined faculties.

1. The Undergraduate Faculty consists of the members of the learned professions who are engaged in teaching for a degree in one of the learned professions and/or direct supervision thereof.
2. The Graduate Faculty consists of members of the faculty who have been appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School to be members of the Graduate Faculty.

Administrative officials of the University and members of staff, may be accorded membership of the faculties and such membership shall be within a specific department or college of the University.

This policy shall be administered in accordance with procedures recommended by the Senate and approved by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

History

• 06/07/1968
• 01/28/1982
• 03/21/1986: deleted "rank" and "member" definition and Research Faculty
• 11/23/1986: Changed Dean of Research and the Graduate School title
• 03/23/1990
• 11/17/1995: Clarify faculty ranks
• 08/03/2000: Changed Executive Vice President and Provost title to Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
• 12/15/2000: Changed quarter to semester
• 07/15/2010: Was previously Policy 16.1. Renumbered, Vice Presidential title corrected, various faculty designations corrected to correlate with present practice.
• 05/04/2018: Revised to redefine the ranks associated with affiliated and adjunct faculty at Michigan Tech.
• 05/03/2019: Revised to redefine the ranks associated with non-tenure-track faculty to include librarians and archivists.
• 4/29/2022: Revised to update titles associated with some instructional-track faculty (those formerly known as lecturers, senior lecturers, and principal lectures) and to correct misalignment between Board policy and the Faculty Handbook (related to the application of adjunct or affiliated modifiers to the librarian and archivist ranks) based on the president’s approval of Senate Proposal 38-22.

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Effective Date: 07/15/2010

6.2 Faculty Staffing Policy

1. Administrative officers of Michigan Technological University and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments endeavor to provide equitable allocation of instructional resources consistent with the nature and purpose of each academic unit and in accordance with the unit's contribution to the overall objectives and priorities of the University. To this end, objective allocation procedures should be developed and employed where appropriate and where quantification measures are not appropriate, it is expected that professional judgment will be exercised.

Each academic unit shall be held accountable for the utilization of resources placed at its disposal and shall be expected to search for ways of improving its annual output, qualitatively and/or quantitatively.

Individual teaching assignments of faculty shall be determined at the department or school level without imposition of rigid and arbitrary teaching load standards. However, in determining the extent to which each academic unit may warrant changes in resource levels, average teaching loads expressed in terms of student credit hours (SCH) per full time equivalent faculty (FTEF) may be applied as appropriate to each instructional level, discipline, and volume of instructional activity.

Each faculty member has the dual responsibility of (a) participating in the discovery of new knowledge, and (b) transmitting the fund of accumulated wisdom to students in the University's classrooms and laboratories, and also to colleagues in the worldwide learned community. Hence, individual faculty members are expected to maintain ongoing programs of research and publication appropriate to their respective fields of expertise. The quality of research achievements and of service in the University's teaching mission both weigh heavily when an individual is recommended for reappointment, whether or not the reappointment involves promotion or tenure.

In addition to direct classroom assignments and research activities, the University also recognizes as important in promotion and tenure decisions, the wide range of additional legitimate faculty activities which may include academic advising, curriculum and course development, fund raising, service to the profession or the public, general good citizenship within the University (e.g., by service on College, School, and University committees), and activities supportive of the University's goals for active technology transfer.

2. The Board of Trustees of Michigan Technological University is committed to maintain Michigan Technological University as an institution where both students and faculty are free to pursue scholarship in an open and creative environment. The rights of faculty members to undertake scholarly approaches to their disciplines in accordance with professional standards in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in publications are guaranteed. Likewise, the rights of students to question, without fear of reprisal, the positions and points of view espoused by faculty must be assured. An academic community is a delicate balance of teaching and scholarship in which both suffer when the freedom to pursue either in a fully open manner is compromised.

As a public institution of higher education, Michigan Technological University acknowledges its responsibility to conduct its programs in the public interest. The Board of Trustees expects the University faculty to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and to act only in ways that will further the mission of the University. In return, the University shall vigorously defend the competence of the faculty to establish the content and direction of their scholarly investigations and presentations in the classroom in accordance with prevailing professional and legal standards and institutional requirements.

This policy specifically relates to academic faculty members; for those holding certain joint appointments, this policy relates to that part of the individuals activities which is that of an academic faculty member. Only projects, the results of which may be published in the public domain, can be undertaken within academic units within the University.

3. In recognition of the many roles, functions and activities incorporated in the typical academic appointment, it is expected that any development of faculty allocation procedures include the total contribution of each department, school, or college. To provide an appropriate record of such commitment of resources, each academic unit is expected to report periodically, as requested, the total work-load assignment and accomplishments of each faculty member.

Upon developing the faculty allocation procedures required to implement this policy, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs should, following Presidential approval, file a copy of the procedure with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees for transmission to the Board as an informational item. Additionally, due to the dynamic nature of the academic program, it is the Board's intent that the staffing procedure and associated parameters be reviewed annually and, furthermore, that the Board be advised annually of any needed modifications of the procedure which added experience may suggest.

History

• 06/07/1974: to be reviewed annually
• 01/28/1982
• 05/23/1986: Revised item 2 - Academic Freedom
• 03/23/1990
• 07/15/2010: Was previously Policy 16.2. Renumbered and Vice Presidential title corrected.

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Effective Date: 07/15/2010

6.3 Policy Functions of the Faculty

It is of the utmost importance to the welfare and effectiveness of the University that its academic policy should at all times reflect the most enlightened professional opinion. This enlightened opinion should take into consideration not only the judgment of the administration but also the variety of opinions and outlook of all members of the faculty.

The Board of Trustees extends a cordial invitation to the faculty to express its opinions and recommendations on matters of academic policy, through the regularly established channels as provided by the Constitution of the Senate.

History

• 12/17/1974: faculty duties
• 06/14/1958
• 01/28/1982
• 03/21/1986: revised first paragraph
• 05/19/1995: revised to reflect Constitution of 5/21/93
• 07/15/2010: Was previously Policy 16.6. Renumbered, deleted the Senate Constitution date; and minor rewording.

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Effective Date: 10/08/2021

6.4 Academic Tenure And Promotion

Academic Tenure

Statement of Intent

It is the intention of the Board of Control to adhere to these policies and procedures insofar as they are consistent with law. Under its legal obligations as the responsible governing board of the University, the Board reserves the right to suspend these policies or implementing procedures or parts thereof, to request the faculty to review or reconsider them, or to deviate from them if conditions beyond its control, such as abrupt declines in enrollment, serious loss of income, or conditions that result in curtailment or abandonment of programs or activities, make it necessary to do so. Only the Board of Trustees has the authority to grant tenure at Michigan Technological University or to modify Board of Trustees Policy.

Preamble

Tenure is signified by an appointment for an indefinite continuing period subject to the rules set forth in this tenure policy. Tenure entails explicit responsibilities for the administrative officers and for the academic faculty. The administrative officers assure security of appointment to tenured faculty members; tenured faculty members assure competent service, loyalty to and cooperation with the University. Tenure shall not protect a person from loss of faculty appointment for causes such as incompetence, negligence, serious misuse of academic prerogatives, persistent and willful failure to follow established institutional procedures, gross personal misconduct or conscious participation in conspiracy against the Government.

Introduction

For the purposes of the Michigan Technological University Policy on Academic Tenure and Promotion, the academic faculty is composed of those individuals holding one of the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor or professor; and who also hold appointments in the University units having a reporting relationship to the Provost (including the Provost); and also whose appointments in the University are three quarters time or more of full-time provided the applicable letter of appointment specifies the position as tenure track.

The ranks of professor, associate professor and assistant professor are the regular tenure-accumulating faculty ranks; service in these ranks is counted towards the acquisition of tenure, except as specifically noted herein.

Non-tenured appointments are normally considered annual appointments and viewed as exceptional, being made in accordance with established procedures prepared by the faculty of the school or college concerned, the special condition of which must be explicitly stated in advance of each appointment. Neither time of service in any of these ranks, nor time of service in any rank at another institution, counts toward the acquisition of tenure at Michigan Technological University.

Unless extended according to the provisions stated in this policy, the tenure probationary period for faculty initially appointed at the rank of assistant professor is six years; for faculty initially appointed at the rank of associate professor it is four years; and for faculty initially appointed at the rank of professor it is two years. Unless notice that tenure will not be granted is given prior May 31, of the final year of the tenure probationary period, tenure at Michigan Technological University is acquired automatically when full time paid regular faculty service at one of these ranks extends beyond the tenure probationary period for that rank. When a faculty member is notified, prior to May 31, of the final year of the tenure probationary period, that tenure will not be granted, the faculty member shall receive a one-year terminal appointment.

For the purposes of Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment, periods of continuous appointment as a tenure-track faculty member are included in the total period of service for the tenure probationary period. This will generally include unpaid periods such as summer semester and certain leaves of absence within otherwise continuous employment and service. The tenure probationary period for faculty whose initial appointment commences on or after November 1 is considered to have begun service with the start of the subsequent academic year, unless it is specified otherwise in the applicable letter of appointment. A tenure-track faculty member joining the University prior to November 1 is deemed to have begun service at the beginning of the same academic year. In no case will the probationary period start later than the beginning of the subsequent academic year.

Exceptional circumstances may sometimes result in a prolonged disruption of professional responsibilities during the tenure probationary period, requiring extensive sick leave, unpaid leave, or a substantial formal reduction of professional responsibilities. A faculty member encountering such circumstances may make a written request to the Provost for a one-year extension of the tenure probationary period. This written request should be made during or immediately following the period of exceptional circumstances, and in no case after November 15 of the final year of the tenure probationary period.

It should be accompanied by recommendations from the appropriate department chair and the dean of the college, or from the dean of the school. The request should clearly demonstrate that both of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The exceptional circumstances requiring the extension were such that normal conduct of professional responsibilities could not reasonably be expected.
2. Exclusive of the period of exceptional circumstances, the faculty member had made good progress toward achieving tenure.

Under this policy, an individual's tenure probationary period at Michigan Technological University may be extended by one year per request, for not more than two years, total, for either extenuating circumstances or in the case of requests based on the birth or legal adoption of a child. Approval for such extensions will be at the sole discretion of the Provost.

These standard tenure policies are designed to allow untenured faculty sufficient time to develop eligibility for tenure, but granting of tenure after shorter periods of service at this University is not precluded.

Tenure Appointments

Assistant Professor

The initial appointment to the rank of assistant professor shall be for a term of two years. Thereafter, term appointments shall be for not more than two years each. If reappointed after six years of service, an assistant professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department chair (or dean where there is no department chair) prior to May 31 at the end of the sixth year that the seventh year is to be the terminal year. Granting of tenure to a faculty member with the rank of Assistant Professor level carries with it promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.

Associate Professor

An assistant professor at Michigan Technological University who is promoted to the rank of associate professor may be granted tenure at the time of promotion. If reappointed after six years of service at this University an associate professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department chair (or dean where there is no department chair) prior to May 31 at the end of the sixth year that the seventh year is to be the terminal year.

The initial appointment to the rank of associate professor for a person who has not served previously at Michigan Technological University shall be for two years. Thereafter, term appointments shall be for not more than two years each. If reappointed after four years of service, persons initially appointed as associate professors shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department chair (or dean where there is no department chair) prior to May 31 at the end of the fourth year that the fifth year is to be the terminal year.

Professor

An associate professor at Michigan Technological University who is promoted to the rank of professor shall have tenure from the date of that promotion. The initial appointment to the rank of professor of a person who has not served previously at Michigan Technological University shall be for two years. Upon reappointment, persons holding the rank of professor shall have tenure unless specifically notified by the department chair (or dean where there is no department chair) prior to May 31 at the end of the second year that the third year shall be the terminal year. Granting of tenure by the Board of Control at the time of initial appointment is not precluded.

Administrative Officers

Appointments to administrative positions do not carry tenure and administrative officers continue in their posts as determined by the President and the Board of Control. Those administrative officers holding an academic rank are subject to the provisions applicable to that rank only insofar as their non-administrative faculty status is concerned. Their appointment to academic rank and their faculty tenure are subject to the same rules as those for all other faculty members.

Academic Promotion

Academic promotion refers to an elevation in academic rank, either from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, or from Associate Professor to Professor. Academic promotion may be conferred only by the Board of Control. Academic promotion may or may not be simultaneous with the granting of tenure.

It is the promotion policy of Michigan Technological University to maintain uniformity in promotion criteria and consistency in their application to all members of the instructional faculty. However, differences in needs and objectives of the various departments/schools may necessitate variations in promotion criteria among the instructional units. Promotion of faculty will be based on individual merit.

The procedures for Academic Promotion are defined in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures

Procedures for Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Recommendations

The procedures for implementation of this Tenure and Promotion Policy are the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. No other procedures shall exist to implement this policy, except those amendments to the procedures adopted by concurrence of the Senate, the Provost, and the University President.

Right to Appeal

A faculty member may appeal negative decisions regarding tenure, promotion, and reappointment. The only grounds for such appeals are the failure of a recommending party or parties to follow the Tenure and Promotion Policy, the Faculty Staffing Policy and/or the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. Procedures for filing an appeal are defined in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures. Appeals must be filed with the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment within 30 calendar days after notification by the Provost of a negative recommendation to the President. No other route of appeal is permitted.

Dismissal for Cause

Any faculty member may be dismissed at any time for cause, as stated in the Preamble. Either the President or the faculty member concerned has the option of submitting a written request to the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment to conduct a hearing of the case and make suitable recommendations.

Dismissal for Reasons other than Cause

Dismissal or other removal of tenured faculty for reasons other than cause shall be in accord with Board of Control Policy 11.17.

Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment

There shall be a standing joint committee of the academic faculty and administration, known as the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment. This Committee functions independent of the University Senate and the administration of the University. Appeals of negative recommendations on tenure, promotion, or reappointment of tenure-track faculty, and negative recommendations on promotion of tenured faculty, are under the jurisdiction of the Committee. The composition and responsibilities of the Committee are defined in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures.

Interpretation

In case of any question in the interpretation of this tenure and promotion policy or in the solution of any tenure problem arising from a situation not specifically covered herein or in the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Procedures, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment. This Committee, after a thorough study, shall transmit its recommendation to the President of the University through the Provost. The final decision regarding any interpretation of Board of Trustees Policy rests with the Board of Trustees.

Amendments

Amendments to the Tenure and Promotion Policy may be initiated by any member of the faculty, including administrators holding faculty appointments. All such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the President of the University Senate. The proposed amendment(s) will be forwarded to the Academic and Instructional Policy Committee of the University Senate for review and/or revision. The Academic and Instructional Policy Committee will provide a copy of the proposed amendments to the Committee on Academic Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment. The Academic and Instructional Policy Committee will submit its recommendations to the University Senate.

Proposed revisions to the Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment Policy must be in the form of a Senate proposal. Adoption of any revision proposed to the Senate shall require approval by the University Senate, approval by a majority of the tenured and tenure-track faculty voting in a university-wide referendum, such vote to be conducted by the University Senate, followed by the approval of the Provost and University President. The University President will then forward the recommendation to the Board of Trustees for final approval.  In every case, the final decision rests with the Board of Trustees.

History

• 06/12/1957
• 05/20/1977
• 06/07/1968: Interpretation: appointment includes initial and reappointment
• 01/28/1982
• 11/19/1982
• 07/19/1991: Added exceptional circumstances provision
• 05/07/2004: Rescinded 16.3. Academic Promotion and amended 16.4 Academic Tenure to include promotion
• 12/12/2008: Revised extension of the probation period for an additional year as a result of child being born or legally adopted during the probation period.
• 07/15/2010: Was previously Policy 16.4. Renumbered and internal reference to prior Policy changes to 11.7.
• 05/04/2018: Revised wording to allow for the University Senate and Administration to collaboratively update procedures in the future and also includes minor editorial changes.
• 10/8/2021: Revised extension of the probation period to allow faculty the opportunity to request a second one-year exceptional circumstance extension request during the probation period.

  10/17/2022: Editorial changes made.

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Effective Date: 07/15/2010

6.5 Academic Rank of Army & Air Force

Personnel Assigned to R.O.T.C. Units

No officer shall be assigned to the Department of Military Science or the Department of Air Science and Tactics without prior approval of the President, and no such officer will be continued on duty after the President requests relief for cause.

Upon approval of the President, the following academic ranks shall be conferred upon the officers assigned to duty with the Army or Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps units:

1. Professor of Military Science for the senior commissioned officer of the Army.
2. Professor of Aerospace Studies for the senior commissioned officer of the Air Force.
3. Assistant Professor or Instructor of Military Science (Aerospace Studies) for the commissioned officers or other warrant officers of the Army (Air Force).
4. Instructor of Military science (Aerospace Studies) for non-commissioned officers of the Army (Air Force).

History

• 11/30/1953
• 01/28/1982
• 11/19/1982
• 07/15/2010: Was previously Policy 16.5. Renumbered and titles corrected to match current practice.

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