Williams College Employee Handbook
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Policies Governing Part-time Faculty
Faculty members holding instructional positions that involve less than full time teaching responsibilities fall into two main groups. Group I consists of those who are employed by the College on a full time basis, but whose teaching responsibilities constitute only part of their duties. Group II consists of those who are employed by the College on a part time basis and whose primary responsibilities are instructional. Each of these groups is further divided into the sub-categories listed below.
The policies governing the evaluation of teaching of continuing part-time faculty and the manner of conveying the assessment to the individual and the Committee on Appointments and Promotions (CAP) are the same as for full-time non-tenured faculty, unless the department requests and receives CAP approval for modifying them. The evaluation procedures should be adjusted, however, to reflect the amount of teaching being done.
All departmental recommendations to the CAP to renew the appointment of a part-time faculty member who contributes to a program must include a report from the program chair on that faculty member's contribution to the program. If the faculty member's appointment is entirely in a program, the assessment or recommendation to the CAP should come from the program chair.
Full-time Employees with Part-time Teaching Duties
Group I (a): Professorial Ranks
Positions falling into this subcategory carry professorial titles and are normally on the same promotion timetable as those holding full time instructional appointments. Their holders, therefore, while discharging some administrative as well as teaching duties, are eligible for appointment to tenure. The nature and extent of the teaching duties involved are determined by agreement between the President and the individuals and departments concerned. Eligibility for employee benefits is the same as for full-time instructional appointments.
Group I (b): Administrative and Professional Staff
Positions falling into this subcategory normally carry the title of Lecturer. Their holders are full-time administrative officers and professional staff who also carry out some teaching duties. Their teaching appointments are for stated periods of time with the possibility of renewal but no possibility for tenure. The nature and extent of the teaching duties involved are determined by agreement among the President, the individuals, and the departments concerned.
Eligibility for employee benefits is governed by the regulations described in the Administrative Staff Handbook, except for those who are continuing staff members of the academic department or program in which they teach. Their benefits, if they hold one to three-year appointments, are comparable to those for non-tenured faculty, with the exception of assistant professor leaves. If they have successfully completed at least eight years of service and hold five-year appointments, their benefits are comparable to those for tenured faculty, with the exception of sabbatical leaves. Those holding five-year appointments may apply, however, for leaves of absence. If approved, the College will provide either one semester's salary or the amount necessary to "top up" outside funding to the level of that salary. In reviewing such applications and in deciding whether to grant such leaves, the chair of the department and the CAP will weigh the contribution the proposed leave can be expected to make to the applicant's professional development and his or her potential for future service to the College.
Part-time Employees Whose Primary Responsibilities are Instructional
Group II (a): Professorial Ranks
Positions falling into this subcategory carry the title of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. The teaching duties attached to such positions are identical in nature with those attached to full-time instructional appointments and salaries are calculated pro rata. Candidates for such positions are judged against a competitive field; they must meet the same criteria and be evaluated in accordance with the same procedures as those applicable to full-time appointments in the professorial ranks. The nature and extent of the teaching duties involved are determined by agreement between the President and the individuals and the departments concerned. Consideration for promotion in rank and promotion to tenure is the same as for full-time faculty in the professorial ranks. The period of time to be spent in a given rank or before a tenure decision must be made varies according to circumstances but is specified in each individual case at the time of appointment or reappointment. Holders of such appointments are entitled to request a change of their teaching fraction, but approval of that change is not automatic and may be affected by departmental or program needs. Decisions concerning such changes are to be made by the CAP, after recommendation from the department. The committee and advising work of faculty in such positions is expected to be roughly proportionate to the extent of their teaching duties. Eligibility for benefits is determined in accordance with the regulations governing Part-time Faculty Benefits.
Group II (b): Senior Lecturers
The promotion of Lecturers to the rank of Senior Lecturer is infrequent. Departments may recommend for such promotions only those who are exceptionally distinguished teachers, or those who are effective teachers and who also bring to the College significant accomplishment in their fields. In addition, eligibility for this position normally requires having completed two three-year contracts as a Lecturer, with a yearly courseload averaging two courses or the equivalent. Senior Lecturers are appointed for a period of five years, with the possibility of renewal but no possibility for tenure. Senior Lecturer appointments carry a teaching load that ranges between .5 and .9 FTE annually. Appointment to such a position does not entail any presumption of eligibility for a regular professorial appointment should such an opening occur. Whenever possible, the College will notify Senior Lecturers of the renewal decision by December of the fourth year of their term.
Senior Lecturers are evaluated primarily on the basis of their records as exceptionally distinguished teachers or as effective teachers whose professional distinction is outstanding. Those whose exceptional strength is in teaching are not required to meet the same criteria for scholarship as faculty who are eligible for appointment to tenure, but they are expected to offer evidence of keeping up with or contributing to their fields. Noteworthy professional achievements will be recorded in the annual staffing report. The CAP expects routine comments on Senior Lecturers in the annual department staffing reports only during the first four years in rank, and then only if they haven't already served for six years as a Lecturer. Otherwise, the CAP expects routine comments on Senior Lecturers in the annual department staffing reports only in the fourth contract year, when a renewal decision is required. Senior Lecturers are voting members of the faculty and are expected to undertake a proportionate share in the normal committee work of department, program (where relevant), and College.
Senior Lecturers are eligible to apply for special leaves for a specific project upon promotion to this rank. The decision to award a special leave is made by the CAP and requires a recommendation from the department. One semester of a special leave can be taken with a semester's full salary pro-rated according to the person's average annual FTE during the preceding six years. During the academic year in which the special leave is taken, a senior lecturer's teaching responsibility during the semester in residence remains at half the normal year-long load. Or, such leaves may be extended, without pay, beyond one semester. At least six years must elapse between these special leaves. Eligibility for benefits is determined in accordance with the regulations governing Part-time Faculty Benefits.
Group II (c): Lecturers in the Academic Departments and Programs
The title of Lecturer is held mainly by those who teach courses of their own, but whose appointment has taken place through means other than a national search; or handle the laboratories or discussion sections of large courses, or the drill sessions of language courses, and have completed six years of satisfactory service as an Instructor. Candidates for the position of Lecturer are not required to meet the same criteria as those for regular appointments, and appointment to such a position does not entail any presumption of eligibility for a regular professorial appointment should such an opening occur. The position carries the possibility of renewal but no eligibility for tenure.
Initial Lecturer contracts are normally for one-year. Lecturers who have completed four years of satisfactory service are eligible to be considered for a three-year appointment upon recommendation by the department to the CAP. These three-year appointments carry a minimum teaching load of one course, or the equivalent, annually. Wherever possible the College will notify Lecturers of the renewal decision by December of the second year of the contract.
The evaluation of Lecturers is based primarily on their talent for sound and effective teaching. Those on three-year appointments are expected to offer evidence of keeping up with or contributing to their fields, but they are not expected to meet the same criteria for scholarship that apply to regular faculty. Noteworthy professional achievements will be recorded in the annual staffing report. The CAP expects routine comments on Lecturers in the annual department staffing reports during the first four years in rank, and thereafter only in those contract years when a renewal decision is required. Lecturers who currently hold a three-year term, and who, previous to their current term, had at least one three-year term averaging two courses or more per year, are voting members of the faculty. All Lecturers are entitled but not required to undertake a proportionate share in the normal committee work of department, program (where relevant), and College. Eligibility for benefits is determined in accordance with the regulations governing Part-time Faculty Benefits.
Group II (d): Instructors
The title of Instructor is held by those who handle the laboratories or discussion sections of large courses, or the drill sessions of language courses, and have not yet completed six years of satisfactory service in that capacity. These are appointments of up to one year with the possibility of renewal but no eligibility for tenure. Instructors whose contracts are renewed after six years of service are reappointed at the rank of Lecturer. Candidates for these positions are not required to meet the same criteria as those for regular appointments, and appointment to such a position does not entail any presumption of eligibility for a regular professorial appointment should such an opening occur. No committee work is involved. Instructors with part-time appointments are not voting members of the faculty. Eligibility for benefits is determined in accordance with the regulations governing Part-time Faculty Benefits.
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