Division of Plant Sciences

Adjunct Faculty Appointment and Expectations

The vision of the Division of Plant Sciences, and of CAFNR, is to provide accessible educational opportunities, to conduct applied and basic research to address the needs of Missourians and society at large, and to deliver research-based information to enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all people. This is accomplished through excellence in teaching, research, extension and outreach by faculty, staff, and adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty are a critical component of many Division activities, especially through research and graduate education in collaboration with Division faculty.

1. Eligibility
   
   An individual seeking an adjunct appointment to the faculty of the Division of Plant Sciences must be engaged in professional activities related to the scientific disciplines represented in the Division. They must have an earned PhD in a related field.



2. Application
   
   An individual meeting the above requirements may petition the regular faculty in the following manner:
1. Indicate an interest in applying for adjunct faculty status by contacting the Division of Plant Sciences Adjunct Faculty Committee at plantsci@missouri.edu or by contacting the Division Director.
2. Submit an application package, consisting of a letter of petition and a detailed CV. The letter of petition shall include a written statement that details why the candidate should be considered for adjunct status and an explanation of how the appointment will benefit the candidate, the Division of Plant Sciences, and the University of Missouri. Current research or extension projects, publications and other indicators of current collaborative activities should be listed along with potential future collaborative research, teaching, or extension relationships with Division faculty. Note: Service on a graduate student advisory committee is not an adequate justification for application to adjunct status. The Graduate School provides a simple mechanism for allowing non-MU faculty to serve on student committees.
3. The Director, in consultation with the Executive Committee and the DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee, will evaluate the qualifications of the candidate and prepare a recommendation to faculty regarding the suitability of the candidate for presentation of a seminar and further consideration for appointment as an adjunct faculty member in the Division. The DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee may request letters of reference, usually three, from people familiar with the candidate’s current or potential involvement with Division programs to assist in developing this recommendation. Following a negative recommendation, a faculty vote (by electronic ballot) will be taken regarding further consideration of the candidate’s application.
4. Following a positive recommendation from Step 3 above, the candidate shall present a seminar to the Division.
5. The application will be discussed at the next faculty meeting and approved or disapproved (by electronic ballot) by the voting faculty. A simple majority of those voting is required for approval.
6. The candidate will be informed of the result of the faculty vote by the Director of the Division of Plant Sciences.
7. If approved by the faculty, the Director will prepare a letter of endorsement and will submit all material to the Dean. The application must be approved by the CAFNR Committee on Awarding Adjunct Professorial Titles, the CAFNR Policy Committee, and the Dean. Upon approval by the Dean, the Director will notify the candidate.

 

3. Responsibilities of Adjunct Faculty
   
   Adjunct appointment to the Faculty is not "honorary" since it entails definite and expected responsibilities which might include research collaboration with Division faculty, advising graduate students in the PIMS graduate program, service on Division committees, and other appropriate activities. The adjunct faculty member must demonstrate a sustained involvement in the activities of the Division by attending and participating in faculty meetings and seminars whenever possible, by committee service, and other Division activities.
   
   Every adjunct faculty member is expected to develop and maintain close working relationships with as many other faculty in the Division as possible, particularly within the area of his/her specialization/expertise. Adjunct faculty are encouraged to participate in teaching courses and seminars, to present guest lectures, and to participate in the training of graduate students, whenever appropriate. When appropriate, adjunct faculty will be strongly encouraged to participate with other Division faculty on research, teaching, or extension projects. Similarly, Division faculty members will be encouraged to develop cooperative activities with adjunct faculty.
   
   Adjunct faculty members may apply for voting privileges on Division matters except for votes on promotion and tenure of Division faculty. They are, however, encouraged to provide input during discussions of such matters.
   
   Appointment as an adjunct faculty member allows application to the Graduate and Doctoral Faculties. If approved, the adjunct faculty member will be strongly encouraged to mentor and/or serve on graduate student advisory committees.
   
   The awarding of an adjunct professorial title does not obligate the Division or the College in any way, such as remuneration, tenure (or credit toward tenure should the adjunct faculty subsequently receive a regular appointment in the University), etc. The adjunct professorial title is an official recognition that the individual is fully qualified to participate in the programs of the unit.
   
   Adjunct status will be discontinued when an individual retires or departs from his/her home institution. A retiring or departing individual may petition for continuation of adjunct status. This petition should indicate the rationale for continuation and list a range of expected activities that support the Division. The petition will be submitted to the DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee, and a recommendation concerning continuation developed for presentation to the voting faculty for approval by electronic ballot. The Division Director will notify the petitioner of the final faculty decision.



4. Evaluation and Renewal
   
   Annual Reporting: Adjunct faculty must submit an annual report of activities in research, graduate education, and other programs involving DPS faculty, staff, and students. Refereed journal articles, collaborative projects, student mentoring, and other indicators of productivity involving Division personnel should be included. The report should be submitted electronically to the Director by March 1st of each year. An updated CV in which relevant MU-related activities are noted is also acceptable to meet the reporting requirement.
   
   Renewal: Adjunct faculty must re-apply for adjunct status at least every five years. For renewal, the adjunct faculty member must submit to the Director a report outlining his/her activities and involvement within the Division during the past five-year period. This information will be evaluated by the DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee and shared with the voting faculty who will then vote on whether or not to approve the renewal petition. The individual will be notified by letter from the Director of the results of his/her renewal application. Adjunct faculty members on the University’s Doctoral faculty may use the same information requested every five years for renewal to the Doctoral faculty, with notation of relevant MU activities, as the necessary material needed for renewal of adjunct status. If available, Annual Reports from the five-year period can be used for renewal consideration.



5. Promotion
   
   Adjunct faculty may apply for promotion to the next higher rank. Very often, an application for promotion is made in conjunction with promotion at the applicant’s home institution. The Division of Plant Sciences will consider the rigorous assessment that took place for promotion at the home institution in the adjunct promotion process. Our expectation is that promotions in the adjunct title that follow promotions at the home institution will not require the same level of information gathering as promotions independent of a home-institution promotion. In this situation, the adjunct faculty member should provide the DPS Promotion and Tenure Committee with copies of application materials from that promotion process. Letters of assessment by internal or external reviewers or decision letters should not be submitted. The Promotion and Tenure Committee will provide a recommendation concerning adjunct title change to DPS faculty for their approval (by electronic ballot). A promotion seminar will not be required.
   
   In situations where an application for promotion is made in the absence of promotion at the home institution, the applicant will submit application materials according to the procedures for promotion as established by the CAFNR guidelines for Promotion and Tenure. Following review of promotion materials, the DPS Promotion and Tenure Committee will provide a recommendation concerning adjunct title change to DPS faculty for their approval (by electronic ballot).



6. Adjunct Faculty Committee:
   
   The Division of Plant Sciences Adjunct Faculty Committee, a standing committee, will be chaired by the DPS Associate Director and will include a membership of six additional faculty members, of any professional track or tenure track rank, nominated by the Director or others and elected by a simple majority of voting faculty. The members of this committee will be elected to three-year terms; two members will be replaced each year. Vacancies on this committee may be filled by appointment of the Director.
   
   The DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee will review all applications for appointment as adjunct faculty in the Division or applications for reappointment. Each candidate’s application and the committee’s recommendation regarding the qualifications of the candidate will be provided to DPS faculty prior to their vote.
   
   The functions of the DPS Adjunct Faculty Committee also include periodic review the Division Adjunct Faculty Policy and formulation of recommendations for revision. A faculty vote will be held to approve or reject changes recommended by the committee.
   
   

Approved by DPS Voting Faculty: June 15, 2012