Lecturers, Adjunct Faculty, & Visiting Faculty

Reappointment Instructions

• Instructional Faculty: Departments are encouraged to offer two or three year contracts to full-time instructional faculty with records of long-term satisfactory service verified by written evaluations of performance and to offer long-term contracts for multiple courses to part-time instructional faculty in cases of demonstrated need.
• The faculty member and academic administrators should complete an Appointment Agreement.
• Please refer to the Faculty Eligibility for Benefits Chart in completing the agreement. Include under “Additional Terms” ONLY those benefits for which the faculty member is eligible.

Non-Renewal Instructions

• Faculty with continuous full-time service of less than seven years must be provided written notice on non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the appointment term.

• If such service is for seven years or more, the notice period is at least six months.

• In all other cases, e.g., part-time faculty, faculty whose appointment term is less than an academic year, or full-time faculty with discontinuous service, the notice period is at least 30 days.

• If the length of required notice of non-renewal cannot be completed within the time remaining in the appointment term, this may be remedied by extending the Agreement by the number of days necessary to complete the notice requirement.

Termination Instructions

• Non-tenure track instructional may be terminated prior to the expiration of the appointment for one of the following reasons:
  • Upon cancellation of class. The University reserves the right to render the Appointment Agreement null and void, without any obligation to the Appointee, if the University determines, in its sole discretion, that the planned courses should be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or any other reason(s). Notice of cancellation of the class shall be given by the first day of the class.
  • Upon written notice. The required notice of termination for faculty with continuous full-time service of less than seven years is at least 90 days. If such service is for seven years or more, the notice period is at least six months. In all other cases, e.g., part-time faculty, faculty whose appointment term is less than an academic year, or full-time faculty with discontinuous service, the notice period is at least 30 days. These are the same notice periods as for non-renewal of contract. In all other cases, e.g., part-time faculty (those appointed on less than a 100% FTE basis), faculty whose appointment term is less than an academic year, or full-time faculty with discontinuous service, the notice period shall be 30 days. If the length of notice of termination required cannot be completed within the appointment term, this may be remedied by extending the Agreement by the number of days necessary to complete the notice requirement.
  • Upon discontinuance of the department, program, school or unit;
  • For lack of appropriations or other funds with which to support the appointment, provided such termination complies with the applicable faculty retrenchment procedures set forth in II-8.00(B) University of Maryland Procedures for the Termination of Faculty Appointments During Fiscal Crisis; or
  • For cause without prior notice.
• Before terminating a faculty appointment prior to the end of term, it is recommended that Chairpersons consult with the Office of Legal Affairs.