Unclassified Academic Staff

Ariel shot of flags over Fraser hall on Lawrence campus

With applied expertise in their discipline, academic staff contribute to the mission of the university in a specialized focus area, which may include research, clinical instruction, or professional performance, and have limited or no responsibilities in other areas, including service. They are not eligible for tenure, but they may be eligible for sabbatical. 

Appointment as an unclassified academic staff member, including rank at the time of appointment, is made by the Provost based on the recommendation of the academic or administrative unit(s) (and any intermediate unit(s)).  

The Unclassified Academic Staff classification includes the following:  

  • Scientist Series 
  • Curator Series
  • Specialist Series
  • Research Professor Series
  • Clinical Professor Series
  • Clinical Instructor 

Evaluation Resources

Promotion Information for Academic Staff

The probationary period for unclassified academic staff at the assistant level is six years, with the expectation for a promotion review through the UCPT Process at the end of the probationary period.  

Candidates who apply for promotion prior to the end of the probationary period are held to the same standards of achievement as those who have completed the full probationary period.

Unclassified academic staff shall not attain promotion without successfully completing the UCPT process.

An unsuccessful promotion review at the end of the probationary period will result in maintaining their current rank with annual academic or fiscal year appointments. 

Though the promotion review is not mandatory at the end of the probationary period, an unclassified academic staff member who chooses not to be evaluated for promotion at the end of their probationary period will continue with annual academic or fiscal year appointments until they are reviewed for promotion.

Continuing productivity is expected to prepare the candidate for promotion to the rank of full within six years of their promotion to associate. An unsuccessful review for promotion to the rank of full will not impact the candidate’s continued employment, and they may choose to reapply for promotion at a later date. There is no time limit on the promotion from associate to full rank for unclassified academic staff. Unclassified academic staff are not required to request promotion from associate to full on a specific timeline, and they may forgo promotion from associate to full altogether. 

A tenure-track faculty member or academic staff who believes that evaluation of their record has been compromised by a procedural violation, a violation of their academic freedom, or the application of improper standards or criteria may appeal the negative recommendation of UCPT or the Provost to the Faculty Rights Board as outlined in FSRR Article VI, with the addition of notification to the appropriate UAKU representative simultaneously with candidate notification.  Grievances alleging that the procedures governing promotion and tenure decisions outlined in documents at any level of review, including processes described in FSRR VI, were violated shall begin at Step Three of the Grievance and Arbitration process outlined in Article 22 (Grievance and Arbitration) of the collective bargaining agreement.