2,511: Types of Faculty Appointments

Revised: December 2020

There are four types of faculty appointments:

  1. Renewable Appointments: These appointments must be 50% full-time equivalency (FTE) or more and must exceed three months of consecutive service. These appointments are funded by state funds or other designated funds. These types of appointments may be either tenure track or non-tenure track, but in either case are subject to "notice of non-reappointment" as provided in the NSHE Code. The contracts may be either "A" or "B" contracts.
  2. Renewable Appointments Contingent upon Funding: These appointments must be 50% FTE or more and must exceed three months of consecutive service. These contracts carry a provision that allows for termination with 30 days' written notice when funds for these positions are no longer available. The contracts may be either "A" or "B" contracts.
  3. Letters of Appointment: Letters of appointment (most frequently referred to as "LOA") may be used for special appointments to meet academic or administrative needs. Letters of appointment are used for teaching, research, and other professional employment activity to augment regular faculty positions. They are issued only for clearly defined duties that are part-time and temporary. The FTE must not exceed 80% FTE for non-instructional duties or 75% FTE for instructional duties. An appointment of 50% FTE or more may not exceed 24 months in duration. If the appointment is for a period greater than one year, the Workday approver has authority delegated by the President to approve in accordance with Title 4, Chapter 3, Section 41 of the Board of Regents Handbook. The duration of the appointment may be extended beyond 24 months under rare circumstances and with approval by Human Resources (delegated from the President).
  4. Temporary Faculty Appointments: Temporary appointments are defined as positions for a duration of one year or less. Temporary appointments must be 50% FTE or more, must exceed three months of consecutive service, and may be funded by either state or non-state funds. Temporary appointments are issued for a fixed period of time, typically one semester or one year, and may be either "A" or "B" contracts.