by
Michael I. Shamos, Ph.D., J.D.
Distinguished Career Professor
School of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Visiting Professor, The University of Hong Kong
There are over 3,300 accredited colleges and universities in the United States. These institutions have conferred on their academic faculties and staff a bewildering array of titles and designations. The titles can be confusing and their significance is often misunderstood. Some titles imply that the holder has tenure, while others do not. Some suggest a concentration in research rather than teaching, while others convey that the incumbent is primarily engaged in activities outside of an academic institution. In addition, a menagerie of prefixes and modifiers are used to indicate rank and other status information. Adding to the complexity of the problem is the fact that the same title may have different meanings at different institutions. The purpose of this handbook is to provide a thorough glossary explaining the significance of most titles in use in the United States today.
Copyright © 2002 Michael I. Shamos
Table of Contents
"What's in a name! that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title." When Shakespeare wrote those words he surely did not have professors in mind, for in academia titles are the coin of the realm. This is literally so, since many a professor has been lured or retained, in lieu of a salary increase, by the promise of a more exalted title. It is not clear, given the proliferation of such titles in the US, precisely what status each one denotes. More than 800 are described in this book, along with prescriptions for generating thousands more.
An "academic title," broadly, is a designation given to individuals who "engage in teaching of credit courses, academic research, or professional library service." (Oakland U.) Generally a title is relied on to convey three attributes of its holder: rank (level of appointment), status (Regular Faculty or otherwise) and function (Teaching, Clinical, Research, etc.) The title may also carry an Honorific, such as "Distinguished," as mark of special recognition. This much was recognized by W. S. Gilbert in referring to The Mikado's Lord High Executioner as "a personage of noble rank and title," making it clear that rank and title are different. "Lord" conveys nobility; "High" specifies rank; "Executioner" defines function.
While this trichotomy is fairly logical, there is much confusion in practice between the concepts of "title" and "rank." Title ought to mean no more than the name by which an academic position is known, e.g. "Associate Professor of the Practice of Surgery." But such a statement is too simplistic; one must consider the distinctions among Official Title, Working Title and Functional Title. Rank refers to the holder's position in an ordered promotion sequence known as a Series. The fundamental Series in US institutions is {Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor}, which are listed in order of increasing rank. Titles not in this Series almost always indicate a position equivalent in rank to a particular rank in the Series. For example, at Carnegie Mellon the title "Senior Research Scientist" indicates a nontenured position ("non-noble," one might say), a function of Scientist and a rank equivalent to Associate Professor.
The variety of academic titles in use is impressively vast. Numerous unusual situations have arisen at different institutions that have spawned the creation of carefully crafted titles to deal with specialized circumstances. If your institution is trying to create a title to describe a particular position, it has probably already been devised elsewhere and you will find it in this Handbook.
This work was motivated by an effort at my home institution, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, to rationalize its scheme of conferring academic titles. During my service on the Faculty Affairs Council, it became apparent that numerous titles were in use around the country that might describe Carnegie Mellon positions quite accurately, but they were unfamiliar to me and my colleagues. I therefore undertook to compile a reference that would be of general usefulness to the academic community.
The entries in this handbook cover academic faculty and staff titles only. Administrative designations, such as Associate Dean, Provost, Department Head, Program Director and the like are omitted because they are frequently devised ad hoc and do not in any event indicate independent academic status. I have quoted liberally from position descriptions in college catalogs, faculty handbooks and web pages. My thanks go to the invariably anonymous authors of these materials. The institutions cited in the text, approximately 250 of them, are listed in an Index at the end of this Handbook.
The arrangement of entries is alphabetical by full academic title. Where a position description has been obtained from a specific institution, the name of the institution appears in parentheses in the entry. If there is no position definition, the name of at least one institution using the title appears at the end of the entry in brackets unless such an institution is mentioned in the entry. Occasionally titles are followed by roman numeral indicating grade within title, such as "Librarian IV." Such numerical designations are omitted here. There is of course some question as to what constitutes an academic title and how to draw the line between academic and administrative positions. The general rule used here is that positions subject to collective bargaining agreements involving the American Association of University Professors are regarded as academic. Combining titles with such prefixes as "adjunct," "emeritus," "visiting," etc. would lead to a combinatorial explosion in the size of the glossary. Therefore, such prefixes are normally explained only in general terms without enumerating each possible title. Rather than use a complex scheme of boldfacing or small capitals to indicate defined terms, initial capitals are employed for this purpose, e.g. "It is often unclear whether a Fellow is a member of the Faculty."
At some institutions a virtually unlimited spectrum of titles is available by suffixing the name of a discipline to another faculty title. For example, Research Biologist, Research Chemist, Professor of German, etc., which can iterate through every possible discipline. It has neither been possible nor desirable to include all such titles, nor has it been feasible to enumerate every usage of every title at every institution. As always, the role of the lexicographer is to record terminology as it is actually used, not to impose rules or presume to set standards. In particular, this book should never be cited to support a claim that a particular usage is "wrong." In compiling this work the author examined approximately 1000 faculty handbooks and institutional by-laws. While that is a significant number, it represents fewer than one-third of accredited US institutions. Errors and omissions have necessarily occurred; therefore the author will be grateful to learn of any additions or corrections.
Acknowledgements: Thanks are due to Carnegie Mellon University for providing the infrastructure (and freedom from academic politics) that permitted me to write this Handbook expeditiously and to Prof. Quincy Adams Wagstaff of Huxley College for imbuing me with the appropriate perspective on academic titles.
Above Scale
A mechanism in the University of California System by which meritorious faculty may obtain higher rank and pay than the normal limits of their position. "An academic appointee who advances beyond the highest Step in a Series is above scale." (U. Cal. San Diego) Sample usage: Professor Above Scale, Specialist Above Scale. Sometimes considered the equivalent of Distinguished. See also Off Scale.
Academic (generally)
The prefix "Academic" generally indicates a non-tenured full-time or part-time position primarily in teaching and with only incidental research or patient-care responsibilities. See, e.g., Academic Professor. The range also includes Academic Assistant Professor, Academic Associate Professor, Academic Instructor and Academic Lecturer. See also Academic Appointee.
Academic Administrator
An individual "with either primary or secondary responsibility for the administration of the activities of a major academic unit (school/college) or program of the University System. An academic administrator has faculty status and normally holds academic rank; as such, he/she may be eligible for tenure as a faculty member. (U. N.H)
Academic Affiliate
"Individuals employed full-time by the University in non-academic positions and who are assigned to teach courses or direct research in academic departments. Academic Affiliate assignments are based on the experience, training, and interests of individuals that would qualify them to teach and/or direct research outside their normal assignments and upon the needs of the University to utilize their expertise in teaching responsibilities." (S.W. Mo. St.)
Academic Appointee
A person "who is engaged primarily in one or more of the following: teaching, research, and public service, and whose duties are closely related to the University's instructional and research functions. Included in this group are academic administrative officers, faculty, student appointees, medical residents, research appointees, University Extension appointees, and librarians." (U. Cal. San Diego)
Academic Assistant
1. A position normally filled by a graduate student, whose duties include grading homework, assisting faculty and students in laboratory and field work, and in limited situations, leading small tutorial class sections. (U. Conn.)
2. A title similar to Research Associate except that the incumbent "provides technical support for on-going departmental research activities, rather than for a single Principal Investigator." The Series is Academic Assistant I through Academic Assistant V. (U. Conn.)
Academic Assistant Professor
See Academic Professor. (Texas Tech.)
Academic Associate
1. A junior research position equivalent in rank to Lecturer. (U. Ariz.)
2. One of two categories of Non-Regular Faculty at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture. "This category includes individuals with the titles not listed as Profession Track titles, e.g., Research Associate, Post-doctoral Fellow, Program Coordinators, etc." (U. Mo.) See also Professional Track.
Academic Associate Professor
See Academic Professor. (Texas Tech.)
Academic Clinician Track
A Track, apparently unique to the Medical University of South Carolina, analogous to the Clinician Educator Track. (Med. Univ. So. Carolina)
Academic Educator Track
A Track, apparently unique to the Medical University of South Carolina, analogous to the Clinician Scholar Track. (Med. Univ. So. Carolina)
Academic Faculty
A term with varying meanings. Sometimes it includes non-Tenure Track Faculty, sometimes not. "Academic faculty" means all employees who hold the rank of instructor or a higher academic rank in academic programs. These employees may be eligible for tenure." (Lewis & Clark Coll.) "Academic Faculty means tenurable and nontenurable employees who have responsibility for instruction and curriculum development." (U. Mont.) "The ranks of professor, associate professor, and assistant professor are the traditional academic ranks of appointment." (Wash. St. U.) "[T]hose faculty who carry academic rank, academic titles, or special academic status." (Wartburg Coll.)
Academic Investigator Track
A research-oriented Track at the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Rochester and the University of Virginia. (U. Va.)
Academic Instructor
See Academic Professor. (Texas Tech.)
Academic Lecturer
See Academic Professor. (Texas Tech.)
A person other than faculty, engaged primarily in activities that extend and support the teaching, research, extension, and service missions of the institution (U. Wyo.) "The designation Academic Professional will apply to a variety of academic assignments that call for academic background similar to that of a faculty member with professorial rank but which are distinctly different from professorial positions. Examples include managing instructional laboratories, assuming academic program management roles not suited for expectations applied to tenure-track faculty members, operating instructional technology support program, being responsible for general academic advising, assuming professional student counseling center responsibilities, providing specialized skill acquisition training as support for academic programs, and working with tenure-track faculty members in course and curriculum development." The range of titles includes Academic Professional Associate, Academic Professional, and Senior Academic Professional. (Ga. State)
Academic Professional Associate
See Academic Professional. (Ga. State)
Academic Professor (Texas Tech.)
A non-tenured appointment indicating only incidental responsibilities outside of teaching. (Texas Tech.)
Academic Rank
Not a Rank per se but a collection of titles usually indicating that the incumbent is an Officer of Instruction. Institutions vary widely in specifying which ranks are academic, ranging from all instructional positions to just the Regular Faculty ranks. "Academic Rank is rank held by those members of the academic staff having the titles of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, Librarian, Associate Librarian, Senior Assistant Librarian, and Assistant Librarian." (SUNY Potsdam) At the University of Alaska, an Academic Rank means one of the Regular Faculty positions, as opposed to Special Academic Rank. (U. Alaska) "Promotion in academic rank is a means by which the University encourages, recognizes, and rewards faculty members for excellence in the performance of their duties." (LSU)
Academic Staff
In general, person involved directly in instructional, research and clinical functions, but the set of included groups varies widely by institution. "The academic staff of the University of Pennsylvania is divided into seven classes: the Standing Faculty, the Standing Faculty--Clinician-Educator, the Associated Faculty, the Academic Support Staff, the Postdoctoral Fellows, the Teaching Graduate and Professional Students, and the Emeritus Faculty." (U. Pa.) Academic Staff is comprised of those persons having academic or qualified academic rank. (SUNY Potsdam)
Academic Support Faculty
"'Academic Support Faculty' means a person appointed to a nontenurable position who has rank and who assists with the instructional mission of the University. It includes persons with Visiting, Adjunct, and Affiliate titles." (U. Mont.) See also Support Faculty.
Academic Support Staff
"Academic Support Staff is composed of persons who participate in the University's teaching, research, and clinical services, but who are not eligible for appointment to the Standing or Associated Faculty." (U. Pa.) Some institutions draw a distinction between Academic Staff and Academic Support Staff, neither of which are Regular Faculty but may be Non-Regular Faculty.
Academic Title
A title for a person having academic responsibilities, not necessarily teaching. "Academic" is broader than "faculty," since there are numerous non-faculty academic positions. The distinction can be elusive. The University of Illinois uses "Academic Title for what would be a Faculty title elsewhere. "Academic titles sometimes resemble faculty titles. However, such academic positions either are for less than 51% time, or they include the following words as part of the title: adjunct, clinical, research, teaching, or visiting." (U. Ill.) "The academic titles approved by the College include Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Adjunct Faculty, Visiting Faculty, Faculty-in-Residence, Coach, and Professional Librarian. Titled academic faculty shall be employed only on term contracts and are not eligible for tenure." (Wartburg Coll.)
Academic Year Appointment
An "appointment in which the faculty member renders services to the University during the academic year, from the beginning of the fall term through the end of the spring term ... or the equivalent of an academic year should the campus operate year-round." (U. Ca. Santa Cruz) An appointment for two of three academic terms, comprising either eight or nine months, the salary for which is frequently spread over a twelve-month period. (U. Mich.) Cf. Calendar Year Appointment.
Acceleration
Advancement of an academic appointee to a rank or step before the normal period of time for such advancement pursuant to established University policy. (U. Cal. San Diego)
Acting (generally)
The title "acting" denotes a temporary appointment at the Instructor or professorial ranks. It is commonly used for persons who are on the faculty for a year or less or for persons who have not yet completed the requirements for a regular appointment. In the latter case, the acting title is dropped when the requirements are completed. A faculty member whose appointment as instructor or assistant professor has not been renewed may not be given an acting title. (U. of Washington) "The prefix "Acting" denotes a temporary faculty position, either full or part-time, with teaching or professional librarian responsibilities and associated service responsibilities of regular faculty on a pro-rated basis." (Sweet Briar Coll.)
Acting Assistant Professor
Acting assistant professors are full-time faculty members who have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree except the dissertation. Acting assistant professors are elected for one-year terms. They are expected to receive the doctoral degree (or other terminal degree in the professional schools) by the end of the initial term of election, despite full-time teaching commitments. When the degree is awarded, "acting" is removed from the title. The time spent as an acting assistant professor is included in the probationary period leading to an election without term. (U. Va.)
Acting Instructor
"Individuals appointed as Acting Instructors are usually advanced ... Stanford graduate students well launched on their dissertations; occasionally graduate students from other institutions who are at similar stages in their programs are appointed Acting Instructors. Individuals at this rank are not yet ready for candidacy for Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor (Subject to Ph.D.) positions." (Stanford)
Active Faculty
Active Faculty are all those faculty (regular and other) who are currently employed by the University, including those on approved leave. Retired and emeriti faculty are not included in the category of Active Faculty." (Santa Clara U.)
Additional Appointment
"Additional appointments are appointments that extend the term of service of faculty on University-year appointments." (U. Mich.)
Adjoint (generally)
"Adjoint" may appear either as a prefix or, in rare cases, as a suffix to designate individuals who are employees of external organizations but who offer courses or supervise academic programs, often without additional compensation. It is difficult to discern any different between "adjoint" and "adjunct," except that "adjoint" always means that the incumbent is external, while at some institutions Adjunct may mean a member of another school or department in the same institution. "The prefix Adjoint designates a person who is based at another institution and who contributes to the mission of a school." (Vanderbilt) At the University of Colorado at Boulder, "adjoint" is used as a suffix, e.g. Associate Professor Adjoint. (U. Col. at Boulder)
Adjunct (generally)
1. An academic appointment awarded to a person not employed by the institution but who is connected with or teaches courses at the institution. Such adjunct appointments generally carry no regular salary but the holder may be compensated on a per-course basis. Normally the prefix "adjunct" may precede any other non-adjunct title, such as in "Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor." In rare cases, e.g. U. of Colorado, "adjunct" is used as a suffix, as in Professor Adjunct. (U. Col. at Boulder) "The term adjunct may be prefixed to academic titles of faculty members who provide particular expertise (knowledge and/or services) to the college program but whose participation is limited in terms of responsibility to administration, teaching or research. This prefix may also be used for individuals whose major affiliation is with another institution." (Thomas Jefferson U.) "The prefix 'Adjunct' relates to a temporary faculty position with responsibilities limited to teaching and associated office hours." (Sweet Briar Coll.) "[T]hese teaching ranks are normally intended for the appointment of persons whose interests, as well as the interest of the University, are served by their continuing in a professional capacity outside of the University while teaching less than full time." (Yale) Cf. Adjoint, Affiliate. Whether holders of Adjunct positions are considered Members of the Faculty for purposes of voting and other privileges varies widely by institution.
2. A rarer use of the term corresponds more to the meaning of Joint or Courtesy, meaning that the holder is employed in another unit of the institution but for some reason it is desirable to list an affiliation with a different department or school.
Adjunct Clinical Staff
"The term 'adjunct clinical staff' is assigned to professional practitioners in the community or within the University who assume teaching responsibilities in the regular curriculum and have an appointment at less than 50% effort. Appointments are on an annual or shorter basis and are not tenured appointments." (U. Mich.)
Adjunct College Laboratory Technician
A title, apparently unique to the City University of New York, for people who are "not full-time members of the faculty and who teach part-time or who have other part-time assignments in the University." (CUNY)
Adjunct Instructor
1. Normally the lowest rank of Adjunct Faculty.
2. The title given to Adjunct faculty at Southwestern College (KS) who have no rank at another institution. See Adjunct Professor by Rank.
Adjunct Faculty
1. Collectively, the faculty members holding Adjunct appointments.
2. "Adjunct faculty are those untenured faculty who have instructional duties but who are not on a full-time faculty contract." (Seton Hall U.)
Adjunct Professor by Rank
1. A faculty member who teaches on a part-time per course basis for the college, and who is a full-time ranked faculty member of another institution of post-secondary education, may be assigned "adjunct" rank at the college that is equivalent to the faculty member's rank at the other institution. Should the other institution not use rank, the title of adjunct instructor will be used. (Southwestern Coll. KS) The words "by Rank" never form part of the incumbent's Working Title. See by Rank.
2. "A faculty member who holds a term appointment and who teaches on either a part-time or full-time basis may be assigned the special rank of Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, or Adjunct Professor, depending on qualifications." (St. Johns U.)
Adjunct Volunteer
A faculty track, apparently unique to Eastern Tennessee State University School of Medicine, for persons who teach intermittently or are intermittently involved in other medical school activities. (E. Tenn. St. U.)
Administrative Faculty
Person who perform administrative
functions but are entitled to faculty status because of the nature of their
responsibilities. In this regard, department heads are in an ambiguous
position, being considered Administrative Faculty at some institutions but not
at others. "Administrative faculty perform
work directly related to management of the activities of the institution,
department, or subdivision. Incumbents in these positions exercise discretion
and independent judgment and generally direct the work of others." (Va.
Tech.) "An administrative
faculty member holds academic rank. This
category includes:
Although this Handbook excludes administrative titles, in many cases such roles are filled by person holding academic rank. At Georgia State, for example, the title Administrator means that the holder has an academic appointment. (Ga. State)
Administrator with Faculty Rank
"Administrators with faculty rank come to the faculty rank by one
of two routes. Some are appointed initially as administrators and then receive a faculty appointment as a way of facilitating their work
or in order for them to teach a course on occasion. Others are initially full-time faculty members who later receive
administrative appointments. Persons in the first category are employed for their expertise
in administrative positions. Their teaching is secondary. Persons in the second category, originally employed for their
disciplinary expertise, are normally on subsequent contracts or are tenured."
(Juniata Coll.) At some institutions, certain
Administrator positions, such as President or Provost, automatically confer
faculty rank. "A number of non-teaching positions by tradition or by reason of their association directly with programs of instruction carry faculty status."
(Eastern Nazarene Coll.) "Administrators with faculty rank are
members of the university holding faculty rank whose positions include oversight
for the university as a whole as well as management of its broader educational
goals and programs. The category of administrators with faculty rank includes
those members who are at the position of vice president or above, members of the
academic affairs council and the athletic director.
Affiliate (generally)
1. "Affiliate" appointments are intended to recognize professional contributions to a department by an individual whose principal employment lies outside the University. Appointments require similar qualifications to those required for appointment to the corresponding rank. Affiliate appointments are not benefit- eligible and are limited in the amount of salary they may receive through the University. (U. of Washington) Cf. Adjunct, Affiliated. Institutions adopting the "affiliate" designation normally use "adjunct" in its second meaning of Joint rather than "external." In some cases, the meanings of "affiliate" and "adjunct" are reversed, as at the University of Maryland, where "affiliate" means associated with another academic unit at the University. See, e.g. Affiliate Professor. The usual Series is {Affiliate Instructor, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Affiliate Associate Professor, Affiliate Professor}. A title recognizing highly qualified persons who are not employed by the institution but are closely associated with its programs. (U. Idaho). At the University of Alaska, one who is engaged in Voluntary Faculty service, not employed by the institution. (U. Alaska)
2. A suffix denoting faculty who are employed by an affiliated institution and who are primarily responsible to that institution. (Finch U.)
Affiliate Faculty
1. A synonym for Non-Regular Faculty. "The affiliate faculty consists of persons holding academic appointments other than the regular faculty ranks eligible for tenure. They are appointed to perform some but not all of the duties associated with the function of regular, tenure eligible faculty." (Pacific Lutheran U.)
2. A synonym for Adjunct Faculty, applicable to persons whose titles include the term Affiliate. "The special status of 'Affiliate Faculty' may be awarded by the President ... to those persons whose employment is with a person or organization that is associated with the University. Affiliate status is awarded as a courtesy. Other than association with the University, Affiliate Faculty are not entitled to any of the rights and privileges of regular faculty. Affiliate Faculty shall not be employees or agents of the University and may not present themselves as such." (Nicholls St. U.) See also Senior Affiliate Faculty.
3. At some institutions, a term for faculty with Joint Appointments. "An affiliate faculty appointment recognizes a formal arrangement between a faculty member and a department or teaching unit outside that of the faculty member’s primary appointment. Ordinarily, only tenured faculty members are eligible for such an appointment." (American U.)
Affiliate Assistant Professor
See Affiliate
Professor.
Affiliate Associate Professor
See Affiliate Professor.
Affiliate Instructor
See Affiliate Professor.
Affiliate Librarian
The lowest rank of Librarian at the University of Utah; a member of the Library Faculty equivalent in rank to Instructor. (U. Utah)
A person who would otherwise be qualified as at
least an Associate Member of a graduate faculty
but is ineligible by reason of not holding an appointment in a department
offering graduate study or not holding the rank of at least Assistant
Professor. Such a person may be appointed as an Affiliate Member for a
renewable term and may serve on dissertation committees. (LSU) See also Member.
1. A title used to recognize the affiliation of a faculty member or other university employee with an academic unit other than that to which his or her appointment and salary are formally linked. The nature of the affiliation shall be specified in writing, and the appointment shall be made upon the recommendation of the faculty of the department with which the appointee is to be affiliated and with the consent of the faculty of his or her primary department. (U. Md.)
2. Affiliate titles are extended to someone whose primary employment is with an agency outside of the University. (U. Wash.) "This is an honorary title which may be assigned to individuals who offer educational experience to the students of the College on a regular part-time basis off campus pursuant to an affiliation agreement. Such individuals are not employees of and have no contractual arrangements with the College, although they may receive an honorarium." (Colby-Sawyer)
Affiliated (generally)
Used for faculty whose professional assignment depends on the existence of an affiliation agreement between the institution and an external employer, who normally is responsible for at least half of the faculty member's pay. (U. Cinn.) Cf. Affiliate.
Affiliated Artist
Typically a graphic or performing artist who
maintains a mutually beneficial relationship with an educational institution,
generally for no compensation. "[T]he title Affiliated Scholar or Affiliated Artist may be given to qualified members of the academic community who are pursuing independent work."
(Hope Coll.)
Affiliated Clinical (generally)
A prefix used to describe medical faculty having appropriate professional qualifications or having distinction and honor in that person's own field who are appointed without compensation to a department or center. (U. Fl.)
Affiliated Scholar
An "Institute designation which extends the privileges of the University to visitors and independent scholars who are conducting research projects." (Stanford) Indiana University "allows departments or division to designate persons actively engaged in scholarly research as affiliated scholars." (Ind. U.) "On occasion there are members of the local community who have professional academic credentials but have not found appropriate employment opportunities. To enhance opportunities for such academically qualified persons to continue their professional development through research, scholarship, and creative activities in an academic environment, the College has created the Affiliated Scholars Program. Appointment as an Affiliated Scholar is non-salaried, carries no university duties, and implies no university support." (Wm. & Mary)
Affiliated Teaching Faculty
A teaching position not carrying an associated Rank.
"People may be appointed to perform specialized teaching duties in
positions that do not carry tenure, rank, promotion, or faculty voting
privileges. Examples of such
positions are affiliated teachers of music and joint appointment of public
school teachers for student teaching supervision." (W. Wash. U.)
A faculty rank for academic personnel employed to serve in a Cooperative Extension role. The highest of a series of ranks that also includes Assistant Agent and Associate Agent. Sometimes a rank in the tenurable Series {Associate Agent, Agent, Senior Agent, Principal Agent}, as at the University of Maryland. (U. Md.) Equivalent to a Cooperative Extension Educator. (LSU) The title Principal Agent is sometimes the highest Agent rank. There are several other Agent Series, including {Assistant Area Agent, Associate Area Agent, Area Agent}, {Assistant County Agent,, Associate County Agent, County Agent} (Southern U.)
Alumni Distinguished Professor
"The alumni distinguished professorship recognizes extraordinary academic citizenship and distinguished service within the Virginia Tech university community. In recognition of the importance of alumni to the university, the alumni distinguished professorship is a pre-eminent faculty appointment, reserved by the board of visitors for recognition of faculty who, over time, have made outstanding contributions to the instructional program of the university and, in so doing, have touched the lives of generations of Virginia Tech alumni. An appointment as alumni distinguished professor is permanent, conferred by the board of visitors upon an individual for the remainder of his or her active service as a member of the Virginia Tech faculty ... Alumni distinguished professors should also expect to be called on from time to time, individually and also as a group, to render some special service or to offer particular advice to the university at large." (Va. Tech.)
Alumnus Faculty
"Alumnus faculty are those graduates of Our Lady of Holy Cross College recognized for their expertise and contributions to the life of the College." (Our Lady of Holy Cross Coll.) Some institutions refuse to hire their own graduates, at least not until a period of time has passed. "No alumnus of the University of Guam shall be employed in an academic position prior to the expiration of at least five (5) years from the date the alumnus received a graduate degree from the University of Guam. Moreover, any such person, in order to be considered for appointment, must, during the five-year period, acquire relevant professional experience in higher education at another institution in the field of his or her academic specialization; or obtain a second master's degree or a terminal degree at an accredited institution other than the University of Guam." (U. Guam)
Animal Science Extension Educator
A Cooperative Extension Educator position focusing on animal agriculture. (Wash. St. U.)
Annual Appointment
"Annual appointments are twelve-month appointments. Instructional staff members on annual appointment perform academic duties for eleven months and receive one month of paid vacation." (U. Mich.)
AP
An abbreviation for Associate Professor. Cf. aP.
aP
An abbreviation for Assistant Professor. Cf. AP.
Applied Research (generally)
A suffix applied (in parentheses) to non-tenured academic ranks involving research at an experimental scientific center, e.g. Assistant Professor (Applied Research). (Stanford)
Appointee in Residence
Not a title per se, but a term for the occupant of an In-Residence appointment, such as a Sculptor-in-Residence. (W. Ky. U.)
Appointment
1. A general term for an academic position. Example: "He has an appointment in the Medical School." See also Academic-Year Appointment, Additional Appointment, Annual Appointment, Campus-Wide Appointment, Casual Appointment, Closed-Ended Appointment, Collegiate Appointment, Concurrent Appointment, Consecutive Term Appointment, Continuing Appointment, Courtesy Appointment, Cross Appointment, Defined Term Appointment, Dual Appointment, Emergency Appointment, Erroneous Term Appointment, Final Appointment, Fixed-Term appointment, Guest Appointment, Honorary Appointment, Joint Appointment, Limited Appointment, Multi-Year Appointment, Multiple Appointment, Open-Ended Appointment, Partial Appointment, Permanent Appointment, Primary Appointment, Probationary Appointment, Professional Courtesy Appointment, Recall Appointment, Reduced Appointment, Restricted Appointment, Secondary Appointment, Shared Appointment, Summer Appointment, Temporary Appointment, Term Appointment, University-Year Appointment, Year-to-Year Appointment.
2. A nearly but not quite universal term for the process by which an individual becomes a faculty member. At the University of Virginia, Teaching Faculty are "elected" by the Board of Visitors, while administrative positions such as Dean are appointed by the President. "Appointment, therefore, is an action taken by or for the president and reported to the Board of Visitors. Thus, a clear distinction is maintained between faculty status and administrative assignments." (U. Va.)
Archive Faculty
The faculty consisting of the institution's
Archivists.
Archivist (generally)
One who "acquires, organizes, manages,
preserves, and makes available historical source material of significance to
research." (Ariz. St. U.) "Archives are no longer viewed as only the
physical repositories of research materials but have evolved into intellectual
learning centers. Archivists therefore perform a number of functions at the
University, including educational, research and service roles. They provide
research resources to students and faculty (as well as to the broader scholarly
public), introduce users to the process of archive-based research, sustain an
active interest in developments in related professional organizations, and serve
on appropriate University and professional association committees." (U.
Mich.) "Archivist" by itself is a concrete title, normally at
the high end of the archivist range, which includes Assistant Archivist,
Associate Archivist, Principal Archivist, Senior Archivist and Senior Assistant
Archivist.
A position "offered to outstanding professional artists who render a specified service to the University. This service can include lectures, performances, demonstrations, master classes, and consultations."
(S.W. Mo. St.) "Intended for those persons
whose professional activities are of a creative or performance nature,
including but not limited to theatre, dance, music, and art. In each case, the
qualifications shall reflect demonstrated superior proficiency and excellence
and progressively higher national and international reputation, as appropriate
to the ranks involved. Appointment to the rank of Senior Artist-in-Residence
may be made for a period of up to five years; appointment to the ranks of
Assistant Artist-in-Residence and Associate Artist-in-Residence may be made for
a period of up to three years."
(U. Md.) "[P]ersons whose professional artistic
accomplishments qualify them for appointments to departments in fine and
performing arts." (U. Miss.)
Artist Teacher of (subject)
Assistant
A non-faculty rank for individuals with a baccalaureate degree or possibly lesser certification who participates in teaching, clinical service or administrative activities that contribute to the function of a department or division. This appointment does not carry permanent faculty status." (Med. U. S.C.)
Assistant Agent
See
Agent. (LSU)
Assistant Archivist
See
Archivist. (U.
Mich., U. Wyo.)
Assistant Artist-in-Residence
See Artist
in Residence. (U. Md.)
Assistant Astronomer
See Astronomer. (U. Cal.)
See Clinical Professor. Mt. Sinai School of Medicine makes a distinction between Assistant Clinical Professor and "Clinical Assistant Professor" (q.v.), the former being the in the Voluntary Faculty track. A synonym of Clinical Assistant Professor.
Assistant Coach
The Assistant
Coach "is responsible for assisting the Head Coach in planning and directing the recruitment, conditioning, training and athletic performance of student athlete team members. The Assistant Coach shall assume responsibility for the success of team performance, and for student athletes in meeting their academic performance and eligibility criteria."
(Cal. St. Fresno)
Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator
See Cooperative Extension Educator. The minimum requirement for this position is a Master's degree in a related field with the appropriate qualifications and related experience. (Wright State)
Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence
A Cooperative Extension title unique to the University of Connecticut. (U. Conn.)
Assistant Curator
See Curator. (U. Fl., U. Mich.)
At Columbia, an "assistant curator is a full-time candidate for a graduate degree in the University who is appointed to maintain the slide and photographic collections used in the courses taught in the Department of Art History and Archaeology. An assistant curator is normally appointed for one or more terms for part-time service, which is renewable." (Columbia)
Assistant Engineer
The engineering equivalent of Assistant Scientist; a non-tenured research position at the rank of Assistant Professor. (State Universities of Florida) See Engineer.
Assistant Extension Professor
See Extension. (U. of Me.)
Assistant Extension Professor in-Residence
An Extension Faculty title unique to the University of Connecticut. (U. Conn.)
Assistant Extension Scientist
See Extension Scientist (State U. System of Fl.)
Assistant Extension Specialist
"A faculty position occupied by a degreed professional who assists an Extension specialist in the delivery of program by direct involvement in the educational process." (U. Ark.)
Assistant Faculty Associate
See Faculty Associate. (U. Wisc.)
Assistant In (subject)
A junior tenure-ineligible specialty faculty position. The incumbent must hold a master's degree in a field of specialization. In some cases, experience and/or training may be used as a substitute for educational requirements when such training or experience is judged equivalent to these requirements. Authorship or co-authorship of significant publications in the field of specialization may be regarded as evidence of qualifying experience and training. (U. Fl.) See also Associate In.
Assistant In Clinical (subject)
At Columbia, the most junior title given to officers who are conducting substantial original research as well as teaching and participating in patient care. (Columbia)
Assistant In Instruction
1. "Full- or part-time renewable term appointments to fulfill specialized functions falling short of normal faculty responsibilities. Assistant appointments are made outside of rank." (Middlebury Coll.)
2. A title for persons who carry out the duties of Teaching Fellows but who are usually not currently enrolled in one of the institution's graduate or professional schools. The term is also used for third-year students who assist members of the faculty in legal research programs. (Yale) Despite the title, this is not an "Assistant In" position.
Assistant-In Libraries
The "beginning rank for persons whose duties require basic professional skills and techniques in a specialized area. Faculty in this rank are responsible for technical, service or other functions relating to library wide operations and performance." (U. Fl.) Cf. Associate-In Libraries.
Assistant Instructional Professor
Not
in use. See
Instructional Professor. (U. Wisc.)
Assistant Instructor
1. An individual
possessing relevant training and demonstrated competence in a particular
discipline to carry out instructional activities or laboratory supervision or
instruction in that discipline on a part-time basis. The duties and
responsibilities are to assist faculty members in
performing instructional tasks. An individual employed in this capacity is not
enrolled in a graduate program. This title will be included in the special
faculty ranks, with minimum degree qualifications being the possession of the
master's degree or its equivalent. Because of the temporary nature of this
position, appointments to this title shall be made on a semester by semester
basis and persons holding this title will not earn tenure or be eligible for
benefits, including retirement. (U.
Colorado at Boulder)
2. In medical schools, a common title for volunteer faculty "who perform postdoctoral training as interns, residents, clinical fellows, or research fellows (collectively, 'trainees') whose learning experience includes instruction of students or other trainees." (U. Md.) Cf. Clinical Instructor.
Assistant Lecturer
See Lecturer. (Texas A&M)
Assistant Librarian
A rank equivalent to Assistant Professor. The incumbent is "under the supervision of a library administrator to supervise the work of professional and nonprofessional assistants and to aid in the development of materials and services to meet the instructional, research, and extension needs of the University." (LSU) See also Librarian. (U. Cinn.)
Along with Professor
and Associate Professor, one of the three
fundament U.S. academic titles. At many institutions, it is the lowest
rung on the tenure-track ladder. (Some institutions have an Instructor
rank one level below Assistant Professor.) "This title requires faculty to have the
terminal degree appropriate to their field or its equivalent, plus some successful
teaching experience. They should be otherwise well qualified to teach at the
undergraduate and graduate levels and possess qualifications for research in a
special field." (U. Colorado at Boulder) "Qualifications for
initial appointment include promise as a teacher and scholar or creative artist.
Reappointment requires evidence of success as a teacher and of achievement as a
scholar or as an artist." (Yale)
Assistant Professor Adjoint
See Adjoint
Assistant Professor Adjunct
See Adjunct. (U. Colorado at Boulder)
Assistant Professor Attendant
See Attendant.
(U. Colorado at Boulder)
Assistant Professor in Residence
See In-Residence. (U. Calif., U. Conn.)
Assistant Professor Librarian
An Administrative Faculty position equal in rank to Assistant Professor, the equivalent of Librarian Assistant Professor. See Professor Librarian. (George Mason)
Assistant Professor of Clinical (Subject)
See Professor
of Clinical. (U. Cinn.)
Assistant Professor of the Practice of (Subject)
See Professor of the Practice of. (Duke)
Assistant Professor (Subject to Ph.D.)
A title, apparently unique to
Stanford, indicating that the incumbent has not yet been awarded a doctorate.
"It is not a rank in the tenure line. Rather, it is a notice that the offer
of a regular assistant professorship, made after the normal search and review,
depends upon completion of the Ph.D. ... Upon official confirmation from a
person at the level of dean or registrar at the individual’s university
stating that all the requirements for the Ph.D. degree have been completed, the
"Subject to Ph.D." designation is removed. The individual becomes a
regular Assistant Professor ... and begins accruing time toward tenure by length
of service." (Stanford)
Assistant Professor WOT
A title, unique to the
University of Washington, indicating that the
incumbent is Without Tenure for one of
two possible reasons. (U. of Washington)
Assistant Public Health Professor
See Public Health Professor. (Johns Hopkins)
Assistant Research
A prefix denoting a Professional
Research position.
Assistant Research Engineer
See Research Engineer. (U. Iowa)
Assistant Research Fellow
A title common at foreign institutions but rarely used in the US, apparently only at Tulane, whose Research Associate Series is {Postdoctoral Fellow, Assistant Research Fellow, Associate Research Fellow, and Senior Research Fellow}. (Tulane)
Assistant Research Professor
Equivalent
to Research Assistant Professor. See Research
Professor.
Assistant Research Scientist
See Research
Scientist. (U. Md., U. Mich.)
Assistant Research Scholar
A rare title, employed at
universities in Maryland and at the Universities of Florida and Indiana to
denote a junior research position without instructional duties, equivalent to
Assistant Scholar. (U. Md.) Its rarity derives form the fact that at
most institutions the lowest rank in the Research
Scholar Series is Associate Research Scholar, which is confusingly
equivalent in rank to Assistant Professor.
Assistant Researcher
1. A title in the Professional Research Series, granted only to those who personally perform research, and not to those who provide assistance to researchers. (U. Cal. Santa Barbara) [U. Wisc.]
2. One who
"performs professional and scientific research in the field or branch of
learning represented by and consistent with the goals of the unit with which he/she is associated."
(U. Hawaii). Cf. Junior Researcher.
Assistant Scholar
A nontenured research position in fields other than science and engineering, with rank equivalent to Assistant Professor. (State Universities of Florida, U. Indiana) See also Scholar.
Assistant Scientist
A nontenured research position in a scientific field, analogous to Assistant Scholar and Assistant Engineer, with rank equivalent to Assistant Professor. (State Universities of Florida, U. Indiana) See also Scientist.
Assistant Soil Extension Specialist
See Soil Extension Specialist (Wash. St. U.)
Assistant Soil Scientist
See Soil Scientist (Wash. St. U.)
Assistant Specialist
See Specialist (U. Cal.)
Assistant Teaching Professor
See Teaching Professor.
Assistant Training Specialist
See Training Specialist. (NYU)
Assistant Staff Scientist
A research position requiring a doctorate and an indication of promise of a high degree of ability in some subdivision of the incumbent's field. (U. Md.)
Assistant University Extension Educator
See Extension
Educator. (U. Wyo.)
Assistant University Librarian
A
Tenure Track faculty rank, equivalent to Assistant Processor. (U. Cal.)
See also Assistant Librarian.
1. A prefix used to designate an academic rank generally one level below the highest, as in Associate Professor.
2 Sometimes a title in itself, denoting a non-faculty academic position as a researcher whose duties and responsibilities are equivalent to those of an Instructor. (LSU) At Johns Hopkins, the titles of Senior Associate and Associate are granted to individuals who are not regular full-time members of the faculty but play a major role in the teaching and/or research activities of the institution. Senior associates have significant experience and educational background justifying a more senior level of recognition. Others are given the rank of Associate. (Johns Hopkins)
3. An "officer of instruction possessing special competence in a given field who does not hold the Ph.D. degree or its academic equivalent." (Barnard Coll.) "A title for a nonstudent with limited credentials who is assigned to a specialized teaching, research, or extension position. Associates are exempt staff and are not members of the university faculty or of constituent faculties." (U. Idaho) See also Senior Associate.
4. "Associate appointments are regular faculty appointments in rank which normally carry no more than one-half the normal College teaching responsibility. Associates have all the rights, responsibilities and privileges of their rank, including tenure for associates at the rank of associate professor or professor." (Middlebury Coll.)
Associate Agent
See
Agent. (LSU)
Associate Archivist
See Archivist. (U. Mich., U. Wyo.)
Associate Artist-in-Residence
See Artist in Residence. (U. Md.)
Associate Astronomer
See Astronomer. (U. Cal.)
Associate Clinical Professor
(U. of Pa.,
Mt. Sinai) See also the discussion of Mt. Sinai under Assistant
Clinical Professor. A synonym of Clinical
Associate Professor.
Associate Cooperative Extension Educator
See Cooperative Extension Educator. (Wright State)
Associate Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence
A Cooperative Extension title unique to the University of Connecticut. (U. Conn.)
Associate Curator
See Curator. (U. Fl., U. Mich.)
Associate Engineer
The engineering equivalent of Associate Scientist; a non-tenured research position at the rank of Associate Professor. (State Universities of Florida) See Engineer.
Associate Extension Professor
See Extension. (U. of Me.)
Associate Extension Professor in-Residence
An Extension Faculty title unique to the University of Connecticut. (U. Conn.)
Associate Extension Scientist
See Extension Scientist (State U. System of Fl.)
Associate Faculty Associate
See Faculty Associate. (U. Wisc.)
Associate Graduate Faculty
A second-tier status in the Graduate Faculty. Institutions differ over the privileges accorded Associate Graduate faculty. At some, they are permitted to teach graduate courses but not direct dissertations. Other grant essentially full rights. "Persons promoted to or appointed as Assistant Professor who hold the appropriate terminal degree for the discipline in which they are employed. Associate members may teach graduate courses; direct theses; co-direct dissertations; participate on thesis, dissertation, and examining committees." (U. Miss.) See Graduate Faculty. Cf. Full Graduate Faculty.
Associate In (subject)
1. A mid-level tenure-ineligible specialty faculty position, on level above Assistant In. The incumbent must hold a master's degree in a field of specialization. In some cases, experience and/or training may be used as a substitute for educational requirements when such training or experience is judged equivalent to these requirements. Authorship or co-authorship of significant publications in the field of specialization may be regarded as evidence of qualifying experience and training. (U. Fl.)
2. A title used for Joint Appointments at Wake Forest University. "Full-time faculty who conduct activities in a department or school other than their primary appointment may be granted the title of "associate in" in the secondary school or department." (Wake Forest)
3. "The Associate In title is reserved for registered University of California graduate students. Associate In appointees are responsible for the entire instruction of a course, and appointment of an Associate In should be treated as an exceptional event for an exceptional purpose. It is not intended as a means of graduate student support or as a regular means of replacing faculty who are on leave. Such an appointment should provide an opportunity for students to benefit from the unusual talents or unique expertise of advanced graduate students. It should be used for a faculty substitution only when it is impossible to find an appropriate temporary faculty appointment in an emergency." (U. Ca. San Diego)
Associate In Clinical (subject)
At Columbia, a junior title given to officers who are conducting substantial original research as well as teaching and participating in patient care, one rank below Assist Professor of Clinical. (Columbia)
Associate-In Libraries
The "highest rank for persons whose duties require substantial knowledge of professional skills and techniques in a specialized area. Faculty in this rank are responsible for highly complex technical, service or other functions relating to library-wide operations and performance. Mature professional judgment, a broad perspective of the library and the university, and excellent analytic skills are required to work at this level." (U. Fl.) Cf. Assistant-In Libraries.
Associate in Research
Despite the name, not an Associate In title, but at Brown a junior researcher holding the M.Sc. degree, and are hired to work on specific projects under the direction of the principal researcher. (Brown)
Associate Instructional Professor
Not in use. See Instructional Professor. (U. Wisc.)
Associate Instructor
"A graduate student who is employed as a teacher and engages in activity as a teacher. Teaching consists of the activities of teaching, lecturing, tutoring, instructing, laboratory assisting in an instructional role, and the like in the activity of imparting knowledge, providing the employee has responsibility for assigning grades for at least a portion of a course and has direct contact with students." (Ind. U.)
Associate Lecturer
A nontenured teaching rank at the level of Associate Professor. Sometimes reserved for a part-time position. (U. Rochester) See Lecturer. (Texas A&M, U. Wisc., U. Wyo.)
Associate Librarian
A Librarian rank equivalent to Associate Professor, requiring "proven administrative qualities of leadership, and other personal and academic qualifications ... The individual, as delegated by the Director of the Library, assists in the administration of major areas of library service and contributes to the formulation and execution of an effective library program." See also Librarian. (U. Cinn.)
In institutions using the Member designation for graduate faculty, a person having at least the rank of Assistant Professor in a department offering graduate study and a highest degree appropriate to the field or unquestionable evidence of comparable achievement in the field." (LSU) Cf. Affiliate Member.
Along with Professor and Assistant Professor, one of the three fundamental ranks of U.S. tenure-track faculty. A second appointment to Associate Professor carries tenure. For that reason, a faculty member may occupy this mid-rank for many years or decades, and in some cases never advance to Professor. See Associate Professor on Term. "A scholar who meets all the requirements for appointment as an assistant professor and in addition enjoys a national reputation and shows great promise of becoming a scholar of distinction." (Boston U.) "A regular, full-time tenure-track appointment of a person who normally holds the earned doctorate and who possesses strong potential for further development as a teacher and a scholar. To be eligible for this rank, a faculty member must have a record of effective performance usually involving both teaching and research, or creativity or performance in the arts, or recognized professional contributions." (U. of So. Carolina) "Faculty with this rank should have the terminal degree appropriate to their field or its equivalent, considerable successful teaching experience, and promising accomplishment in research." (U. Colorado)
Associate Professor Adjoint
See Adjoint
Associate Professor Adjunct
See Adjunct. (U. Colorado at Boulder)
Associate Professor Attendant
See Attendant. (U. Colorado at Boulder)
Associate Professor in Residence
See In-Residence. (U. Calif., U. Conn.)
Associate Professor Librarian
An Administrative Faculty position equal in rank to Associate Professor, the equivalent of Librarian Associate Professor. See Professor Librarian. (George Mason)
Associate Professor of Clinical (Subject)
See Professor
of Clinical.
(U. Cinn.)
Associate Professor of the Practice of (Subject)
See Professor of the Practice of.
An associate professor with an appointment to a fixed term of years, as opposed to an Associate Professor with tenure. "Associate professor on term is normally the rank of promotion from assistant professor or the rank of initial appointment at Yale for an individual with scholarly or artistic achievement and substantial previous teaching experience. Achievement and promise as a teacher and scholar or artist should be such as to qualify for tenure at a major institution within five years. To be considered for this appointment candidates must present a substantial work or body of scholarship that represents research undertaken after the dissertation and extending beyond the scope of the dissertation." (Yale) Cf. Associate Professor Without Tenure.
Associate Professor With Tenure
See Associate Professor Without Tenure.
Associate Professor Without Tenure
At most (but decidedly not all) institutions,
Assistant Professors do not have tenure, Professors have tenure, but Associate
Professors may or may not have tenure. It is therefore necessary for
administrative purposes to distinguish between the two categories of Associate
Professor. The designation "Without Tenure" may be used
internally and on the incumbent's resume but is virtually never a component of
the incumbent's Working Title (but see Associate Professor WOT). Cf. Associate
Professor on Term, Associate Professor With Tenure.
Associate Professor WOT
A title unique
to the University of Washington but generally
equivalent to Associate Professor Without Tenure. However, the suffix WOT
(often in parentheses) is a part of the incumbent's Working Title at that
institution. Cf. Associate
Professor on Term.
Associate Public Health Professor
See Public Health Professor. (Johns Hopkins)
Associate Research
A prefix denoting a Professional
Research position.
Associate Research Engineer
See Research Engineer. [U. Md.]
Associate Research Fellow
A nontenured Research Associate position carrying the rank of Associate Professor. Rare in the US. (Tulane)
Associate Research Professor
Equivalent
to Research Associate Professor, a nontenured position with the rank of
Associate Professor. See Research Professor.
Associate Research Scholar
See Research Scholar. (Johns Hopkins, U. Conn., U. Md.)
Associate Research Scientist
"This appointment is given to persons who are engaged in scholarly or scientific research in association with a faculty member or as a member of a research group. Such persons will normally have at least two years of research experience following a Ph.D. (or equivalent), will have demonstrated professional ability in fields related to the work or program of the department or area concerned, and will be expected to contribute to it as a colleague."
(Yale) See also Research
Scientist. (U. Md., U. Mich.)
Associate Researcher
A title in the Professional
Research Series, granted only to those who personally perform research, and
not to those who provide assistance to researchers. (U. Cal. Santa
Barbara) [U. Wisc.]
Associate Scholar
A nontenured research position in fields other than science and engineering, with rank equivalent to Associate Professor. (State Universities of Florida, U. Indiana) See also Scholar.
Associate Scientist
A nontenured research position in a scientific field, analogous to Associate Scholar and Associate Engineer, with rank equivalent to Associate Professor. (State Universities of Florida, U. Indiana) See also Scientist.
Associate Senior Librarian
A title indistinguishable from Senior Associate Librarian. The University of Cincinnati maintains the extensive Series {Beginning Librarian, Assistant Librarian, Associate Librarian, Associate Senior Librarian, Senior Librarian, University Librarian}. (U. Cinn.)
Associate Service Professor
A Service Faculty title, apparently unique to Florida State University. (FSU)
Associate Specialist
See Specialist (U. Cal.)
Associate Staff Scientist
A tenurable research position requiring the qualifications for an Assistant Staff Scientist plus extensive successful research experience. (U. Md.)
Associate Supervisor
In the University of California System, a tenured academic rank in the Physical Education Departments equivalent to Associate Professor, and one level below Supervisor. (Univ. of Cal.) Often Associate Supervisor of Physical Education.
Associate Teaching Professor
See Teaching Professor.
Associate Training Specialist
See Training Specialist. (NYU)
Associate University Extension Educator
See Extension Educator. (U. Wyo.)
Associate University Librarian
A Tenure Track faculty rank, equivalent to Associate Processor. (U. Cal.) See also Associate Librarian.
Associated Faculty
A term denoting
nontenured faculty, typically research faculty in the Series {Research Assistant
Professor, Research Associate Professor, Research Professor}. Faculty who have a varied and important role in the research,
teaching and professional programs of the institution but who do not acquire
tenure, including visitors, adjuncts and lecturers. "The Associated
Faculty is composed of the Research Faculty, the clinical Faculty, the Adjunct
Faculty, Practice Professors, and the Visiting Faculty." (U. of
Pa.) At the University of Miami, all faculty who are not classified as
University Faculty. (U. Miami) Sometimes referred to
as Non-Standing Faculty. See also Auxiliary Faculty. Cf. Academic
Support Staff, Standing Faculty.
Astronomer (generally)
A research designation at universities performing significant astronomical observations. "Astronomer" is also a concrete title equivalent to Professor, at the top of a Series that also includes Junior Astronomer (equivalent to Instructor), Assistant Astronomer (Equivalent to Assistant Professor) and Associate Astronomer (Equivalent to Associate Professor). (U. Cal., U. Hawaii)
At Rank
An appointment At Rank is one given to an affiliated person at a rank equivalent to that held at the Home Institution. For example, an Assistant Research Scientist would receive the At Rank title of Research Assistant Professor. (U. Md. Baltimore)
Athletics Faculty
"[F]aculty members who teach athletics department courses and/or coach varsity-level sports, and who hold appointments that are designated by function or title, not by faculty rank." (Col. School of Mines) Whether Athletics Faculty are eligible for tenure varies by institution.
Attendant (generally)
A suffix apparently used only at the University of Colorado. "An 'attendant rank' title instructor, senior instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor may be granted to persons holding University administrative or service positions. Those approved for this rank are expected to possess the same scholarly qualifications in a discipline as regular faculty members and to engage in instructional activities without compensation over and above their regular salary. Those attaining this title have the same rights and privileges available to regular faculty members, including membership in the Faculty Senate, except that they are not eligible for consideration for tenure." The Series is {Instructor Attendant, Senior Instructor Attendant, Assistant Professor Attendant, Associate Professor Attendant, Professor Attendant}. (U. Colorado at Boulder)
Auxiliary Faculty
A synonym for Associated Faculty. "Appointees to the auxiliary faculty shall be individuals who participate in the university's academic program and make a substantial contribution to the academic activities of the various colleges, but whose continuing professional activities do not span the full range of responsibilities of regular faculty members in the appointing department or college. In light of the University's need to retain the flexibility to adjust its programs to meet changing needs and to employ faculty with more specialized foci to that end, auxiliary faculty may be appointed as research, clinical, lecturer (or lecturing), adjunct or visiting faculty members ... Auxiliary faculty may hold the ranks of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor." (U. Utah.)
Beginning Librarian
A term colloquially used for a first Librarian appointment, both inside and outside of academia, but apparently an official title only at the University of Cincinnati. (U. Cinn.)
Bicentennial Preceptor
An Honorific position exclusive to Princeton University, endowed with funds raised during the University's Bicentennial in 1946. (Princeton) See Preceptor.
Board of Overseers Professor
See Overseers Professor.
Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor
The top Honorific rank at the University of Connecticut, to which it is unique, conferred for life on no more than five percent of the active faculty at any one time. (U. Conn.) Equivalent to Trustees Distinguished Professor.
Board of Trustees Professor
An Honorific conferred for special service or distinction, similar to Distinguished Professor or University Professor. "Appointment as 'Board of Trustees Professor' shall be awarded to select professors who have truly distinguished themselves in their teaching, devotion to students, professional publications and contributions, and service to the University throughout the years. (St. Bonaventure) Equivalent to Trustee Professor.
A suffix designating a Courtesy appointment. At Stanford, this usage is highly stylized and follows strict punctuation. Example: "Professor, by Courtesy, of Physics." (Stanford) See also Fellow-by-Courtesy.
A term meaning that the incumbent is assigned a rank based on rank at the Home Institution. See, e.g., Adjunct Professor by Rank. (Southwestern Coll. KS)
Calendar Year Appointment
A twelve-month appointment, not necessarily beginning in January. "Some faculty members have assigned responsibilities that extend throughout the calendar year, largely independent of the academic calendar. Such faculty members will be on calendar-year appointments with work assignments covering the full 12 months except for periods of annual leave. The kinds of positions that may call for calendar-year appointments include department heads or chairs, college and university administrative and professional faculty, and non-administrative faculty positions that have significant funding from general fund appropriations of the research division, Virginia Cooperative Extension, continuing education, or public service programs." (Va. Tech.) "Calendar year appointments (12 months per year) are given to those who teach a summer course or continue full-time research during the summer." (Loma Linda U.) Cf. Academic Year Appointment
Campus Faculty Privilege
A mechanism under which persons who are not Members of the Faculty are given all privileges extended to Members of the Faculty (such as voting at faculty meetings), except the privilege of being a Member of the Faculty. (Clayton)
Campus-Wide Appointment
A chair or professorship "endowed at the campus level with the intent of allowing the campus to recognize faculty members without any restriction concerning discipline." (U. Ill.)
Career Faculty
The Regular Faculty. "Career faculty include those regular faculty members designated "career" by virtue of contract and "track." These are individuals whom the University employs after a period of evaluation and review via multi-year contracts. Career faculty serve in the ranks of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor." (Hawaii Pacific U.)
Casual Appointment
A common term in Canada and Australia, but rare in the US. A temporary appointment "of a limited nature ... not covered by contractual provisions. Casual employees are compensated in some manner other than basic annual salary (i.e., biweekly, hourly, fee for service, or per diem)." (SUNY Potsdam) An "appointment established at any percentage of time, fixed or variable, which is expected to continue for less than 1,000 hours in a 12-month period." (U. Cal. San Diego) At many institutions, a synonym for Limited Appointment.
Centennial Professor
A Honorific professorship created during Vanderbilt University's Centennial Campaign (1977-1981), having the characteristics of a Named Professorship. (Vanderbilt)
A non-tenured rank conferred at several institutions. "Appointments to the rank of Center Fellow are for a fixed, renewable term, are not in the tenure line, and are contingent on continued programmatic need (including program funding) [of a policy center or institute]. ... Most Center Fellow appointments are driven by the need for specific expertise relevant to the mission of the policy center or institute." (Stanford) Cf. Senior Fellow.
Chair
1. See Endowed Chair, Named Chair.
2. A synonym for chairman or department head, as in "The Chair of the Physics Department actually teaches courses."
Chaired
Chairholder
The incumbent occupying a Chair. "Chairholders are particularly distinguished professors who are elected to Named Chairs." (U. Va.)
Chancellor's Fellow
An non-renewable three-year appointment awarded to "faculty with tenure whose recent achievements in scholarship evidence extraordinary promise for world-class contributions to knowledge, and whose pattern of contributions evidences strong trajectory to distinction." (U. Cal. Irvine).
Chancellor's Professor
A title for "persons who have earned the title of Professor and who have demonstrated unusual academic merit and whose continued promise for scholarly achievement is unusually high. ... The total number of Chancellor's Professors on the campus, excluding emeritus faculty, cannot exceed 3% of the filled faculty lines." (U. Cal. Irvine).
A professorship created during Vanderbilt University's Campaign for Vanderbilt (1990-1995), having the characteristics of a Named Professorship. (Vanderbilt)
Chancellor's Teaching Scholar
"This title is awarded to associate professors or professors who have held a faculty appointment for at least 5 years and have demonstrated excellence in teaching and instructional development." (U. of Tenn. at Knoxville)
Chief Post-MD Officer
The title used for Chief Resident in the University of California System. (U. Cal.)
Chief Resident
A medical school Functional Title often carrying a relatively low faculty rank, e.g. Clinical Instructor (Mt. Sinai. Sch. Med.). In the University of California System, Chief Post-MD Officer. See also Senior Assistant Instructor.
Classification Title
A title used for internal purposes, such as salary and benefits administration, that need have no relationship to the Official Title or Working Title. "Every status position has a Classification Title, which provides a general description of the position's purpose (e.g. 'Admissions Officer I', or 'Instructor'). The Classification Title is associated directly with the position, even when the position is vacant." (U. N.H.) Cf. Operational Title.
Clinical (generally)
1. A clinical appointment in the appropriate rank is usually made to a person who holds a primary appointment with an outside agency or non-academic unit of the University, or who is in private practice. Clinical faculty make substantial contributions to University programs through their expertise, interest, and motivation to work with the faculty in preparing and assisting with the instruction of students in practicum settings. (U. of Wash.) The faculty modifier "Clinical" applies to persons of professional qualifications who perform teaching, research, or extension functions in a hospital, clinic, or other clinical environment in connection with an established program of the institution (U. Fl.) Faculty of the School of Medicine whose academic ranks contain the prefix "Clinical" serve in a volunteer capacity without financial compensation. (Emory) While "clinical" often suggests a medical connection, Clinical titles do not necessarily imply that the incumbent is a health professional.&