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College of Human Medicine

HR/Payroll-4 Appointment Process: Community-Based Prefix/Non-prefix Faculty

Effective Date: November 1, 2012
Last Revised: February 24, 2022
Responsible Party: Toya Pruitt
Persons Affected: Student Program Administrators/Community-Based Faculty/Dean’s Office HR Staff

I. Policy/Purpose

MSU’s Clinical/Adjunct faculty appointment system is used for those individuals whose primary responsibility and source of income are outside MSU, but who agree to provide educational services in support of MSU’s mission.  Those appointed in this system are also referred to as “prefix” faculty.  Appointment length varies but is generally for 3 years and is renewable.  Promotion is based upon meeting established minimum criteria approved by the College of Human Medicine Advisory Council as well as specific department criteria.

Faculty not directly employed by the College of Human Medicine, who are deeply involved in the college and making significant contributions regardless of the campus, are eligible for a “non-prefix” faculty appointment if they meet certain criteria.

Student Program Administrators facilitate the start of the appointment process in the various community campuses. This includes any changes and/or promotions to existing faculty appointments.

II. Definitions

  1. Prefix appointment: A faculty appointment awarded to an individual who is not a regular paid employee of Michigan State University but who teaches or provides other academic services to Michigan State University students and/or residents. Individuals with professional medical degrees are designated with the prefix “clinical” in front of their assigned rank; others are designated with the prefix “adjunct” in front of the rank.
  2. Non-prefix appointment: An appointment without the “adjunct” or “clinical” prefix, e.g., Assistant Professor vs. Clinical Assistant Professor. Non-prefix appointments are held by the University’s regularly employed faculty, but may be granted to a limited number of non- MSU employed faculty who meet specific eligibility criteria that generally include devoting a significant portion of their professional time to teaching CHM students and/or residents in CHM-sponsored or CHM-affiliated residencies.

III. Procedures

  1. The Student Program Administrator (or designee) receives a signed clinical/adjunct or non-prefix application packet along with curriculum vitae from interested applicant. The Student Program Administrator reviews the CHM guidelines for appointment and promotion to ensure applicant meets criteria to become clinical/adjunct or non-prefix faculty.
  2. Student Program Administrator (or designee): reviews application packet for completeness, completes a College of Human Medicine Appointment form and sends completed application packet and curriculum vitae to the CHM Human Resources Office:
    1. Flint, Midland, Lansing, and Southeast Michigan,: send all appointment application materials (as well as change of status and terminations) to HR@campusad.msu.edu.
    2. Grand Rapids, Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula: send all appointment application materials (as well as change of status and terminations) to
  3. CHM Human Resources:
    1. Reviews appointment materials, change of status and terminations as they are received and contacts the Student Program Administrator or designee for any missing or incomplete information.
    2. CHM-HR verifies if the applicant is credentialed and has privileges. If not, CHM-HR will contact Student Program Administrator and initiate the criminal background check.
    3. Initiate the appropriate transaction in EBS for departments to review and approve. Scan and attach the clinical/adjunct or non-prefix application and curriculum vitae to the appropriate forms in EBS. The transaction will automatically route through workflow for the necessary approvals (e.g. Department and Dean’s Office).
    4. Create a record and enter information in the CHM Individual Information System as necessary.
  4. CHM Departments: review and approve transactions electronically in EBS based on department’s by-laws.
  5. CHM Human Resources:
    1. Request MSU NETID/ PIN and MSU Spartan ID Card for new appointees.
    2. Create letters and certificates for new appointees, reappointments and change of status.
    3. Send welcome packet to Student Program Administrators for new appointments.
  6. Student Program Administrators: forward welcome packets and/or new letters and certificates to faculty members.

Revision History

1.0 - Effective date: 11/1/12 - Revised by T. Pruitt - Original 
1.1 - Effective date: 10/1/15 - Revised by T. Pruitt - New Community Campus added: Southeast Michigan; update HR contact information for Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula
1.2 - Effective date: 4/6/17 - Revised by L. Bell - Updated contacts for each community; CA must review CHM appointment/promotion guidelines; Departments approve in EBS according to by-laws.
1.3 - Effective date: 4/2/18 - Revised by L. Bell - Updated contacts, added background check process per new MSU policy. 
1.4 - Effective date: 1/24/19 - Revised by L. Bell - Updated GR, TC, UP, community contact emails.
1.5 - Effective date: 2/25/20 - Revised by L. Bell - Updated all community contact emails
1.6 - Effective date: 2/24/22 - Revised by B. Price - Replaced Community Administrator designation with Student Program Administrator