POLICY 4.11.3.1 - Circumstances and Notice

• Probationary contracts: Non-reappointment shall not necessarily be considered as “being fired.” It is the purpose of the probationary period to determine qualifications for retention of the faculty of the university. Notification shall be made not later than March 1 of the first academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of the year; or, if a one-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least three months in advance of its termination. Notification shall be made not later than December 15 of the second or subsequent academic years of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year. See also Section 4.7.1, Probationary Contracts .
• Career Faculty Contracts: Under normal circumstances, faculty awarded a career faculty contract will be in the “first year of a three-year contract.” If, during the first year of the career faculty contract, a faculty member receives unsatisfactory evaluations, as judged by reporting official(s), relating to teaching, scholarship and/or service:
• The reporting official(s) must meet with the faculty member to discuss potential remedies. Expectations regarding resolution of these issues must be presented to the faculty member and a plan consistent with the requirements of promotion must be established in writing.
• The faculty member then shall be issued a “second year of a three-year contract.”
• If, at the end of the second year of the career faculty contract, the faculty member again receives unsatisfactory performance evaluations, the faculty member will be issued a “third year of a three-year contract”, which is considered terminal.
• If, on the other hand, at the end of the “first year (or second year) of a three-year contract period the faculty member has resolved issues relating to teaching, scholarship and/or service, the faculty member is issued a new “first year of three-year contract.”
• Notification of non-reappointment shall be made not later than May 15 of the calendar year in which a faculty member is issued a “third year of a three-year contract.” See also Section 4.7.2, Career Faculty Contract .
• Institutional responses to egregious performance and behavior issues may be addressed under Section 4.11.4, Discharge for Cause , and notification may occur at any time.
• Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any faculty member, including career faculty contract faculty, may be subject to non-reappointment under the following circumstances:
  • institution-wide financial exigencies which require the downsizing or elimination of majors, programs of study or departments, or
  • decline in enrollment which results in the downsizing or elimination of specific majors, programs and departments

Under these circumstances, the recommended procedure is to allow faculty to evolve to the end of their contract. When such a course is not possible, the following factors will be considered:

• good faculty standing
• years of full-time service
• rank
• years in rank