II-1.00(A) UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND POLICY ON APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION, AND TENURE OF FACULTY

APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT, FEBRUARY 16, 1993; APPROVED BY THE CHANCELLOR, MARCH 26, 1993; TEXT ON DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR APPROVED BY THE CHANCELLOR ON APRIL 15, 1994; TEXT ON EMERITUS STATUS ADDED 1995; TEXT ON MANDATORY RETIREMENT AT AGE 70 REMOVED MARCH, 1996; TEXT ON TERM OF SERVICE FOR APT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AMENDED FEBRUARY 1998; TEXT ON PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE AMENDED 1998; TEXT ON SENIOR LECTURER ADDED NOVEMBER 2002; TEXT ON APPEALS PROCESS AMENDED ON AUGUST 2003; TEXT ON FIELD FACULTY ADDED OCTOBER 2003; TEXT ON LIBRARIANS ADDED APRIL, 2004; APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHANCELLOR, DECEMBER 2004, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 23, 2005; TEXT ON COLLEGE PARK PROFESSOR ADDED JUNE 2005: CONTINUING THROUGH MAY 2012. TEXT ON LIBRARIAN EMERITA /EMERITUS STATUS ADDED APRIL 2006; TEXT ON FACULTY WITH SPLIT APPOINTMENTS ON APT COMMITTEES ADDED APRIL 2006; TEXT ON FACULTY EXTENSION AGENT AND ASSOCIATE AGENT AMENDED DECEMBER 15, 2006.

This policy complements the University of Maryland System Policy on Appointment, Rank, and Tenure of Faculty, adapting that policy in accordance with the institutional mission of the University of Maryland at College Park.  Within the framework of the System Policy, it specifies the criteria and procedures related to faculty personnel actions which shall apply to the University of Maryland at College Park.

Subject to the provisions of paragraphs I.C.15 and I.C.17 of the University of Maryland System Policy on Appointment, Rank and Tenure of Faculty (1989), the provisions of paragraph III.C of this University of Maryland at College Park Policy on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure of Faculty shall be published in the Faculty Handbook and shall constitute part of the contractually binding agreement between the university and the faculty member. Any proposed changes to this University of Maryland at College Park Policy on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure of Faculty shall be submitted for initial review and endorsement by the College Park Campus Senate.

Terminological Note

The procedures spelled out in this document for tenure and promotion review specify three levels of review below the President's office. For most faculty members these are the department, the college, and the campus levels. However, some faculty members are appointed in colleges and schools that are not departmentalized and that conduct the initial review at the college or school level. For uniform terminology the initial review, whether conducted by a department or a non-departmentalized school or college, is referred to as a "first-level review," and "department" is usually replaced by "first-level unit." First-level units thus comprise departments, non-departmentalized schools, and non-departmentalized colleges. Higher levels of review are referred to as "second-level" and "third-level."For the purpose of this policy, the term "university" and the term "institution" shall be synonymous and shall mean the University of Maryland at College Park. For the purpose of this policy, the word "days" shall refer to calendar days.

Purpose of this Policy

The University of Maryland is dedicated to the discovery and the transmission of knowledge and to the achievement of excellence in its academic disciplines. Each faculty member has a personal responsibility for contributing to the achievement of excellence in his or her own academic discipline and for exercising the best judgment in advancing the department, the college, and the University. Those faculty members holding the rank of Professor have the greatest responsibility for establishing and maintaining the highest standards of academic performance within the University. This Policy on the Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure of Faculty exists to set the standards for appointment and promotion to the various faculty ranks and to recognize and to encourage the achievement of excellence on the part of the faculty members through the awarding of tenure and through promotion within the faculty ranks. Through this process the University builds and enhances its educational programs and services and it advances the state of knowledge which supports the growth and development of our society.

The only faculty ranks which may involve a tenure commitment are: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Principal Agent, Senior Agent, and Agent, and such other ranks as the Board of Regents may approve. Effective April 5, 1989, appointments to all other ranks, including any qualified rank, other than an honorific qualification, in which an additional adjective is introduced, are for a definite term and do not involve a tenure commitment. Those granted tenure in such a rank before April 5, 1989, shall continue to hold tenure in that rank. The following shall be the minimum qualifications for appointment or promotion to the academic ranks in use by the University of Maryland at College Park.

A. Faculty with Duties in Teaching and Research

1. Instructor

An appointee to the rank of Instructor ordinarily shall hold the highest earned degree in his or her field of specialization. There shall be evidence also of potential for excellence in teaching and for a successful academic career. The rank does not carry tenure. NOTE: As of November 14, 1995, this title may NOT be used for new appointments.

2. Assistant Professor

The appointee shall have qualities suggesting a high level of teaching ability in the relevant academic field, and shall provide evidence of potential for superior research, scholarship, or artistic creativity in the field. Because this is a tenure-track position, the appointee shall at the time of appointment show promise of having, at such time as he or she is to be reviewed for tenure and promotion in accordance with paragraph I.C.4 of the University of Maryland System Policy and paragraph III.C.3 of this policy, the qualities described under "Associate Professor" below. In most fields the doctorate shall be a requirement for appointment to an assistant professorship. Although the rank normally leads to review for tenure and promotion, persons appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor after the effective date of this policy shall not be granted tenure in this rank.

3. Associate Professor

In addition to having the qualifications of an Assistant Professor, the appointee shall have a high level of competence in teaching and advisement in the relevant academic field, shall have demonstrated significant research, scholarship, or artistic creativity in the field and shall have shown promise of continued productivity, shall be competent to direct work of major subdivisions of the primary academic unit and to offer graduate instruction and direct graduate research, and shall have served the campus, the profession, or the community in some useful way in addition to teaching and research. Promotion to the rank from within confers tenure; appointment to the rank from without may confer tenure.

4. Professor

In addition to having the qualifications of an Associate Professor, the appointee shall have established a national and, where appropriate, international reputation for outstanding research, scholarship or artistic creativity, and a distinguished record of teaching. There also must be a record of continuing evidence of relevant and effective professional service. The rank carries tenure.

B. Faculty with Duties Primarily in Research, Scholarship, or Artistic Creativity

All appointments in the following titles are renewable. Appointments with these faculty titles do not carry tenure.

1. Faculty Research Assistant

The appointee shall be capable of assisting in research under the direction of the head of a research project and shall have ability and training adequate to the carrying out of the particular techniques required, the assembling of data, and the use and care of any specialized apparatus. A baccalaureate degree shall be the minimum requirement.

2. Research Associate

The appointee shall be trained in research procedures, shall be capable of carrying out individual research or collaborating in group research at the advanced level, and shall have had the experience and specialized training necessary for success in such research projects as may be undertaken. An earned doctorate shall normally be a minimum requirement.

3. Research Assistant Professor; Assistant Research Scientist; Assistant Research Scholar; Assistant Research Engineer

These ranks are generally parallel to Assistant Professor. In addition to the qualifications of a Research Associate, appointees to these ranks shall have demonstrated superior research ability. Appointees should be qualified and competent to direct the work of others (such as technicians, graduate students, other senior research personnel). The doctoral degree will be a normal requirement for appointment at these ranks. Appointment to these ranks may be made for a period of up to three years.

4. Research Associate Professor; Associate Research Scientist; Associate Research Scholar; Associate Research Engineer

These ranks are generally parallel to Associate Professor. In addition to the qualifications required of the assistant ranks, appointees to these ranks should have extensive successful experience in scholarly or creative endeavors, and the ability to propose, develop, and manage major research projects. Appointment to these ranks may be made for a period of up to three years.

5. Research Professor; Senior Research Scientist; Senior Research Scholar; Senior Research Engineer

These ranks are generally parallel to Professor. In addition to the qualifications required of the associate ranks, appointees to these ranks should have demonstrated a degree of proficiency sufficient to establish an excellent reputation among regional and national colleagues. Appointees should provide tangible evidence of sound scholarly production in research, publications, professional achievements or other distinguished and creative activity. Appointment to these ranks may be made for a period of up to five years.

6. Assistant Artist-in-Residence; Associate Artist-in-Residence; Senior Artist-in-Residence

These titles, parallel to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, respectively, are intended for those persons whose professional activities are of a creative or performance nature, including but not limited to theatre, dance, music, and art. In each case, the qualifications shall reflect demonstrated superior proficiency and excellence and progressively higher national and international reputation, as appropriate to the ranks involved. Appointment to the rank of Senior Artist-in-Residence may be made for a period of up to five years; appointment to the ranks of Assistant Artist-in-Residence and Associate Artist-in-Residence may be made for a period of up to three years.

C. Field Faculty

1. Associate Agent

The appointee shall hold at least a bachelor's degree and shall show evidence of ability to work with people. The appointee shall have an educational background related to the specific position and should demonstrate evidence of creative ability to plan and implement Cooperative Extension Service programs.  This is a term appointment and may be renewed annually.

2. Faculty Extension Assistant

The appointee shall be capable of assisting in Extension under the direction of the head of an Extension project and have the specialized expertise, training and ability to perform the duties required.  An earned bachelor’s degree and experience in the specialized field is required.

3. Faculty Extension Associate

The appointee shall be capable of carrying out individual instruction or collaborating in group discussions at the advanced level, should be trained in Extension procedures, and should have had the experience and specialized training necessary to develop and interpret data required for success in such Extension projects as may be undertaken. An earned doctorate shall be the minimum requirement.

4. Agent (parallel to the rank of Assistant Professor)

The appointee must hold a master's degree in an appropriate discipline and show evidence of academic ability and leadership skills. The appointee shall have an educational background related to the specific position.

5. Senior Agent (parallel to the rank of Associate Professor)

In addition to the qualifications of an Agent, the appointee must have demonstrated achievement in program development and must have shown originality and creative ability in designing new programs, teaching effectiveness, and evidence of service to the community, institution, and profession. Appointment to this rank may carry tenure.

6. Principal Agent (parallel to the rank of Professor)

In addition to the qualifications of a Senior Agent, the appointee must have demonstrated leadership ability and evidence of service to the community, institution, and profession. The appointee must also have received recognition for contributions to the Cooperative Extension Service sufficient to establish a reputation among State, regional and/or national colleagues, and should have demonstrated evidence of distinguished achievement in creative program development. Appointment to this rank carried tenure.

D. Faculty Engaged Exclusively or Primarily in Library Services

Library faculty hold the ranks of Librarian I-IV. Each rank requires a master’s degree from an American Library Association accredited program or a graduate degree in another field where appropriate. The master’s degree is considered the terminal degree. Appointments to these ranks are for 12 months with leave and other benefits provided to twelve-month tenured/tenure track faculty members with the exception of terminal leave, sabbatical leave, and non-creditable sick leave (collegially supported).

Permanent status is an institutional commitment to permanent and continuous employment to be terminated only for adequate cause (for example, professional or scholarly misconduct; incompetence; moral turpitude; or willful neglect of duty) and only after due process in accordance with relevant USM and campus policies. Librarians at the rank of Librarian I and Librarian II are not eligible for permanent status. Permanent status is available for library faculty holding the rank of Librarian III and Librarian IV. Those candidates without permanent status applying for the rank of Librarian III and Librarian IV shall be considered concurrently for permanent status.

1. Librarian I

This is an entry level rank, assigned to librarians with little or no professional library experience. This rank does not carry permanent status.

2. Librarian II

Librarians at this rank have demonstrated professional development evidenced by achievement of a specialization in a subject, service, technical, administrative, or other area of value to the library. This rank does not carry permanent status.

3. Librarian III

Librarians at this rank have a high level of competence in performing professional duties requiring specialized knowledge or experience. They shall have served the Libraries, the campus, or the community in some significant way; have shown evidence of creative or scholarly contribution; and have been involved in mentoring and providing developmental opportunities for their colleagues. They shall have shown promise of continued productivity in librarianship, service, and scholarship or creativity. Promotion to this rank from within the Libraries confers permanent status; appointment to this rank from outside the Libraries may confer permanent status.

4. Librarian IV

Librarians at this rank show evidence of superior performance at the highest levels of specialized work and professional responsibility. They have shown evidence of and demonstrate promise for continued contribution in valuable service and significant creative or scholarly contribution. Such achievement must include leadership roles and have resulted in the attainment of Libraries, campus, state, regional, national, or international recognition. This rank carries permanent status.

E. Additional Faculty Ranks

1. Assistant Instructor

The appointee shall be competent to fill a specific position in an acceptable manner, but he or she is not required to meet all the requirements for an Instructor. He or she shall hold the appropriate baccalaureate degree or possess equivalent experience.

2. Lecturer

The title Lecturer will ordinarily be used to designate appointments, at any salary and experience level, of persons who are serving in a teaching capacity for a limited time or part-time. This rank does not carry tenure.

3. Senior Lecturer

In addition to having the qualifications of a lecturer, the appointee normally shall have established over the course of six years a record of teaching excellence and service. Appointment to this rank requires the approval of the departmental faculty. The appointment is made for a term not to exceed five years and is renewable. This rank does not carry tenure.

4. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, Adjunct Professor

The appointee shall be associated with the faculty of a department or non-departmentalized school or college, but shall not be essential to the development of that unit's program. The titles do not carry tenure. The appointee may be paid or unpaid. The appointee may be employed outside the University, but shall not hold another paid appointment at the University of Maryland at College Park. The appointee shall have such expertise in his or her discipline and be so well regarded that his or her appointment will have the endorsement of the majority of the members of the professorial faculty of the academic unit. Any academic unit may recommend to the administration persons of these ranks; normally, the number of adjunct appointments shall comprise no more than a small percentage of the faculty in an academic unit. Appointments to these ranks shall not extend beyond the end of the fiscal year during which the appointment becomes effective and may be renewed.

5. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Affiliate Associate Professor, Affiliate Professor, Affiliate Librarian II, Affiliate Librarian III, and Affiliate Librarian IV

These titles shall be used to recognize the affiliation of a faculty member or other university employee with an academic unit other than that to which his or her appointment and salary are formally linked. The nature of the affiliation shall be specified in writing, and the appointment shall be made upon the recommendation of the faculty of the department with which the appointee is to be affiliated and with the consent of the faculty of his or her primary department. The rank of affiliation shall be commensurate with the appointee's qualifications.

6. Visiting Appointments

The prefix Visiting before an academic title, e.g., Visiting Professor, shall be used to designate a short-term professorial appointment without tenure.

7. Emerita, Emeritus

The word emerita or emeritus after an academic title shall designate a faculty member who has retired from full-time employment in the University of Maryland at College Park after meritorious service to the University in the areas of teaching, research, or service. Emerita or emeritus status may be conferred on Associate Professors, Professors, Distinguished University Professors, Research Associate Professors, Research Professors, Senior Agents, Principal Agents, Librarians III, and Librarians IV.

8. Distinguished University Professor

The title Distinguished University Professor will be conferred by the President upon a limited number of members of the faculty of the University of Maryland at College Park in recognition of distinguished achievement in teaching; research or creative activities; and service to the University, the profession, and the community. College Park faculty who, at the time of approval of this title, carry the title of Distinguished Professor, will be permitted to retain their present title or to change to the title of Distinguished University Professor. Designation as Distinguished University Professor shall include an annual allocation of funds to support his or her professional activities, to be expended in accordance with applicable University policies.

9. Professor of the Practice

This title may be used to appoint individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the practice as well as leadership in specific fields. The appointee shall have attained regional and national prominence and, when appropriate, international recognition of outstanding achievement. Additionally, the appointee shall have demonstrated superior teaching ability appropriate to assigned responsibilities. As a minimum, the appointee shall hold the terminal professional degree in the field or equivalent stature by virtue of experience. Appointees will hold the rank of Professor but, while having the stature, will not have rights that are limited to tenured faculty. Initial appointment is for periods up to five years, and reappointment is possible. This title does not carry tenure, nor does time served as a Professor of the Practice count toward achieving tenure in another title.

10. College Park Professor

This title may be used for nationally distinguished scholars, creative or performing artists, or researchers who would qualify for appointment at the University of Maryland at College Park at the level of professor but who normally hold full-time positions outside the University. Holders of this title may provide graduate student supervision, serve as principal investigators, and participate in departmental and college shared governance. Initial appointment is for three years and is renewable annually upon recommendation to the Provost by the unit head and dean. Appointment as a College Park Professor does not carry tenure or expectation of salary.

11. Other Titles

No new faculty titles or designations shall be created by the University of Maryland at College Park for appointees to faculty status without approval by the Campus Senate and the President.

II. CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION

The criteria for appointment, tenure, and promotion shall reflect the educational mission of the University of Maryland at College Park: to provide an undergraduate education ranked among the best in the nation; to provide a nationally and internationally renowned program of graduate education and research, making significant contributions to the arts, the humanities, the professions, and the sciences; and to provide public service to the state and the nation embodying the best tradition of outstanding land-grant colleges and universities.

In the case of both appointments and promotions every effort shall be made to fill positions with persons of the highest qualifications. Search, appointment, and promotion procedures shall comply with institutional policies, including affirmative action guidelines, and be widely publicized and published in the Faculty Handbook.

It is the special responsibility of those in charge of recommending appointments to make a thorough search of available talent before recommending appointees. At a minimum, the search for full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty and academic administrators shall include the advertisement of available positions in the appropriate media.

Decisions on tenure-track appointments must also take account of the academic needs of the department, school, college, and institution at the time of appointment and the projected needs at the time of consideration for tenure. This is both an element of sound academic planning and an essential element of fairness to candidates for tenure-track positions. Academic units shall select for initial appointment those candidates who, at the time of consideration for tenure, are most likely to merit tenure and also whose areas of expertise are most likely to be compatible with the unit's projected programmatic needs. The same concern shall be shown in the renewal of tenure-track appointments.

Each college, school, and department shall develop brief, general, written Criteria for Tenure and/or Promotion. The criteria to be considered in appointments and promotions fall into three general categories: (1) performance in teaching, advising, and mentoring of students; (2) performance in research, scholarship, and creative activity; (3) performance of professional service to the university, the profession, or the community. The relative importance of these criteria may vary among different academic units, but each of the categories shall be considered in every decision. The criteria for appointment to a faculty rank or tenure shall be the same as for promotion to that rank (or for tenuring at the rank of associate professor), whether or not the individual is being considered for an administrative appointment. An academic unit's general Criteria for Tenure and/or Promotion must receive the approval of the next level administrator. Any exceptional or unusual arrangements relating to criteria for tenure and/or promotion shall be specified in writing at the time of appointment and shall be approved by the faculty and administrator of the first-level unit, by the dean of the school or college, and by the Provost.

Upon appointment, each new faculty member shall be given by his or her chair or dean a copy of the unit's Criteria for Tenure and/or Promotion and the chair or dean shall discuss the Criteria with the faculty member. Each faculty member shall be notified promptly in writing by his or her chair or dean of any changes in the unit's Criteria for Tenure and/or Promotion.

Decisions on promotion of tenured faculty members shall be based on the academic merit of the candidate as evaluated using the relevant Criteria. Decisions on the renewal of untenured appointments and on promotion decisions involving the granting of tenure shall be based on the academic merit of the candidate as evaluated using the relevant Criteria and on the academic needs of the department, school, college, and institution. Considerations relating to the present or future programmatic value of the candidate's particular field of expertise, or other larger institutional objectives, may be legitimately considered in the context of a tenure decision. In no case, however, may programmatic considerations affecting a particular candidate be changed following the first renewal of the faculty contract of that candidate. It is essential that academic units develop long-range projections of programmatic needs in order that decisions on tenure and tenure-track appointments and promotions to tenure ranks be made on a rational basis.

A. Teaching and Advisement

Superior teaching and academic advisement at all instructional levels (or reasonable promise thereof in the case of initial appointments) are essential criteria in appointment and promotion. Every effort shall be made to recognize and emphasize excellence in teaching and advisement. The general test to be applied is that the faculty member be engaged regularly and effectively in teaching and advisement activities of high quality and significance.