III. Faculty Appointments
A. The Instructional Faculty
A member of the instructional faculty is a person whose appointment at the College is for teaching, research, and service, whether full-time or part-time, with or without tenure, and whether or not the person has membership in the voting faculty. (For a description of the voting faculty see Faculty Organization and By-Laws, Article I.) A member of the instructional faculty must participate fully in program assessment activities and in such other faculty activities as are assigned (e.g., academic advising). (Rev. July 2016)
The academic year is defined as a nine-month period, usually August 16 through May 15, but not more than 39 weeks. Course assignments for instructional faculty are made by the Department Chair or Program Director. Because the College of Charleston conducts courses at a number of locations in the Charleston area, in addition to the campus in Charleston’s Historic District, course sections may be scheduled at one of these locations. (Rev. July 2016)
All appointments to the instructional faculty are made by the President on recommendation of the Provost. Faculty may be appointed with tenure, or to tenure-track lines or to non-tenure-track lines or positions. Faculty may be appointed to any of the ranks listed in Sections III.A.1 and III.A.2 (below). No amount of service accumulated entitles a faculty member to a non-tenure-track line claim for de facto tenure; furthermore, such accumulated service does not make the person eligible for tenure consideration or for automatic consideration as a candidate for any tenured or tenure-track position that becomes open.
Instructional Faculty in Tenure-track or Tenured Lines
- a. Definition of Faculty Status
These faculty may be appointed with tenure, or they may be appointed and subsequently considered for tenure. Each tenured or tenure-track faculty member occupies a state-supported line and is counted as one of the authorized number of lines assigned to a department. The contract of each specifies whether the appointment is a nine-, 10-, or 11-month appointment and full-time or part-time. b. Faculty Ranks
Assistant Professor is a rank held by those who are usually in the early stages of their teaching and scholarly careers and who show potential for achieving distinction as teachers and scholars and making important contributions to the life of the College and the wider community. Persons appointed to this rank possess the doctorate, or the highest attainable degree in the discipline.7 If a Department or Program wishes to offer the rank to one who has not yet completed the terminal professional degree, the Department Chair or Program Director must obtain written approval from the Dean and the Provost. If the terminal degree is not attained during the first year of appointment, the contract will not be renewed.
Associate Professor is a rank held by those who have been recognized by the College as having demonstrated teaching and scholarly abilities and who have given evidence that they will make further significant contributions as teachers and scholars to the College community. One holding this rank must possess the Ph.D. degree or its equivalent.8
Professor is the highest academic rank and is held by those who have been recognized by the College for their outstanding teaching, research and service, for their contributions to their disciplines, and their continuous professional growth and development, and through their involvement in institutional activities, their commitment to the well-being of the College, and wider community; and typically they will have gained recognition in their profession at the national or international level. One holding this rank must possess the Ph.D. degree or its equivalent.9
University Professor is a permanent, honorary rank awarded to an outstanding tenured full professor. This honorary rank is held by those who have been recognized by the College for their exemplary performance in teaching, their unusual distinction in scholarly involvement, and significant performance in leadership and service to the faculty and College Community. A professor may be nominated for this rank by a Program Director, Department Chair, Academic Dean, the Speaker of the Faculty, or a University Professor or University Librarian IV. The President may appoint the individual upon recommendation of the relevant Dean, the Provost, and representatives of those already holding the rank of University Professor or University Librarian IV. (Ins. Aug. 2015)
Instructional Faculty Holding Non-tenure-track Lines or Positions
- a. Definition of Special Faculty Status
Instructional faculty who have “special” status hold positions that do not lead to tenure, or to de facto tenure, or to the right to be considered for a tenured or tenure-track position. Only those special status faculty who occupy a state line are entitled to full state benefits. Special status faculty may work on a full-time or part-time basis; they are appointed for a specified period and their contracts may be renewed. Special appointments do not carry voting privileges unless so specified in the Faculty By-Laws. Conditions of appointment and participation in departmental or program affairs must be fully described in the letter of appointment. Any faculty members on special status appointment may apply for any tenure-track or tenured faculty position that becomes open and for which they are qualified, and will be considered without prejudice. All faculty of special status who conduct classes must be evaluated by the Department Chair or Program Director annually or at the end of each semester or summer term. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to provide syllabi, reading lists, samples of paper topics and examinations to the Department Chair or Program Director who will consider these teaching materials in making the assessment of the appointee’s performance. Student evaluations of teaching shall be collected from students in classes taught by any faculty member of special status. All faculty holding special appointments must provide regular opportunities for students they instruct to meet with them to answer questions about subject matter. (Rev. July 2016; Aug. 2018) b. Special Faculty Ranks
Instructor is a non-tenure-track rank for faculty who may not hold the terminal degree and who normally teach only lower division courses. Instructors and Senior Instructors will be granted full privileges in all matters of faculty governance, except that departments or academic programs may restrict their voting privileges in personnel matters. A master’s degree in the relevant discipline is expected to be a minimum requirement for employment at the rank of Instructor. Instructors occupy state-supported lines with benefits and receive annual nine-month contracts. Department Chairs and Program Directors, in consultation with their faculty colleagues, review instructors at the end of each contract year to determine whether to continue the appointments. During the sixth year, Instructors are required to undergo a review for promotion to Senior Instructor. Colleagues will not be kept at the rank of Instructor beyond one year if they are not promoted to Senior Instructor. (Rev. Aug. 2018)
Senior Instructor is a non-tenure-track rank for faculty who may not hold the terminal degree and who normally teach only lower division courses. Senior instructors are appointed to this rank after successful completion of a probationary employment period of six years at the rank of Instructor at which time they will be reviewed for continuation of employment at the rank of Senior Instructor. Appointment at this rank and reappointment for continuation take place after the Department Chair, the Departmental Evaluation Panel, the Dean, the Advisory Committee on Tenure, Promotion and Third-Year Review, and the Provost have made their recommendations to the President. All recommendations are forwarded to the President who makes the final decision. In the case of a negative recommendation, the President will inform the candidate at least twelve months before the expiration of any appointment, thereby allowing an Instructor to serve one additional year beyond the sixth year. Senior Instructors will be reviewed every seventh year for the continuation of employment according to the process outlined above. (Rev. Aug. 2014)
Visiting Faculty - The prefix “visiting” in a title is used for a person who holds a temporary, full-time appointment in a state-supported line with benefits. Qualifications and compensation are comparable to those for appointment at corresponding rank (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, etc.). Every visiting member must hold rank.
Adjunct Faculty - The adjunct faculty member is usually an expert in a special field or an experienced teacher in a discipline where additional instruction is needed by the department to meet student enrollment demands. Adjunct appointments are for a single semester. Adjunct faculty may be part-time or full-time.
Adjunct faculty members are initially assigned the special faculty rank of Adjunct Lecturer. A Dean may confer the rank of Adjunct Senior Lecturer when a member of the adjunct faculty at the College of Charleston has taught 30 or more course sections at the College, has worked at the College for at least eight separate semesters or summer terms, has been responsible for at least 500 student enrollments, and continues to serve as a member of the College’s adjunct faculty.
Adjunct faculty members do not normally have professorial rank or the special faculty rank of Instructor or Senior Instructor. Adjunct faculty members are not eligible for emeritus or emerita faculty titles. In unusual cases, departments or academic programs may recommend to a Dean that a member of the department or program’s adjunct faculty be appointed with a titular professorial rank. If a Dean receives the appropriate recommendation from a department or academic program, the Dean may confer titular professorial rank, providing that the rank includes the word “adjunct” (e.g., “Adjunct Associate Professor”).
If half time or less, an adjunct faculty member is usually paid at a fixed rate per course established by the Provost in consultation with the Dean and Department Chair (or Program Director) for each discipline, and does not occupy a state-supported line. Some receive no pay, but hold the title as a purely honorary appointment. If an adjunct faculty member is more than half-time, a prorated rate derived from the full-time rate appropriate to the discipline, duties, qualifications and experience of the individual will be negotiated by the Provost, the Dean, the Department Chair (or Program Director) and the adjunct faculty member.
The contract is renewable so long as the department or program requires the adjunct’s services and requests the continuation, and provided such faculty members meet their contract responsibilities, including being available to the students from their classes outside the classroom, and the department conducts appropriate evaluations of an individual’s teaching performance in each course offered and finds that the quality of instruction meets departmental standards. Each contract and/or letter of appointment must describe the duties and expectations as well as the limitations on that appointment. (Rev. Aug. 2018)
Graduate Assistant - This title is used for students enrolled full-time in a graduate program. Their duties may be grading papers, assisting in research, assisting in a laboratory conducted by a senior faculty member, etc. The terms and conditions of every appointment to a graduate assistantship will be stated in writing, and a copy of the appointment document will be supplied to the graduate assistant. (Rev. Aug. 2018)
Instructional Faculty Status, Departmental Affiliation and Rank for Members of the Academic Administration
- a. Tenured Faculty Appointed Administrative Officers of the College
Tenured faculty members may accept appointment to the administration. Such individuals retain tenure, rank, and departmental or program affiliation while holding the administrative position. If they teach less than half-time in any academic year, the department or program may request that such members no longer participate in departmental or program affairs or participate in discussion, without vote; or may place any other limitation on the degree of involvement of the individuals in departmental or program business. The Department Chair or Program Director reports in writing the wishes of the tenured members of the department or program to the Dean and the Provost who incorporates them into the administrator’s letter of appointment. When faculty members leave the administrative post, they automatically return to full-time faculty status in the department or program, and all rights and privileges of departmental or program membership are restored. While an administrator, faculty members retain voting privileges so long as they qualify under the stipulations of the By-Laws of the Faculty, Article I. (Rev. July 2016; Aug. 2018) b. Non-College, Tenure-track or Special Status Faculty Appointed as Administrative Officers of the College
An academic department or program may recommend faculty status and rank for an administrative officer of the College of Charleston to the appropriate Academic Dean and Provost. On the recommendation of the Provost, the President makes all appointments to the instructional faculty. The letter of appointment should specify the following:Faculty status. After consultation with the department or program, the letter will specify tenure, tenure-track, or coterminous faculty status. A coterminous faculty appointment terminates when the individual leaves the administrative position, for any reason.
Faculty rank. After consultation with the department or program, the letter will specify any rank from Instructor to Professor.
Departmental or program participation. The letter will state any agreement the department or program and the individual have reached about the number and frequency of courses the administrator may teach each year. (Rev. July 2016)
B. Joint Appointments to the Instructional Faculty
Ordinarily, an instructional faculty appointment is made to a single academic department. A joint appointment is defined as an instructional faculty appointment made to two or more academic departments and/or stand-alone academic programs in which faculty members have compensated FTE duties in the units to which they are appointed. Joint appointments may be at any percentage of effort not exceeding 100%. A joint appointment may be for a specified period or may be permanent. (Rev. July 2016; Aug. 2018)
In such cases the conditions relevant to the joint faculty appointment, including but not limited to annual faculty evaluation; percentage of effort assigned to each department; sources of institutional support; and special concerns relevant to third-year review, tenure, and/or promotion, shall be specified in a memorandum of understanding and signed by the appropriate administrators (e.g., all Deans and Department Chairs with an interest in the appointment), including the Provost. Whenever possible, the memorandum of understanding should be reviewed by the faculty member receiving the appointment at least 30 calendar days prior to the first day on which the appointment would take effect. When such cases involve adjunct faculty members, the relevant unit may create a single memorandum of understanding covering all adjunct faculty performing instructional duties for the unit.
For any case involving a joint faculty appointment, all provisions of the Faculty/Administration Manual should be interpreted in light of the conditions specified in the relevant memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding should indicate who performs the duties assigned to the department and Department Chair in other provisions of the Faculty/Administration Manual.
For roster faculty10, joint appointments shall exist only when recognized as such in a letter of initial appointment (or newly issued letter of appointment) signed by the President. Any letter establishing a joint appointment should be signed by the President only after the letter has been reviewed by all Deans and Department Chairs with an interest in the appointment. (App. Sept. 2006)
C. Instructional Faculty Appointments Outside Academic Departments
Ordinarily, an instructional faculty appointment is made to a single academic department. Faculty appointments outside academic departments are defined as those instructional faculty appointments made in whole or in part to schools, programs, academic centers, and/or administrative units other than academic departments at the College of Charleston. Such appointments may be at any percentage of effort not exceeding 100%. Faculty appointments outside academic departments may be for a specified period or may be permanent.
In such cases the conditions relevant to the faculty appointment, including but not limited to annual faculty evaluation; percentage of effort assigned to each unit; sources of institutional support; and special concerns relevant to third-year review, tenure, and/or promotion, shall be specified in a memorandum of understanding and signed by the appropriate administrators (e.g., all Deans and Department Chairs with an interest in the appointment), including the Provost. Whenever possible, the memorandum of understanding should be reviewed by the faculty member receiving the appointment at least 30 calendar days prior to the first day on which the appointment would take effect. When such cases involve adjunct faculty members, the relevant unit may create a single memorandum of understanding covering all adjunct faculty performing instructional duties for the unit.
For any case involving a faculty appointment outside an academic department, all provisions of the Faculty/Administration Manual should be interpreted in light of the conditions specified in the relevant memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding should indicate who performs the duties assigned to the department and Department Chair in other provisions of the Faculty/Administration Manual.
For roster faculty, appointments outside academic departments shall exist only when recognized as such in a letter of initial appointment (or newly issued letter of appointment) signed by the President. Any letter establishing a faculty appointment outside an academic department should be signed by the President only after the letter has been reviewed by all Deans and Department Chairs with an interest in the appointment.(App. Sept. 2006)
D. Library Faculty
Definition of the Library Faculty
Librarians have faculty rank and status, thus signifying the integral part they play in the teaching and learning processes. In addition to faculty status and rank, library faculty have position-titles assigned by the Dean of Libraries that describe their specific duties in the operation of the library. The Dean of Libraries directs, supervises and evaluates the librarians’ performance of duties. Because the function of the librarians is both academic and administrative, librarians are subject to standards and processes governing selection, evaluation, tenure and promotion that reflect their identity and are modifications of those used by and for instructional faculty.
A member of the library faculty is a person who has earned an appropriate graduate degree or degrees (typically to include the M.L.I.S. or its equivalent), from an accredited university and has been appointed to a faculty rank with appropriate library position-title within the library system of the College. Such appointments carry a library faculty rank comparable to ranks for instructional faculty. A person appointed to the library faculty provides professional library service in one or more of the libraries of the College. Library faculty hold eleven-month appointments within the twelve-month period from July 1 to the following June 30. All appointments of members of the library faculty are made on recommendation of the Dean of Libraries, the Provost and the President. (Rev. Aug. 2015, Aug. 2016)
Librarians may be appointed with tenure, or to tenure-track lines or to non-tenure-track lines or positions. Librarians may be appointed to any of the ranks listed in Sections III.D.2 and III.D.3 (below). No amount of service accumulated entitles a librarian appointed to a non-tenure-track line to a claim for de facto tenure; furthermore, such accumulated service does not make the person eligible for tenure consideration or for automatic consideration as a candidate for any tenured or tenure-track position that becomes open.
Library Faculty in Tenured or Tenure-track Lines
a. Definition
These library faculty may be appointed with tenure, or may be appointed and subsequently considered for tenure and/or promotion. Each tenured or tenure-track library faculty member occupies a state-supported line and is counted as one of the authorized number of lines assigned to the library system. The contract for each will specify whether the appointment is full-time or part-time.b. Library Faculty Ranks
Librarian I is a rank held by those with fewer than three years professional experience. Appointments to this rank are for a stated length of service, but for no more than three years.
Librarian II is a rank held by those who are in the early stages of their careers and who show potential for achieving distinction as librarians and making contributions to the life of the College and wider community. Persons appointed to this rank normally have at least three years professional experience and a record of professional competence, professional growth and development, and service. This is the lowest rank at which one may be granted continuous tenure.
Librarian III is a rank held by those who have been recognized by the College as having demonstrated excellence in professional library performance and have given evidence that they will make further significant contributions as librarians to the College and community.
Librarian IV is the highest academic library rank and is held by those librarians who have been recognized for their outstanding performance and for contributions to the discipline of librarianship, for their continuous professional growth and development, their commitment to the well-being of the College through their involvement in institutional activities, and their service to the wider community. Typically they will also have gained recognition in librarianship at the regional, national, and/or international levels.
University Librarian IV is a permanent, honorary rank awarded to an outstanding tenured Librarian IV. This honorary rank is held by those who have been recognized by the College for their exemplary performance as librarians. A Librarian IV may be nominated for this rank by the Provost, the Dean of Libraries, or a University Professor or University Librarian IV. The President may appoint the individual upon recommendation of the Dean of Libraries, the Provost, and representatives of those already holding the rank of University Professor or University Librarian IV. (Ins. Aug. 2015)
Library Faculty Holding Non-tenure-track Lines or Positions
a. Definition of Special Library Faculty Status
Library faculty with special status hold positions that do not lead to tenure, or to de facto tenure, or to the right to be considered for a tenured or tenure-track position. Only those special status library faculty who occupy a state line are entitled to state benefits. They may work on a full-time or part-time basis; they are appointed for a specified period and their contracts may be renewed. Special appointments do not carry voting privileges unless so specified in the Faculty By-Laws. Conditions of appointment and participation in library affairs must be fully described in the letter of appointment. Library faculty members on special status appointment may apply for any library faculty position that becomes open and for which they are qualified, and will be considered without prejudice. All library faculty of special status must be evaluated annually or at the end of each semester or summer term. (Rev. Aug. 2018)
b. Special Library Faculty Ranks
Visiting Library Faculty - The prefix “visiting” in a title is used for a person who holds a temporary, full-time appointment in a state-supported line. Qualifications and compensation are comparable to those for appointment at a corresponding rank (Librarian I, Librarian II, etc.). Every visiting member must hold rank.
Adjunct Library Faculty - The adjunct is usually an expert in a special field of librarianship and is hired when additional assistance is needed by the library to meet student enrollment demands. Adjunct appointments are for a specified period of one year or less. Adjunct faculty may be part-time or full-time.
If half-time or less, an adjunct library faculty member is usually paid at a fixed rate established by the Provost in consultation with the Dean of Libraries, receives no fringe benefits, and does not occupy a state-supported line. Some receive no pay, but hold the title as a purely honorary appointment. If an adjunct library faculty member is more than half-time, a full-time rate appropriate to the discipline, duties, qualifications and experience of the individual will be negotiated by the Provost and the Dean of Libraries and the adjunct faculty member.
The contract is renewable so long as the library requires the adjunct’s services and requests the continuation, and provided such faculty members meet their contract responsibilities. Each contract and/or letter of appointment must describe the duties and expectations as well as the limitations on that appointment. (Rev. July 2016; Aug. 2018)
Faculty Status and Rank for Librarians with Administrative Responsibilities
Appointments of faculty librarians as Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, or Executive Director are generally considered administrative appointments. (Rev. Aug. 2015)
A member of the library faculty who accepts appointment to one of these positions will normally be a tenured member of the library faculty. The individual retains tenure and rank in the library. If the library faculty member leaves the administrative post, the former administrator automatically returns to full-time library faculty status with all rights and privileges. (Rev. Aug. 2018)
Successful candidates for administrative positions within the library system are normally offered faculty status and rank. Librarians with administrative responsibilities who have library faculty status and rank will be evaluated for promotion and tenure according to the process outlined in Section VI.C and VI.D. Upon recommendation of the Dean of Libraries and the Provost, the President may retain a librarian in an administrative position without faculty status or rank.
E. Courtesy Faculty Appointments
The major purpose of making courtesy faculty appointments is to stimulate interaction between the appointee and the students and faculty of the College. This interaction could take the form of teaching, advising, research, and/or service.
Courtesy faculty appointments may be offered to persons who visit the College of Charleston from other institutions or work outside the College and who contribute without compensation to a Department, School, or Program. The individual is given the title of Faculty Affiliate, unless some other title is approved by the Provost (e.g., Research Scientist, Executive in Residence, Courtesy Associate Professor of Teacher Education).
Courtesy faculty appointments are normally made for three years and should typically be aligned with the academic calendar. Persons with courtesy faculty appointments receive neither salaries nor benefits from the College for the completion of any tasks associated with their courtesy appointments. (Rev. July 2016)
F. Emeriti Faculty Appointments
Following retirement, an instructional faculty member or librarian may be nominated by a Department Chair or the Dean of the Library (or equivalent administrator) for the “Emeritus” or “Emerita” title. “Emeritus” or “Emerita” appointments must be approved by the appropriate Academic Dean and the Provost. The names of emeriti faculty will be included in the College catalogue and other appropriate directories.
The emeritus or emerita rank is conferred only when a retired faculty colleague, in the judgment of the appropriate administrators, has a history of exemplary service to the College of Charleston. An emeritus or emerita title is used in association with the faculty rank held by the faculty colleague at the time of retirement (e.g., “Associate Professor Emerita” or “Librarian III Emeritus”).
The College of Charleston may choose to extend special benefits to retired faculty to whom the emeritus or emerita rank has been granted. Upon application, emeriti faculty will be issued an identification card that will allow them access to the benefits of active faculty in accordance with all College policies: e-mail and professional web site usage; the use of libraries and gyms; admission to athletic contests, artistic performances, lectures and College-wide social events. Emeriti faculty may also continue to use the College as an agent for external grant applications.
7 In the various fields of the visual and performing arts, training and experience other than graduate study may provide excellent preparation for college teaching. It is the responsibility of the department to document and present to the Provost certifications, reviews, work experience, and other qualifications if these are to substitute for or supplement formal academic preparation in awarding any of these professional ranks.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Roster faculty members are those individuals holding full-time faculty appointments and assigned to a state-supported line. Roster faculty appointments include those made for tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty, Instructors, Senior Instructors, and visiting faculty.