Appendix E - Academic Rank Policy

Section 1

1. The purpose of a system of academic rank at the College is to give recognition to bargaining unit members for excellence in performing their respective duties consistent with the aims and philosophy of the College as a teaching-learning institution. The policy requires academic preparation, professional accomplishment and meaningful service to students, peers, the College and the community at large. It is believed that these combined attributes characterize the model faculty member.
   
   
   1. The system of professional rank established at the College consists of four (4) classifications as represented by the titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor and instructor.
   2. Professional rank shall have no relationship to the "Faculty Salary Schedule" nor will professional rank be a factor in the determination of full-time professional salary or compensation.
      
      
2. A bargaining unit member is considered for initial rank placement under the policy which is in effect at the time of initial appointment. A bargaining unit member may be considered for promotion in rank under the policy in effect at the time he becomes eligible for promotional consideration.
   
   
   1. Initial rank appointment under this policy is voluntary. At initial appointment into the bargaining unit, the individual has the option of appointment to rank under the terms of this policy or the option of appointment without promotional consideration and with the title of instructor.
   2. Application for consideration for promotion in rank under this policy is voluntary.
   3. Under circumstances deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees, any of the provisions or restrictions of this policy may be waived in a specific instance in the best interest of the College.
      
      
3. All bargaining unit members employed on the "Faculty Salary Schedule" are entitled to the rank of "instructor" upon entry to full-time service at the College if they hold a bachelor?s degree or evidence equivalent recognition by means of a legal or professional license, specialized work experience directly related to the instructional or other professional assignment, or relevant professional credentials in their occupational/technical field. This equivalent recognition requires formal action by the College.
   
   
4. The rank of "assistant professor" may be granted to bargaining unit members who meet the following criteria and are recommended for such rank according to specified procedure:
   
   
   1. If the candidate holds an earned doctorate in a field directly related to the professional assignment and which has been formally recognized by the Board of Trustees; or
   2. If the candidate holds a master's degree, of which at least fifteen (15) semester credits of graduate preparation shall be in the subject area of, or shall be directly related to, the major instructional or professional work assignment; or
   3. If the candidate holds a bachelor's degree and holds a valid legal or professional license, specialized work experience directly related to the major instructional or professional work assignment, or relevant professional credentials in their occupational/technical field; and where the Master?s Degree is not normally offered; and
   4. If the candidate has completed two (2) years of:
      
      
      1. Teaching experience, at least one (1) year of which has been on the college level; or
      2. Other related work experience for non-teaching personnel, at least one (1) year of which has been on or equivalent to college level experience.
         
         
5. The rank of "associate professor" may be granted to bargaining unit members who meet the following criteria and are recommended for such rank according to specified procedure:
   
   
   1. If the candidate holds an earned doctorate in a field directly related to the professional assignment and which has been formally recognized by the Board of Trustees; or
   2. If the candidate holds a master's degree plus thirty additional semester credits of graduate work. Of these graduate credits, at least twenty (20) shall be in the subject area of, or shall be directly related to the major instructional or professional work assignment in the area in which the rank is to be granted; or
   3. If the candidate holds a bachelor's degree and holds a valid legal or professional license in fields where the master's degree is normally not offered and which is formally accepted by the College as equivalent to a master's degree, plus thirty semester credits in the subject area or directly related subject area relevant to the major instructional or professional work assignment in the area in which the rank is to be granted; and
   4. If the candidate has completed four (4) years of teaching experience in the area in which the rank is to be granted, at least three (3) years of which have been on the college level, of four (4) years of work-related experience in the area in which the rank is to be Granted, at least three (3) years of which have been on or equivalent to college level experience; and
   5. If the candidate has held the rank of assistant professor for at least two (2) years; and
   6. If in addition to those qualifications listed above, the candidate shall have evidenced teaching excellence, or excellence in the professional and assignment in which the rank is to be granted as judged by faculty, students and administration.
      
      
6. The rank of "professor" may be granted to all bargaining unit members who meet the following criteria and are recommended for such rank according to specified procedure:
   
   
   1. If the candidate holds an earned doctorate in a field directly related to the professional assignment and which has been formally recognized by the Board of Trustees; or
   2. If the candidate holds a master's degree and at least forty-five (45) additional graduate semester credits. Of the total graduate credits, at least fifty shall be in the subject area or shall be directly related to the major instructional or professional work assignment in the area in which the rank is to be granted; and
   3. If the candidate has completed seven (7) years of experience in the area in which the rank is to be granted, at least four (4) years of which have been on the college level, or work-related experience at the college level at least two (2) years of which must have been served as an associate professor at the College; and
   4. If the candidate to be awarded the status of professor shall have evidenced teaching excellence, or excellence in the area in which the rank is to be granted, as judged by faculty, students and administration;
   5. If in addition to those qualifications listed above, the candidate to be awarded the status of professor shall have evidenced outstanding achievement in at least three (3) of the following categories:
      
      
      1. Service to the College through assistance to students outside the classroom, such as advising student groups;
      2. Service to the College through published scholarly materials or unpublished materials for district-wide educational use;
      3. Service to the College through significant participation in professional and educational organizations through active membership and/or service as an officer or leader in conferences, workshops and conventions;
      4. Service to the College through significant participation on campus-wide or College-wide committees;
      5. Service which reflects favorably upon the College through participation in the Greater Cleveland area as a speaker, advisor or as an active member in community groups.
         
         
7. Instructional personnel who elect to participate in the rank system shall be designated according to rank and discipline: e.g., assistant professor of mathematics; non-instructional personnel such as counselors and librarians shall be designated according to the position description and rank: e.g., counselor, rank of assistant professor. Instructional personnel who elect appointment without promotional consideration shall be designated as instructor.
   
   
   1. This policy applies to all bargaining unit personnel;
   2. Bargaining unit members who revert to part-time teaching or retire will retain their highest rank.
   3. Course work taken after initial appointment shall be part of a planned program of continuous professional growth in relation to the individual's primary assignment. This plan is to be approved by the administrator of the appropriate area and on file in the individual's personnel folder; and
   4. All degrees and course work submitted shall have been earned from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or a recognized and certified occupational/technical training institution. Appropriate procedures will be used to certify work taken at institutions of higher learning outside the United States of America.
8. The President of the College is hereby authorized and directed to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the board policy as set forth herein to the extent that the same shall be consistent with this policy.

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