An Argument in Support of a Tenure-Teaching Track

• In Event: Roundtable: Challenges Facing Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty in a Changing Academic Environment (Part 2): Collegiality, Working with Tenure Track, and Transitioning Between Positions

Abstract

As Provost’s Faculty Associate for Non-Tenure-Track faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology (this includes Research faculty, Clinical faculty, Visiting Assistant Professors, Visiting Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Principal Lecturers, and Adjunct faculty), I find myself in an appropriate position to discuss the successes and challenges of this unique group of faculty in academia. This talk will focus on the argument in favor of a Tenure-Teaching Track system. This system will offer a healthy balance between research and teaching faculty and foster a culture that is committed to see that all ranks of faculty successfully navigate their academic careers. The Tenure-Teaching Track system will also significantly contribute the campus climate of egalitarian relationship between faculty of all ranks and will foster collaborative interdisciplinary projects.

Author

• Elena Rikhimova-Sommers, Rochester Institute of Technology