Part-Time Faculty Appointment Procedures

Part-Time Faculty Appointments

Part-time faculty appointments, also known as adjunct faculty appointments, support SIPA's instructional mission by bringing specialized academic, professional, and practitioner expertise into the classroom. Adjunct faculty contribute to the School's curriculum by teaching courses that complement the work of SIPA's full-time faculty and reflect emerging issues, specialized fields of practice, and areas of student interest.

Adjunct appointments are made based on identified curricular needs and the availability of funding. Because these appointments support specific instructional requirements of the School, adjunct faculty are appointed for a single semester at a time. Appointment in one semester does not create an expectation of appointment or reappointment in any future term.

Academic programs may propose adjunct faculty appointments when a need exists for expertise not otherwise available within the School's instructional resources or when additional instructional capacity is required. Adjunct faculty appointments are governed by School and University policies and are subject to review and approval through the School's academic governance processes. 
  

Part-Time Faculty Appointment Process

Adjunct faculty appointments originate with an academic program's determination that a curricular need exists and that funding is available to support the appointment. Academic programs are responsible for identifying instructional needs, proposing qualified candidates, and providing supporting documentation for review.

Proposed appointments are submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs and reviewed on behalf of the Dean. In reviewing proposed appointments, the School considers curricular need, subject matter expertise, academic and professional qualifications, programmatic priorities, and the availability of funding.

Adjunct faculty appointments are submitted to the Committee on Instruction (COI) for review and approval. The Committee serves as the School's principal faculty committee for curriculum governance and instructional matters.

Following approval, the Office of Academic Affairs prepares and issues appointment documentation and coordinates all required School and University administrative processes.

All appointments are subject to applicable School and University policies and approval requirements.
  

Instructional Authorizations

Officers of Research and Officers of Administration must obtain an approved Instructional Authorization before undertaking any instructional assignment or receiving an adjunct faculty appointment.

Instructional assignments are subject to applicable University policies, funding agency requirements, visa restrictions, and other regulatory considerations. No instructional assignment may be promised or undertaken until all required approvals have been obtained.

Instructional Authorization forms and related guidance are maintained by the University's Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. Faculty members and administrators should consult the Vice Provost's Office for current forms, instructions, eligibility requirements, and approval requirements, or contact the Office of Academic Affairs.