Appointment Types
Understanding Faculty Appointment Categories
The College of Medicine utilizes several appointment categories to support its educational, research, clinical, and service missions. Each appointment category serves a distinct purpose and carries specific expectations, appointment terms, and conditions of employment.
Selecting the appropriate appointment category is an important step in the faculty appointment process. The appointment category should reflect the faculty member's anticipated responsibilities, source of support, and long-term role within the institution.
The Office of Faculty Affairs works with departments to ensure that appointment recommendations are consistent with institutional policies and the responsibilities associated with each appointment category.
Explore Appointment Types
Continuing Appointments (Tenure)
"A continuing appointment shall be an appointment to a position of academic rank that shall not be affected by changes in such rank and shall continue until resignation, retirement, or termination."— State University of New York Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article XI, Title B, §1.
Related Resource
Promotion & Continuing Appointment →
Term Appointments
"A term appointment shall be an appointment for a specified period of not more than three years, which shall automatically expire at the end of that period unless terminated earlier because of resignation, retirement, or termination." — State University of New York Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article XI, Title D.
Temporary Appointments
"A temporary appointment shall be an appointment that may be terminated at any time. Temporary appointments ordinarily shall be given only when service is to be part-time, voluntary, or anticipated to be for a period of one year or less... A temporary appointment is also appropriate whenever a position has been vacated by an employee on approved leave." — State University of New York Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article XI, Title F, §1.
Secondary Appointments
A secondary appointment is an academic appointment in a department or academic unit in addition to a faculty member's primary academic appointment. Secondary appointments recognize ongoing contributions that extend beyond the faculty member's primary department, such as interdisciplinary teaching, collaborative research, clinical service, or participation in educational programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the appropriate appointment category determined?
The academic department recommends the appropriate appointment category based on the faculty member's responsibilities and the institution's needs. The Office of Faculty Affairs provides guidance throughout the review process.
Can an appointment category change?
Changes to an appointment category may require additional institutional review and approval. Departments should consult Faculty Affairs before requesting changes to an existing appointment.
Are all appointment categories eligible for promotion?
Promotion eligibility depends upon the faculty member's appointment category, academic title, faculty track, and applicable institutional policies. Refer to the Promotion & Continuing Appointment section for additional information.