Criteria for Faculty Rank | Stevenson University

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Stevenson University is a student-centered university where faculty are first and foremost teachers. In addition to teaching, faculty are expected to engage in scholarship and service activities as determined by their appointment type and status. Performance in these areas serves as the basis for the annual faculty appraisal.

Stevenson recognizes that there are faculty-related differences across academic disciplines and that there may be a variety of ways to account for a particular faculty member’s effectiveness as a teacher, success as a scholar, and service as a member of the University community. For this reason, it is the responsibility of each school to agree on definitions, standards, evidence, instruments, and/or criteria whereby the effectiveness of the faculty members of that school can be evaluated. To this end, the faculty and dean of each school have worked collaboratively to develop school-specific faculty job descriptions. The school-specific faculty job descriptions together with University policy serve as the basis for the annual faculty appraisal and contract processes as well as for the Promotion Review Board in evaluating promotion portfolios and making recommendations to the Provost regarding promotion in rank.

Scholarship at Stevenson is broadly defined, and, in the spirit of Boyer’s model, [1] the University recognizes four types of scholarship: (1) discovery, (2) integration, (3) application, and (4) the scholarship of teaching and learning. While the scholarship of discovery is typically associated with original research that advances knowledge, Stevenson permits the creation of original work for publication or exhibition to be considered for inclusion in school-specific job descriptions as appropriate. The means of contributing to the knowledge base will vary by discipline and are reflected in the school-specific faculty job descriptions.

In keeping with the University’s mission and core values, Stevenson faculty offer students a career-focused education marked by individualized attention, civility, and respect for difference, and support and challenge students to become reflective and accomplished individuals committed to a lifetime of learning and contribution. Further, the University and, by association, the faculty are committed to diversity as it relates to awareness, education, respect, and practice at every level of the organization. As set forth in the University’s Diversity Statement, Stevenson embraces people of all backgrounds, defined by, but not limited to, ethnicity, culture, race, gender, class, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical ability, learning differences, and political perspectives, and believes its core values are strengthened when all of its members have a voice and representation. Examples of teaching, scholarship, and service in areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are included in the school-specific job descriptions.

With the understanding that faculty members teach the credit/contact hour load to which they are contractually obligated, there are, for full-time promotion-track faculty, established ranges for weighting each of the three performance areas as follows: Instructional Activity (60-80%), Scholarly Activity (15-35%), and Service Activity (5-25%). The ranges set a minimum and a maximum level of consideration or weighting given to each activity, which provides the faculty member and their supervisor with the flexibility to develop an annual plan that plays to the faculty member’s strengths while aligning with the University’s mission.

General Expectations of Stevenson Faculty

Stevenson expects that all faculty, regardless of rank, will honor the University’s Diversity Statement and adhere to the following expectations:

Teaching. Teaching is the central activity of Stevenson faculty. Every faculty member is expected to prioritize being or becoming a skilled and dedicated student-centered educator who creates a learning environment that provides all students with fair and equitable opportunities to learn. At Stevenson, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) [2] is the framework used to guide the “what”, “why”, and “how” of learning, to inform educational practice, and to support inclusive, student-centered pedagogy and practice. [3] Any activity undertaken by the faculty member that contributes to the efforts of the students to acquire intellectual skills, extend their knowledge and understanding, or develop attitudes and habits that foster continued growth, constitutes evidence of the effectiveness of the faculty member as a teacher. Stevenson faculty members are expected to aspire to the highest level of teaching effectiveness.

Scholarship. In addition to their central role as teachers and by virtue of their extensive training in a given field, faculty provide a distinctive learning experience for their students, educating them in the specific scholarly practices and patterns of reasoning that are characteristic of their discipline. To ensure that their knowledge and expertise are current, faculty are expected to participate actively in scholarship per the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment. Stevenson faculty members are expected to aspire to the highest level of quality in their scholarly work.

Service. Stevenson’s mission speaks to a lifetime of learning and contribution, with contribution sitting at the heart of expectations in the area of service. Specific guidance and examples of evidence are provided in the school-specific faculty job descriptions, but, in general, service activities that promote the general welfare of Stevenson students, programs, departments, and the University constitute service.

Specific Criteria for University Rank

Professor

The rank of Professor is the highest academic rank attainable for full-time faculty. The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Professor are:

Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.

Professional Experience: Minimum of nine years successful full-time* university teaching (or equivalent) including at least four years teaching at Stevenson University. Three of those four years at Stevenson University must have been served at the Associate Professor level. **

*Adjunct faculty service at SU may be translated into years of full-time service for the purpose of determining eligibility for promotion as follows:

Thirty (30) credit hours or the equivalent of adjunct faculty service equals one year of full-time service in determining eligibility for promotion.

A maximum of sixty (60) credit hours or their equivalent may be translated into years of full-time service in determining eligibility for promotion.

Expressed mathematically:

0—29 credit hours or their equivalent = 0 years of full-time service

30—59 credit hours or their equivalent = 1 year of full-time service

≥ 60 credit hours or their equivalent = 2 years of full-time service

** In the case of new hires with substantial teaching experience at another institution, the requirements for years of teaching at SU, at this and other full-time ranks, may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Teaching: Achievement of superior level of teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Scholarship: Achievement of superior breadth and depth of scholarship as defined for the rank of Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service: Achievement of superior contribution to the mission and goals of the University as defined for the rank of Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Associate Professor

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Associate Professor are:

Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.

Professional Experience: Minimum of six years successful full-time* (or equivalent) university teaching, including at least four years full-time at SU. Two of those years at Stevenson must have been served at the Assistant Professor level. **

* For formula used to count adjunct teaching toward the minimum at SU, see note under Professor rank.

Teaching: Achievement of a high level of teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Associate Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Scholarship: Achievement of a high level of breadth and depth of knowledge in the field as defined for the rank of Associate Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to University: Achievement of substantive contribution to the mission and goals of the University as defined for the rank of Associate Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Associate Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Assistant Professor

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Assistant Professor are:

Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.

Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.

Teaching: Sustained effort toward improving teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Scholarship: Proven competence in one’s area of specialization as defined for the rank of Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to University and Profession: Evidence of capacity for leadership and creative contribution to the mission and goals of the University as defined for the rank of Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Assistant Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor are:

Academic Preparation:

Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline

—OR—

Master’s degree in discipline or equivalent certified specialization AND six years of successful full-time teaching and service as a Lecturer at Stevenson.

Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required for faculty hired into the rank with a doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline.

Teaching: Evidence of strong teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization as defined for the rank of Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to the University: Service as an academic advisor is required as defined for the rank of Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Note: Senior Lecturers/Senior Clinical Assistant Professors are not eligible for advancement in rank.

Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Senior Lecturer/Senior Clinical Assistant Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Lecturer/Clinical Assistant Professor

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Lecturer are:

Academic Preparation: Minimum of a Master’s degree in discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience as assessed at the time of hire.

Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.

Teaching: Evidence of strong teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Lecturer/Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization as defined for the rank of Lecturer/Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to the University: Service as an academic advisor is required as defined for the rank of Lecturer/Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Lecturer/Clinical Assistant Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Instructor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Senior Librarian

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Senior Librarian are:

Academic Preparation: A graduate training credential (M.L.S. or M.L.I.S. degree), which is considered the terminal degree in the practice of academic librarianship, from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program AND six years of successful full-time service as a Librarian at Stevenson.

Professional Experience: At least six years of professional service as a librarian.

Librarianship: Evidence of strong effectiveness as defined by positive performance appraisals.

Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of librarianship.

Service to the University: Service to the university is required, and librarian faculty are eligible for service on Faculty Council committees pursuant to the Faculty Council Constitution and Bylaws (see Governance Policies).

Note: Senior Librarians are not eligible for advancement in rank.

Note: A full-time Librarian holding the rank of Senior Librarian will be appointed as an Adjunct Librarian if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Librarian

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Librarian:

Professional Experience: Prior librarian experience at the university level preferred but not required.

Librarianship: Evidence of strong effectiveness as defined by positive performance appraisals.

Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of librarianship.

Service to the University: Service to the university is required, and librarian Faculty are eligible for service on Faculty Council committees pursuant to the Faculty Council Constitution and Bylaws (see Governance Policies).

Note: A full-time Librarian will be appointed as an Adjunct Librarian if they change their status from full-time to part-time.

Visiting Faculty

Appointment as a full-time visiting faculty member is made at the rank of Visiting Senior Lecturer or Visiting Lecturer in accordance with the criteria set forth above for these ranks. (See also Faculty of the University policy. Link)

Adjunct Professor

The rank of Adjunct Professor is the highest academic rank attainable for part-time adjunct faculty. The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Adjunct Professor are:

Academic Preparation:

Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline

—OR—

Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization AND successfully teaching 54 credit or contact hours at Stevenson University

—OR—

Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization and 5 years successful university teaching experience at SU.

Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.

Teaching: Evidence of strong teaching effectiveness or capacity to achieve strong teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Adjunct Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Professional Competence: Shows competence and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization as defined for the rank of Adjunct Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to University: Contributes to the mission and goals of the University as defined for the rank of Adjunct Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Adjunct Instructor

The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Adjunct Instructor are:

Academic Preparation: Minimum of Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization.

Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.

Teaching: Evidence of strong teaching effectiveness or capacity to achieve strong teaching effectiveness as defined for the rank of Adjunct Professor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Professional Competence: Shows competence and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization as defined for the rank of Adjunct Instructor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

Service to University: Contributes to the mission and goals of the University as defined for the rank of Adjunct Instructor in the Faculty Job Description for the school in which the faculty member holds their primary appointment.

[1] Boyer, E. L. (1990), Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. (PDF), Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

[2] CAST (2011). Universal design for learning guidelines version 2.0 Wakefield, MA: Author.

[3] UDL was endorsed by the Faculty Council in May 2024 as the framework to be used by Stevenson faculty in integrating the fundamental principles underlying diversity, equity, and inclusion into faculty pedagogy and practice. The Zirkin Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning offers professional learning on UDL. Integration of UDL will go into full effect in January 2026 and will be included in the 2026 faculty appraisal document.

(Approved April 2025)