Handbook for Academic Appointments

APPOINTMENT DESCRIPTIONS

Senior Faculty Appointments: Tenured

Professor
Professor in Practice

Senior Faculty Appointments: Non-Tenured

Term Professor
Adjunct Professor
Senior Lecturer

Junior Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor
Adjunct Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Instructor/Assistant Professor

Multi-Year and Annual Appointments

Design Critic
Lecturer
Instructor
Visiting Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor

SENIOR FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: TENURED

Professor

The position of professor is intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who are effective teachers and whose creative work in scholarship, design, or professional practice, or a combination thereof, is recognized by peers as a significant intellectual contribution to the field. Appointments are made with tenure on a full-time basis. The general conditions for development of the faculty and the additional criteria for tenured positions described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

An individual holding the position of professor is an officer of the University and may not concurrently hold a position at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. These positions are intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in design or scholarship, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service. Activities outside the university are limited, and members of the faculty who wish to engage in professional, research, or other activities for extended periods of time at levels greater than permitted for full-time appointees will be required to change the status of their appointments. The dean of the Faculty of Design, after consultation with the Senior Faculty Council, will determine on a case-by-case basis, whether a change of status is warranted.

Individuals holding the position of professor serve on the Senior Faculty Council and provide leadership through such activities as heading departments, councils, and committees, as well as directing other aspects of the school's programs. Scholars in this position also provide leadership in the school's research activities and doctoral programs.

Terms and Conditions

Appointments may be made to the position of professor under the following circumstances: (1) when an existing tenured position becomes vacant; (2) when the school's financial condition permits creating a new position or converting an existing junior faculty position to a tenured position; and/or (3) on such occasions when the school receives a gift for an endowed chair-unless these funds are needed to support a current tenured position for which there is no endowment. When an appointment may be made, the school normally conducts a full notice and search process, as described below, and considers qualified candidates from inside the faculty and from outside the university. In exceptional circumstances, the school may conduct a targeted search as described below. A targeted search must be authorized by the Dean, in consultation with the Senior Faculty Council.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Appointment to the position of professor normally requires notice, search, blind letter review, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, presidential review, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. (See descriptions in "Procedures Involved in the Appointment Process.") In the case of a targeted search, a candidate has been identified at the beginning of the process and a targeted letter replaces the blind letter.

Emeritus Status

Individuals who have held appointments in the Faculty of Design as professor or professor in practice for the immediately preceding five years and who retire at age sixty or older shall receive emeritus status.

The position Research Professor is available to Graduate School of Design professors and professors in practice who, as they retire from active status, request this title in lieu of the designation Professor Emerita or Professor Emeritus. The title Research Professor can be held for a maximum of five years after formal retirement. Both in applying for this designation, and each year thereafter, the faculty member should write the Dean of the Faculty to state his or her planned research or creative design activities for the coming year. In the absence of such a statement, or at the individual’s request, or at the end of the five-year period, the title Research Professor will lapse in favor of emeritus designation.

Research professors are eligible for principal investigator status and may receive salary from sponsored research project accounts. They are also eligible to teach up to one course (or the equivalent, if participating in multiple courses) per year at the Graduate School of Design if so requested by their Department Chair and the Dean, with compensation to be negotiated. Such teaching agreements shall be annual, though renewable.

In accordance with university policy, an individual holding the rank of research professor is eligible to receive benefits as an active employee so long as his or her annual salary from all Harvard sources remains continuously at or above the minimum for such eligibility set by the University ($15,000 in academic year 2005-06). If annual salary falls below this minimum, the research professor becomes eligible for retiree benefits.

Professor in Practice

The position of professor in practice is intended for individuals who are pursuing careers combining professional practice, teaching, and academic service. The position is reserved for individuals who are effective teachers and whose creative work in design or professional practice, or a combination thereof, is recognized by peers as a significant contribution to the field. Appointments are made with tenure on less than a full-time basis. The general conditions for development of the faculty and the additional criteria for teaching described for tenured positions in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

An individual holding the position of professor in practice is an officer of the University and may not concurrently hold a position at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. The positions are intended for individuals combining academic careers with professional practice who make a continuing commitment to both teaching and academic service. Individuals holding this position who cannot continue to fulfill their full academic responsibilities for extended periods of time will be required to change the status of their appointments. The dean of the Faculty of Design, after consultation with the Senior Faculty Council, will determine on a case-by-case basis, whether a change of status is warranted.

Individuals holding the position of professor in practice assume essentially half the normal teaching load and the full normal load of academic services, but do not have any responsibilities for conducting creative work in the school or university. They also serve on the Senior Faculty Council and provide leadership in other areas of academic service.

Terms and Conditions

Appointments may be made to the position of professor in practice under the following circumstances: (1) when an existing tenured position becomes vacant; (2) when the school's financial condition permits creating a new position or converting an existing junior position to a tenured position; and/or (3) on such occasions when the school receives a gift for an endowed chair-unless these funds are needed to support a current tenured position for which there is no endowment. When an appointment may be made, the school conducts a full notice and search, as described below, and considers qualified candidates from inside the faculty and from outside the university. In exceptional circumstances, the school may conduct a targeted search as described below. A targeted search must be authorized by the Dean, in consultation with the Senior Faculty Council.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Appointment to the position of professor in practice requires notice, search, blind letter review, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, presidential review, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. (See descriptions in "Procedures Involved in the Appointment Process.") In the case of a targeted search, a candidate has been identified at the beginning of the process and a targeted letter replaces the blind letter.

Emeritus Status

SENIOR FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: NON-TENURED

Term Professor

The position of term professor is intended for distinguished scholars and practitioners who are effective teachers and have been recognized by their peers as having made significant, ongoing intellectual contributions within their field through a significant record of scholarship and/or practice. Appointments at this rank are made on occasion when the school determines that it has time-limited needs best served by a term appointment. Appointments are made for fixed terms up to five years on a full-time basis. Reappointments may be made for terms up to five years under the same conditions as the initial appointment. Additional conditions on appointments and reappointments are described below.

Individuals holding the position of term professor are officers of the University and may not concurrently hold a position at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is required. Term professors will employ their time teaching, engaging in scholarship and/or creative work in design, and otherwise fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service. They will serve as full voting members of the Senior Faculty Council and may provide leadership in the school through such activities as heading departments and programs.

Individuals who have held the rank of assistant or associate professor in the School are ineligible for employment as term professor following termination of their assistant or associate professor status for a five-year period thereafter.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval
Initial appointment to the position of term professor requires notice, search, blind letter or targeted search letter review as may be determined by the dean in consultation with Senior Faculty Council, departmental review, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. Reappointment as term professor requires departmental review, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. (See descriptions in “Procedures Involved in Appointment Process”).

Reappointments beyond a 10-year cumulative or consecutive period, for terms up to five years, shall require the same process as that required for the initial reappointment, and shall additionally require a Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need.” The bases for such a finding are (a) that the appointee in question is virtually irreplaceable as an instructor in an area essential to the School’s curriculum, or (b) that the appointee in question is such a superb instructor, ranking among the very best in the School, that the School’s ability to recruit a comparable replacement is highly doubtful. A Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need” shall require approval by at least fifty percent of the entire senior faculty in residence during the semester in question.
Written notice concerning the School’s intention to allow an appointment to conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or reappointment is offered or not later than one year before the end of the current appointment.

Adjunct Professor

The position of adjunct professor is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or research or in such fields as art, public administration, or public service who commit themselves to continuing participation in the instructional activities of the school. The position is reserved for individuals who have achieved superior attainment in their primary professional endeavors and have been recognized by peers as outstanding in their fields. Appointments are made for fixed terms at less than full-time and normally are half-time or less. Appointees must maintain active professional roles with the balance of their time.

The general conditions for appointments to the faculty and the additional criteria for teaching described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

Individuals holding the position of adjunct professor are officers of the university and normally may not concurrently hold positions at other academic institutions. The teaching responsibilities normally shall be for not less than one-quarter or for more than one-half the teaching load of full-time faculty. The teaching responsibilities may be concentrated in one period or allocated over one module, one term, or the full academic year, subject to agreement on a satisfactory schedule with the chair of the academic department and the dean. If an adjunct professor is appointed to a major administrative responsibility, such as department chair, the current appointment normally shall be extended so that review for reappointment does not occur until completion of the administrative assignment.
Reappointments may be made for terms up to five years under the same conditions as initial appointments.

Terms and Conditions

Notice
Written notice concerning the school's intention to allow an appointment to conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or reappointment is offered or not later than one year before the end of the term of the current appointment. In the event of reappointment, a search shall normally be conducted during the ninth year of an individual's appointment as Adjunct Professor.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment as an adjunct professor requires notice, search, peer or blind letter evaluations,
review by departmental senior faculty, recommendation by the department chair, review by the
Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. The
dean can choose to appoint an ad hoc committee to review the case and advise him. The makeup of
the committee is at the discretion of the dean. (See descriptions in "Procedures Involved in
Appointment Process.") Written notice concerning the school’s intention to allow an appointment to
conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or
reappointment is offered or not later than one year before the end of the current appointment.
An initial reappointment may be made for a term up to five years and shall require the same set of
reviews and approvals, subject to internal evaluation or competitive search procedures as may be
determined by the dean in consultation with the department chair, and shall normally be conducted
in the penultimate year of an individual’s appointment.

Reappointments beyond the 10-year cumulative or consecutive period, for terms up to five years,
shall require the same process as that required for the initial appointment, and shall additionally
require a Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need.” The bases for such a finding
are (a) that the appointee in question is virtually irreplaceable as an instructor in an area essential
to the School’s curriculum, or (b) that the appointee in question is such a superb instructor, ranking
among the very best in the School, that the School’s ability to recruit a comparable replacement is
highly doubtful. A Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need” shall require approval
by at least fifty percent of the entire senior faculty in residence during the semester in question.

However, individuals holding adjunct professorial appointments as of November 1, 2004, and whose
current appointment will place them beyond a cumulative time period of 10 years, shall be exempt
from the requirement of a Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need” for one
additional term of appointment.

Senior Lecturer

Note: As of June 1, 2003, no new appointments as Senior Lecturer will be made in the GSD. Individuals holding this title on June 1, 2003 will continue to do so through the term of their current appointments. Re-appointments of such individuals will be with the title Adjunct Professor.

The position of senior lecturer is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or research or in such fields as art, public administration, or public service who commit themselves to continued participation in the instructional activities of the school. Senior lecturers offer instruction outside design per se or in non-studio courses. The position is reserved for individuals who have achieved superior attainment in their primary professional endeavors and have been recognized by peers as outstanding in their fields. Appointments are made for fixed terms at less than full-time and normally are half-time or less. Appointees must maintain active professional roles with the balance of their time. The general conditions for appointments to the faculty and the additional criteria for teaching described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

Individuals holding the position of senior lecturer are officers of the university and normally may not concurrently hold positions at other academic institutions. The teaching responsibilities normally shall be for not less than one-quarter or for more than one-half the teaching load of full-time faculty. The teaching responsibilities may be concentrated in one period or allocated over one module, one term, or the full academic year, subject to agreement on a satisfactory schedule with the chair of the academic department and the dean. If a senior lecturer is appointed to a major administrative responsibility, such as department chair, the current appointment normally shall be extended so that review for reappointment does not occur until completion of the administrative assignment. Reappointments may be made for terms up to five years under the same conditions as initial appointments.

Terms and Conditions

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment as senior lecturer requires notice, search, peer or blind letter evaluations, review by departmental senior faculty, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. Reappointment as senior lecturer requires review by departmental senior faculty, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. The dean can choose to appoint an ad hoc committee to review the case and advise him. The makeup of the committee is at the discretion of the dean. (See descriptions in "Procedures Involved in Appointment Process.")

JUNIOR FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

Associate Professor

The position of associate professor is intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who are effective teachers and whose creative work in scholarship, design, or professional practice, or a combination thereof, indicates they are making excellent progress in their academic careers and that they will likely be viable candidates for tenured positions in major U.S. colleges or universities. Appointments are made for fixed terms on a full-time basis. The general conditions for development of the faculty and the additional criteria for junior positions described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

An individual holding the position of associate professor is an officer of the university and may not concurrently hold a position at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. These positions are intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in design or scholarship, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service. For additional information see the section "Policies on Residency, Workload and Leaves" in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Terms and Conditions

Appointment to Associate Professor from Outside the Faculty
A person from outside the Faculty of Design may receive an initial appointment as associate professor for a three- to five-year term. If the initial appointment is for less than five years and unless the appointee is advised in writing at the time of the initial appointment that there will not be a review to consider reappointment, the department shall advise the candidate and conduct a review at any time before, but not later than, the penultimate year of the appointment. As a result of the review, the department may, at its option, recommend a single reappointment to extend the total time in this rank to a maximum of five years or may elect to allow the appointment to conclude at the end of the initial term.

Combined Teaching and Research Appointments
An appointment to an assistant or associate professor position may include a provision in which the faculty member dedicates a certain percentage of time to conducting research, normally under the auspices of one of the school's research centers. Annually, the percentage of time spent on teaching and on research activities will be clearly delineated. A memorandum of understanding will either be included in the initial appointment letter or added as an addendum any time after the appointment begins.

Promotion to Associate Professor from Inside the Faculty
If the review of an assistant professor in the Faculty of Design concludes that the individual is making excellent progress in an academic career and that he/she will likely be a viable candidate for a tenured position in a major U.S. college or university, then a single appointment as associate professor may be made for a term up to five years. The first year of the appointment as associate professor shall be in lieu of the final year of the current appointment as assistant professor, but the total number of years in all ranks may not exceed eight years of active service (junior faculty hired prior to 1 July 1995 are allowed nine years of active service). Each year served as an Adjunct Associate Professor counts as one half of a year toward the maximum number of years allowed in the junior faculty ranks. If there is insufficient evidence to reach such a conclusion in the case of an early review for promotion, then a single reappointment as assistant professor may be made up to the five-year allowed maximum in this rank. If there is insufficient evidence to reach such a conclusion in the case of a candidate who already holds an appointment for the five-year allowed maximum in this rank, then the appointment as assistant professor may be allowed to conclude at the end of the current term or a single appointment may be made as associate professor for up to a maximum of two years, with the first year being in lieu of the final year of the current appointment as assistant professor. Under such circumstances, there is no review to consider reappointment as associate professor.

Unpaid Leave, Extensions, and Maximum Term
The maximum time of continuous or discontinuous active service in the junior faculty ranks combined is eight years. A one-year extension may be granted for an unpaid professional leave (or leaves) of absence. An additional year may also be granted for maternity leave or primary child-care responsibilities. In such instances, the end date of the term of appointment will normally be extended by the amount of the leave. For information about leaves and their conditions, see the section "Leaves of Absence" in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

The combined total terms as assistant professor plus adjunct assistant professor plus associate professor plus adjunct associate professor in any combination cannot exceed ten years, including the maximum of two years extension due to an approved unpaid leave or a primary-care parental leave as defined in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Likelihood of Appointment to a Tenured Position
At the time of an initial appointment or promotion to associate professor, the candidate shall be advised by the chairman or the dean of the likelihood of a tenured position becoming available in the candidate's specialty for which the candidate may compete during the term of the appointment. The person should also be advised that there is no routine review to consider promotion to a tenured position during an appointment as associate professor and that, at such times when an appropriate tenured position becomes available, the individual may be a candidate for the position as part of the normal search and review process, but there is no assurance that he/she will be the successful candidate.

Appointments of Former GSD Faculty
Individuals who have held the position of assistant or associate professor in the Faculty of Design may not be reappointed to the same position again unless the earlier appointment was not completed because of health reasons or other serious personal necessities. In such circumstances, a single reappointment for the balance of the incomplete term may be made without the normal notice and search process. An individual who completed a term as assistant professor but was not promoted to associate professor may be considered as a candidate for associate professor in a normal notice and search process, but only after a two-year break in service. The sum of prior experience shall be considered in determining the maximum number of years that should be permitted in non-tenured positions. An individual who has completed an appointment as an assistant or associate professor may be considered for a lecturer or design critic position, but only after a two-year break in service. A junior faculty member who wishes to switch to a part-time appointment may, upon recommendation by the chair and approval by the dean, resign from the associate or assistant professor position and accept an appointment as a design critic or lecturer. The maximum FTE will be .50 per year and the number of years of the lecturer or design critic appointment cannot exceed the number of years remaining in the junior faculty appointment as of the effective date of resignation. A reappointment can be made only after a two-year break in service. An appointment in the junior faculty ranks in no way prevents an individual from applying for any senior faculty positions as they become available.

One-Year Notice
Written notice concerning the school's intention to allow an appointment to conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or reappointment is offered or not later than one full year before the end of the term of the current appointment.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment to associate professor requires notice, search, peer letters, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. Reappointment as associate professor requires departmental review, recommendation by department chair, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards.

Promotion to associate professor from an assistant professor position within the faculty does not require notice and search, provided the initial appointment resulted from a full notice and search process. Review, blind or peer letter evaluation, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards are required. (See descriptions in "Procedures Involved in Appointment Process.")

Adjunct Associate Professor

The position of adjunct associate professor is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or research who commit themselves to continuing participation in the instructional activities of the School. Appointments are made for fixed terms at less than full-time and normally are half-time or less. Appointees must maintain active professional roles with the balance of their time. The general conditions for appointments to the faculty and the additional criteria for teaching described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

Individuals holding the position of adjunct associate professor are officers of the University and may not concurrently hold positions at other academic institutions. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. The teaching responsibilities may be concentrated in one period or allocated over one module, one term, or the full academic year, subject to agreement on a satisfactory schedule with the chair of the academic department and the dean. The agreement may include administrative and committee work.

Terms and Conditions

Initial Appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor and Review for Reappointment
An initial appointment as adjunct associate professor may be made for a term of up to five years. Unless the appointee is advised in writing at the time of the initial appointment that there will not be a review to consider reappointment, the department shall advise the candidate and conduct a review at any time before, but not later than, the penultimate year of the appointment. As a result of the review, the department may, at its option, recommend a reappointment of up to five years or may elect to allow the appointment to conclude at the end of the initial term. In no case shall the total cumulative term as adjunct associate professor exceed ten years. Each year served by an individual as a full-time associate professor in the Faculty of Design prior to an appointment as adjunct associate professor shall count as two years toward the ten year maximum term as adjunct associate professor. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year counts as one year of service.

Unpaid Leave, Extensions, and Maximum Term
Junior faculty are eligible to receive an extension of appointment up to a total of one-year for unpaid academic leave, regardless of the number of leaves taken. An additional one-year extension may be granted for parental leave. In such instances, the time of leave will not be counted toward the maximum time of active service or the maximum number of years permitted in this rank, and normally the end date of the term of the appointment will be extended by the amount of the leave. For information about additional types of leave and their conditions, see the section "Leaves of Absence" in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Likelihood of Appointment to a Tenured Position
At the time of an initial appointment as adjunct associate professor, the candidate shall be advised-usually as part of an appointment memorandum or in an accompanying letter-of the likelihood of a tenured position becoming available in the candidate's specialty for which the candidate may compete during the term of the appointment. The person should also be advised that there is no routine review to consider promotion to a tenured position during an appointment as adjunct associate professor and that, at such times when an appropriate tenured position becomes available, the individual may be a candidate for the position as part of the normal search and review process, but there is no assurance that he/she will be the successful candidate.

Appointments of Former GSD Faculty
Individuals who have held or are currently holding the position of assistant or associate professor in the Faculty of Design may be candidates in a search to fill a position as adjunct associate professor. Individuals who have previously held the position of adjunct associate professor for the maximum term of ten years may not be candidates in a subsequent search to fill a position as adjunct associate professor. An individual who has completed an appointment as adjunct associate professor may be considered for a term or annual position as design critic or lecturer, but only after a two-year break in service. An appointment in the junior faculty ranks in no way prevents an individual from applying for any senior faculty positions as they become available.

One-Year Notice
Written notice concerning the School's intention to allow an appointment to conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or reappointment is offered or not later than one full year before the end of the term of the current appointment.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment to adjunct associate professor requires notice, search, peer letters, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. Reappointment as adjunct associate professor requires departmental review, recommendation by department chair, review by the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards.

Assistant Professor

The position of assistant professor is intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who have completed the formal educational requirements in their fields. For design professionals this normally shall be a professional master's degree plus professional internship; for scholars this normally shall be a doctoral degree. Candidates should have some teaching experience and their creative work in scholarship, design, or professional practice, or a combination thereof, should indicate strong promise of future creative achievement in the field. Appointments are made for fixed terms on a full-time basis. The general conditions for development of the faculty and the additional criteria for junior positions in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" shall apply to this position.

An individual holding the position of assistant professor is an officer of the university and may not concurrently hold a position at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. These positions are intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in design or scholarship, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service. For additional information see the section "Policies on Residency, Workload and Leaves" in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Terms and Conditions

Initial Appointment and Review for Reappointment or Promotion
An initial appointment may be made for a three- to five-year term. The appointment letter of an assistant professor will specify if and when a review for appointment extension or for promotion to associate professor will take place. As the time for a review approaches, the assistant professor should discuss with the department chair which option to pursue. The department shall advise the candidate and conduct a review at any time before, but not later than, the penultimate year of the appointment. As a result of the review, the department may allow the appointment to conclude at the end of the current term, recommend a single reappointment to extend the total time in this rank up to five years, or recommend promotion to associate professor.

Likelihood of Appointment to a Tenured Position
In the event that an assistant professor is promoted to associate professor, there is no guarantee that, at some future date, the individual will be considered for promotion to a tenured position.

Unpaid Leave, Extensions, and Maximum Term
The maximum time of continuous or discontinuous active service in the junior faculty ranks combined is eight years. Each year served as an Adjunct Associate Professor counts as one-half year toward the maximum number of years allowed in the junior faculty ranks. A one-year extension may be granted for an unpaid professional leave (or leaves) of absence. An additional year may also be granted for maternity leave or primary child-care responsibilities. In such instances, the end date of the term of appointment will normally be extended by the amount of the leave. For more information, see "Leaves of Absence" in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Appointments of Former GSD Faculty
Individuals who have held the position of assistant or associate professor in the Faculty of Design may not be reappointed to the same position again unless the earlier appointment was not completed because of health reasons or other serious personal necessities. In such circumstances, a single reappointment for the balance of the incomplete term may be made without the normal notice and search process. An individual who completed a term as assistant professor but was not promoted to associate professor may be considered as a candidate for associate professor in a normal notice and search process, but only after a two-year break in service. The sum of prior experience shall be considered in determining the maximum number of years that should be permitted in non-tenured positions. An individual who has completed an appointment as an assistant or associate professor may be considered for a design critic or lecturer position, but only after a two-year break in service. A junior faculty member who wishes to switch to a part-time appointment may, upon recommendation by the chair and approval by the dean, resign from the associate or assistant professor position and accept an appointment as a design critic or lecturer. The maximum FTE will be .50 per year and the number of years of the lecturer or design critic appointment cannot exceed the number of years remaining in the junior faculty appointment as of the effective date of resignation. A reappointment can be made only after a two-year break in service. An appointment in the junior faculty ranks in no way prevents an individual from applying for any senior faculty positions as they become available.

One-Year Notice
Written notice concerning the school's intention to allow an appointment to conclude at the end of the current term shall be given either at the time an appointment or reappointment is offered or not later than one year before the end of the term of the current appointment.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment as assistant professor requires notice, search, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, notification of the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. For reappointment as assistant professor, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards are required. The departmental review committee may seek the advice of the Senior Faculty Council whenever there is doubt about the renewal of an appointment or promotion of an assistant professor. If a review to consider reappointment or promotion results in the conclusion to allow the appointment to end with the current term, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, and approval by the dean are required. (see descriptions in "Procedures Involved in Appointment Process.")

Instructor/Assistant Professor

The position of instructor/assistant professor is intended for individuals entering academic careers who are enrolled in doctoral programs and are within one year of completing all requirements for the degree. A change in status to assistant professor will be automatic when the degree is completed. The criteria for appointment are the same as for assistant professor. An individual holding the position is an officer of the university, and the conditions for holding the position are the same as for an assistant professor.

Terms and Conditions

Appointments may be made for three- to five-year terms and may be full-time or part-time during the first year while the dissertation is being completed and must be full-time thereafter. Normally, beginning July 1, the appointment will be converted under the following schedule:

If the full requirements for the degree are completed before October 15 of the first year of appointment, then the appointment as assistant professor shall be made retroactive to July 1.

If the full requirements for the degree are completed before February 1 of the first year, then appointment as assistant professor will be effective January 1.

If the full requirements for the degree are completed after February 1 but before June 30, then appointment as assistant professor will be effective the following July 1.

If the degree is completed within the time frames outlined above, then the time spent as instructor shall be counted as part of the term as assistant professor for purposes of reappointment, promotion, and the total number of years that may be served in term appointments. If the degree requirements are not met within the first year of the academic appointment, then the original appointment will be void and the appointment will conclude at the end of the first year. Unless there were extenuating circumstances preventing completion of the degree during the first year, no reappointment may be made.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

Initial appointment as instructor/assistant professor may be made only as the result of a search to fill an assistant professor position, and the notice, search, review, and approval steps required for that position apply.

Adjunct Assistant Professor
The position of adjunct assistant professor is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or research who commit themselves to continuing participation in the instructional activities of the School and who have completed the formal educational requirements in their fields. For design professionals this normally shall be a professional master's degree plus professional internship; for scholars this normally shall be a doctoral degree. Candidates should have some teaching experience and their creative work in scholarship, design, or professional practice, or a combination thereof, should indicate strong promise of future creative achievement in the field. Appointments are made for fixed terms at less than full-time and normally are half-time or less. Appointees must maintain active professional roles with the balance of their time. The general conditions for appointments to the faculty and the additional criteria for teaching described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

An individual holding the position of adjunct assistant professor is an officer of the University and may not concurrently hold a position or teach at another academic institution. Residency in the Boston area is normally required. The teaching responsibilities may be concentrated in one period or allocated over one module, one term, or the full academic year, subject to agreement on a satisfactory schedule with the chair of the academic department and the dean. Persons holding this position are expected to participate in the life of the school, such as attend faculty meetings, serve on admissions committees and occasionally serve on other committees.

Terms and Conditions

Initial Appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor and Review for Reappointment
An initial appointment as adjunct assistant professor may be made for a term of up to five years. Unless the appointee is advised in writing at the time of the initial appointment that there will not be a review to consider reappointment or promotion to adjunct associate professor, the department shall advise the candidate and conduct a review at any time before, but not later than, the penultimate year of the appointment. As a result of the review, the department may, at its option, recommend a reappointment of up to five years or a promotion to adjunct associate professor or may elect to allow the appointment to conclude at the end of the initial term. In no case shall the total combined terms as adjunct assistant professor plus adjunct associate professor exceed ten years. Each year served by an individual as a full-time assistant professor in the Faculty of Design prior to an appointment as adjunct assistant professor shall count as two years toward the ten year maximum combined terms as adjunct assistant professor plus adjunct associagte professor. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year counts as one year of service.

Likelihood of Appointment to a Tenured Position
In the event that an adjunct assistant professor is appointed as adjunct associate professor or associate professor, there is no guarantee that, at some future date, the individual will be considered for promotion to a tenured position.

The combined total terms as assistant professor plus adjunct assistant profesor plus associate professor plus adjunct associate professor in any combination cannot exceed ten years, including the maximum of two years extension due to an approved unpaid leave or a primary-care parental leave as defined in the GSD Faculty Handbook.

Appointments of Former GSD Faculty
Individuals who have held or are currently holding the position of assistant professor in the Faculty of Design may be candidates in a search to fill a position as adjunct assistant professor. Individuals who have previously held the position of assistant professor for the maximum term of five years may not be candidates in a subsequent search to fill a position as adjunct assistant professor. An individual who completed a term as adjunct assistant professor but was not promoted to adjunct associate professor or associate professor may be considered as a candidate for adjunct associate professor or associate professor in a normal notice and search process, but only after a two-year break in service. An individual who has completed an appointment as adjunct assistant professor may be considered for a term or annual position as design critic or lecturer, but only after a two-year break in service. An appointment in the junior faculty ranks in no way prevents an individual from applying for any senior faculty positions as they become available.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval
Initial appointment as adjunct assistant professor requires notice, search, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, notification of the Senior Faculty Council, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the university provost. For reappointment as adjunct assistant professor, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, recommendation by the dean, and approval by the university provost are required. The departmental review committee may seek the advice of the Senior Faculty Council whenever there is doubt about the renewal of an appointment or promotion of an adjunct assistant professor. If a review to consider reappointment or promotion results in the conclusion to allow the appointment to end with the current term, departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, and approval by the dean are required. (see descriptions in "Procedures Involved in Appointment Process.")

MULTI-YEAR AND ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS

Design Critic

The position of design critic is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or art who are appointed to provide studio instruction. The position is reserved for individuals who have proven their competence in their areas of specialty. An individual holding this position is an officer of the university and a non-voting member of the faculty. A design critic may hold another prior academic appointment, providing the sum of all appointments does not exceed one full-time position. Once appointed, accepting an academic appointment at another institution requires the approval of the dean. The general conditions for appointment to the faculty, described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

Terms and Conditions

Multi-Year Appointment
Individuals who maintain their primary occupations may be appointed at half-time or less for a maximum of three years. The current appointment will end on the date specified in the appointment letter, unless the department chair, with the prior approval of the dean, initiates a reappointment process, subject to the reviews described below. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year counts as a full year of service for purposes of reappointments.

Annual Appointment
Individuals may be appointed to the position of design critic on a part-time basis for one academic year. Reappointments are permitted.

A full-time appointment may be made for one academic year, with a possibility of one reappointment only. Reappointments are permitted, subject to the reviews described below.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

A notice and search process is not required to fill design critic positions, but a reasonable effort must be made to meet the affirmative action policy. An individual who has completed an appointment as an associate or assistant professor in the GSD may be hired as a design critic, but only after a two-year break in service. A junior faculty member who wishes to switch to a part-time appointment may, upon recommendation by the chair and approval by the dean, resign from the associate or assistant professor position and accept an appointment as a design critic or lecturer. The maximum FTE will be .50 per year and the number of years of the lecturer or design critic appointment cannot exceed the number of years remaining in the junior faculty appointment as of the effective date of resignation. A reappointment can be made only after a two-year break in service.

Annual appointments require recommendation by the department chair, review by the departmental senior faculty if requested by any of its members, and approval by the dean. Notice to members of the departmental senior faculty may be accomplished by phone, email, or regular mail, as long as it allows sufficient time for review by the departmental senior faculty convened in a meeting if requested. The cumulative time period of an individual’s annual appointments may not exceed three years, consecutive or non-consecutive, without departmental review, and may not exceed five years without Senior Faculty Council review as well.

Multi-year appointments and reappointments require departmental review, recommendation by the department chair, and approval by the dean. Any reappointments that would extend the period of continuous or cumulative service beyond five years require Senior Faculty Council review as well.

Annual and multi-year appointments shall not, except in rare instances, exceed a cumulative time period of 10 years, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. Extensions beyond this limit, for terms not to exceed three years, shall require a Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need.” The bases for such a finding are (a) that the appointee in question is virtually irreplaceable as an instructor in an area essential to the School’s curriculum, or (b) that the appointee in question is such a superb instructor, ranking among the very best in the School, that the School’s ability to recruit a comparable replacement is highly doubtful. A Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need” requires approval by at least fifty percent of the entire senior faculty in residence during the semester in question.

Lecturer

The position of lecturer is intended for individuals pursuing careers in professional practice or research or in such fields as art, public administration, or public service who are appointed to provide non-studio instruction in the areas of their special capabilities. The position is reserved for individuals who have proven their competence in their areas of specialty. An individual holding this position is an officer of the university and a non-voting member of the faculty. A lecturer may hold another prior academic position, providing the sum of all appointments does not exceed one full-time position. Once appointed, accepting an academic appointment at another institution requires the approval of the dean. The general conditions for appointments to the faculty described in "Appointments to the Faculty of Design" apply to this position.

Terms and Conditions

Annual Appointment
Individuals may be appointed to the position of lecturer on a part-time basis for one academic year. Reappointments are permitted.

A full-time appointment as lecturer may be made for one academic year, with a possibility of one reappointment only. Reappointments are permitted, subject to the reviews described below.

Dependent Appointment
Individuals who hold administrative appointments or who hold non-faculty research positions may be appointed by the dean as lecturer on an annual basis. Reappointments are permitted, subject to the reviews described below. The appointment is dependent upon the primary position being maintained.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

A notice and search process is not required to fill lecturer positions, but a reasonable effort must be made to meet the affirmative action policy. For individuals holding a lecturer (dependent) position, a notice and search process is not required, provided that the search to fill the primary position conformed to the affirmative action policy. An individual who has completed an appointment as an associate or assistant professor in the GSD may be hired as a lecturer, but only after a two-year break in service. A junior faculty member who wishes to switch to a part-time appointment may,upon recommendation by the chair and approval by the dean, resign from the associate or assistant professor position and accept an appointment as a design critic or lecturer. The maximum FTE will be .50 per year and the number of years of the lecturer or design critic appointment cannot exceed the number of years remaining in the junior faculty appointment as of the effective date of resignation. A reappointment can be made only after a two-year break in service.

Multi-year appointments and reappointments require review by the departmental senior faculty, recommendation by the department chair, and approval by the dean. Reappointments that would extend the period of cumulative service beyond five years require Senior Faculty Council approval as well.

Annual and multi-year appointments shall not, except in rare instances, exceed a cumulative time period of 10 years, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. Extensions beyond this limit, for terms not to exceed three years, shall require a Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need.” The bases for such a finding may be (a) that the appointee in question is virtually irreplaceable as an instructor in an area essential to the School’s curriculum, or (b) that the appointee in question is such a superb instructor, ranking among the very best in the School, that the School’s ability to recruit a comparable replacement is highly doubtful. A Senior Faculty Council finding of “exceptional School need” requires approval by at least fifty percent of the entire senior faculty in residence during the semester in question.

Instructor

The position of instructor is intended for individuals pursuing academic careers who are qualified to offer instruction but not qualified for appointments as assistant professor, design critic, or lecturer. These individuals may have passed to candidacy in doctoral programs but not have completed their degrees, or they may have completed professional degrees but not their professional internships, or they may have completed their academic and/or professional experience but not have sufficient teaching experience to qualify for appointments as assistant professor. An individual holding this position is an officer of the university and a non-voting member of the faculty. Doctoral students who are teaching should not attend Department Meetings due to their status as students and the conflicts that presents.

Terms and Conditions

Appointments may be made under either of the following two conditions:

Non-Student Appointment
A person who is not a student in any degree program at Harvard may be appointed as an instructor on a full- or part-time appointment for a period not less than one module and not greater than one academic year. Only one reappointment may be made for a maximum total of two years. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year is counted as one year for purposes of reappointments.

Current Harvard Doctoral Student
A student in good standing in a doctoral program who has satisfactorily "passed to candidacy" may be appointed as an instructor at half-time or less while he or she is completing the dissertation, for a period not less than one module and not greater than one academic year. Only one reappointment may be made, for a maximum total of two years. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year is counted as one year for purposes of reappointments.

Likelihood of Appointment as Assistant Professor

Appointments to the position of instructor are made for fixed terms with no assurance of reappointment in this rank or ultimate appointment as assistant professor. This position may not be converted to assistant professor because that position requires a full notice and search process.

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

A notice and search process is not required to fill instructor positions, but reasonable effort should be made to meet the affirmative action policy. This position is appointed by the department chair.

Visiting Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor

Requirements for Notice, Search, Review, and Approval

The position of visiting professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting assistant professor is intended for individuals who hold continuing academic ladder appointments at other institutions. These individuals should be on full or partial leaves from their home institutions to teach at the GSD. A full- or part-time appointment may be made for a period not greater than two continuous academic years with the titles of visiting professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting assistant professor-corresponding to the same titles at their home institutions. Persons holding other titles at their home institutions shall be appointed to the GSD positions of lecturer or design critic.

A notice and search process is not required to fill visiting professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting assistant professor positions, but reasonable effort should be made to meet the affirmative action policy. These positions require the recommendation of the department chair and of the dean, and approval by the Governing Boards. A part-time appointment of any duration in any one year is equivalent to one year of service.

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