Reappointment of Specialized Teaching and Clinical Faculty

Faculty initially appointed at the “Assistant” or “Associate” ranks are usually reviewed during the last year of the reappointment period. The criteria for evaluation are defined by the terms of the initial contract. A typical merit formula for teaching faculty may be 85% teaching or clinical education and 15% leadership and service, but individual workload assignments may vary considerably both within and between units.

Specialized teaching and clinical faculty are evaluated according to primary unit criteria that defines "meritorious" and "excellent" performance. Teaching and clinical faculty with typical merit formulas are generally expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching or clinical education, and meritorious performance in leadership and service.

Reappointment of specialized faculty are based on the instructional needs of the unit they are serving, as well as the individual faculty member's performance. Performance shall be based on components identified by the primary unit in its "Primary Unit Criteria" document for the evaluation of teaching or clinical education. At least three distinct measures of teaching/clinical effectiveness and performance shall be used. If allowed by unit bylaws or consistent practice, evaluation of teaching and clinical faculty appointments may be conducted by the chair/director, or their designee. 

• Primary Unit Evaluation Committee: This group from within the primary unit is elected or appointed as specified in the unit's bylaws. In small units, the evaluation committee and the primary unit may be one and the same. The evaluation committee is responsible for assisting the candidate in assembling their dossier, soliciting opinions from outside review when appropriate, and providing a written or oral summary of the candidate's dossier to the primary unit faculty. In some units, the evaluation committee makes a recommendation or reports a vote. In other units, the role of the evaluation committee is limited to compiling and summarizing the dossier. The written report of the evaluation committee becomes part of the dossier. 
• Primary Unit: The primary unit is composed of the faculty members of a department, division, program, school, or college authorized to vote on matters of appointment, reappointment and promotion. Only members of higher rank are authorized to vote on faculty personnel cases. The primary unit is charged with evaluating the record as represented within the dossier and make a recommendation to the next level of review. The vote of the primary unit and any accompanying summary or explanation also becomes part of the dossier. 
• Report of the Chair: In some units, the department chair or unit head provides a written explanation of the primary unit vote and offers their opinion of the merits of the case. In other units, the chair's report is simply a written communication to the dean reporting the vote and discussion of the primary unit. This report becomes part of the dossier.
• Dean Decision: The dean, after considering the recommendation of the primary unit and the contents of the dossier, makes an affirmative or negative decision and submits that recommendation (in the form of the reappointment offer letter) to the vice provost and associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs for review. Deans may employ a faculty advisory or personnel committee to assist them in evaluation of the candidate. The provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs is the final approving authority in cases of specialized teaching and clinical faculty reappointment.