157.9 Recruitment of New Faculty

157.9 Recruitment of New Faculty

A. Background

Furman University believes that the faculty should be comprised of the best available talent with the desired qualifications.

B. Policy

The recruitment of qualified faculty members is the joint responsibility of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and the department in which the appointment is to be made. The search for and hiring of new faculty, including advertising, will conform to the University's affirmative action guidelines (See File 832.1).

C. Guidelines

1. Vacancies for full-time faculty will be placed in the discipline's own nationally circulated publication or the Chronicle of Higher Education with a closing date of no less than 30 days from the day of publication, unless the Affirmative Action Officer approves otherwise. Copies of such advertisements must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and the Affirmative Action Officer, and filed in the Personnel Office. The department chair also must provide affirmative action information to the Personnel Office for each applicant who is considered a finalist for the position.

2. The department chair should maintain a file on prospective faculty to use as vacancies occur and confer continually with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean regarding the adequacy of department personnel.

3. When it is agreed that a new or replacement faculty member is needed, the department chair is responsible for locating qualified candidates of proven character and academic competence, and whose philosophy of education is compatible with that of the University. The department chair is responsible for ensuring that the interview process supports this goal and is reasonably consistent for each candidate for a given position. Continual consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and members of the department is imperative in the entire process.

4. A candidate who is seriously considered will be invited to visit the campus for orientation concerning the nature and purpose of the institution and evaluation by prospective colleagues.

5. A recommendation for appointment should be made by the chair of the department only after appropriate consideration by the members of the department and after appropriate supporting references and papers concerning the candidate's training, experience, and other qualifications (including transcripts of all college and graduate work) have been secured.

6. All understandings, limitations, and promises pertaining to proposed appointment are recorded in writing and become a part of the contract. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean is responsible for final negotiations, the final terms of the contract, and securing approval of the faculty appointment by the President and the Board of Trustees.

7. When Furman invites a candidate to visit the campus, unless otherwise stipulated, all legitimate expenses for the trip will be paid for by the University. Only in unusual circumstances will the expenses of other members of the family be paid.

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