The position of Lecturer, as defined in the Academic Charter, is a full-time non-tenurable faculty position for which there is no limit on the number of years of service. The Charter also specifies that the only reasons for nonrenewal of appointment are inadequate performance or a demonstrated reduction in demand for the duties normally performed by the appointee. It follows that every appointment as a Lecturer must be viewed by the department, college, and the university as a potential long-term commitment which should be made only after careful consideration and planning.

The duties of a Lecturer lie primarily in the areas of teaching and instruction-related service. The College of Arts and Sciences will appoint a Lecturer only in special circumstances, following the procedures and criteria listed below. Appointment as an Instructor carries no implications for appointment as a Lecturer. Although a Lecturer is not required to engage in research or creative professional activity, departments/schools/programs are encouraged to provide reasonable assistance in this area. Participation in governance and service, as well as other related activities, also not required, is also encouraged. It is expected that few units will have Lecturers, and as stated in the Charter, in no case will the number of lectureships exceed 25% of the number of probationary and tenured faculty in the unit. Indeed, it is expected that units stay well below this 25% ceiling.

The guidelines below are refinements of the policies established in the Charter. The intent here is to assure the appointment of high quality lecturers and to prevent unnecessary and demoralizing problems caused by misunderstandings.

Eligibility Criteria

1.	At lease three years of full-time (or equivalent) teaching experience at BGSU.

2.	Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching at BGSU.

3.	A minimum of a master's degree or equivalent.

	n.b. Persons denied tenure are not eligible for a lectureship.

Appointment Process

1.	Before beginning the formal recommendation process, the chair or director should discuss the plan with the dean to assure that a lectureship line is appropriate for the unit.

2.	Lecturer appointments are "by invitation."

3.	The decision to recommend a candidate for a lectureship should be made by the process in the unit typically used for hiring decisions for permanent and continuing personnel.

4.	The candidate must be informed in writing by the chair/director:

a. that the Lecturer is not eligible for promotion or tenure;

b. of the standards and procedures to be used in evaluations and decisions involving merit pay and renewal (see below); and

c. of any special criteria for merit evaluation as developed by the appointee's unit or college (as defined in B-I.D.1.b of the Charter).

5.	The recommendation to the dean must include the following:

a. documentation of need for the lectureship (e.g., enrollment data) and the courses to be taught;

b. statement from chair/director that approval of the appointment will keep the unit within the 25% limit;

c. evidence of faculty support for both the conversion of the line and for the individual to be appointed;

d. the candidate's curriculum vitae;

e. documentation of the candidate's excellence in teaching;

f. a waiver signed by the candidate indicating that he/she is aware that the position does not lead to either tenure or promotion;

g. a written recommendation from the chair/director; and

h. the criteria to be used in evaluating the Lecturer for merit.

6.	The final decision on the appointment is made by the dean.

Lecturer Duties

1.	Lecturer appointments are intended for classroom teaching. Any other assignment (e.g., lab supervision) must have a primarily instructional character to qualify as part of the Lecturer's load.

2.	A Lecturer's load is 12 credit hours per semester of instruction that may include equivalent instruction-related activities.

3.	A Lecturer will normally be assigned to teach basic skills courses.

Evaluation Process and Renewal

1.	A Lecturer is to be evaluated annually. The criteria by which the Lecturer is evaluated must be delineated at the time of the original appointment.

2.	Any evaluation will be made through the unit's usual evaluation process. The timetables to be used will be the same as those for probationary faculty.

Nonrenewal or Resignation of a Lecturer

1.	Appointment as a Lecturer is subject to nonrenewal only for the following causes:

a. inadequate performance as determined in the evaluation process outlined above; or

b. a documented reduction in demand for the duties normally performed by the appointee.

2.	Terminating a lectureship position when the incumbent is performing satisfactorily requires the review and recommendation of the unit and the dean, as well as the appropriate university councils.

3.	Notice of nonrenewal will be provided in accordance with the schedule for probationary faculty as stipulated in the Charter.

4.	A Lecturer has access to all applicable provisions of the grievance arbitration process as described in the Charter.

5.	Should a lecturer be appointed to a tenure-track position, prior service may be credited toward the probationary period or waived on the same basis as service at another institution may be credited or waived.

Approved by A & S Council on October 9, 1991

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