Institutional Guidelines for Full-time Limited Term Faculty Appointments

NOTE: The terminology of "Temporary" has been removed and updated with "Limited Term."   The Limited Term positions are created or budgeted for some defined period that is expected to be at least 6 months, but that is not expected to continue indefinitely.  This is In keeping with the Board of Regents implementation of  the Job Categories (BCATs) that were designed to meet IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Survey) requirements and to ensure  consistent and accurate reporting across the University System of GA.

Approval of the Provost is required prior to making a commitment to fill a vacant position as a Limited Term appointment.  An individual may be appointed as full-time Limited Term faculty (a maximum of 2 terms - six-month increments) when:

  • The department has searched to find a qualified, regular full-time candidate but is unsuccessful;

  • the individual cannot commit to a long-term appointment; or

  • a vacancy creates an urgent need to fill a position in order for the services and programs of the Department to continue.

Limited Term faculty appointments must go through the faculty action process and due to the full-time appointment type, requires approval by the Board of Regents.

Limited Term faculty will not be eligible to accrue time in rank for promotion or tenure.

Limited Term faculty are benefits eligible and are appointed for an initial six-month period with the understanding that the Faculty Recruitment Process will be initiated during the initial period to fill the position on a permanent basis.

Limited Term faculty that are not recommended for an extension, should be advised that completion of their initial six-month  term of appointment constitutes the termination of the Limited Term appointment.

Limited Term faculty may be recommended for a second six-month period provided that the search has been initiated.  If the search has not been established, this will delay the extension or possible terminate the Limited Term appointment

Limited Term faculty that are recommended for a second term of appointment must go through the faculty action process and will require approval of the Board of Regents.  The completion of the second term of appointment terminates the Limited Term appointment.

Limited Term faculty may apply for regular, full-time positions in accordance with the Institutional Faculty Recruitment Process.  If selected as the successful candidate for a regular full-time position, a recommendation through the faculty action process will be required and is subject to approval of the Board of Regents.  If the position is Non Tenure On Track, the time served as Limited Term will not be counted as probationary credit toward tenure.

Office of Faculty Affairs
Revised - 08/16/01
Faculty Affairs - Human Resources
Revised - 09/07/2005
Revised - 03/16/2007