Full-time academic appointments are governed by the policy and procedures related to academic appointment, tenure, permanence and promotion, which are described in McMaster University Revised Policy and Regulations with Respect to Academic Appointment, Tenure and Promotion [2012] (PDF)). However, the Faculty of Health Sciences is different in two important respects:
- Most of the operating funds for the faculty come from sources that are different from those upon which the university depends and, therefore, a significant number of its faculty members are appointed in the special-stream appointment category.
- In many of the appointments, whether for contractually limited periods, tenure-track or special, there is a requirement that clinical work be performed or that major administrative responsibilities in the health care delivery system be discharged. Effective performance of these requirements and responsibilities (refer to: Clinical Activities Portfolio Policy) will be reviewed when such an appointee is being considered for continuing appointment without annual review (CAWAR), tenure and/or promotion. In those appointments where such special conditions apply, they shall be clearly stated in the letter of appointment.
More information on different types of ranks and classes of appointment, as well as the recruitment process, can be found below.
Ranks
For a person initially appointed as a full-time assistant professor, the total duration of their tenure-track, special or teaching track appointment shall not exceed six years from the date of that first appointment.
For a person initially appointed to McMaster University as a full-time associate professor, the total duration of their tenure-track or special appointment shall not normally exceed four years, and in no case shall it exceed six years, from the date of that first appointment. Those appointed in the teaching-track category have six years in which to achieve Permanence.
For a person initially appointed to McMaster University as a full-time professor, the total duration of their tenure-track or special appointment shall not exceed three years from the date of that first appointment. Those appointed in the teaching-track category have six years in which to achieve Permanence.
Classes of Appointment
There are three streams of appointment at McMaster University: tenure-stream (tenure-track and tenured), special-stream (special and continuing CAWAR) and teaching stream (teaching-track and permanent teaching). In addition, there are contractually limited appointments.
Those appointments that imply that at the end of a stated period, the university will confer tenure on the candidate, or extend the period of appointment, or allow the appointment to lapse. A tenure-track appointment shall be made only at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor or professor.
Tenured appointments are those that confer tenure. An appointment to McMaster University that confers tenure from the date of appointment normally may be made only at the rank of professor. However, an outstanding candidate who already holds tenure at another university may be considered for an appointment that confers tenure from the date of appointment at the rank of associate professor.
Special appointments are for persons who receive their salary support from funds other than those allocated by the university. These are similar to the tenure-track appointments except that continuation of the appointment, for the length of the designated period, is contingent upon the member’s receiving continuing salary support from their outside funding agency for that designated period.
Such appointments imply that at the end of a stated period the university will either confer CAWAR on the candidate, extend the period of appointment or allow the appointment to lapse.
A special appointment shall be made only at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor or professor.
Those full-time appointments that are similar to appointments that confer tenure in every respect except that the continuation of the appointment is contingent upon the member’s receiving and continuing to receive salary support from their outside funding agency.
An appointment to McMaster University, which confers continuing appointment without annual review from the date of appointment, normally may only be made at the rank of professor. However, an outstanding candidate who already holds tenure, or the equivalent, at another university may be considered for an appointment that confers continuing appointment without annual review from the date of appointment at the rank of associate professor.
Those made for teaching purposes specifically. Teaching will be the primary expectation of these positions. Teaching–track faculty are expected to keep up-to-date with developments in the discipline in which they teach and are to consult colleagues with relevant specific research expertise. While there will be no requirement to engage in research, those teachers who have an interest are encouraged to enhance their classroom teaching and broaden the scope of their educational activity by engaging in such scholarly activities as curriculum development and evaluation, mentoring and research into the efficacy of different pedagogical approaches, and to share this expertise with their colleagues. These appointments will most likely focus on teaching introductory or other non-specialized courses.
These positions create opportunities for individuals who are prepared to devote themselves primarily to teaching within an academic environment. Such appointments are made in the first instance for a stated period, similar to tenure-track appointments. At the end of that period, the university will grant permanence to the candidate in the teaching-track position, or extend the period of appointment, or allow the appointment to lapse.
These appointments shall be made only to the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.
Those made only for teaching purposes that confer a permanent position. They may be made only at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.
Permanent teaching appointments may be terminated without fault or cause by reason of curricular change or removal of an area or field.
It is not possible to make an appointment to McMaster University that confers a permanent teaching position from the date of initial appointment to the university.
Those made for a contractually limited period which shall carry no implication of renewal or continuation beyond the period and no implication that the appointee will be considered for a tenure-stream, special-stream or teaching-stream appointment.
Appointments can be made at the rank of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor or professor.
A contractually limited appointment shall be made only to:
- Fill a special instructional need, especially when there is no reasonable assurance of a long-term need in the area concerned
- Staff a new course or program for a trial period as determined by the appropriate university body
- Allow for appointments to the rank of lecturer
- Fulfill functions as determined by a research contract or award covering a specific period and for which renewal or continuation is not assured
- Allow for the appointment in the Faculty of Health Sciences of faculty members whose primary responsibilities lie in the areas of clinical service and/or administrative duties in the health care delivery system
- Provide for an appointment at a time when the university’s financial position is so severe and uncertain that the normal commitment to a tenure-track or teaching-track appointment would be imprudent
Other Appointments
It is in the best interest of the university to encourage persons to participate, when appropriate, in the work of more than one department. Extensive participation in the work of two departments should be recognized by a joint appointment. Joint appointments should be reserved for those who participate fully in the undergraduate (or undergraduate and graduate) work of two departments.
For faculty members with joint appointments, it is the responsibility of both departments to make recommendations concerning tenure/CAWAR, permanence and promotion to the appropriate Faculty Tenure and Promotion Committee.
SPS A5-Policy on Joint Appointments and Associate Membership (PDF) can be found on the University Secretariat website.
Faculty members who participate in the work of a second department can receive an associate membership in that department.
Associate memberships are granted by the provost after the approval of the following:
- Chair(s)/vice-dean(s) of both departments/schools
- Dean(s) of the Faculty
- Vice-provost and dean, graduate studies
SPS A5-Policy on Joint Appointments and Associate Membership (PDF) can be found on the University Secretariat website.
Recruitment Process
To ensure the smooth processing of new academic appointments in a timely manner, the following is offered as a guide.
The department requests approval to recruit to a specific position. Once approval is received, an advertisement is written, approved and posted on McMaster’s job board in Mosaic.
Once applications have been received, the department or school begins the selection process. The top candidates for the position are interviewed and the successful candidate receives a preliminary offer.
This is your negotiating tool. The offer will be presented to you by the chair/vice-dean of your academic department/school, often in collaboration with the department manager/administrator, with the approval of the dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences. The offer will include details of your academic appointment in the Faculty of Health Sciences, including: appointment type, start and end dates, rank, salary (including clinical ceiling if applicable) and benefits. A copy of the Mutually Agreed Responsibilities form (R4) will also be attached. The R4 outlines the agreed upon distribution of your time for the academic year and will be reviewed annually by you and your department chair/vice dean.
All preliminary offers are subject to final approval of your academic appointment by the governing bodies of the Faculty and University.
Acceptance of Preliminary Offer
Once you have accepted, signed and returned your preliminary offer, the recruitment process has ended. Your appointment will now be put forward for approval by the governing bodies of the university.
If you wish to start making preparations for your arrival to McMaster, please refer to the current faculty section of our website.
Review the following information if it pertains to your recruitment category:
Your department chair/vice-dean must present a formal recommendation of appointment for approval of the governing bodies before a formal offer may be made by the president of McMaster University. The governing bodies, depending on your appointment type, may include a review of the recommendation by the Faculty Appointments Committee, the Faculty Tenure and Promotion Committee, the Senate Committee on Appointments, Senate and Board of Governors.
The President’s Offer
Only the president of McMaster University may offer you an academic appointment on the recommendation of the governing bodies of the Faculty and university. You must accept the president’s letter by signing and returning a copy of it.
It is important to note that university protocol requires that any activity undertaken by a faculty member that affects your academic appointment (i.e., leave of absence, changes in your Mutually Agreed Responsibilities, resignations, etc.) must be discussed with your department chair/vic-dean, who will inform the relevant Faculty/university bodies.
Health Sciences Human Resources – Your Employment Sign-in
Once you have accepted your academic appointment, as offered by the president of the university, faculty relations will inform human resources. A human resource strategic partner will contact you to set up an employment sign-in interview at your convenience. At this meeting, employee benefits will be explained and enrollment arranged (if applicable).