Please consult the SMD Regulations of the Faculty for information about:
- An overview, including general principles and premises for our promotions and tenure system
- Criteria for academic appointments, promotion, and tenure
- Procedures for faculty appointments and promotions
- Additional issues including appeals, compensation, vacation, consulting policy, racial and sexual harassment, and disability
- A summary of time in rank guidelines
- Guidelines with examples of application of the criteria for promotion
- Curriculum vitae format
- Family leave policy and procedures for extending the 'academic clock'
- Academic clock adjustment for part-time faculty
Processes for Faculty Appointments and Promotions
Overview
All as specified in the SMD Regulations of the Faculty
All requests for appointments, reappointments, promotions, and decisions for tenure originate at the departmental level, not from the Dean’s Office
All appointments, reappointments, and promotions at the rank of Associate Professor and above require Steering Committee processes (as advisory to the Dean’s Office) and approval of the University Board of Trustees
All appointments, reappointments, and promotions at the rank of Assistant Professor and below require approval of the Dean’s Office (but do not require Steering Committee processes)
The Steering Committee of MEDSAC serves as the School-wide promotions committee, making decisions on behalf of the Dean
- Chaired by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs (VDAA)
- Consists of 18 members serving three-year terms
- Rather than replace the entire committee all at once every three years, members’ terms are staggered so each year six members rotate off, replaced by six new members, to ensure consistency of committee decisions over the years
- All members hold academic appointments at the rank of Professor
- Approximately half of the members are Chairs or Center Directors
- Approximately half of the members are from basic science areas, the other half from clinical areas
- Members of Steering chair all faculty ad hoc committees, helping ensure that our promotions criteria are applied consistently
Types of Faculty Appointments
Academic appointments (e.g., Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor): activities that include Teaching plus at least one of the following components: Research, Scholarship, Institutional Scholarship, Clinical
Research appointments (e.g., Research Assistant Professor): expectations are solely for research activities, with appointments contingent on funding
Professional appointments (e.g., Assistant Professor of Clinical): expectations are solely for clinical or other professional services, and may contribute significantly to teaching
Voluntary clinical appointments (e.g., Clinical Assistant Professor): typically community-based, non-salaried faculty members involved in teaching or other activities at the SMD
Other / special appointments include non-doctoral-level appointments, Adjunct, Visiting, Interim, and Emeritus faculty members
Appointments, Re-appointments and Promotions
Appointments, Reappointments, Promotions
Materials as in the Required Paperwork are uploaded in Box for submission to the Office of Academic Affairs
Departments initiate the process for appointments, reappointments, and promotions at all ranks. In smaller departments, actions may be initiated by the chair; larger departments may utilize an intradepartmental promotions committee, division chiefs, or other internal processes.
Faculty appointments at all ranks require review by SMD finance and/or hospital leadership and/or URMFG as appropriate.
Actions for ranks at Assistant Professor and below level
- Reviewed and approved by the VDAA.
Actions for ranks at the Associate Professor level and above
- Reviewed by the VDAA and the Steering Committee (reappointments) or initiates the ad hoc process (initial appointments, promotions).
Following approval of an appointment or reappointment, faculty are sent a confirmation letter with a copy to the Chair and (if relevant) Center Director.