CHAPTER 2 / FACULTY APPOINTMENT
Revisions accepted by the General Faculty 5-10-05

2.1       /    Appointment and Reappointment Policies
2.11     /    Appointment Notice
2.111   /    Term of Appointment
2.112   /    Academic Year Appointment
2.113   /    Annual Appointment
2.114   /    Summer Session Appointments
2.115   /    Emeritus Appointment
2.1151 /   KBOR Emeritus Status Policy
2.2       /    Employment Oath
2.3       /    Faculty Ranks and Titles
2.31     /    Types of Appointments
2.32     /    Special Conditions of Appointment
2.34     /    Joint Faculty Appointment
2.35     /    Notice of Non-Reappointment
2.4       /    Recruitment Policy
2.5       /    Policy Concerning Employment of Relatives

2.1 / Appointment and Reappointment Policies

2.11 / Appointment Notice
 WSU Policies & Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_01.htm

Faculty appointments are formalized by an appointment form or notice that states the term of employment, salary, faculty rank, and appointment status. Appointment notices for the next academic year are issued by the President's Office as soon after the legislative session as possible.

2.111 / Term of Appointment
WSU Policies & Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_02.htm

2.112 / Academic Year Appointments
The following guideline on academic year appointments was adopted by the Council of Presidents on February 16, 1978:

Academic year appointments are for a period of approximately nine months beginning just prior to fall registration and extending through spring Commencement. Faculty duties include teaching/librarianship, advising and counseling, research, scholarly, and creative activities, other university duties, and community and public service. Periods when classes are not in session are normally devoted to the above-listed non-teaching functions or to other specially scheduled activities.

2.113 / Annual Appointments
Some faculty and most administrative personnel receive annual appointments, including vacation and holidays.

2.114 / Summer Session Appointments
Some members of the faculty are appointed to teach in the Summer Session. Assignment to Summer Session teaching is a matter of college/school/University Libraries and departmental policy and decision, subject to guidelines established by the director of the Summer Session.

2.115 / Emeritus Appointment
WSU Policies & Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_25.htm  rev. 8-1-07

1.  Emeritus status recognizes meritorious service to Wichita State University by a retiring faculty member or unclassified professional employee who has served the University for a minimum of ten continuous years.  Factors to be considered in the evaluation and determination of meritorious service are contributions in the areas of teaching, scholarly activity, service or leadership.  Exceptions to these criteria may be authorized and approved by the President.

2.  Recommendations for the award of emeritus status to a faculty member are initiated by the department.  Upon review and concurrance by the appropriate dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, recommendations are forwarded to the President for final review.

3.  Recommendations for the award of emeritus status to an unclassified professional employee can be initiated by a Dean, Director or higher level University administrator and are forwarded to the President for final review.

4.  There is no salary or emolument associated with the awarding of emeritus status.
 

2.1151 / Kansas Board of Regents Emeritus Status Policy
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch3_27.htm

Purpose:
The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to emeritus appointments as required by Kansas Board of Regents policy.

Preamble:
Emeritus status is an honorary title awarded to a retiring faculty member or an unclassified professional employee for extended meritorious service to Wichita State University.  The purpose of this policy statement is to set forth University criteria for awarding such status.

Policy Statement:

1.  Emeritus status recognizes meritorious service to Wichita State University by a retiring faculty member or unclassified professional employee who has served the University for a minimum of ten continuous years.  Factors to be considered in the evaluation and determination of meritorious service are contributions in the areas of teaching, scholarly activity, service or leadership.  Exceptions to these criteria may be authorized and approved by the President.

2.  Recommendations for the award of emeritus status to a faculty member are initiated by the department.  Upon review and concurrance by the appropriate dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, recommendations are forwarded to the President for final review.

3.  Recommendations for the award of emeritus status to an unclassified professional employee can be initiated by a Dean, Director or higher level University administrator and are forwarded to the President for final review.

4.  There is no salary or emolument associated with the awarding of emeritus status.

Implementation:
This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.

Effective Date:
January 1, 2005
Revision Date:
August 1, 2007
 

2.2 / Employment Oath
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch3_22.htm

Kansas law requires that all state employees sign the following Employment Oath:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of my office or employment. So help me God. (The final sentence may be deleted.)

The oath is included in papers that must be signed at the time of employment. It must be on file before any checks in payment of salary or wages may be issued by the state treasurer.

2.3 / Faculty Ranks and Titles
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_03.htm

The principal titles and ranks granted by the University to faculty are those normally bestowed by institutions of higher education: professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and instructor. Full-time faculty holding less than the minimum credentials for instructor rank are occasionally appointed as assistant instructors. Titles used to designate part-time instructional personnel include lecturer and adjunct/faculty associate. The term visiting is used in conjunction with the basic academic titles for individuals who join the faculty for a short period of time, usually with the intent of returning to a position at another academic institution.

The University has various special professorships that it bestows upon faculty in recognition of distinguished scholarly achievement and distinguished contribution to the University. The special professorships include Regents distinguished professorships, established by the Kansas Board of Regents; Trustees distinguished professorships, funded by the Board of Trustees; University professorships, funded by the University; distinguished professorships, endowed by donors or the Endowment Association; and professorships emeriti, awarded to outstanding retired faculty.

2.31 / Types of Appointments
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_04.htm
Faculty appointments are of three basic types: temporary, probationary, and with tenure.  Temporary appointments are for a specified period only, and carry no expectation of reappointment.  Adjunct/faculty associates and lecturers have temporary appointments for one semester, subject to renewal on the basis of need for instruction.  Individuals with a temporary appointment may not be moved to a probationary appointment without review and specific authorization by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research.  Probationary appointments are those appointments that may, on the basis of continuing satisfactory performance, lead to review for the award of tenure.  However, probationary appointments carry no expectation or promise that review for the award of tenure will be undertaken or that tenure will be awarded.  Probationary appointments are reviewed on an annual basis, and may or may not be renewed.  Probationary appointments will not be continued for more than seven years.  Tenured appointments will be annually renewed unless the faculty member is dismissed through proper actions and procedures.

Revision Date:
July 1, 2008
 

2.32 / Special Conditions of Appointment
WSU Polilcies & Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_05.htm

Any special conditions of appointment will be included in the appointment form signed by the employee. Special conditions of appointment include but are not limited to the date by which a terminal degree and/or field registry is expected and the consequences of non-attainment; or special conditions for nomination for tenure review consideration (such as an additional degree or field registry). It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the department and dean of accomplishment of the conditions of appointment.

2.34 / Joint Faculty Appointment
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_06.htm

A primary academic objective of Wichita State University is the search for and development of new knowledge which will enhance institutional programs and contribute to the University's research responsibilities. Recognizing the contribution of interdisciplinary studies in meeting the objective, the University may offer joint appointments for faculty where appropriate.

The joint appointment may provide greater program flexibility, the enhancement of intellectual stimulation, and broader insights into matters under faculty investigation and research.

Definition:  Joint appointments as used herein shall mean either term or continuous appointments to at least one regular academic position in more than one academic department, research unit, or other administrative unit.  Such appointments may be approved by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, provided they do not total more than 1.0 full-time equivalent (eft) and are recommended by all college/school/University Libraries, departments, and units involved.

Determination of Primary Department:  Any joint appointment shall have one position assigned as the primary position and the department or unit (such as administrative and research units) within which that position is situated shall be deemed to be the primary department or unit as herein defined.

  1. Each current joint appointment or joint title shall be assigned a primary position by the administrative officer having direct authority over all departments or units involved in the joint appointment or joint title.  This administrative officer shall initially receive the recommendations of the administrative heads of the departments or units involved and shall recommend such an assignment for the holder of the joint appointment or title to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research.
     
  2. Any new joint appointment or joint title shall be assigned a primary position at the time of such appointment by the appointing authority after this authority receives the recommendations of the administrative heads of the departments or units involved, who shall recommend the appointment creating such joint appointment or joint title.
Primary Department or Unit's Role:  After receiving the recommendation of the other units involved, the primary department or unit shall be responsible for decisions or recommendations regarding salary, tenure, promotion, leaves, and other perquisites and shall be responsible for securing agreement among the departments or units involved on the sharing of salary and support funds.

Implementation:  Before a faculty member first receives a joint appointment, the faculty member and the appropriate academic units must mutually determine, record in writing, and secure administrative approval for all conditions of the appointment.  The offer of appointment should include the following:

  1. probationary period (if applicable);
  2. unit expectations for tenure and promotion;
  3. procedures for recommending salary increases and performance reviews;
  4. procedures for reappointment or non-reappointment decisions;
  5. procedures that apply in cases of financial exigency or the dissolution of one of the academic units, or if the joint appointment is dissolved.  Unless otherwise specified, the faculty member will return to the primary department.
A copy of the offer of appointment will be given to the appointee and will be placed in his/her personnel file in the Office of Academic Affairs.  Should any unresolved disagreements arise among the participating units and/or faculty member, the joint appointment shall be dissolved in accordance with the provisions of the written agreements.

2.35 / Notice of Non-Reappointment
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_07.htm

The Kansas Board of Regents has adopted the following policy regarding timely notice of non-reappointment for faculty members holding probationary appointments.

Notice of non-reappointment should be given in writing in accordance with the following standards; however, such standards shall not be applicable to any administrative assignments:

1. Not later than March 1 of the first academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or if a one-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least 3 months in advance of its termination.

2. Not later than December 15 of the second academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or, if an initial two-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least 6 months in advance of its termination.

3. At least 12 months before the expiration of an appointment after two or more years in the institution.

These statements shall apply even during periods of declared financial exigency, unless impossible, in which case notice shall be provided as early as possible.

2.4 / Recruitment Policy
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch4_08.htm

Within its Affirmative Action Program, the University has established procedures and policies concerning the recruitment of new faculty.  These procedures and policies can be obtained from the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.  All units of the University are responsible for following those procedures and policies.  The academic rank conferred at the time of initial appointment should be consistent with the appropriate college guidelines for promotion to that rank.

Revision Date:
July 1, 2008
 

2.5 / Policy Concerning Employment of Relatives
WSU Policies & Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch3_16.htm

Persons may be appointed to classified or unclassified positions without regard to family relationship to other members of faculty or staff. If a person is in a position that requires an evaluation on a personnel decision such as those concerning appointment, retention, promotion, tenure, or salary of a close relative, such condition shall be deemed a conflict of interest, and that person shall not participate in such a decision, and that person shall not participate in any group or body that is considering any such decision.