A. Types of Faculty Appointments

1. Tenure or Tenure-Track Appointments (A&M-Commerce Procedure A12.10)

a. Tenured Appointment

Describes faculty holding academic rank and upon whom tenure has been conferred in writing by the Dean of the appropriate college.

b. Tenure-Track Appointment

Describes full-time faculty holding academic rank who have received a tenure-track appointment in writing from the Dean of the appropriate college. These individuals are in the probationary period of service and have not received tenure, neither conferred nor implied.

c. Multiple-Year Appointment

Describes full-time faculty holding academic rank that has received a multiple-year contract in a tenure-track position. Under special circumstances, such as in the selection of department heads, the Dean of the appropriate college may appoint individuals to a multiple-year contract in a tenure-track position. In cases of satisfactory performance, the contracted years may be credited toward tenure.

2. Non-Tenure Track Appointments

a. Non-Tenure Track Appointments

Describes full- or part-time teaching appointments. This appointment may require the faculty member to perform teaching, research, scholarship and creative activities; and/or service. Individuals in these appointments are hired through a formal search process and may be rehired, in accord with the needs of the university.

b. Ad Interim (Exceptional Hire) Appointment

Describes a temporary appointment of full-time faculty holding academic rank. An ad interim (exceptional hire) appointment may not exceed one academic year. This appointment, although temporary, carries the duties and responsibilities of full-time faculty employment, unless otherwise specified. Ad interim appointees may teach more than the normal class load in lieu of research, scholarly and creative activities, or service. An individual with this type appointment may not be rehired into the same position without a search. For further information on ad interim positions, see A&M-Commerce Procedure A12.11.

c. Part-Time Appointment

Describes faculty who are employed less than full-time, but in all other respects have duties and responsibilities (proportional to their appointment) of full-time faculty. Part-time faculty has academic rank. Qualifications for part-time faculty must be consistent with those of full-time faculty. For example, they should hold a minimum of a master's degree and should have completed a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the subject field to be taught. They must meet the same requirements for professional, experiential and scholarly preparation as their full-time counterparts teaching in the same discipline. For additional information on responsibilities and expectations of part-time faculty, see A&M-Commerce Procedure A12.12.

d. Adjunct Appointment

Describes an appointment to teach only on a per-course basis, usually for one semester. Adjunct faculty do not hold academic rank and are not budgeted by name. Appointments are less than half-time teaching only. Adjunct faculty are not required to do the research, scholarly and creative activities, or service required of full-time faculty. Qualifications for adjunct faculty must be consistent with those of full-time faculty. For example, they should hold a minimum of a master's degree and should have completed a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the subject field to be taught. They must meet the same requirements for professional, experiential and scholarly preparation as their full-time counterparts teaching in the same discipline. For additional information on responsibilities and expectations of adjunct faculty, see A&M-Commerce Procedure A12.12.