The procedure set forth Appendix 5, "Instructions to Review and Appraisal Committees" for professorial faculty members should govern the committee in the confidential conduct of its review and in the preparation of its report. In appraising the candidate’s qualifications for the proposed duties, the committee should also be guided by the criteria in the "instructions" to the extent they are applicable, but primarily in the area of teaching.

I. Policy

It is the policy of the University that primary responsibility for teaching should rest upon faculty members of professorial rank who have demonstrated their ability not only as teachers but as scholars or as creative artists. Thus appointment in the Professor of Teaching series, which involves allocation of a permanent FTE to the position, will not be made for a position with functions which can be filled by an appointee in the Regular Professor Series or by a temporary appointee. A programmatic need for allocation of an FTE for the appointment in the Professor of Teaching series, must be demonstrated by the department in the dossier pertaining to the proposed personnel action. Such an allocation of the FTE must be approved by the Chancellor, after recommendation by the Dean and review of the proposed allocation by the ad hoc review committee, if appropriate, and the Council on Academic Personnel as part of the review of the proposed personnel action. In reviewing a departmental recommendation for an appointment of an individual to the Professor of Teaching series, the review committee should explicitly consider the propriety of the proposed allocation of the FTE under the criteria set forth above, and give primary attention to the nature of the departmental need for the services of a lecturer in a permanent position.

II. Criteria for Appointment, Promotion and Appraisal

In order to be appointed to the Professor of Teaching series, assuming appropriate allocation of the FTE for the position, an individual must have demonstrated evidence of excellent teaching, sustained professional and/or scholarly achievement and activity, and evidence of University and public service. To be initially appointed as Assistant Professor of Teaching, an individual must have clear evidence of the potential for teaching excellence; evidence or promise of productive and creative contributions to professional and/or scholarly activity that would support excellent teaching; and evidence of the likelihood of participation in department activities and the potential for service to the campus.

Superior intellectual attainment, as evidenced particularly in excellent teaching and secondarily in professional and/or scholarly achievement and activity, is an indispensable qualification for appointment or promotion to Associate or Full Professor of Teaching. This standard for appointees in the Professor of Teaching series is necessary for maintaining the quality of the University as an institution dedicated to education. The review committee must further evaluate whether the candidate has a record of excellence in teaching while engaging in a program of professional and/or scholarly or creative activity that is appropriate for this series.

Contributions in all areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity should be given due recognition, and they should be evaluated and credited in the same way as other faculty achievements. For faculty in this title series, these contributions are most likely to be focused on teaching and learning and can take a variety of forms.

Appointment as a Professor of Teaching, with a salary rate at the level of Professor, Step 1, or above, should depend upon earned distinction in the field comparable to that attained by leading members of the professorial faculty in similar fields. It should thus be based entirely upon present teaching ability and upon professional attainment to date, rather than also upon the future responsibility for conduct and direction of research that is incumbent upon the professor. The outstanding teaching record which would qualify an individual for appointment at the rank of Professor of Teaching can be evidenced by such attainments as novel and demonstrably effective teaching methods, the publication of high-quality textual materials, or the collection and utilization of slides, films or other material for enriching the curriculum and enhancing the education of students.

A candidate for appointment, reappointment, merit increase, or promotion in this series shall be evaluated by the following three criteria with teaching excellence being more highly weighted than the other two:

1. Teaching excellence: The demonstration and maintenance of teaching excellence is the primary criterion for the series.

2. Professional and/or scholarly achievement and activity, including creative activity.

3. University and public service.

These criteria are further explained in APM-210-3, Instructions to Review Committees That Advise on Actions Concerning the Professor of Teaching Series.

Revised 5/1/2024

Web page updated 11/14/2025