Graduate Faculty Appointments

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to outline the eligibility for the appointment of Graduate Faculty, Associate Graduate Faculty and Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty to a program. This Policy also delineates the privileges and responsibilities associated with the appointment, including appointment review and appeals.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Policy the following definitions apply:

“Academic Appointment” means for the purposes of this Policy and is limited to the following: tenured and tenure‐track faculty; limited term faculty member; teaching faculty; adjunct appointments; sessional instructors; or postdoctoral fellows.

“Associate Graduate Faculty” means an individual with an Academic Appointment at the University who has been appointed to a graduate program with a defined set of privileges.

“Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty” means a retired tenured University faculty member holding the designation of Professor Emeritus/Emerita who has been appointed to a graduate program with a defined set of privileges.

“Faculty Advisor” means a member of the graduate student’s home faculty that provides mentoring and advising to the student in all aspects of their program.

“Graduate Faculty” means a tenured or tenure‐track faculty member at the University who is authorized to participate in a graduate program on a regular and sustained basis.

“Research Supervisor” oversees a graduate student’s research and academic progress towards successful completion of the student’s program.

Scope and authority

This Policy applies to faculty members with a continuing or definite‐term Academic Appointment at the University.

The Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or successor thereof, is the Policy Owner and is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration and interpretation of this Policy.

Policy

The quality of a graduate program and its courses is based partly on the quality of instruction and supervision of graduate students. The University recognizes that the expertise, effectiveness and commitment faculty members with a Graduate Faculty, Associate Graduate Faculty or Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty appointment contribute to the level of excellence in teaching, research, service and opportunities that students receive.

In order to be considered for a graduate faculty appointment, an individual must have an Academic Appointment at the University.

Categories of Graduate Faculty Appointments
There are three categories of graduate faculty appointments.

1. Graduate Faculty
   Graduate Faculty have a research program that includes externally refereed publication and experience that is appropriate for the graduate program.
   Graduate Faculty are authorized to perform a variety of activities, including:
   
   1. Serve as a Research Supervisor or co‐supervisor;
   2. Be the sole supervisor of a PhD thesis student. This is restricted to Graduate Faculty who have advanced experience as appropriate for the graduate program;
   3. Serve as a member of a student's supervisory committee;
   4. Participate on an examining committee;
   5. Teach graduate‐level courses;
   6. Supervise portfolios, projects and/or major papers; and/or
   7. Act as a Faculty Advisor.
2. Associate Graduate Faculty
   Associate Graduate Faculty may have any combination of privileges, and are outlined in their nomination. They may be appointed to:
   
   1. Co‐supervise graduate students;
      Individuals with Associate Graduate teaching and supervision privileges may assist with the direction of a graduate student's research, following approval by the graduate program director. In this case, however, one of the co‐supervisors must be a member of the Graduate Faculty for that graduate program. In no case may Associate Graduate Faculty serve as the sole thesis supervisor of a graduate student.
   2. Serve as a member of a student's supervisory committee;
   3. Participate on an examining committee;
   4. Teach graduate‐level courses; and/or,
   5. Supervise portfolios, projects and/or major papers.
3. Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty
   Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty may have any combination of privileges, and are outlined in their nomination. They may be appointed to:
   
   1. Co‐supervise graduate students;
      Individuals with Emeritus/Emerita Graduate teaching and supervision privileges may assist with the direction of a graduate student's research, following approval by the graduate program director. In this case, however, one of the co-supervisors must be a member of the Graduate Faculty for that graduate program. In no case may Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty serve as the sole thesis supervisor of a graduate student.
   2. Serve as a member of a student's supervisory committee;
   3. Participate on an examining committee;
   4. Teach graduate‐level courses; and/or,
   5. Supervise portfolios, projects and/or major papers.

Nominations

1. All faculty members listed in the new program proposal briefs are automatically considered for a graduate faculty appointment.
2. Faculty members are nominated to a category of graduate faculty appointment by the graduate program director in consultation with the home dean(s) for the program and/or the faculty member's home dean(s) if applicable.
3. The Associate Graduate Faculty and Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty may be appointed for up to three years.

Review and Renewal of Graduate Faculty Appointments

1. Faculties will continually review the standing of all individuals holding a graduate faculty appointment.
2. Appointments are normally effective until the appointment expires or the program is subject to an external appraisal or internal audit. A review may be initiated at various times and in consultation with the graduate program director, home and program dean and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The review may result in:
   1. Renewal of appointment;
   2. Changes to appointment type or privileges;
   3. Restrictions on privileges; or
   4. Removal of the appointment.
3. Renewal
   Associate Graduate Faculty and Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty appointments may be renewable upon expiry.
4. Changes, Restriction or Removal
   Graduate faculty appointments may be changed, restricted or removed based on factors such as:
   1. The graduate faculty member has not demonstrated adequate scholarly contributions within the last three years.
   2. The graduate faculty member has been deemed not to have performed adequately and appropriately in their role.
   3. The graduate faculty member has not taught at the graduate level or served as the primary supervisor over the past three years.
   4. The graduate faculty member has departed from the University.
   5. The graduate faculty member has voluntarily withdrawn.

Appeals

1. Faculty members who are denied a graduate faculty appointment may appeal their case to the Graduate Studies Committee of Academic Council for a final decision.
2. Faculty members whose graduate faculty appointment was changed, restricted or removed may appeal their case to a sub‐committee of the Graduate Studies Committee of Academic Council for a final decision.
3. An appeal may be made solely on the grounds that they were not evaluated fully and/or fairly during the initial assessment or the review of an existing appointment.

Monitoring and review

This Policy will be reviewed as necessary and at least every three years. The Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or successor thereof, is responsible to monitor and review this Policy.

Relevant legislation

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Related policies, procedures & documents

Adjunct Professors Policy

Emeritus/Emerita Professorship Policy

Graduate Academic Calendar