Southern Polytechnic State University
Policy and Procedure Manual
P&P Number:  803.01
Original Date: November 1987
Previous Revisions: April 2000
Approved: August 26, 2002
 
Employment of Temporary Faculty
Contents This P&P includes the following main sections:
  • Background
  • SPSU’s procedure for employing temporary faculty
  • Qualifications of temporary faculty
  • Temporary appointment package
  • Reappointment of temporary faculty
  • Board of Regents’ approval
  • Personnel procedures
  • Pay scales for temporary instructors
  • Orientation, supervision, and evaluation
Background This section describes Southern Polytechnic's procedure for employment of temporary faculty. Temporary faculty may be employed to (1) fill positions in an interim capacity as needed or (2) fill a vacancy while a search for a permanent faculty member is being considered or undertaken.
SPSU’s Procedure
for Employing
Temporary Faculty		 A temporary faculty appointment is defined as any non-adjunct academic appointment that has a predetermined termination date.   Such appointments are made for no more than a single budget year.  However, in some cases a temporary faculty member may receive additional temporary appointment(s) for a subsequent year or years.
 
Step Procedure
1. When the need for temporary faculty arises, the program head shall provide justification for this need to the dean, who then provides justification to the VPAA.
2. With the VPAA’s approval, the dean (with possible assistance from the program head and faculty) may interview and select an appropriate candidate.
3. The candidate and possible salary must be approved by the VPAA before an offer is made.
Qualifications of
Temporary Faculty 
Teaching Level Qualifications
Undergraduate Level Candidates must meet one of the following two criteria:
  1. Must hold a master’s degree in the teaching discipline; or
  2. Must hold at least a master’s degree and 18 graduate semester hours (30 quarter hours) in the teaching discipline.
In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparations.  Exceptional cases must be approved by the VPAA and will be reviewed annually to ensure continued compliance.
Graduate Level Candidates must meet one of the following two criteria in addition to the third criteria:
  1. Must hold the terminal degree (usually the earned doctorate) in the teaching discipline or a related discipline; or
  2. In disciplines where a doctorate in the field does not exist, faculty must hold a master’s degree in the teaching discipline and a related doctorate; and
  3. Must demonstrate a high level of competence in teaching and scholarship. In unusual cases justification in lieu of a doctorate may be made for faculty with
    1. Exceptional scholarly activity or
    2. Exceptional creative activity or
    3. Exceptional professional experience

      4. Note: This justification must be approved by the VPAA.
Temporary
Appointment
Package		 An initial temporary appointment package must contain the University System of Georgia Faculty Information Data Form.  The form must be properly signed and dated by the school dean before being forwarded to the vice president for academic affairs (VPAA).  The VPAA will review the form, sign and date it, and forward it to the President's Office for transmittal to the Board of Regents.
Reappointment of
Temporary Faculty		 Reappointment of temporary faculty, using the same job title, can be accomplished by submitting a Faculty Information Data Form.
Note:
Temporary faculty who wish to apply for a tenure-track position at SPSU may do so with no special advantage or disadvantage relative to the other applicants.
Board of Regents'
Approval		 All candidates for appointment or reappointment should be made aware that academic appointments are subject to approval by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
Personnel
Procedures		 New appointees will not be paid until all employment forms are properly completed in the Southern Polytechnic Human Resources Office.

Upon acceptance of an appointment offer, the appointee should be referred to the Human Resources Office for completion of the necessary employment forms.

  • Any appointment that is one-half time or more and that is for more than one academic or calendar term is entitled to the full range of fringe benefits.
  • Any appointee meeting both requirements above will be enrolled for fringe benefits by the Human Resources Office.
Pay Scales for
Temporary
Instructors		 Salary scales for temporary faculty will be reviewed annually and updated as needed by the VPAA.  Exceptions to the rates may be made only upon recommendation of the school dean and approval by the VPAA.

An instructor who performs the teaching duties only for a part of the term will be paid on a pro-rated basis.
Orientation,
Supervision, and
Evaluation		 Individual program heads, school deans, or their designees are responsible for the orientation, evaluation, and supervision of their temporary faculty. Orientation programs must at a minimum include the following:
  1. Discussion of pertinent personnel policies and procedures
  2. Statement of duties and the condition of employment, including compensation
  3. Discussion of P&Ps 304.0 (Course Syllabi, Grading, and Final Exams) and P&P 304.5 (Grade Appeals) as well as the university’s process for dealing with Academic Dishonesty.
  4. Evaluation of teaching--to include visits by program heads, deans, and/or their designees
  5. Student Evaluations--how they are used to improve teaching, and required submission
  6. Importance of curriculum and/or laboratory development, where appropriate
  7. Importance of professional development and/or scholarship, where appropriate
  8. Campus resources available for faculty and students--such as the library, computer services, athletic facilities, business office, counseling/career center, and student organizations
  9. Administrative structure of Academic Affairs