Matters of Academic Unit Governance

1. Faculty - Full-time faculty of academic rank who hold tenured or tenure-track appointments at the University, and who are represented by the Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Unit. These faculty members are hereinafter designated by the term “Faculty” with the word underlined and the first character of the word capitalized (Faculty).
2. FTNTT Faculty - Full-time faculty of academic rank who hold non-tenure-track appointments at the University, and who are represented by the full-time non-tenure track Collective Bargaining Unit. These faculty members are hereinafter designated by the term “FTNTT Faculty” with the term underlined and the FTNTT acronym and the first character of the word “Faculty” capitalized (FTNTT Faculty).
3. Faculty Organization - Full-time faculty of academic rank who hold tenured, or tenure-track, or non-tenure-track appointments at the University, and who are represented by the tenured/tenure-track or full-time non-tenure track collective bargaining unit, are members of the CAE Faculty Organization. These faculty members are hereinafter designated by the term Faculty Organization. 
4. Entire Faculty – The composite faculty body consisting of the Faculty Organization (both the Faculty and the FTNTT Faculty) and all part-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and visiting faculty. 
5. Faculty Handbook – The university-wide Faculty Handbook implemented and maintained by the Provost’s Office.
6. CAE Handbook/College Handbook – the college-level, CAE-specific portion of the University’s Faculty Handbook.

1. Suggestions for modifications or amendments to the College Handbook may be initiated at any time by any Faculty Organization member. Further, the Dean may direct that the College Handbook be modified, amended or revised to reflect changes in University Policies, rules, or regulations. 
2. Proposed modifications or amendments are subject to discussion, revision, and recommendation by the College Advisory Committee (CAC), and all modifications, amendments and revisions of the College Handbook require the approval of the Dean.
3. Modifications or revision of the basic workload expectation and of the specification and/or application of the course load equivalents described in this College Handbook require the approval of the full Faculty Organization membership of the College. 
4. All proposed amendments must be approved by the CAC prior to general voting. Proposed amendments to the College Handbook will be considered at the next Regular or Special meeting of the Faculty Organization, provided that the proposed changes are distributed to all Faculty Organization members at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The College Handbook may be recommended for amendment by a two-thirds vote of the Faculty Organization members present at any meeting of the Faculty Organization, provided there is a quorum present.  
5. At the discretion of the CAC, electronic voting may be used as an alternate method of voting, provided that the proposed changes are distributed to all Faculty Organization members at least two weeks prior to the deadline for the vote. Electronic approval of proposed changes to the College Handbook requires a two-thirds majority of the entire Faculty Organization. 
6. All revisions of the College Handbook must be consistent with University policy.

1. The College Handbook may be amended by unanimous vote of the Faculty Organization present at any Regular or Special meeting of the Faculty Organization, providing there is a quorum. Such amendments are to serve as recommendations to the Dean.

1. The College Handbook may be amended by unanimous vote of the Faculty Organization present at any Regular or Special meeting of the Faculty Organization, providing there is a quorum. Such amendments are to serve as recommendations to the Dean.

1. A CAE Handbook Task Force comprised of Faculty Organization members appointed by the College Advisory Committee (CAC) will review and revise the College Handbook, as needed, but at least once every three (3) years. 

1. The College Advisory Committee will maintain the College Handbook/CAE Handbook. All amendments or revisions to the College Handbook must be accomplished in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements and the guidelines provided in this CAE Handbook section.

1. Upon approval by the Provost’s office of a revised College Handbook, the CAE Dean’s office shall provide an electronic copy of the revised College Handbook via e-mail to all Faculty Organization members. 
2. The CAE Dean’s office shall provide an electronic copy of the College Handbook in effect via e-mail to newly hired Faculty and FTNTT Faculty.
3. A link to a copy of the College Handbook in effect shall be provided on the CAE web site. 

The name of the organization governed by this CAE Handbook shall be the Kent State University College of Aeronautics and Engineering Faculty Organization.

1. Membership in the Faculty Organization.
   1. Full-time faculty of academic rank who hold tenured, or tenure-track, or non-tenure-track appointments at the University, and who are represented by the Kent State University Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Unit or by the Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Collective Bargaining Unit, are members of the CAE Faculty Organization. 
2. The purposes of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering Faculty Organization are:
   1. To provide organizational structure for faculty governance;
   2. To adopt governance procedures and to provide committees necessary for the operation of the College, subject to the approval of the Dean and other University authorities;
   3. To organize, make, and execute decisions concerning the educational programs of the CAE within the policies of the University;
   4. To act as an advisory and recommendatory body to the Dean and the College Advisory Committee (CAC) on academic matters central to the mission and goals of the CAE.

1. Faculty Involvement in CAE Governance
   1. All members of the Faculty Organization may vote on curricular and operational concerns, including committee membership and Faculty Organization-elected/nominated leadership positions.
2. Faculty Involvement in CAE Administration
   1. In order to assure program and instructional quality and integrity, the Dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering shall consult with the CAC and other College faculty bodies with respect to budget and resources, faculty positions, and the administrative structure and organization of the College. College committees shall be established, organized and operated in ways consistent with the above principles, and in accordance with the University Policy Register, the applicable Tenured/Tenure-Track and Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the provisions of this Handbook. 

1. There will be the following responsible positions in the CAE Faculty Organization.
   1. Convener: The Dean of the CAE or designated representative will be the Convener of the Faculty Organization.
   2. Secretary: A CAE staff member will be appointed as the Secretary by the Dean each academic year.
2. Responsibilities.
   1. The Convener will:
      1. Preside at meetings of the Faculty Organization;
      2. Organize the agenda and distribute the agenda to all Faculty Organization members at least one week prior to any regular meeting;
      3. Cast a vote in case of a tie;
      4. Appoint the Secretary.
   2. The Secretary will be responsible for recording and disseminating minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Faculty Organization to all Faculty Organization members and the Dean's Office.

1. When faculty seniority is a consideration for an issue, the seniority ranking shall be determined by the Faculty Organization member’s time accrued as a full-time Faculty Organization member of the college. 

1. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition) will govern this organization in all cases in which it is consistent with this Handbook.

1. The policies and procedures which govern the College’s ad hoc Tenured/Tenure-Track Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion (RTP) Committee are included in the University Policy Register and the Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement. Procedural and operational guidelines for this committee are provided annually by the Office of the Provost. This committee reviews materials relevant to the professional performance of faculty who are candidates for reappointment, tenure, or promotion in rank, and makes recommendations to the Dean on each of these personnel decisions. The recommendations of this committee and the Dean, together with the materials assembled for the committee by the candidates, are forwarded to the Provost. 
2. The RTP Committee is an ad hoc CAC committee and is described below. 
   1. RTP Membership
      1. The RTP Committee consists of all tenured members of the College Advisory Committee, except for ex-officio, non-voting members of the CAC, plus all tenured Faculty in the College with the rank of Professor. Ad hoc RTP Committees shall consist of those members specified by the Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement and the University Policy Register.
      2. The Dean of the CAE will serve as the non-voting Chair of the RTP Committee.
   2. RTP Responsibilities
      1. The ad hoc Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Committees will evaluate candidates, will vote on candidates, and will make recommendations to the Dean for reappointment, promotion, and tenure on the basis of criteria specified in Section III.1 (Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion of Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty) of this Handbook. This responsibility of the committee will be in accordance with University policies.
   3. RTP Meetings
      1. The RTP Committee will be convened by the Dean and will meet as deemed necessary and in accordance with deadlines established by the University’s reappointment, promotion, and tenure procedures.

1. The policies and procedures which govern the College’s ad hoc Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Performance Review and Promotion committees are included in the University Policy Register and the Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Collective Bargaining Agreement. Procedural and operational guidelines for these committees are provided annually by the Office of the Provost. These committees review materials relevant to the assigned duties and other contributions of full-time non-tenure track faculty who are candidates for renewals of appointment or promotion in rank, and to make recommendations to the Dean on each of these personnel decisions. The recommendations of this committee and the Dean, together with the materials assembled for the committee by the candidates, are forwarded to the Provost. 
2. FTNTT Performance Review Committee
   1. The FTNTT Performance Review committee considers full-time non-tenure track candidates for any Performance Review specified by the FTNTT Collective Bargaining Agreement. The FTNTT Performance Review Committee is an ad hoc committee, selected by the CAE Dean, and is described below. 
   2. Performance Review Committee Membership
      1. The Performance Review Committee for any FTNTT faculty member at any stage of reappointment will consist of all FTNTT CAC members plus full-time non-tenure track members of the college as selected per the current FTNTT CBA. Per the Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement, any tenured/tenure-track CAC member can act as advisor to the Dean on full-time non-tenure track reviews. No member shall vote on, join in the deliberation of, or make a recommendation on his or her own appointment. 
      2. The Dean of the CAE will serve as the Chair of the Performance Review Committee.
   3. Performance Review Committee Responsibilities
      The Performance Review Committee will evaluate candidates and advise the Dean regarding renewal on the basis of criteria specified in Section III.2 (Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty) of this Handbook. This responsibility of the committee will be in accordance with University policies. Signed ballots will be used to record votes and upon appropriate notification of the outcome of the review the ballots will be made available if requested by the candidate. 
   4. Performance Review Committee Meetings
      The Performance Review Committee will be assembled per procedures in the FTNTT CBA and convened by the Dean and will meet as necessary to comply with deadlines in the FTNTT CBA, and in accordance with deadlines established by the University’s renewal, performance review, and promotion procedures.
3. FTNTT Promotion Committee: The College-level Non-Tenure Track Promotion Advisory Board (NPAB)
   1. The Non-Tenure Track Promotion Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as NPAB) considers full-time non-tenure track candidates for promotion to a higher rank. 
   2. NPAB Membership
      1. The NPAB shall consist of full-time non-tenure track faculty (FTNTT Faculty) representatives constituted by the Dean per procedures in the FTNTT CBA to serve on the College's NPAB. Normally, each NPAB will include three full-time non-tenure track FTNTT Faculty representatives from the Kent Campus. Whenever possible, all NPAB representatives should hold at least the rank of associate professor or associate lecturer. 
      2. The Dean of the CAE will serve as the non-voting Chair of the NPAB.
   3. NPAB Responsibilities
      1. The NPAB will evaluate candidates, will vote on candidates, and will make recommendations to the Dean for promotion, on the basis of criteria specified in Section III.2 (Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty) of this Handbook. This responsibility of the NPAB committee will be in accordance with University policies. Signed ballots will be used to record votes and after notification by the Provost or President as appropriate, those ballots will be made available to the candidate on request. 
   4. NPAB Meetings
      1. The NPAB will be convened by the Dean and will meet as deemed necessary and in accordance with deadlines established by the University’s renewal, performance review, and promotion procedures.

1. The Dean through the CAC each AY will ensure a Student Academic Complaint Committee. The Student Academic Complaint Committee (SACC) is an ad hoc CAC committee and its procedural operation is described below. 
2. The CAC will hold an election from all Faculty Organization members of the college not on administrative contracts to comprise the committee. The committee will have at least five members plus at least one student member. Tenure or non-tenure status will not be a factor in the election. The committee as comprised will be an ad hoc committee of the CAC. 
3. The committee will elect a chair who will serve as the point of contact for the Dean should a need arise per the university policy on Student Academic Complaints.
4. Each Academic Program Coordinator or Director will be the point of contact for students with a complaint. In cases where the complaint involves the Coordinator or Director, one of the remaining Academic Program Coordinators or Directors will be the point of contact. Initial consultation with the student by a Coordinator or Director will include direction per university policy to first work the issue out informally with the instructor and informing the student of their right to involve the Student Ombudsman at any point in the process. Once the Coordinator and/or Director receives the complaint, and prior to an unsuccessful informal resolution, the Coordinator or Director will not contact an instructor regarding any student issue/complaint.
5. If an informal resolution with the instructor is unsuccessful the Coordinator or Director receiving the complaint will enact the remaining portions of the policy as provided in the University Policy Register. 
6. Prior to the appeal of a decision by the Student Complaint Committee neither the Assistant Dean, the Associate Dean, or the Dean will be involved in the process per the provisions of the university policy. 
7. Upon notification by a student that initiating the formal complaint process is desired, the Coordinator or Director receiving the notice will refer the student to the Chair of the ad hoc Academic Student Complaint Committee.

1. The College Curriculum Committee (CCC) assists the Chair of the CCC in supervising and coordinating the College’s programs, course offerings, and curriculum. The CCC makes recommendations to the CAE Dean on all academic matters which affect the undergraduate and graduate programs of the College, including but not limited to, faculty proposals for new courses, changes in course content, changes to major requirements, and other curricular matters, including the addition of new programs, minors, concentrations, and certificates. 
2. CCC Membership
   1. The CCC shall consist of the following elected Faculty Organization members:
      1. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CCC from the Aeronautics Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members. 
      2. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CCC from the Applied Engineering and Technology Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members.
      3. The CCC faculty configuration specified in this section may be modified when approved by a majority vote of the CCC. Those changes shall be reflected in the subsequent update of this Handbook. 
      4. Per the 2015 Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement, the tenured/tenure-track faculty (Faculty) members of the CCC shall constitute a majority of the members of the CCC.
   2. CCC elections will be held by all full-time Faculty Organization members within each respective Academic Program Area at the Spring All-College meeting in odd numbered years. Newly elected CCC representatives shall take office at the beginning of the Fall Semester, and shall serve a two-year term. 
   3. Per the 2015 Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement, the tenured/tenure-track faculty (Faculty) members of the CCC shall constitute a majority of the members of the CCC.
   4. The Dean, Assistant/Associate Dean, Graduate Coordinator, and the chief academic representative (Chair/Coordinator/Director) of each Academic Program Area, will be ex-officio, non-voting members of the CCC. 
   5. Administrators with faculty rank who hold a full-time administrative position within the College may not serve as a voting CCC representative. 
3. CCC Responsibilities
   1. At the Fall All-College meeting, the Faculty Organization members of the College Curriculum Committee of the College will elect a chair from among the members of the committee.
   2. The College Curriculum Committee will establish and distribute to the Faculty Organization members all guidelines and deadlines for curricular proposals immediately after the Fall All-College meeting. 
   3. All curricular proposals may be submitted to the Assistant/Associate Dean for advice on formatting, procedure, and policy. Curriculum proposals should be distributed to all Faculty Organization members in the Academic Program Area and be approved by the Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members before submission to the CCC. 
   4. The College Curriculum Committee will make recommendations to the Dean for changes in undergraduate academic programs proposed by the Academic Program Areas within the CAE. Motions to make changes in an undergraduate academic program must originate from Faculty Organization members within the applicable Academic Program Area. All required documentation will be provided to the Dean's Office by the CCC Chair. The Dean will process and forward CCC curricular recommendations to University officials and governance bodies as appropriate.
   5. The CCC reviews and decides student appeals regarding course substitution. 
4. CCC Meetings
   1. The committee will meet during the academic year. Meetings will be scheduled by the CCC Chair in coordination with the University's EPC meeting schedule.
   2. A quorum is a simple majority of the voting members.
   3. Passage of a motion recommending any curriculum revision requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the Faculty Organization members present and voting, provided there is a quorum. Motions may also be voted upon electronically. However, this will require approval of a majority of the Faculty Organization members of the CCC.
   4. Minutes will be kept by the Secretary of all meetings and distributed to the College Curriculum Committee members and the Dean’s office, with courtesy distributions to the Provost.

1. The Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee (GFAC) assists the Graduate Coordinator with the oversight and development of the College's graduate program(s). The GFAC is responsible for evaluating applications for admission and evaluating and recommending candidates for graduate appointments. The GFAC is also responsible for monitoring the progress and academic performance of graduate students in the College. The GFAC, as a committee of the whole, also serves as the College's Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC). The GCC reviews proposals for graduate program changes, new graduate courses, changes in course content and related curricular matters, and conducts periodic reviews of the College's graduate program as a whole. 
2. GFAC Membership
   1. The membership of the GFAC will consist of all CAE Faculty Organization members with Associate and Full graduate status as defined by Section 6-15.1 (Administrative Policy Regarding Graduate Faculty) of the University Policy Register.
   2. The Dean, and Academic Program Area Coordinators/Directors who do not have Graduate Faculty status or who are not members of the Faculty Organization, will be ex-officio, non-voting members of the GFAC.
3. GFAC Responsibilities
   1. The Graduate Coordinator will serve as the Chair of the GFAC and as the Chair of the Graduate Curriculum Committee.
   2. The GFAC/GCC will be responsible for the development, surveillance, evaluation, and revision of Graduate curricula.
   3. Curricular changes in graduate programs will follow the protocol outlined in Section V.4 (Curricular Policies and Procedures) of this Handbook. Proposed curricular changes will be forwarded by the GFAC/GCC Chair (the Graduate Coordinator) to the College Curriculum Committee. The CCC chair will process and forward all graduate curricular changes to the CAE Dean. The CAE Dean will process and forward all graduate curricular recommendations to University officials and governance bodies as appropriate.
   4. Minutes will be kept of all meetings and distributed to all Graduate Faculty Committee members and the Dean's Office.
   5. During the Fall/Spring semesters, a Graduate Admission Committee consisting of the Graduate Coordinator and at least two Graduate Faculty members selected by the Graduate Coordinator will review and evaluate admissions applications. The Admission Committee will be chaired by the Graduate Coordinator and will evaluate admissions applications and make recommendations to the Dean for admission to the College's graduate program. The Graduate Coordinator will forward the Graduate Admission Committee's recommendations to the Dean's Office. During the Spring Recess, winter break, semester intersession, and the summer term, the Graduate Coordinator will determine the admission recommendation for graduate program applicants on behalf of the Graduate Admission Committee. 
4. Meetings
   1. The GFAC and Graduate Curriculum Committee will meet as scheduled by the Graduate Coordinator during the academic year.
   2. A quorum is a simple majority of the voting members.
   3. Passage of a motion recommending any curriculum revision requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the Faculty Organization members present and voting, provided there is a quorum. Motions may also be voted upon electronically. However, this will require approval of a majority of the Faculty Organization members of the GFAC/GCC.

1. The Dean may establish, charge, and appoint the membership of ad hoc committees as required by the College. In establishing ad hoc committees, naming members and designating a committee chair, the Dean shall consult with the CAC. The Dean will welcome requests and preferences from the faculty before establishing and making appointments to ad hoc committees.

1. All CAE faculty and staff will meet at least two times per academic year: preferably during the week prior to the Fall Semester (the Fall All-College meeting), and near the beginning of the Spring semester (the Spring All-College meeting). Participation in the All-College meetings should be considered mandatory.
2. Elections will be held at both the Fall and Spring All-College meetings according to the following:
   1. Required Committee Meetings and Elections at the Fall All-College Meeting
      1. The College Curriculum Committee (CCC) will hold its first committee meeting of the year at the Fall All-College meeting and will elect a Chair at that time. 
      2. The College Advisory Committee (CAC) will hold its first committee meeting of the year at the Fall All-College meeting.
      3. The CAC’s Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure (RTP) Committee will hold its first committee meeting of the year at the Fall All-College meeting.
      4. The CAC will elect a full-time tenured Faculty member within the College to sit on the Provost’s Advisory Council (PAC) at the Fall All-College Meeting. In the event that an elected PAC member is not currently a member of the CAC, he/she also becomes an at-large, non-voting member of the CAC. 
      5. The GFAC will hold its first committee meeting of the year at the Fall All-College meeting. 
      6. Lead faculty elections will be held by all full-time Faculty Organization members within each respective Academic Program Area at the Fall All-College meeting in odd-numbered years. Newly elected Lead faculty representatives shall take office at the beginning of the Fall Semester, and shall serve a two-year term. The position will be a two-year renewable appointment.
   2. Required Committee Meetings and Elections at the Spring All-College Meeting 
      1. The GFAC will elect a Graduate Coordinator to a four-year term at the Spring All-College meeting during U.S. Presidential election years. The position will be a four-year renewable appointment subject to early review if requested by a majority of the Graduate faculty. 
      2. Each Academic Program Area will elect an Academic Program Area Coordinator to a four-year term at the Spring All-College meeting during U.S. Presidential election years. The position will be a four-year renewable appointment subject to early review if requested by a majority of the Academic Program Area Faculty Organization membership. In those cases where a Director or Chair is the chief academic representative for the academic program area, the Director/Chair will assume the role and responsibilities of the Academic Program Coordinator.
      3. College Curriculum Committee (CCC) members will be elected at the Spring All-College meeting, in odd-numbered years, for a two-year term in accordance with the election schedule and distribution shown immediately below, and as described in Section I.4 (College Committees) and Section I.5 (Meetings) of this Handbook. The position will be a two-year renewable appointment. 
         1. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CCC from the Aeronautics Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members. 
         2. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CCC from the Applied Engineering and Technology Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members.
         3. The CCC faculty configuration specified in this section may be modified when approved by a majority vote of the CCC. Those changes shall be reflected in the subsequent update of this Handbook. 
         4. Per the 2015 Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement, the tenured/tenure-track faculty (Faculty) members of the CCC shall constitute a majority of the members of the CCC.
      4. The College Advisory Committee (CAC) members will be elected at the Spring All-College meeting, in odd-numbered years, in accordance with the election schedule and distribution shown immediately below, and as described in Section I.4 (College Committees) and Section I.5 (Meetings) of this Handbook. The position will be a two-year renewable appointment.
         1. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CAC from the Aeronautics Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members. 
         2. Two tenured/tenure-track and one full-time non-tenure track faculty shall be elected to the CAC from the Applied Engineering and Technology Academic Program Area Faculty Organization members.
         3. The CAC faculty configuration specified in this section may be modified when approved by a majority vote of the CAC. Those changes shall be reflected in the subsequent update of this Handbook. 
         4. Per the 2015 Tenured/Tenure-Track Collective Bargaining Agreement, the tenured/tenure-track faculty (Faculty) members of the CAC shall constitute a majority of the members of the CAC.
      5. The term of service for the CAC and CCC committees and chairs will commence for newly elected members and end for previously elected members at the beginning of the Fall Semester. 
      6. Refer to Section I.3 (Academic Structure and Organization of the College), item I.3.1.2 of this Handbook for information on the selection of Academic Program Area Coordinators.

1. Special meetings of the Faculty Organization of a formal or official nature may be called at the discretion of the Dean or by the passage of a motion to that effect by the College Advisory Committee (CAC). 
2. Informal meetings of the Faculty Organization may be called by any member of the Faculty Organization. 

1. The Secretary will record the minutes of all Regular and Special meetings of the Faculty Organization and will distribute them to all Faculty Organization members and the Dean's Office.

1. A quorum for a Faculty Organization meeting will be a simple majority of the Faculty Organization members.

1. Passage of a motion in a meeting requires a simple majority vote of the Faculty Organization members present, provided there is a quorum. Motions may also be voted upon electronically. However, passage of motions voted upon electronically will require approval of a majority of the Faculty Organization members of the unit. Note: Amendments and revisions to the College Handbook require more than a simple majority vote. The procedures for making amendments and revisions to this College Handbook are described in Section I.1 (CAE Faculty Handbook) of this Handbook.

1. Determination of academic rank is a function of the combination of earned academic credentials and demonstrable experience and achievement appropriate to the level of appointment. A table depicting the required degree and the terminal degree for Kent campus tenured/tenure-track and full-time non-tenure track faculty is provided in Appendix A of this Handbook.
2. The basic definitions of faculty ranks are the following:
   1. Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Ranks
      1. Lecturer
         This rank is intended for persons initially hired as full-time non-tenure track faculty who do not possess the terminal degree in their discipline or a related field, and may not have the credentials to qualify as an Associate Lecturer or Senior Lecturer. 
         Full-time non-tenure track Lecturers are hired by the Dean in consultation with the CAC and the applicable Academic Program Area Coordinator/Director. Full-time non-tenure track Lecturers may vote and serve on some College committees. 
      2. Associate Lecturer
         Hire to or promotion to this rank is based upon academic achievement, professional development, performance, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Associate Lecturer rank. (Refer to Section III.2 Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty of this Handbook.) Persons assigned to this rank do not hold the terminal degree in their discipline or a related field. 
      3. Senior Lecturer
         Promotion to this rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Lecturer. This rank is reserved for senior faculty members who have achieved significant recognition in and impact on their discipline, and on academic achievement, professional development, performance, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Senior Lecturer rank. (Refer to Section III.2 (Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty) of this Handbook.) University Citizenship/Service is evaluated only when it is part of a full-time non-tenure track faculty member’s assigned workload. Persons assigned to this rank do not hold the terminal degree in their discipline or a related field. 
      4. Assistant Professor (Full-Time Non-Tenure Track)
         This rank is normally the entry level rank for full-time non-tenure track faculty holding the terminal degree in an appropriate discipline, and who may not have the credentials to qualify as an Associate Professor (full-time non-tenure track) or Professor (full-time non-tenure track).
      5. Associate Professor (Full-Time Non-Tenure Track)
         Hire to or promotion to this rank is based upon possession of the terminal degree in an appropriate discipline, and significant academic achievement, professional development, performance, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Associate Professor (Non-Tenure Track) rank. (Refer to Section III.2 Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty of this Handbook.) University Citizenship/Service is evaluated only when it is part of a Non-Tenure Track faculty member’s assigned workload. 
      6. Professor (Full-Time Non-Tenure Track)
         Promotion to this rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor (full-time non-tenure track) rank, and is reserved for senior faculty members who have achieved significant recognition in and impact on their discipline. Promotion is based upon possession of the terminal degree, and on academic achievement, professional development, performance, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Professor rank. (Refer to Section III.2 Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty of this Handbook.)
   2. Tenured/Tenure-Track Ranks
      1. Assistant Professor
         This rank is normally the entry level rank for tenured/tenure-track faculty holding the terminal degree in an appropriate discipline, and whose professional experience and/or demonstrated academic performance warrants this rank according to the criteria defined by the college for the Assistant Professor rank. (Refer to Section III.1 Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion of Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty of this Handbook.)
      2. Associate Professor
         Hire to or promotion to this rank is based upon possession of the terminal degree in an appropriate discipline, and significant academic achievement, professional development, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Associate Professor rank. (Refer to Section III.1 Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion of Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty of this Handbook.)
      3. Professor
         Promotion to this rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor, and is reserved for senior faculty members who have achieved significant recognition in and impact on their discipline and on academic achievement, professional development, professional experience, and University Citizenship according to the criteria defined by the college for the Professor rank. (Refer to Section III.1 Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion of Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty of this Handbook.) 

1. The College supports the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in recruiting and in making appointments to the faculty. Search Committees are appointed by the Dean after consultation with the CAC and faculty members in the specific area or discipline conducting the search for candidates. Search committees may include a student member selected by the faculty members who serve on the search committee. Following the review of the candidates, the search committee recommends to the Dean that two or three candidates be invited to campus for an interview. Each candidate who is invited to campus for an interview will present a seminar before the College. The search committee will provide the Dean with a recommendation regarding the search and the candidates interviewed.
2. Search committee recommendations are advisory to the Dean who makes a recommendation to the Provost. The Dean shall inform the Provost of all recommendations.
3. The processes and procedures for faculty search and initial appointment are described in Section 3.1 (Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure of Tenured/Tenure Track) and Section III.2 (Renewal of Appointment, Performance Reviews, and Promotion of Full-Time Non-Tenure Track (FTNTT) Faculty) of this Handbook, and in the applicable Tenured/Tenure-Track or Non-Tenure Track Collective Bargaining Agreement.