Other Policies Regarding Faculty Appointments

Appointments in Other Harvard Faculties

Appointments of individuals to the Faculty of Design and to another faculty at Harvard may be made, normally at the same appointment level.

Voting Status in Full Faculty

Senior and junior faculty are accorded voting privileges in the faculty and assume the rights and responsibilities related to this status.

Senior Faculty Council

Members of the faculty holding positions as professor, professor in practice (tenured), professor in practice, senior lecturer, and professor in residence serve as members of the Senior Faculty Council. Among its duties, the Senior Faculty Council serves as the standing committee on appointments. Professors in practice without tenure, senior lecturers, and professors in residence may not participate in decisions about tenured appointments, non-tenured senior positions or the GSD Faculty Appointments Handbook.

Department Chairs

Department chairs are appointed at the sole discretion of the dean. Normally chairs serve for three to five years, with a review conversation with the dean in the spring of the third year. Teaching assignments for the chairs are reviewed and approved annually by the dean.

Nondiscrimination and Nepotism

In making appointments to the Faculty of Design, search committee members and members of the Senior Faculty Council are bound by University and GSD policies regarding nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity, and nepotism/work relationships as outlined in the GSD Faculty Policies Handbook.

Affirmative Action

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, as underscored by our school’s Community Values Statement, the GSD is committed to diversity and inclusion within our community, which is representative of individuals from varied abilities, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, identities, races, lived experiences, and perspectives.

We especially welcome applications from members of historically underrepresented groups and candidates with experience teaching and working with diverse communities and students.