Faculty Appointments & Review

Lecturer Positions

Lecturer positions are academic-year, renewable faculty appointments, with summer session appointment possible on the same basis as for other faculty. Although an individual's appointment as Lecturer may be renewed, University policy requires that the appointment be made for one academic year at a time. Fringe benefits are provided in accordance with University rules for appointments of 50% or more. The number of Lecturer appointments in the College will remain small.

A Lecturer position in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences generally meets the following conditions:

• the research expectations that exist for tenure-track faculty are inappropriate, given the nature and extent of the teaching assignments,
• the potential for reappointment beyond three years is essential in order to ensure stability in the position and competitive recruiting of individuals who can ensure high-quality instruction, and
• funding for the position is identified, in consultation with the College.

Review of Faculty at the Rank of Lecturer

In each of the first six years of a Lecturer's appointment, the department submits a performance evaluation to the Dean's Office, using the College's standard form. Subsequently, a performance evaluation must be submitted every third year. The review form, with the Lecturer's response (if any), and the Lecturer's CV are due in the Office of the Dean in late spring.

The review is a substantive evaluation of the Lecturer's record in teaching, professional development, and service. These evaluations are based on the expectations for teaching, departmental service, and professional development stated in the most recent letter of appointment and in the current position description. The College's expectation is that at least 60% of a Lecturer's effort will be devoted to teaching organized courses. The letter of appointment and position description may state a higher expectation.

The purpose of the review is to advise the Lecturer on how well he or she is meeting departmental and collegiate expectations of the Lecturer appointment and to provide a basis for renewal of the contract and salary recommendations. The review report should outline substantive suggestions and specific expectations. The Lecturer has the right to respond to the review evaluation.

The review of teaching, professional development, and service may be conducted by the DEO or by another faculty member or a faculty committee to whom the DEO delegates the review. The review of teaching must include:

• student evaluations of teaching solicited in every course and kept on file (usually by the Lecturer) for use in faculty reviews,
• observation and report on at least one class session, and
• review of syllabi for all courses taught since the previous review.

Individuals with Lecturer appointments are expected to keep up with developments in the knowledge base and pedagogy of their subject. Positive performance reviews that would result in renewal of appointment therefore depend on some professional development activities. While involvement in professional service is not necessarily required, enhancement of credentials and notable professional service can contribute to merit-based raises.

Qualifications

Lecturer appointments normally require an advanced degree (masters or doctoral degree) or the equivalent. Graduate students cannot hold lecturer appointments.

Lecturer positions are subject to the usual affirmative action recruitment procedure expectations.