UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Guidelines on Vacant Faculty Positions, Lapse Salary, & Return of Faculty Positions to Colleges (Fiscal Year 2024)

I. Executive Summary

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II. Policy Statement

To provide more predictability in resource availability and to ensure that there is a prudent reserve for addressing these needs, the following guidelines have been established to simplify the process associated with vacant faculty positions, use of lapse salary, and returning faculty positions to colleges:

1) For a faculty vacancy that occurs at any point during the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), the college will retain 50% of the lapse salary for that fiscal year.

2) Colleges may submit requests for new faculty positions and the return of vacant faculty positions beginning March 1 (Faculty positions vacated as a result of denial of tenure are automatically returned).

Requests for the return of existing lines must include the following information:

  • Position title and rank
  • A detailed description of the normative teaching responsibilities (include course names and typical enrollments over the last three academic years).
  • A description (if appropriate) of non-teaching duties associated with the position.
  • A rationale explaining why the position is critical to the program, unit, and student success.

Requests for new lines must include the following information:

  • Position title and rank
  • A detailed description of the normative teaching responsibilities (include course names and anticipated enrollments: if existing courses will be covered, please provide data for the last three academic years).
  • A description (if appropriate) of non-teaching duties associated with the position.
  • A rationale explaining why the position is critical to the program, unit, and student success.

3) The Office of Academic Affairs will evaluate all faculty position return requests and respond by August 1 by either: a) returning the faculty position to its originating unit (college, department, or school) for recruitment; b) reassigning the faculty position; or c) holding the faculty position in Academic Affairs.

4) Academic Affairs will retain a minimum of 50% of the lapse salary of all returned faculty positions until filled. This percentage may increase, depending on budgetary needs.

5) Colleges may submit requests for exceptions to these guidelines to the Senior Associate Provost.

NOTE: This policy applies to FY24 and will be evaluated and updated (as needed) each fiscal year after budget allocation.

III. Definitions

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IV. Policy and Procedure Contact(s)

V. History

  • Established: January 17, 2023

VII. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

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VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

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