For All Faculty

Faculty Contracts

All faculty members are under contract with the College. Contracts are renewed each year. All appointments to the faculty of the College are made by the President, or the appropriate Cabinet member authorized by the President to issue such contracts, and such appointments shall clearly specify the general conditions attached to the appointment, including the appointee's status regarding tenure. No contract is valid or binding on the College unless in writing and signed by the President (or an authorized designee).

All contracts may be terminated by mutual agreement at any time. Other than for adequate cause as described in the Serious Discipline/Termination section, they may not be terminated by either party alone except at the end of the regular contract year, unless a particular contract clearly specifies an exception to this principle.

Faculty contracts for the following academic year are issued on or before April 1. The faculty will be informed of the overall salary adjustment pool and the anticipated across-the-board salary adjustment percentage by April 1. A faculty member must sign and return the contract offer within the date specified in the contract offer, which will normally be fifteen days after the contract date. Any faculty member who desires to continue with the College and contends that the contract offer represents an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory reduction from his or her prior year’s salary or reduction in rank, may file a grievance in accordance with the Faculty Grievance Policy. In instances where a faculty member does not file a timely grievance or accept the contract offer by the date specified in the proposed contract without the prior agreement by the Provost or Dean of the School of Medicine (as appropriate), the faculty member will be deemed to have resigned from the College effective at the end of their current contract.

For Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty

Reappointment of Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty

Faculty members are reappointed when, in the judgment of the President after consultation with the Provost,  , and the Department Chair, they are adequately performing their duties. Annual reappointment occurs by issuing the faculty their contracts.

Non-Reappointment of Probationary Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty

The College may terminate the contracts of probationary faculty members during the term of the contract only for adequate cause and according to the procedures set forth herein for termination of appointment. The College may decline to renew the contract of such a faculty member without cause so long as adequate notice of non-renewal has been provided. Official notice of non-renewal must be given in writing by the Provost or President, no later than:

•  March 1 of the first academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or, if a one-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least three months in advance of its termination.
•  December 15 of the second academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or, if an initial two-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least six months in advance of its termination.
• At least twelve months before the expiration of an appointment after two or more years in the institution.

Salary Increments for Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty

Increments in salary for faculty members are determined annually. Ultimately, salary increases necessitate available funds in the annual budget as prescribed by the Board of Directors and are not guaranteed.

Recommendations for salary increases are made by the Provost (for undergraduate faculty, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty) and are reviewed by the President. The President approves or disapproves recommended salary increases, and the President’s decision is final. Efforts are made by the administration to see that salary levels are competitive in relation to faculty salaries at comparable institutions. Other factors that are considered include, but are not limited to, Benedictine College’s size, its geography, equity within academic ranks, and recognition of years of service. Faculty members who are members of religious communities are paid salaries on the same basis as are other faculty.

Termination of Appointment by Undergraduate or Graduate Faculty Members     

Faculty members may terminate their appointments effective at the end of an academic year, provided that they give notice in writing at the earliest possible opportunity, but not later than May 15, or thirty (30) days after receiving notification of the terms of appointment for the coming year, whichever date occurs later. Faculty members may properly request a waiver of this requirement of notice in case of hardship or in a situation where they would otherwise be denied substantial professional advancement or other opportunity.

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