2.3.F. Duration of Appointments

Most new UML faculty appointments are for a term of years. Promotion to or reappointment at the rank of Professor may be for a continuing term or, in special circumstances, for a term of years.  UML faculty appointments are not in the University’s tenure line, and do not accrue tenure by length of service.  The usual duration of an appointment (subject to relatively rare exceptions granted by the Provost for good cause and on a case-by-case basis) for each rank is:

Rank Initial Appointment Reappointment or Promotion
Assistant Professor (UML) Generally 4 years Renewable generally for 6 years for a maximum of 10 years in rank
Associate Professor (UML) Generally 5 years Renewable for an unlimited number of up to 5 year terms
Professor (UML)

Generally 5 years

Continuing term unless otherwise expressly specified (for special circumstances for which an appointment for a term of years is appropriate)

1. Term Appointments

Although term appointments are frequently made with the clear possibility of reappointment or promotion, there is no entitlement to such action at the end of the term, and it is not automatic.  Instead, decisions on reappointment and promotion, like decisions on initial appointment, are subject to the exercise of professional and scholarly judgment and discretion by the School’s departmental faculty and the School’s academic leadership.

Reappointment and promotion reviews are generally (but not always) initiated one year in advance of the appointment end date.  (For further information on the timing of reviews, see Section 2.3.G.)  At such time, the faculty member will receive a communication from the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs that confirms the initiation of the review and includes information regarding criteria for the reappointment or promotion action, along with a general description of the process.  Departments are then responsible for following up with more specific information, and it is the faculty member’s obligation to provide materials that are requested, such as an up-to-date curriculum vitae and candidate’s statement.  The Office of Academic Affairs will work with departments to create a schedule so that the reappointment or promotion review is conducted in a timely manner.

2. Extension of Term Appointments

Circumstances that may extend a term appointment in the UML include part-time appointments, leave without salary, New Parent Extension, childcare leave, some personal circumstances that significantly disrupt teaching and scholarly activities for an extended period, and other extenuating circumstances, such as excessive, unanticipated clinical duties or other compromising exigencies.

Circumstances that do not extend a term appointment in the UML include pregnancy disability leave, short-term disability leave, sabbatical leave, leave for periods of pure research, and administrative appointments.

UML Assistant Professors are ineligible for any extensions to their appointment that would take the total appointment time beyond ten years in rank.

Further information on extensions of term appointments and the request and approval process for such extensions is available in Chapter 2.5.3 and 2.5.4 of the University Faculty Handbook.

3. Continuing Term Appointments

Because they are not in the University Tenure Line, UML faculty are not eligible for tenure and do not accrue time toward tenure by length of service.  However, reappointments at or promotions to the rank of Professor may be made for a continuing term, which provides security of appointment without requiring further formal reappointment.

Continuing term appointments may be terminated for just cause, or (upon proper notice) when satisfactory performance ceases or for programmatic reasons (including budgetary considerations).  Although a department or school may expect a continuing programmatic need at the time of reappointment or promotion to a continuing term appointment, that need may change and, in rare cases, could lead to termination of the appointment.  For example, a department or school may decide to phase out a particular area altogether, or an area may simply be scaled down, decreasing the required number of faculty.  Alternatively, a department or school may decide to develop or treat an existing program in ways that may require either the reassignment of duties to another faculty line, or an appointment in a faculty line other than the University Medical Line.  Other reasons may involve funding considerations.

Termination of any continuing term appointment must be discussed in advance with the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and subsequently approved by him or her, as well as by the Dean.

4. Coterminous Nature of the Appointments

See Sections 2.3.D. and 2.3.E. concerning the coterminous nature of all UML appointments in regard to medical staff privileges and medical center affiliation.