305 FACULTY
 
Certain of the policies set forth below concern matters governed by provisions of the law.  Such provisions contained herein are intended to be in compliance with applicable federal or state law.  In the event, however, any provision conflicts with applicable federal or state law, the law will govern.

305.1 Definition of Faculty

Full-time professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and teaching personnel with such other titles as may be approved by the Board of Trustees shall be the instructional faculty. Certified University librarians will be included in the instructional faculty. Persons holding adjunct appointments or other honorary titles shall not be considered to be members of the ranked instructional faculty.

305.2 Definition of Academic Ranks and Titles

305.2.1 Ranked Faculty

A ranked faculty member is a full-time employee of Troy University who has been appointed to one of the four regular academic ranks: instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.

Such an individual:

  1. Ordinarily has full-time teaching duties or has teaching and other duties (e.g. academic administration, special projects, supervision of interns) equivalent to a full-time teaching load with the proviso that a person who is ordinarily considered an officer of the administration does not automatically achieve ranked status by virtue of teaching part-time.
     
  2. Fulfills the duties and responsibilities of a faculty member as specified in Section 3.9, "Faculty Duties and Responsibilities."
     
  3. Meets or exceeds the criteria for academic ranks as detailed below.
Whenever a decision is necessary to determine whether an individual has the equivalent of the degree normally required for a particular rank, such decision will be recommended by the department chair and the appropriate academic dean and approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. Written copies of the decision will be provided the department or division involved, the individual involved, and a copy will be filed in the individual's official personnel file.

305.2.1.1 Instructor

  1. Hold the appropriate master's degree or the terminal degree (usually the earned doctorate) in the discipline from a regionally accredited institution or possess equivalent and certified professional competency in the discipline in which courses will be taught.
     
  2. Teach a full load.
     
  3. Meet all expectations of a ranked faculty member.

305.2.1.2 Assistant Professor

  1. Possession of an appropriate earned doctorate or an appropriate professional degree from a regionally accredited institution, or accomplishments that are considered equivalent (e.g., outstanding performance in the creative arts or in the business community or excellence in teaching at the rank of instructor).
     
  2. Three years of full-time teaching in a regionally accredited college or university with the proviso that any or all of the teaching experience requirements may be waived if an appropriate earned doctorate from a graduate institution of recognized standing, or an appropriate professional degree or accomplishments that are considered equivalent is obtained prior to appointment or promotion to this rank.
     
  3. Proven potential for satisfactorily fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a faculty member.
     
  4. Proven scholarship in the subject-matter field and professional competence in instruction.

305.2.1.3 Associate Professor

  1. Possession of an appropriate earned doctorate or an appropriate professional degree from a regionally accredited institution, or accomplishments that are considered equivalent (e.g., outstanding performance in the creative arts or in the business community).
     
  2. Evidence of sustained, noteworthy teaching ability.
     
  3. Evidence of noteworthy fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities of a faculty member.
     
  4. Evidence of developed scholarship in the subject-matter field, or continued, noteworthy performance in the creative arts.
     
  5. At the time of employment by Troy University and of initial determination of academic rank at Troy University, a minimum of two consecutive years of full-time ranked teaching as an assistant professor in another regionally accredited college or university in conjunction with three years of full-time teaching at the rank of assistant professor of Troy University, or a minimum of five consecutive years of full-time teaching at the rank of assistant professor for Troy University prior to the filing of an application for promotion in rank and review by the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Review Committees.

305.2.1.4 Professor

  1. Possession of an appropriate earned doctorate or an appropriate professional degree from a regionally accredited institution, or accomplishments that are considered equivalent (e.g., widely acclaimed performance in the creative arts or in the business community)
     
  2. Evidence of outstanding teaching.
     
  3. Evidence of distinguished faculty leadership and devoted service to students.
     
  4. Evidence of mature scholarship in the subject-matter field, or of widely acclaimed accomplishments in the creative arts.
     
  5. At the time of employment by Troy University and of initial determination of academic rank at Troy University, a minimum of five consecutive years of full-time ranked teaching as an associate professor in another regionally accredited college or university.
     
  6. A minimum of five consecutive years of full-time teaching at the rank of associate professor for Troy University prior to the filing of an application for promotion in rank and review by the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Review Committees.

305.2.1.5 Privileges of Retired Ranked Faculty

All ranked faculty who have limited or terminated their responsibilities as a faculty member for valid reasons (e.g., retirement, illness) after ten or more consecutive years of service to the University shall be entitled to the rights and privileges set forth below:

  1. Continued full use of the library and inter-library loan activities, and such usually included facilities as are normally available to faculty members, and no fees are to be charged for the use of these facilities, save for actual costs where such exist (as for reproduction of documents).
     
  2. Continued access to tickets for concerts, theatrical productions, athletic events, and other discounted services, e.g., the tuition assistance program, at the same costs normally charged to active faculty members.
     
  3. Continued receipt of mail on campus, if one so desires, providing that such mail is specifically addressed.
     
  4. Option of purchasing a campus parking decal.

305.2.2 Unranked Faculty

An unranked faculty member is usually a part-time or temporary employee of Troy University who has been assigned one of the temporary academic titles: teaching assistant, lecturer, adjunct faculty, visiting professor, or affiliate professor. This position does not lead to or count toward promotion to the regular academic ranks, nor does service in these positions lead to or count toward tenure.

Such an individual:

  1. Meets or exceeds the criteria for the appropriate temporary or other academic title.
     
  2. Usually has less than a full-time teaching load.
     
  3. Usually has no other faculty duties and responsibilities, except those outlined below.
     
  4. Is selected in the manner set forth below.

305.2.2.1 Graduate Teaching Assistant

Graduate teaching assistants are graduate students who have primary responsibility for preparing lectures, lecturing, conducting classes and study sessions, administering exams, grading exams and papers, teaching a course for credit and/or for assigning final grades for such a course. Such assistants must have a master’s degree in the teaching discipline or at least eighteen graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations.

The above requirements do not apply to graduate teaching assistants who are engaged in assignments such as laboratory assistance, teaching physical education activity courses or developmental studies, attending or helping prepare lectures, grading papers, keeping class records, and conducting discussion or study groups.

Graduate teaching Assistants for whom English is a second language may be appointed only when a test of spoken English or other reliable evidence of the applicant’s proficiency in oral and written discourse indicates that the appointment is appropriate.

Graduate teaching assistants as well as all others who teach in non-credit courses must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the teaching assignment and either classroom experience in a discipline related to the teaching assignment or graduate training in remedial education.

305.2.2.2 Lecturer

Lecturers are recommended by the department chair in consultation with the academic dean and approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. This position does not lead to or count toward promotion to the regular academic ranks (see Section 3.4), nor does service as a lecturer lead to or count toward tenure.

Selection of lecturers should be consistent with the academic standards of Troy University. A person who is assigned this title should meet or exceed the minimal requirements set forth in Section "Instructor." In lieu of these requirements, considerable experience in an appropriate technical, artistic, or professional field may be substituted.

Lecturers hold the responsibility for the management of courses taught.

All benefits for persons assigned this title must be mutually agreed upon in writing by the individual and the University at the time of initial employment.

Lecturers are expected to be available for a reasonable amount of time for each course taught to counsel students regarding course work.

305.2.2.3 Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty members are employed to provide specific courses on an as-needed basis. This title may also be assigned to those who hold full-time administrative positions and agree to offer occasional courses that they are qualified to teach by virtue of education, training, or experience. Contracts for adjunct faculty members are issued on a semester/term basis. Adjunct faculty members are not eligible for fringe benefits, nor does service in this capacity lead to or count toward tenure or promotion to the regular academic ranks. Adjunct faculty should check with the dean to determine the course load limit of their teaching.

Selection of adjunct faculty members should be consistent with the academic standards of the University. Adjunct faculty members are recommended by the department chair in consultation with the academic dean and approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

The rights and duties of an adjunct faculty member remain the same as those specified in Section "Lecturer."

Deans and department chairs are responsible for the appropriate orientation, supervision, and evaluation of all adjunct faculty members. Likewise, deans and department chairs are responsible for establishing a reasonable amount of time for each course taught by adjunct faculty for the counseling of students regarding course work and other course requirements. Moreover, these established times must be made known to the students at the beginning of each term.

305.3 Other Faculty Titles

305.3.1 Visiting Professor

This title is assigned to individuals who are highly distinguished in their subject-matter fields; normally they must be nationally or internationally esteemed for scholarship or for contributions to society and to students' academic achievement. Such individuals are appointed to teach, lecture, or pursue other duties at Troy University only for a limited period of time; such time must be agreed upon in writing between the Chancellor or a duly designated representative and the visiting professor.

Troy University recognizes the academic standing of visiting professors and accords them the usual privileges of ranked faculty.

Visiting professors are appointed by the Chancellor, upon the recommendation of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, in consultation with the appropriate department chair and academic dean.

Any supplementary benefits must be mutually agreed upon prior to appointment.

305.3.2 Affiliate Professor

This is an honorary title assigned by the Chancellor to individuals who are offering educational experiences affiliated with the University. Such appointments do not qualify for compensation or benefits.

305.3.3 Eminent Scholars/Chair holders

These titles may be assigned to faculty members who are truly distinguished in their respective academic disciplines. These positions are normally endowed by private contributions or extramural funds. Eminent scholars and chair holders may be assigned teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate or graduate level, or a combination of both. Conditions of employment, including teaching load, research expectations, and public service are set forth in the initial employment letter or contract. Such individuals may be invited to serve on ad hoc and standing committees; they also enjoy all rights and privileges (e.g., tenure and promotion) normally reserved for the ranked faculty and are similarly evaluated.

305.3.4 Professor Emeritus

Emeritus status is a distinct academic honor awarded only to those faculty members who have clearly distinguished themselves in teaching, scholarship, University service and/or community service and who have been in the service of the University at faculty-ranked status for ten or more years prior to retiring. Names must be submitted by a dean to the College and University Review Committees for review and recommendation to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. In addition to the rights and privileges cited above for retired faculty, an emeritus faculty member may qualify for the following:

  1. While engaged in academic work in accordance with University purposes and objectives, the use of office space and equipment insofar as such space is available.
     
  2. A designated parking space may be assigned upon the recommendation of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, if requested and available.
     
  3. Continued use of University stationery provided that such use is in keeping with University purposes and objectives, and that one's letters clearly identify one as a Professor Emeritus. If such mail appears likely to be extensive, the University may (but is not obligated to) provide letterhead stationery making such identification. Mailing costs are to be borne by the professor emeritus.
     
  4. Continued publication of emeritus faculty in the Catalog for life. No compensation accrues by virtue of the rank, unless the emeritus faculty member accepts a part-time or temporary full-time contract to teach or to fulfill other duties. In such instances, supplementary benefits, if any, will be set forth in the contract.  In the event an emeritus faculty member abuses the rights and privileges granted herein, these rights and privileges may be withdrawn in whole or in part.
PROCEDURE: The department chair, with the concurrence of the dean of the college or school and upon notification of the faculty member, recommends to the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee and/or Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost that emeritus status be conferred. A recommendation from the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee and/or Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost is then forwarded to the Chancellor, who acts upon the recommendation and advises the faculty member, department chair, dean, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.