Adjunct faculty contribute to research and teaching missions of the Medical School while maintaining primary employment outside the Medical School.
According to the Regents’ Bylaws (Sec. 5.22 Adjunct Professorships and Sec. 5.23 Clinical Instructional Staff), adjunct faculty positions:
- Require annual renewal
- Are part-time (less than 50 percent)
- Are used for the Tenure Track, Clinical Track, or Research Track
- May be compensated or uncompensated
Increased collaboration between the University and private industry has resulted in requests for faculty appointments in the Medical School from qualified employees of industrial companies. These appointments should enhance the Medical School’s instructional programs and foster research collaboration with industry. Adjunct appointments are appropriate for individuals with special talents to provide this industrial interface. People whose primary employer is a for-profit organization should be appointed only as adjunct faculty.
In 1990, the Medical School Executive Committee compiled procedures, privileges, and restrictions for adjunct faculty whose primary employment is with private industry. At the time of appointment, there must be full disclosure of all details of employment status so that any potential for conflict of interest can be prospectively addressed. Ownership of intellectual property must be thoroughly addressed and disclosed: the nominating chair should define claims to patent ownership and royalties and should identify eligibility to publish and present findings.
Appointment of adjunct faculty as principal investigators on University extramural grants will not occur under ordinary circumstances. Any University space, for example, must be requested by the department chair of the prospective adjunct faculty and must be used primarily for the academic benefit of the department and the Medical School.
Adjunct faculty are typically not eligible for clinical privileges at UMHS or VAMC. Adjunct faculty may be involved in medical education, graduate medical education, or clinical research in the clinical setting at UMHS. Exceptions may be requested.
Adjunct faculty are not voting members of the Executive Faculty of the Medical School, may not serve on the Executive Committee of the Medical School, are not members of the University Senate, nor participate in the election of representatives to the University Senate Assembly.
Adjunct Tenure Track
Adjunct Tenure (Instructional) Faculty appointments are used to supplement teaching in a specific field; to facilitate in-depth research collaboration that otherwise would not exist with individuals in other units of the School or University, with individuals at other educational or health care institutions, or with scientists employed by industry; or to permit faculty or trainees who are leaving the University to complete ongoing educational or research responsibilities.
Adjunct Research Track
Adjunct Research Faculty appointments are made when an individual’s primary employment responsibilities lie outside the Medical School. This appointment indicates that the individual is working for a limited portion of his/her time (part-time) on a research project housed in the Medical School. This appointment would be used to facilitate collaboration that otherwise would not exist. Adjunct appointments may be made at any research faculty rank, but must be consistent with the individual’s professional qualifications as specified in this document.
Adjunct Clinical Track
Adjunct Clinical Track faculty are usually in the private practice of medicine outside of the Medical School, in other words, the University is not the sole employer. These appointments are at 0% to 49% effort, are for no longer than one year, are renewable, and are without tenure. Ranks in the Adjunct Clinical Track follow the same guidelines mentioned above and must have sufficient involvement in the educational program of the department which is defined as a minimum of 50 hours of direct participation in clinical education per year or an equivalent contribution to the academic mission of the Medical School, as documented by the department chair or unit leader. Even though appointments in this track are not mandated to follow the Affirmative Action procedures of the University, it is the policy of the Medical School to seek as diverse a group of people as possible as teachers and role models for students.
Adjunct Physician Instructor
Adjunct Physician Instructor faculty are physicians who are credentialed at healthcare facilities other than at the University of Michigan and who do not have effort (dry appointment). These faculty provide less than 50 hours of direct participation in clinical and/or didactic education per year within the context of University of Michigan Medical School clerkships, courses, rotations, or electives.
Adjunct Clinical Associate
A non-faculty title given to a health care provider under special circumstances by the Medical School to provide health care in university settings. Adjunct Clinical Associates are usually community physicians.
How To...
All Tracks
For faculty leaving the University who currently have an appointment within the Medical School the following is required:
- Letter from their department chair requesting the Adjunct title with a description of revised role.
- Current CV
Submit to OFA utilizing the Customer Service Portal
- Approval will be granted by the Assistant Dean on the appropriate track.
Upon approval, the department will:
- Process the title change in MPathways through a PAR
- Inform Medical Staff Services of adjunct appointment approval and terminate clinical privileges.
- For faculty on visas, contact Med School Immigration Support and Compliance for additional guidance/steps
Non-Reappointment of Adjunct Faculty
- Notification will be given to faculty by the department.