We are writing to provide an update on the status of the continuing appointment implementation plans discussed at the Faculty Senate’s April meeting.

During its May meeting, AU’s Board of Trustees approved Faculty Manual changes to support a dramatically streamlined term faculty contract renewal process and to establish a new “continuing appointment” status for eligible term faculty who have six or more years of full-time service. Faculty who are granted continuing appointment will no longer be subjected to a reappointment process.

We have approximately 220 faculty eligible to be considered for continuing appointment. Due to constrained resources in the units and in Human Resources, we will use a phased approach for the next academic year. Term faculty who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for continuing appointment during AY 23–24:

1. Have 6 to 9 years of full-time service at AU and have a contract ending during AY 23–24 or

2. Have 10 or more years of full-time service at AU.

To assist the academic units, we created omnibus guidelines that detail criteria for one-year, three-year, and continuing appointments. We are pleased to report that they are under review with the Faculty Senate’s Committee on Faculty Actions (CFA). Once they are approved, units may choose to adopt or adapt these guidelines. If units choose to adapt the guidelines, the CFA has asked that revised guidelines be submitted to them by August 15 for files that will be considered during Fall 2023. Units may also choose to adopt the omnibus guidelines for AY 23–24 to allow for more time for an adaptation in AY 24–25 and beyond. 

Our original plan was to process continuing appointment files during the Fall semester and term files during the Spring semester. However, for this first year, units may choose to submit continuing appointment files in the Spring. Please review the list of key dates and deadlines that will be useful as you plan to submit your file. You should also work with your dean’s office to determine your eligibility and to confirm the timeframe for providing materials at the unit level. 

There is still quite a bit of work to be done to successfully implement the continuing appointment. By the start of the academic year, we will be developing a new checklist that outlines the components for files and working with the deans to establish review committees.

We know you may have questions and welcome the opportunity to address them during one of two online faculty forums planned for late summer. We will hold one forum for department chairs and program/division directors on Thursday, August 3 and a second open to all faculty on Tuesday, August 15 at 1 pm. Invitations to these forums will be coming soon. 

Thank you for your support and patience as we navigate the implementation of this exciting new opportunity for our term faculty. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer!