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[Susan]

Can anyone define what job postings mean by a "faculty contract position"?

I am considering applying for the job.  I assume this means not tenure track, but can I expect benefits and what salary range should I expect compared to an asst. prof. TT at the same institution?

Thanks in advance.

[%sig%]

[Blackstone]

Not all schools have the tenure system, for one reason or another.  Such schools typically offer a one year contract, which increases to a multiyear contract after X numbers of years.  (That is, the multiyear contract is a sort of substitute for tenure.)

[anon]

On the other hand, at one school at which I was an adjunct, the TT faculty were referred to as "contract faculty." You may have to look deeper.

good luck

[Gary Hiel]

Hi Susan:

In the broadest sense faculty contract positions are non-tenure track fulltime slots which are offered for 1-3 years.

"Visiting Professorships" typically fall into this category, although "contract position" is somewhat of a catchall term. [This does not include the prestigious"Big-Name" Visiting Professorships].

You should be able to ask for at least the floor going rate for whatever rank the position is pegged at, plus an increment if you are more experienced. Most are at the Assistant level.

Expect duties and benefits to be quite similar to that of a fulltimer, although attitudes on research and internal service will vary.

The definition is not limited to the above, though. To complicate matters further, a few schools have replaced the tenure track with "continuing renewable contract" positions that start with shorter terms and increase to 5 years or so. The tenure track itself may involve several terms of so-called "contract" terms.

Most advertised non-tenure track jobs are contract or "term" positions.

Not a perfect definition, but hope it helps.

[%sig%]

[Susan]

Gary and others.

Thanks for the help.  I do know that the school in question has a tenure system.  So, you think I can expect to make close to what a starting TT asst. prof in the same department would make?

[rattus domesticus]

I'm not sure if this helps, but three of my newly hired colleagues and myself are contract and we all make about $4k less per year than those starting as t/t. Also, you'll find an obvious split between yourself and the t/t folks... it's somewhat of a class system. For example, contract people at this Midwestern U. are NOT allowed to vote on certain issues that the adm. deems as a conflict in the department. Although we get the same benefits, we often feel "less than" t/t folks. Others can give you more information on this...

[Susan]

Thanks house rat!  As long as there are benefits I am willing to play the class system game.  Are you and your colleagues on a one year contract?