The purpose of this policy is to define those faculty ranks at UHCL which are not tenured and which do not lead to a tenure decision. All appointments to non tenure track rank shall be effective upon the approval of the president.
II. Definitions
Proof of completion of a terminal degree. This shall be either an official transcript showing the conferral of the degree or a letter of completion from the university which will confer the degree.
III. Policy
A. The following ranks are considered part of the non tenure track at UHCL: lecturer, senior lecturer, post doctoral fellow, visiting scholar, visiting lecturer, visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, visiting professor, clinical assistant professor, clinical associate professor, clinical professor.
B. All of these ranks have appointments for up to 1 year subject to constraints as described below. Unless specified in the letter of appointment the university at its discretion may or may not continue the appointment for subsequent years. Such reappointments will normally involve the needs of the university and non reappointment has no negative implications concerning the quality of work by the individual.
C. Instructional Level Requirements
1. Undergraduate
To teach undergraduate courses a person must have at least a master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in the teaching discipline.
2. Graduate
To teach graduate courses a person must be either 1) terminally degreed or 2) possess special expertise or credentials and be approved by the Provost.
D. Limitations & Conditions by Rank
1. Lecturer
a. Appointment as a Lecturer will be a non tenure track appointment. Completion of a terminal degree is not required for the appointment.
b. This rank has two distinct normal uses. First, it is used for full-time teachers. Second, it is used for full time employees in a non-instructional role who also teach with full responsibility for one or more courses.
c. Lecturer appointments may be for a term of one semester or for an academic year.
d. Role
i. Full-Time Lecturer
The normal teaching load for a full-time lecturer is twelve (12) semester credit hours, but deans may make exceptions for good and sufficient reasons. Other responsibilities for lecturers will be assigned by the dean as appropriate. Performance evaluation will reflect instructional performance and performance in any other assigned duties according to a weighting determined by the dean. School by-laws should specify if lecturers are accorded voting rights for school level issues.
ii. Part-Time Lecturer
A full-time employee may also be designated a Lecturer if that employee has part-time instructional duties as a normal part of his or her workload. For this instructional portion of the lecturer’s appointment, the criteria for regular faculty appointments will apply. Performance evaluation will reflect instructional performance and performance in any other assigned duties according to a weighting determined by the dean.
2. Senior lecturer
Appointment as senior lecturer is intended to recognize individuals with a continuing and significant contribution to teaching at UHCL. It has the same basic conditions as that of lecturer. In addition the appointee must have taught at UHCL for 6 consecutive years or more.
After that time, if the Dean thinks their services appropriate they may be appointed to this rank.
3. Visiting Faculty
a. Appointment as a visiting lecturer, visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting professor will be a non tenure track appointment. The appointee may or may not receive direct employment compensation from UHCL.
b. Visiting professorships are temporary and established for a specified period e.g., usually for a semester or an academic year. Any appointments over one year are subject to annual review.
c. Completion of a terminal degree is required for the appointment above the rank of visiting lecturer with appropriate experience & background for each of the ranks and may carry whatever rank is appropriate (e.g., visiting associate professor).
4. Auxiliary Faculty
a. Appointment as a clinical assistant professor, clinical associate professor, or clinical professor will be a non tenure track appointment. The appointee may or may not receive direct employment compensation from UHCL
b. Clinical professorships are intended for a continuing relationship over an extended period of time. They do not represent a commitment for a particular teaching load and, in fact, may include periods during which the individual is not teaching or performing any remunerated work. Pay, if any, will depend on the responsibilities at the time. Appointments are subject to annual review.
c. Completion of a terminal degree is required for the appointment with appropriate experience & background for each of those ranks and may carry whatever rank is appropriate (e.g., clinical associate professor).
5. Post Doctoral Fellow
The designation of post-doctoral fellow can be conferred upon an individual whose duties normally consist of conducting research with a faculty member or within an academic program at UHCL. A post-doctoral fellow is normally appointed for one year or more after completion of a doctoral degree and is typically hired by the university in case external funding is available. Any appointments over one year are subject to annual review.
6. Visiting Scholar
The designation of visiting scholar can be conferred upon an individual who conducts scholarly activity with a faculty member or with an academic program at UHCL. Typically, the visiting scholar comes to the University with external funding and with another university or research center affiliation. The person may or may not receive direct employment compensation from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
