Agent

Definition

This rank is parallel to the rank of Assistant Professor. The appointee must hold a master's degree in an appropriate discipline and show evidence of academic ability and leadership skills. The appointee shall have an educational background related to the specific position. Appointments as Agent may be for one to three years. Similarly, reappointments may be for one to three years. 

Hiring Procedures

After obtaining the permission of the dean for the appointment, an offer letter may be sent to the selected candidate. The faculty member and appropriate academic administrators must complete an Appointment Agreement.

At the time of appointment, each new tenure-track faculty member shall be given by the chair or dean a copy of the first level unit's Criteria for Tenure and/or Promotion. The chair or dean shall discuss the criteria with the faculty member. By the conclusion of the first semester, the first level unit shall assign senior faculty mentor(s) to all new tenure-track faculty members. Mentors should encourage, support, and assist these faculty members and be available for consultation on matters of professional development.

Appointment Term

Appointments as Assistant Professor/Agent can be for an initial term of one to three years. A formal review must occur prior to reappointment. Reappointment may be for one to three years. NOTE that reviews held in the third (and final) year of an appointment will require one year's notice and therefore an extension of their appointment is required. 

Faculty members with a 9-month appointment (22 pay periods) who wish to have their academic salaries paid over a 12-month period (26 pay periods) must complete appropriate documentation.

Non-Renewal

The first year of the initial appointment shall be a probationary year, and the appointment may be terminated at the end of that fiscal year if the appointee is so notified by March 1. In the event that the initial appointment is for two years, the appointment may be terminated if the appointee is so notified by December 15 of the second year. After the second year of the initial appointment, the appointee shall be given one full year's notice if it is the intention of the University not to renew the appointment. If the appointee does not receive timely notification of nonrenewal, the initial appointment shall be extended for one additional year. Note that the formal intermediate review of tenure-track faculty often takes place in the third (and final) year of the initial appointment. Hence, in order to provide the required timely notification, the faculty member should be given a one year terminal appointment.

Termination

For tenure track faculty, a term of service may be terminated by the appointee by resignation, but it is expressly agreed that no resignation shall become effective until the termination of the appointment period in which the resignation is offered except by mutual agreement between the appointee and the President. For tenured and tenure track faculty, the President may terminate the appointment of a tenure-track appointee for moral turpitude, professional or scholarly misconduct, incompetence, or willful neglect of duty, provided that the charges be stated in writing, that the appointee be furnished a copy thereof, and that the appointee be given an opportunity prior to such termination to request a hearing by an impartial hearing officer appointed by the chief executive officer or a faculty board of review as provided for by the relevant institutional policy body. For additional information, see USM Policy II - 1.00 7 & 8. The University may terminate any appointment because of the discontinuance of the department, program, school or unit in which the appointment was made; or because of the lack of appropriations or other funds with which to support the appointment. Such decisions must be made in accordance with standards and procedures set forth in written institutional policies. Appointments shall terminate upon the death of the appointee.