Non-Tenure Track Rank Advancement Policy

Subject: Personnel 

Policy: Non-Tenure Track Rank Advancement Policy 

Revised: May 2015, Spring 2023

Effective Date: Spring 2023

Review Date: Spring 2026

Responsible Party: Level I: NTT Committee; Level II: Dean

Introduction and Purpose

Evaluation of NTT faculty candidates for advancement is aligned with the MSU Non-Tenure Track Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Policy

1. NTT faculty may be appointed initially at any title, appropriate to his/her qualifications, experience and responsibilities as determined by the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing (MRJCON).

2. NTT faculty who meet all the requirements for consideration may apply for advancement.

3. NTT faculty with relevant terminal degrees (relevancy is determined by the Dean) may be appointed or advance to the following titles:

a. Clinical Instructor

i. . NTT faculty members considered for appointment to the title of Instructor/Clinical Instructor must:

(A) meet the educational requirements of the department, which normally includes a master’s degree in nursing.

(B) demonstrate promise of effectiveness in all areas of their assignment.

b. Clinical Lecturer

i. NTT faculty members considered for appointment or advancement to the title of Clinical Lecturer they must:

(A) meet the educational requirements of the department, which normally includes a master’s degree in nursing.

(B) demonstrate sustained effectiveness in all areas of their assignment and accomplishment in teaching, as defined in the letters of appointment during the 150 WLU period.

(C) demonstrate effectiveness in teaching (see CBA section 8.07.01).

(D) In addition, Clinical Instructors considered as candidates for advancement, must have completed a minimum of 150 workload units of contracted work for the university as Clinical Instructor.

c. Senior Clinical Lecturer

i. NTT faculty members considered for appointment or advancement to the title of Senior Clinical Lecturer must:

(A) meet the educational requirements of the department, which normally includes a master’s degree in nursing

(B) demonstrate sustained effectiveness in all areas of the letters of appointment during the 150 WLU period.

(C) demonstrate excellence in teaching (see CBA section 8.07.01)

(D) In addition, Clinical Lecturers considered as candidates for advancement, must have completed a minimum of 150 workload units of contracted work for the university as Clinical Lecturer.

d. Assistant Clinical Professor

i. NTT faculty members considered for appointment to the title of Assistant Clinical Professor must:

(A) have a relevant terminal degree.

(B) demonstrate promise of effectiveness in all areas of their assignment .

e. Associate Clinical Professor

i. NTT faculty members considered for appointment or advancement to the title of Associate Clinical Professor must:

(A) have a relevant terminal degree.

(B) demonstrate sustained effectiveness in all areas of their assignments as specifically defined by Letters of Appointment in the 150 WLU period.

(C) demonstrate effectiveness in teaching (see CBA section 8.07.01) .

(D) In addition, Assistant Clinical Professors considered as candidates for advancement, must have completed a minimum of 150 workload units of contracted work for the university as Assistant Clinical Professor.

f. Clinical Professor

i. NTT faculty members considered for appointment or advancement to the title of Clinical Professor must:

(A) have a relevant terminal degree.

(B) demonstrate sustained effectiveness in all areas of their assignments as specifically defined by Letters of Appointment in the 150 WLU period.

(C) demonstrate excellence in teaching (see CBA section 8.07.01).

(D) In addition, Associate Clinical Professors considered as candidates for advancement, must have completed a minimum of 150 workload units of contracted work for the university, as Associate Clinical Professor.

Procedures

1. NTT faculty who meet all the requirements for consideration may petition the MRJCON for title advancement.

a. By October 1, the Candidate will provide Notification of Intent to the NTT Committee which includes: 

i. the desire to advance, 

ii. a philosophy of teaching statement, 

iii. future goals, 

iv. reason for seeking advancement, and

v. a summary of qualifications for the level of advancement. 

vi. Additionally, the faculty candidate must submit the names of two faculty members familiar with their work who will provide letters of peer review. 

b. The NTT Committee will determine readiness for rank advancement and notify the candidate by November 1. 

c. The NTT will arrange for internal peer reviews to be completed by January 1

i. The peer review will address the candidate’s teaching abilities related to the teaching criteria and standards of effectiveness and include both classroom and clinical teaching.

ii. At least one of the peer reviewers providing input must be in the same clinical specialty area as the candidate. See NTT Portfolio Guide for Advancement for sample peer evaluation tools.

d. The candidate will review the NTT Performance Indicators & Potential Evidence Guide and NTT Portfolio Guide for Advancement to develop a comprehensive application to submit to the NTT for review by January 1. The application shall include items:

i. Cover sheet

ii. Table of contents

iii. Copies of applicable Letters of Appointments

iv. Curriculum Vitae from Actvity Insight

v. Narrative indicating level of effectiveness which includes: 

1. An in-depth self-evaluation that identifies the reviewee’s strengths and limitations in relation to teaching and advising.

2. Analysis of previous evaluative input from student, peers,colleagues, and supervisor. 

3. Discussion of rationale for any identified teaching problems. 

4. Identification of specific strategies to improve areas of weakness in teaching. 

5. A “vision”statement” of the reviewee’s teaching with a specific plan for sustaining effectiveness in teaching.

vi. Supporting materials and examples of Scholarship of Teaching: This should include student evaluations of advising during the previous two years and of course taught at MSU during the prior 150 WLUs time frame. In those instances when the candidate has done a substantial amount of guest lecturing, evaluative data which have been solicited appropriately and anonymously form students may be included. 

vii. Supporting materials and examples of Scholarship of Practice: This may include documentation as outlined in the NTT Performance Indicators & Potential Evidence Guide relevant to the rank.

viii. Supporting materials and examples of Scholarship of Integration/Service: This may include documentation as outlined in the NTT Performance Indicators & Potential Evidence Guide relevant to the rank. 

ix. Annual performance reviews for 150 WLUs.

x. Copy of NTT Performance Indicators & Potential Evidence Guide (hyperlink)

xi. NTT Committee will add their letter recommending review and two letters of peer review by February 1.

xii. NTT Review Committee will add evaluation summaries, the committee’s decision, and vote tally to the cover sheet upon completion by March 1

2. The MRJCON NTT Review Committee will serve as the departmental review committee and will review the candidates rank advancement application based on the criteria established in the CBA. The recommendation will indicate if the candidate is or is not recommended for title advancement and provide rationale for recommendation as determined by the interpretation of the CBA guidelines and MRJCON criteria

3. Upon receipt of the recommendation from the NTT Review Committee, the Campus Director will conduct an independent review of the candidate’s application and make a written recommendation to the Dean by April 1. 

4. The Dean may grant advancement in title if the applicant meets the criteria and notify the candidate by April 30. 

5. If the request for advancement is denied, the candidate shall be advised of the reason for denial and may appeal the denial to the Provost’s Office. The Provost will consider the appeal and will decide based on the candidate’s fulfillment of duties as described in the letters of appointment over the period of accruing 150 WLUs and performance in accordance with the standards and criteria. This decision is final and is not grievable. 

6. NTT faculty members who apply for advancement at any level, but are not approved, may still be hired at their existing level. If the title advancement is denied, the faculty member may file a new petition in the following years. 

7. Candidates seeking rank advancement will follow the following timeline.

Internal control considerations, if applicable: How to ensure adequate safeguarding of assets, e.g. segregation of duties, misuse or fraud, etc.