2.4.A. Definition

Scholarship and teaching (and in some cases, clinical care activities) are the critical components of faculty appointments in the University Tenure Line (UTL).  Under normal circumstances, the proportion of time and effort dedicated to scholarship and teaching will be more than that devoted to clinical care. (For those faculty whose primary commitment is to clinical care, appointment in the University Medical Line [UML] is normally more appropriate.)

Since both laboratory research and clinical research are valued in the School of Medicine, UTL faculty may be appointed in either the basic science or clinical science departments.  Whereas laboratory research is typically regarded as the acquisition of new knowledge through basic science, clinical research is the acquisition of new knowledge through the study of individuals in the clinic, at the bedside, or in the field.  Translational research may be performed in either setting.

Major discoveries have frequently come from application of new knowledge derived from laboratory research.  Clinical research which is creative or innovative and which develops significant new knowledge considered leading in its field will also be recognized as an important accomplishment that can meet the criteria in regard to research for appointment, reappointment and promotion of tenure-line faculty in the School.

All appointments, reappointments and promotions in the UTL are dependent upon excellence that is consistent with the high standards of Stanford University.  Such actions are also dependent upon programmatic need (including budgetary considerations), which may be evaluated in the context of the research and teaching programs and/or of the individual’s specific contributions.

UTL faculty are members of the Professoriate and of the Academic Council of Stanford University, as well as of the School of Medicine’s Faculty Council.