Adjunct Faculty Appointment and Promotion

A.  Policy

The College of Nursing makes a limited number of adjunct faculty appointments based on the needs of the College. An adjunct faculty appointment is generally for a P&S staff member at the University, a professional employed in the surrounding community, or a faculty member from another institution whose area of expertise is either insufficiently represented on the faculty or complements the expertise of faculty in the College of Nursing.  Typically, Adjunct faculty hold a graduate degree and/or a terminal degree in their field. 

These appointments in the College of Nursing are for less than 50% and may or may not be compensated. Adjunct appointments are temporary, part-time and do not include benefits.

B.  Appointment Procedures

Faculty members or an Associate Dean may recommend an individual for an adjunct appointment. The candidate for an adjunct position provides the Associate Dean for Faculty (for tenure track) or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (for clinical track, instructors, or lecturers) with a current CV, and letter of interest. Nominations for Adjunct faculty appointments are reviewed by the College of Nursing Strategic Governance Council with recommendations to the Faculty for vote for recommendation for an appointment. If recommended, the Associate Dean sends the candidates CV and a letter of recommendation to the Dean for final approval.   Final appointment is contingent on the candidate providing consent for a credential verification process and appropriate proof of professional licenses, as needed.

Initial appointments can be made at any time in the calendar year for a period of up to three years based on the University fiscal calendar with an end/renewal date of June 30th. An appointment/agreement letter (see Attached Adjunct letter template) including the dates of appointment and responsibilities is provided.

Adjunct faculty appointments carry a faculty rank (adjunct assistant, associate or full professor; adjunct clinical instructor, assistant, associate or full professor; adjunct Lecturer). The initial rank to which an adjunct is appointed is based on the qualifications of the individual using the general University guidelines and the College of Nursing guidelines. These guidelines consider the individual’s educational background, professional and teaching experience, and professional achievements (See Appendix A).

Prior to the end of each three-year appointment, the Associate Deans review the faculty member’s performance and the need for the position. If desired, a reappointment for another term of up to three years is made. The Appointment or Change in Status form and attachments are routed in workflow from the Associate Dean for Faculty (for Tenure Track Adjunct) or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (for Clinical Track Adjunct) to the Dean's Office to the Office of the Provost for electronic signature.

C.  Responsibilities and Privileges of Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty responsibilities may involve teaching, teaching support, research, or clinical practice.  Privileges accorded adjunct faculty include eligibility to serve on graduate examination committees, and undergraduate honors/graduate research projects, inclusion in College of Nursing  adjunct faculty list and marketing materials,   invitation to attend College seminars, meetings and activities, and contributing to faculty meetings as a non-voting member.

D.  Annual Review Process

Annual review of adjunct faculty will occur by the Associate Dean for Faculty and/or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, with feedback from faculty on contributions to the College of Nursing.  On third year review, decision on reappointment will be made and can consist of renewal for 1-3 years.

E.  Promotion and Re-appointment Procedures

If the record of professional activities justifies a promotion in rank, an adjunct faculty member, whether salaried or not, may be recommended for promotion during the regular promotion cycle. Adjunct faculty may also self-nominate for promotion. The Associate Dean advises the adjunct faculty member on the promotion process, status compared to the College norms, and the required dossier.

Adjunct faculty members are evaluated for promotion based on the quality and significance of the contribution that they make in the area(s) described in their individualized agreements (see attached Letter of Appointment for Adjunct Faculty) and on the College of Nursing criteria for the rank to which they aspire.

The promotion dossier for adjunct faculty includes:

1. A current CV

2. Copies of any teaching evaluations (if applicable) and information about teaching quantity since appointment or the last promotion

3. A brief (1-2 pages) personal statement teaching, scholarship, practice, and/or service responsibilities (if applicable).

4. If deemed necessary by the Associate Dean, two to three letters of review (these may include letters from faculty from a different unit).

The process of review is similar to that of other faculty in the College of Nursing and will include:

1. The Collegiate peer group (CPG) (tenure- and clinical-track faculty at or above the rank to which the candidate is being considered for promotion) will review the dossier and vote. The vote will be reported to the Dean, no other written report will be provided.

2.  The Associate Dean will write a letter of recommendation with justification for promotion to the Dean.

3. The Dean will write a letter to the Provost, which will include the peer group vote.

The candidate is informed of the recommendation of the collegiate peer group by the Associate Dean, provided a copy of both the Associate Dean's and Dean’s letters, and given the opportunity to respond to errors of fact in either the Associate Dean's or Dean’s letters.

Adjunct Appointment Template Letter

Adjunct Faculty Appointment and Promotion Qualification Guidelines

The University of Iowa College of Nursing