All appointments to non-tenure-track faculty positions, including part‑time appointments, will be made in accordance with departmental and college bylaws and subject to the provisions of this handbook. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, tenured and tenure-track faculty, or a committee including tenured and tenure-track faculty, will evaluate credentials and vote on non-tenure-track appointments in accordance with departmental and college bylaws.
Notification of appointment is made by letter from the Office of the Chancellor. This appointment letter specifies (a) rank, (b) salary and related financial conditions, (c) general duties and expectations, and (d) duration. Previous correspondence between the department head, dean or director, and a prospective faculty member concerning these matters is unofficial and not binding on the University of Tennessee. The faculty member’s written acceptance of the letter of appointment, together with execution of normal university employment forms, completes the initial appointment. The employment of non-tenure-track faculty is governed by the terms of the appointment letter, applicable provisions of the Faculty Handbook, and applicable provisions of university policies and procedures.
Conditions necessary to perform assigned duties in a professional manner, including such things as appropriate office space, necessary supplies, support services, and equipment will be provided to non-tenure-track faculty members. Departments should have consistent criteria for deciding teaching assignments. Departments should consider the views of non-tenure-track faculty in setting schedules and other issues that impact quality of teaching and working conditions. Opportunities for faculty development, including travel to scholarly meetings, should be provided whenever possible. Non-tenure-track faculty should have the opportunity to participate in departmental, college, and/or university governance on all issues related to their assigned responsibilities in accordance with departmental and college bylaws. NTTF enjoy the same academic freedoms as tenured and tenure-line faculty.
A non-tenure-track appointment (whatever its duration) may be renewed for a new term through the normal application and appointment process. Renewal decisions will include consideration of available funding and the faculty member’s performance. If a non-tenure-track appointment is not renewed in writing, it automatically expires at the end of the stated term. A non-tenure-track appointment may be, by its nature, funding-limited; the compensation amounts for the position may be funded through a grant, contract, or restricted donation, and it may automatically expire when funding lapses. Whenever feasible, however, subject to available funding, a non-tenure-track faculty member’s department head should give the faculty member at least (a) one month’s written notice of termination of the faculty member’s employment or (b) salary equivalent to that which would be paid in the event of one month’s notice of the termination of the faculty member’s employment.
Non-tenure-track positions are filled as required to meet university needs and may occur at any time during the year. Typically, initial non-tenure-track appointments will be made at the lowest rank in a category. In unusual circumstances, the department head, with the prior permission of the dean and the chief academic officer, may recommend to the applicable chancellor initial appointment at a rank higher than the lowest rank for a non-tenure-track category. In such cases, appointment rank is made commensurate with the expertise and academic credentials of the individual.
4.1.1 Positions Terms of and Procedures for Appointment for Each NTT Category
Generally, regular nine-month academic year faculty are expected to be on campus a week before the beginning of fall semester classes and through commencement in the spring. Generally, regular 12-month appointments run July 1 through June 30.
4.1.1.1 Terms of and Procedures for Appointment to Non-Tenure-Track Teaching Positions
Non-tenure-track teaching positions are made to meet teaching needs. The process for recommending non-tenure-track teaching appointments is governed by the unit and college bylaws and by applicable university policies. The department head then recommends appointments to the dean, who will in turn recommend appointments to the chief academic officer. Notification of appointment is made by letter from the chief academic officer. In those cases where immediate replacements of faculty are required, the department head may recommend appointments without prior faculty review. However, in such cases, departmental faculty should be notified of the appointment as soon as possible.
Typically, initial non-tenure-track teaching appointments will be made at the rank of lecturer for a definite term of one year or less. Non-tenure-track teaching faculty promoted to the rank of senior lecturer will have the possibility of reappointment for up to three years from each reappointment date, contingent upon funding. Distinguished lecturers will have the possibility of reappointment for up to five years from each reappointment date, contingent upon funding.
In unusual circumstances, the department head, with the prior permission of the dean, may recommend to the chief academic officer initial appointment at a rank of senior lecturer or distinguished lecturer. In such cases, initial appointment may be for a period of up to three years for a senior lecturer or up to five years for a distinguished lecturer.
The following ranks or titles may be assigned to non-tenure-track teaching faculty: instructor, lecturer, senior lecturer, distinguished lecturer, adjunct faculty, joint faculty, and visiting faculty.
4.1.1.2 Terms of and Procedures for Appointment to Non-Tenure-Track Research Positions
Non-tenure-track research positions are filled as required to meet research needs and may occur at any time during the year. Department and college bylaws establish standards and procedures relating to searches for and promotion of research faculty.
All non-tenure-track research appointments will be made for a definite term of up to five years.
The following ranks or titles may be assigned to non-tenure-track research faculty: research assistant professor, research associate professor, research professor, adjunct research faculty, joint faculty, and visiting research faculty.
4.1.1.3 Terms of and Procedures for Appointment to Non-Tenure-Track Clinical Positions
Non-tenure-track clinical faculty are appointed to meet instructional needs and provide professional services. Department and college bylaws establish standards and procedures relating to searches for and promotion of clinical faculty.
All non-tenure-track clinical appointments will be made for a definite term of up to five years.
The following ranks or titles may be assigned to non-tenure-track clinical faculty: clinical instructor, clinical assistant professor, clinical associate professor, clinical professor, visiting clinical faculty, joint faculty, and adjunct clinical faculty
4.1.1.4 Terms of and Procedures for Appointment to Non-Tenure-Track Faculty of Practice Positions
Non-tenure-track faculty of practice are appointed to meet instructional and research needs, with the specific intent of bringing practicing professionals into the classroom and research laboratories. Department and college bylaws establish standards and procedures relating to searches for and promotion of faculty of practice.
All non-tenure-track faculty of practice appointments will be made for a definite term of up to five years.
The following ranks or titles may be assigned to non-tenure-track faculty of practice: instructor of practice, assistant professor of practice, associate professor of practice, and professor of practice.
4.1.1.5 Terms of and Procedures for Appointment to Non-Tenure Track Extension Positions
Non-Tenure-Track Extension faculty positions are filled as required to meet outreach and engagement needs and may occur at any time during the year. Bylaws of the applicable unit establish standards and procedures related to hiring and promotion of extension faculty.
All non-tenure-track extension appointments will be made for a definite term of up to five years.
The following ranks or titles may be assigned to non-tenure-track Extension faculty: Extension assistant professor, Extension associate professor, Extension professor, adjunct Extension faculty and visiting Extension faculty.