As per the Agreement on Conditions of Appointment for Faculty, the following titles and ranks are defined as: Acting Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor.
Acting Assistant Professor
Appointment to this rank requires the completion, or promise of early completion, of academic qualifications and evidence of potential ability in teaching and research. Appointment is for a maximum term of two years. A person will not normally be reappointed as an Acting Assistant Professor. If the terminal degree is not achieved by the end of the two-year term, the position may not be renewed. If the terminal degree is achieved, the member will be converted to the rank of Assistant Professor and be given the choice whether to have their tenure clock start July 1 of the year of completion or at the beginning of the Acting appointment. Normally, only work completed while in rank will be considered during a tenure and promotion review.
Assistant Professor
- Appointment at or promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor normally requires completion of academic qualifications, and evidence of ability in teaching and scholarly activity. Evidence will ordinarily be required to demonstrate that the candidate for an appointment or promotion is involved in scholarly activity, is a successful teacher, and is capable of providing instruction at the various levels in his/her discipline, but it is sufficient to show potential to meet these criteria. The evidence may include the opinion of scholars familiar with the candidate’s work and capability.
- Initial appointments at this rank are normally for a term of four years, but in exceptional circumstances may be for a lesser period. Renewal of an individual’s appointment is for a term of four years with mandatory review for tenure and promotion in year 7. See Part 4, Article 2.03 for more information.
- Promotion must be achieved either before or at the mandatory review. If the mandatory promotion review is unsuccessful, the faculty member is provided with a terminal year at the end of which their position is not renewed.
Associate Professor
- Appointment at or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor normally requires evidence of successful teaching and of scholarly activity beyond that expected of an Assistant Professor. The candidate will be judged on teaching as defined in Part 4, Article 4.02, a growing body of productive scholarly activity, the ability to supervise and mentor graduate students as applicable, with consideration to the norms of the unit, and on willingness to participate and participation in the affairs of the Department and the University. Promotion to this rank is not automatic or based on years of service. In exceptional circumstances, initial appointment at this rank may be based upon evidence of the candidate’s potential to meet these criteria, including the opinion of scholars or other qualified persons familiar with the candidate’s work and capability.
- Initial appointments at this rank are normally for a term of three years, with review, but in exceptional circumstances may be for a lesser period or tenured.
- If untenured, Associate Professors will undergo mandatory review for tenure in year 5 of their appointment.
Professor
- Appointment at or promotion to the rank of Professor is reserved for those whose contributions (judged by the criteria as set out in Part 4, Article 4) are considered outstanding.
- These persons will have met appropriate standards of excellence and have wide recognition in the field of their interest. They must have shown high quality in teaching and a growing body of productive scholarly activity, have attained distinction in their discipline, and have participated significantly in academic and professional affairs. Promotion to this rank is neither automatic nor based on years of service and it is expected that some persons will not attain this rank.
- Initial appointments at this rank may be untenured appointments or tenured appointments. If the appointment is untenured, the member will be given a 3-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a subsequent 3 years. They must undergo a mandatory review for tenure in the 5th year of service.
