Designation B

For faculty who are granted Designation B status, the next appointment shall be for at least five years subject to satisfactory completion of a major review. Following each annual review that demonstrates continued excellence in teaching, each Designation B employee's appointment shall be extended for one (1) year ensuring that the appointment is for no less than five (5) years.

PREPARING FOR REVIEW

Members of the Union of Non-tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) at MSU may apply for Designation B status if they meet eligibility criteria in the UNTF contract.

Departments are responsible for providing departmental procedures and review criteria to eligible faculty.

Faculty are responsible for familiarizing themselves with timelines, procedures and criteria prior to submitting an application for Designation B. Faculty are also responsible for initiating the process and meeting contractual deadlines for submission.

REVIEW PROCESS

The department reviews the application according to departmental bylaws and procedures.

  • Where unit administrators utilize a review committee for advice in making a recommendation, the unit review committee should be provided with guidelines and directed to determine objectively the level of accomplishment and excellence in UNTF related teaching duties. The faculty or academic staff member should be provided an opportunity to meet with the review committee prior to it making a recommendation to the unit administrator.
  • Where there is no review committee, the faculty or academic staff member shall be provided an opportunity to meet with the unit administrator before a recommendation is provided to the next level of review. 

The recommendation of the department chair is forwarded for subsequent review and action by the dean. The recommendation of the dean is forwarded for review and action by the Office of the Provost. After review by the Office of the Provost, the UNTF-represented fixed term faculty or academic staff member will be notified of the final decision on appointment to Designation B.

FALL TIMELINE

The faculty member submits the application dossier to the department chair (or designee) by September 30.

The department forwards materials to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development at (chm.fad@campusad.msu.edu) by October 15.

Notification of award of Designation B status is provided to the college by the university by November 30. Each college is responsible for notifying the employee of the final decision.

SPRING TIMELINE

The faculty member submits the application dossier to the department chair (or designee) by January 31.

The department forwards materials to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development at (chm.fad@campusad.msu.edu) by February 15.

Notification of award of Designation B status is provided to the college by the university by April 15. Each college is responsible for notifying the employee of the final decision.

Promotion and Tenure