Proposed UMBC guidelines for promotion to Adjunct III 

Background:

Adjunct faculty, as defined under Section 5.5.II of the UMBC Faculty Handbook, are initially appointed with the rank of Adjunct I and are eligible to apply for promotion to Adjunct II after three years of teaching at UMBC, in at least twelve 3-credit courses, establishing a consistent record of teaching excellence.

In addition to the designation of adjunct faculty as Adjunct Faculty I or Adjunct Faculty II, the Board of Regents’ Policy on the Employment of Adjunct Faculty in the USM allows each institution to establish a range of position titles for its faculty, consistent with BOR policy.

To implement the new rank of Adjunct III, the UMBC Faculty Senate through the Faculty Affairs Committee (Chair, Orianne Smith) has asked the AFAC to survey adjunct faculty on criteria for promotion. Guidelines from the provost’s office have established that criteria for eligible adjunct faculty will fall into the category of teaching; it is unclear whether criteria will also fall into the category of service. The AFAC is seeking input in each of these categories, as explained briefly below:

Important:

Please note that adjunct faculty are not necessarily recognized within their departments for research, independent projects, professional development, or off-campus service. We should find ways to recognize the many professional activities in which adjuncts engage.

            So in your response to this survey, please remind the AFAC and the Faculty Affairs Committee of professional activities, yours or others, which would support an adjunct’s promotion to Adjunct III. Unlike promotion to Adjunct II, which is coordinated through the department chairs, promotion to Adjunct III will be handled through the offices of the college deans. It is appropriate to view your professional and community activities through the prism of benefit to the entire school and to your community, especially in considering the category of service.