Academic Appointments and Titles (E-1A)
Original Implementation: September 6, 1979
Last Revision: April 19, 2011
The allocation of positions and appointments to fill positions is the responsibility of the provost and vice president for academic affairs as delegated by the president of the university. The dean of the appropriate college makes recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs concerning the creation of new positions and appointments to fill existing vacancies. The faculty of each academic unit participates in the development of staffing plans.
All conditions of appointment shall be in writing at the time of appointment.
The rank of initial appointment is based upon the qualifications of the appointee in relation to programmatic needs of the academic unit and the university. In order to be appointed to a tenure track rank, individuals are expected to have completed the highest level course of academic study available in the discipline of their primary responsibility. Ordinarily, that would be a doctoral degree or a master's degree that is considered to be a terminal degree in the particular field. Additionally, all teaching faculty should meet faculty qualifications as prescribed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
For the appointment of a tenure-track faculty member or librarian, the ranks of instructor, assistant, associate and full professor, or librarian I, II, III and IV are used for full-time appointments for an academic year. These positions are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy on Tenure (E-50A). All other categories are used for full-time or part-time appointments for a semester or a full academic year. Service in non-tenure track ranks is not applicable toward tenure and not subject to the terms and conditions of the tenure policy.
Tenure-track Ranks
Faculty
The rank of Instructor may be held by an individual without a terminal degree but with contract provisions specifying a completion date. Appointments to this rank after August 2005 are on tenure track and must go through tenure process. The minimum criterion on appointment to the rank of instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University is a master’s degree in the field in which the individual will be teaching.
The rank of Assistant Professor is held by an individual who demonstrates the capability to produce research/scholarly/creative accomplishments, teach effectively and provide service to the academic and general communities.
The rank of Associate Professor is held by an individual with a proven record of research/scholarly/creative accomplishments, effective teaching and service to the academic and general communities.
The rank of Professor is held by an individual who has a record of research/scholarly/creative accomplishments, effective teaching and service to the academic and general communities and whose contributions to the profession or field are substantial and are recognized beyond the campus.
Librarian
The minimum criterion for appointment to any rank as librarian is a master's degree in library science from a school accredited by the American Library Association. This degree is the minimum for appointment to the rank of Libriarian I.
The rank of Librarian II is held by an individual who has demonstrated capabilities to be an effective and productive librarian and a contributing member of the academic and general communities as evidenced by substantial job accomplishments and participation in professional library organizations or professional service to the university or the community.
The rank of Librarian III is held by an individual who has a proven record of effective and productive librarianship and has made numerous professional contributions to the academic and general communities through presentations at professional meetings, professional publications, or service to library organizations.
The rank of Librarian IV is held by an individual whose contributions to the profession of librarianship are substantial and are recognized at the state and national levels to be of high quality. The applicant's professional contributions to the academic and general communities should be significant as evidenced by exceptional records of accomplishment in the lower ranks.
Non-tenure Track Ranks
Service in the following ranks is not applicable toward tenure.
Archivist
The minimum criterion for appointment to any rank as archivist is a Master of Arts degree in public history with an archival studies concentration. This degree is the minimum for appointment to the rank of Archivist I.
The rank of Archivist II is held by an individual who has a proven record of effective and productive performance.
The rank of Archivist III is held by an individual who has a proven record of effective and productive performance. The individual shall also have made significant professional contributions to the academic and general communities through presentations at professional meetings, professional publications or service to library organizations.
The rank of Archivist IV is held by an individual who has a proven record of substantial contributions to the profession recognized at the state and national levels. Additionally, the individual holding this rank must have successfully passed the Academy of Certified Archivist Examination.
Other Faculty
Generally, the Senior Lecturer title is used for a full-time, nine-month position given to someone who has a terminal degree.
Generally, the Lecturer title is used for a full-time, nine-month position given to someone who has not completed a terminal degree. .
Generally, the Adjunct title is used for a full-time or part-time position that is contracted on a semester basis. This category is used to fill temporary vacancies
Visiting (Rank): Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, or Instructor
These positions are full-time, nine-month or semester appointments depending on the circumstances. The visiting instructor may hold this position at another institution and does not hold a terminal degree. The visiting assistant professor may hold the assistant position at another institution. The visiting associate and visiting full professors shall have attained the rank of associate or full professor at another institution and must hold a terminal degree.
Special Designated Titles
This category is used for part-time and/or full-time appointments. Appointees in this category may carry specially designated titles (assigned by the appropriate academic dean in consultation with the provost and vice president for academic affairs). The designated title should reflect the appointee's assignment. Designations such as the following are suggested examples: clinical instructor, artist-in-residence, director of bands or research associate.
Graduate Assistant
This rank is used only for appointments of enrolled graduate students.
Cross Reference: Academic Promotion (E-3A); Tenure (E-50A); Library Faculty (E-31A)
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Forms: None
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs