Lecturers are predominantly “teaching only” faculty at UBC. The primary responsibility of faculty in this rank is to teach credit courses. Lecturers are also expected to participate fully in the affairs of their departments and may undertake service assignments within their departments, Faculty or for the wider University. Service is a combination of self-directed and assigned tasks. Unusually time-consuming administrative or service responsibilities may result in a reduction of teaching duties. Self-directed service would not normally be eligible for a reduction in teaching load, unless agreed to by the Head of Department.
Lecturer appointments (and reappointments) are for one to eight years on a full or part-time basis. The first year of a lecturer’s initial appointment is probationary. Lecturers who do not pass their probationary period will be given one month’s notice or pay in lieu of notice.
When a lecturer has held appointments in six successive academic years in any one unit, any subsequent reappointment as Lecturer in the unit will be for a minimum of three years. After nine years of successive service any subsequent appointment will be for a minimum of five years.
While most Lecturers will be appointed to full-time contracts, part-time contracts are also possible and will be implemented in accordance with the provisions governing reduced appointments under the Collective Agreement (Part 8). A lecturer appointment cannot be for less than 50% FTE.
Right of Reappointment
Lecturers have a presumptive right to be reappointed within their unit so long as they meet performance expectations (see The Excellence Test below) and there remains sufficient work for which they are qualified and available to teach.
The Excellence Test
At the end of each of their first three appointments, a Lecturer will undergo a performance assessment known as the Excellence Test. The Test varies by Department; however, it must be consistent with the procedures used to evaluate teaching in that Unit. The assessment may include, among other things, a peer evaluation of teaching, review of Student Experience of Instruction (SEoI) scores, and/or review of a faculty member’s course documentation.
Upon successful completion of the Test, a Lecturer will be reappointed.
Once a Lecturer has completed three appointments and at least six years of service, they shall be deemed to have met the standard of excellence in their home unit and will not be subject to the Excellence Test again, unless it is deemed necessary after an appropriate application of the performance management process. A lecturer will be given 6 months’ notice of any such subsequent Test.
Non-renewal or Revocation of Appointments
Lecturer appointments are not guaranteed for the full length of term and may be revoked for reasons such as lack of funding, falling enrolments, availability of pre-tenured or tenured faculty, course cancellation or curricular changes. Appointments may not be be renewed for similar reasons.
A Lecturer who has previously held an appointment as a Sessional Lecturer and who is not reappointed for reasons other than performance, has the right to one month’s notice and for reappointment as a Continuing Sessional or non-Continuing Sessional, depending on their previous rank. If the Lecturer has never held a sessional appointment at UBC, they will be given notice or pay in lieu of notice equivalent to 1 month per year service up to a maximum of 6 months.
All Lecturers are eligible for benefits as well as CPI, merit and PSA adjustments
You can find additional helpful information in our Contract Faculty Handbook.
