Designation B

Designation B is an appointment status available to eligible fixed-term faculty and academic specialists represented by the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) who demonstrate sustained excellence in their assigned responsibilities.

Under the 2026–2030 UNTF Collective Bargaining Agreement, an approved Designation B appointment continues without a defined end date, subject to applicable university policies and agreement provisions.

PREPARING FOR REVIEW

Members of the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) at MSU may apply for Designation B status if they meet the eligibility requirements established in the UNTF collective bargaining agreement. Eligibility must be verified through MSU Human Resources.

Departments are responsible for providing applicable review procedures and criteria to eligible faculty and academic staff. Applicants are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the requirements, initiating the application process, and meeting the established deadlines.

PREPARING THE APPLICATION DOSSIER

Page Limit

The complete dossier submitted to the University Office for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs (FASA) must not exceed 85 pages, including supporting documentation and administrative recommendations, unless an exception has been approved by FASA.

Departments may consider additional materials during their internal review; however, the final university submission must comply with the established page limit.

Required Documentation

The Designation B dossier must include:

1. Recommendation for Designation B Appointment (Form B), including instructional activities and instructional works.
2. Evidence of Teaching Excellence.
3. Reflective Essay (maximum five pages).
4. Current Curriculum Vitae.
5. Annual Review Letters covering the most recent eight semesters of teaching.
6. Summary Evaluation by the Department Chairperson or Unit Director.
7. Summary Statement by the Dean.

Annual Review Letters

All formal annual review letters encompassing the applicant’s most recent eight semesters of teaching must be included in the dossier. For units that conduct annual performance reviews, the applicable annual review letters should cover that period; separate semester evaluations are not required.

Student evaluations and preceptor evaluations may be included as evidence of teaching excellence, but do not replace formal annual performance reviews.

Applicants should contact their department or employing unit if they do not have copies of the required annual review letters. Missing reviews should be discussed with CHM Faculty Affairs and Development before submission.

Evidence of Teaching Excellence

Applicants should provide representative evidence of sustained excellence in teaching. Supporting materials may include student evaluations, peer evaluations, course materials, instructional innovations, educational scholarship, and other relevant accomplishments.

It is not necessary to include every student evaluation. Selected examples may be accompanied by a summary of student feedback and evidence of teaching excellence.

Dossier Format

The completed dossier must be submitted as a single PDF with bookmarks identifying the required sections in the order established by FASA.

REVIEW PROCESS

The department or employing unit reviews the application according to applicable university procedures and unit review criteria.

Where a review committee is used, its recommendation is advisory to the department chairperson or unit director. The applicant must be provided an opportunity to meet with the committee before its recommendation is made.

The department chairperson’s or unit director’s recommendation is forwarded to the College of Human Medicine Office of Faculty Affairs and Development for college review. Following the Dean’s recommendation, the completed dossier is submitted to FASA for final university review and determination.

FALL TIMELINE

• August 1: Deadline to request verification of eligibility through MSU Human Resources.
• September 30: Applicant submits the dossier to the department chairperson or designee.
• October 15: Department forwards the dossier and recommendation to CHM Faculty Affairs and Development.
• November 1: CHM submits the completed dossier to FASA.
• November 30: Anticipated notification of the university’s decision to the college.
  
  

SPRING TIMELINE

• December 1: Deadline to request verification of eligibility through MSU Human Resources.
• January 31: Applicant submits the dossier to the department chairperson or designee.
• February 15: Department forwards the dossier and recommendation to CHM Faculty Affairs and Development.
• March 15: CHM submits the completed dossier to FASA.
• April 15: Anticipated notification of the university’s decision to the college.

Spring deadlines are subject to confirmation or revision by FASA as the university implements updated Designation B procedures under the 2026–2030 UNTF agreement.

Departmental submissions should be sent to the CHM Office of Faculty Affairs and Development: chm.fad@campusad.msu.edu.

• Faculty member completes and submits to department
  1. Recommendation for Designation B Appointment (Form B): Complete the applicable portions of the form, including instructional activities, instructional works, and evidence of teaching excellence (Items 1–6).
  2. Evidence of Teaching Excellence: Provide documentation demonstrating sustained excellence in teaching, including selected student evaluations, peer evaluations, instructional materials, and other relevant accomplishments. Representative examples and a summary of student feedback may be submitted rather than every individual evaluation.
  3. Reflective Essay: Describe your teaching philosophy, accomplishments, and professional development (maximum five pages).
  4. Curriculum Vitae: Provide a current CV.
  5. Annual Review Letters: Include all formal annual review letters covering the most recent eight semesters of teaching. For units conducting annual reviews, provide the applicable annual letters; separate reviews for each semester are not required.

   

  Dossier Page Limit: See Preparing the Application Dossier above for the 85-page university submission requirement.

• Department completes and submits to College
  6. Recommendation for Designation B Appointment (Form B): Complete the applicable portions of the form, including the department chairperson’s or unit director’s summary evaluation and recommendation (Item 7).
  7. Completed Application Dossier: Include all materials submitted by the faculty member, along with the department’s evaluation and recommendation.
  8. Submission to CHM: Forward the completed dossier to the CHM Office of Faculty Affairs and Development by the applicable college deadline: October 15 for fall review or February 15 for spring review.

   

  The CHM Office of Faculty Affairs and Development coordinates the college-level review, obtains the Dean’s recommendation, and submits the final dossier to FASA.

• Resources

  Verification of Designation B Eligibility Form

  MSU Recommendation for Designation B Appointment Form (application form) (Word | PDF)

  FASA Designation B Process Tip Sheet

  MSU Designation B Frequently Asked Questions

  AAMC Guidance on Preparing a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  CHM Guidance on Developing a Reflective Essay

  CHM Guidance on Developing an Academic Portfolio

Please Note: MSU and the College of Human Medicine are updating their Designation B procedures and guidelines to align with the 2026–2030 UNTF Collective Bargaining Agreement. Applicants and departments should consult the CHM Office of Faculty Affairs and Development to confirm current submission requirements and deadlines.