Visiting and Short Term Faculty Titles
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Important Notice
Requesting Exceptions: If you seek an exception to policy please email (1) a transmittal memo (addressed to the Vice Dean) and (2) an up-to-date candidate CV to som-visiting_short_term@stanford.edu. The transmittal memo should contain a very detailed and compelling explanation for the need. Requests should be submitted via email prior to submission of the FASA form/appointment packet.
Visiting Appointments are Visiting Scholars, Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars, Visiting Instructors and Visiting Faculty. They are individuals from different backgrounds who come to Stanford campus for short term stays to learn, do research and teach. The minimum duration of a visiting appointment in the School of Medicine (SoM) is 1 month (4 weeks). All SoM visitors must be physically local to the San Francisco Bay Area for the duration of their Stanford appointments.
Short Term Faculty Appointments are Adjunct Lecturers, Adjunct Professors, Lecturers, Senior Lecturers and Professors of the Practice. These individuals are appointed into teaching positions that may be full time or part time; these individuals may or may not also be employed outside Stanford.
In addition to the SoM resources, a university-wide visitor website has been created that pulls together information and links to policies, resources, tools, and other university webpages that will be helpful in appointing and inviting visitors to campus. The website includes relevant topics organized for faculty, administrators, and visitors under separate tabs/pages.
Quick Links to Overviews and Processes
University-wide policies governing Visiting and Short-Term Faculty titles are published in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook and Research Policy Handbook. University-wide policies regarding immigration (including policies for our international visitors) are managed by the Bechtel International Center. These policies are applicable to the School of Medicine and take precedence.
The academic appointment process is a serious review undertaken to ensure that the professional qualifications of a candidate meets the requisite skill and subject knowledge for employment or affiliation to fulfill identified programmatic needs to further the missions of Stanford University.
Faculty Affairs Administrators (FAAs) are local staff experts who guide, support and facilitate the academic review at the department level.
- Intake forms (using Smartsheet) have been created to assist department administrators in gathering information from faculty hosts and from visitor candidates with the goals of providing greater transparency for faculty on individuals they are inviting for collaborations and having information needed to complete the appointment and visa application (if applicable) processes. If you are interested in utilizing the forms for your unit, please contact som-visiting_short_term@stanford.edu
Appointment and Reappointment actions are executed using the Faculty Academic Staff Appointments (FASA) web form system. Details of the requirements and criteria differ for each title and different actions. The appointing Department, Institute and/or Program is charged with record retention of the fully executed offer letters and letters of invitation for this population.
Visiting and Short-Term Faculty appointments and reappointments are submitted by the department to OAA for review by the Vice Dean of the School of Medicine (or a designate). The Vice Dean may, in their judgment, make a negative decision on the file or take such other action as deemed appropriate, including request additional information or remand the action to the department. Visiting and Short-Term Faculty actions receive final approval by the Dean’s Office of the School of Medicine (OAA) and do not require review by the University. Appointment approval is contingent upon successful entry into the USA for the identified dates. Exceptions to policy should be rare and for good reason and some do require additional level of review by the University.
The Dean’s Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) oversees and facilitates proactive administration of all aspects of policies and processes in partnership with departments related to appointments, reappointments and other actions. Information regarding restrictions on this population and procedure changes in response to COVID-19 and federal immigration policies is available here.
Requesting Exceptions: If you seek an exception to policy please email (1) a transmittal memo (addressed to the Vice Dean) and (2) an up-to-date candidate CV to som-visiting_short_term@stanford.edu. The transmittal memo should contain a very detailed and compelling explanation for the need. Requests should be submitted via email prior to submission of the FASA form/appointment packet.
Early Departures require a FASA transaction.
- Paid Visiting, Paid Adjunct Professor, Paid Lecturer Appointments- FASA transactions should include the (1) resignation message from the candidate and/or the non-renewal notice (lecturers only) and (2) Departure Data Security Attestation Form.
- Unpaid Visiting, unpaid Adjunct Lecturers/Professors and unpaid Lecturer Appointments- if the appointment is ending EARLY (resignations/early terminations), FASA transactions should include (1) a written notice with the new end date is required. These unpaid terminations do NOT require the Departure Data Security Attestation Form.
- If an active visitor has left the country, please be sure to alert OAA and process a termination in FASA and take action on the visa.
- Reminder: No FASA transaction is needed for unpaid appointments ending on the scheduled end date.
Candidate is coming here for their own learning (including training under the guidance of a Stanford faculty sponsor on research projects)
Included Titles: Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars & Visiting Instructors
Members of the Professoriate may invite individuals who are postdoctoral scholars (or in an advanced training position) at another institution or organization to visit Stanford for an extended period for the purpose of advanced studies, research or training under the guidance of a Stanford faculty sponsor. Candidates for this title are those who hold a current training-focused position at another institution, available to people who have earned a doctorate (or equivalent degree). Such positions usually act as a stepping-stone between the student experience and the full-time professional experience.
Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are unpaid and can be made for up to one year although the usual duration of the visit is expected to be shorter. University policies regarding Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars can be found here: Research Policy Handbook: Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars. SoM policies regarding Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 10 – Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars.
In SoM, Visiting Instructors may visit for one year or less for their own advanced training in an area for which there is no formal course of study. The individual must have a terminal degree conferred (doctorate or equivalent degree). Visiting Instructors are not required to have a home institution, but they are expected to be “visitors,” in the sense that they plan to go on to another institution for further study at the end of their time at Stanford.
Visiting Instructors may be paid or unpaid; background checks are required for paid Visiting Instructors. SoM policies regarding Visiting Instructors can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 5.3 – Visiting Instructors.
Candidate is conducting research with a Stanford Faculty member, as an academic peer/colleague (non-trainee)
Included Titles: Visiting Scholars
Members of the Professoriate may invite recognized experts who wish to visit Stanford from an outside institution or are retired to engage in a research activity. The classification of Visiting Scholar is appropriate for faculty from other academic institutions who are invited to Stanford on an unpaid basis during a period of sabbatical at their home institution. In addition, this classification is appropriate for the appointment of qualified personnel from industry, government or other organizations, including retirees, who wish to visit Stanford on an unpaid basis, including those whose visit is under the auspices of an Industrial Affiliate Program or other collaborative agreement. Scholars should not be trainees at their home institution; such visitors should be appointed as Visiting Postdoctoral Scholars.
Visiting Scholars are unpaid and usually appointed for one year and may be renewed for a second year. Visiting Scholars must be sponsored by a member of the Professoriate. Clinician Educators cannot be sponsors of Visiting Scholars. University policies regarding Visiting Scholars can be found in the Research Policy Handbook: Visiting Scholars. SoM policies regarding Visiting Scholars can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 8 – Visiting Scholars.
Candidate is a faculty member and is coming for research and teaching (mirroring their assignment at their home institution/organization)
Included Titles: Visiting Faculty
The following are the minimum eligibility criteria for Visiting Faculty at Stanford University:Departments may invite recognized experts holding an academic faculty appointment at another institution to visit Stanford for research, to teach or other reasons while on leave from their home institution. The anticipated activity scope of their visit should mirror that of a Stanford faculty member. If the visitor is coming solely to conduct research, they should be appointed as a Visiting Scholar.
Visiting Faculty may be paid or unpaid; background checks are required for paid Visiting Faculty. They must provide proof of leave for the duration of their visit and they should be appointed at the rank they hold at their home institution. They are usually appointed for one year and may be renewed for a second year. University policies regarding Visiting Faculty can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook: Chapter 5. SoM policies regarding Visiting Faculty can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 5.2 – Visiting Faculty.
Candidate is coming to teach or mentor Stanford population
Included Titles: Adjunct Lecturers & Adjunct Professors & Lecturers & Senior Lecturers & Professor of the Practice
Adjunct Professor are individuals who may serve as the primary instructor or co-instructor of courses, teach graduate seminars and may be co-advisors (but not principal advisors) on masters or doctoral theses. This position is not appropriate for individuals whose profession is primarily academic. However, faculty who have retired from other academic institutions may be appointed to this position.
Individuals who provide only occasional guest lecturing, coaching, or panel participation should not be appointed to this position. These positions should not be used for individuals who are involved directly in: the execution and design of research, assisting in goals of a sponsored research project, preparation of proposals or reports or authoring research results.
Adjunct Professors may be paid or unpaid; background checks are required for paid Adjunct Professors. They may be appointed for a single quarter or for a period of time up to three years and are renewable. Appointments may be full time or part time effort. University policies regarding Adjunct Professors can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook. SoM policies regarding Adjunct Professors can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 5.4 – Adjunct Faculty.
Adjunct Lecturers are individuals whose primary contribution is limited to assisting in courses. Lecturers may be involved on a regular basis with courses and other aspects of the Stanford educational mission, though not as the primary instructor or co-instructor of an entire course. For example, Adjunct Lecturers may serve as mentors, coaches or advisors for student projects over a period of multiple weeks, or work with faculty members to develop a course or organize and manage a lecture series. This position is not appropriate for individuals whose profession is primarily academic. However, faculty who have retired from other academic institutions may be appointed to this position.
Individuals who provide only occasional guest lecturing, coaching, or panel participation should not be appointed to this position. These positions should not be used for individuals who are involved directly in: the execution and design of research, assisting in goals of a sponsored research project, preparation of proposals or reports or authoring research results.
Adjunct Lecturers are unpaid; but a token honorarium may be provided to Adjunct Lecturers. They may be appointed for a single quarter or for a period of time up to three years and are renewable. University policies regarding Adjunct Lecturers can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook: Chapter 9. SoM policies regarding Adjunct Lecturers can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 5.4 – Adjunct Faculty.
Lecturers are individuals who perform a significant amount of the regular instruction with continuing programmatic need in departments and programs. They are individuals who are employed to meet specific departmental needs created by faculty leaves or unanticipated student load.
Paid Lecturers who have had a year-long appointment will need to be notified no later than March 15 if they will not be reappointed or if their reappointment will remove their benefits-eligibility. Paid Lecturers who have had an appointment for longer than 1 year, will need to be notified no later than December 1 (of the final academic year of the appointment) if they will not be reappointed or if their reappointment will remove their benefits-eligibility. Failure to give timely notice of nonrenewal shall entitle the individual to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year. Utilize the Notice of Non-Renewal template. Questions regarding layoffs and non-renewal should be directed to the SoM-Visiting & Short-Term Faculty team.
Background checks are required for paid Lecturers. They may be appointed for one year and there is no limit to the number of 5-year terms following initial appointment. Appointments may be full time or part time effort. University policies regarding Lecturers can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook: Chapter 2. SoM policies regarding Lecturers can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 4 – Academic Staff: Teaching.
Advanced Lecturer is a rank established by the Faculty Senate in June 2020 following the 3rd Committee on the Professoriate and approved by the Board of Trustees. They must perform a significant amount of the regular instruction with a sustained record of outstanding performance and teaching that meets continuing programmatic needs. It is a promotion only available to those Lecturers who have most recently completed five consecutive years of benefits eligible service at 75% time or more during each of the previous five years with teaching and related activities in each of the three consecutive quarters (fall, winter, spring) each year and with a sustained record of outstanding performance and teaching that meets continuing programmatic needs.
In teaching and in other contributions to their program and discipline, Advanced Lecturers are expected to exceed the levels expected of Lecturers. Advanced Lecturer is a title available only to Lecturers who have demonstrated consistent excellence in: teaching; tutoring, advising, and mentoring; citizenship in their program, department and the Stanford community; and if applicable, academic or creative projects. Advanced Lecturers will be expected to demonstrate sustained professional growth during the term(s) of their appointment.
Advanced Lecturers, will need to be notified no later than December 1 (of the final academic year of the appointment) if they will not be reappointed. Failure to give timely notice of nonrenewal shall entitle the individual to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year. Utilize the Notice of Non-Renewal template. Questions regarding layoffs and non-renewal should be directed to the SoM-Visiting & Short-Term Faculty team.
The title of Senior Lecturer is associated with a demonstrably higher level of responsibility and teaching excellence than that of a Lecturer, rather than with seniority or longevity. Senior Lecturers should have annual meetings with department chairs or their designees to discuss performance and departmental expectations; and departments should carry out regular, in-depth evaluations of Senior Lecturers every three years to five years. Evidence of these meetings should be retained at the department level.
Senior Lecturers who have had a year-long appointment will need to be notified no later than March 15 if they will not be reappointed or if their reappointment will remove their benefits-eligibility. Senior Lecturers who have had an appointment for longer than 1 year, will need to be notified no later than December 1 (of the final academic year of the appointment) if they will not be reappointed or if their reappointment will remove their benefits-eligibility. Failure to give timely notice of nonrenewal shall entitle the individual to a special reappointment for an additional terminal year. Utilize the Notice of Non-Renewal template. Questions regarding layoffs and non-renewal should be directed to the SoM-Visiting & Short-Term Faculty team.
Background checks are required for Senior Lecturers. They may be appointed for a continuing term or for a term of up to five years. Appointments should be full time effort. University policies regarding Senior Lecturers can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook: Chapter 2. SoM policies regarding Senior Lecturers can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 4 – Academic Staff: Teaching.
Professor of the Practice is a paid staff position reserved for exceptional practitioners in diverse professions and public service. Appointments to this position will be rare and typically there will be no more than one or two Professors of the Practice in a school at a time.
Involvement in departmental or school activities will vary according to the programmatic need and policies of the particular unit. Professors of the Practice may teach graduate seminars; however, they may not direct graduate research or be principal advisors on masters or doctoral theses. Professors of the Practice are not eligible to act as principal investigators on sponsored research projects.
In addition to having attained exceptional distinction as practitioners, candidates for Professor of the Practice shall have substantial professional experience. This title is not appropriate for individuals whose profession is or has been primarily academic.
Professors of the Practice are not members of the professoriate and do not accrue tenure, nor do they participate in regular departmental, school or institute governance. An individual appointed as a Professor of the Practice shall meet annually with the department chair or institute director.
Background checks are required for Professors of the Practice. Appointments are anticipated to be of short duration (no more than 3 years in SoM) and renewals will be rare. University policies regarding Professors of the Practice can be found in the Stanford University Faculty Handbook: Chapter 9. SoM policies regarding Professors of the Practice can be found here: SoM Handbook: Chapter 5.5 – Professor of the Practice.