Policies and procedures
DATE OF APPROVAL: Vice Chancellor - 23 September 1998
AMENDMENTS: February 2004 AB Resolution 2004/1/45
February 2006 Senior Management Group
CROSS-REFERENCES: C-16 - 2 Honorary Academic Titles Policy
RES 8.1 Register of Research Degree Supervisors
The Honorary Academic Titles policy (Number C - 16) describes the policy and procedures of the University associated with honorary titles.
Any person who is not a member of the University staff but who makes regular and significant contributions to the teaching, research or scholarship of the University is eligible for an honorary academic title.
Titles that are available are: Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Research Professor, Research Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Research Fellow and Associate. The level of academic title is dependent on the nature of the contribution to the University and on the criteria applicable to the level of appointment of academic staff by the University.
There are two designations for these titles:
1. Visiting - this designation denotes an academic from another institution who is working in the University;
2. Adjunct - this designation denotes a person who is not a member of the University staff but who makes regular and significant contributions to the teaching, research or scholarship of the University. This includes Clinical Adjuncts who contribute to the teaching of the University through the supervision of placements or teaching in clinical work. This subset of Adjuncts will have the title prefix 'Adjunct Clinical'.
These guidelines deal with adjunct provisions.
Adjuncts may be:
Adjuncts are expected to contribute to the activities of the University in areas that include:
The University will provide support which may include:
At the appointment of an adjunct, the Head of School or Director Research Institute will negotiate and sign a standard University Adjunct Relationship Deed with that person. This deed will specify:
Copies of Adjunct Relationship Deeds are retained in the Division/Institute. The HR Unit records Adjunct details on the HR system.
A nomination for the award of an adjunct position at Associate Professor level or above may be initiated by a member of the Senior Management Group or Director Research Institute and is submitted to the Vice Chancellor for consideration. The nomination shall be in writing accompanied by information in support of the nomination, including a copy of the Adjunct Relationship Deed described above. The nomination will be considered by a Senior Honorary Titles Committee comprising:
Vice Chancellor or nominee (Chair)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Chair: Academic Board
which, if the proposal is supported, will approve the title and report to Council.
A nomination for the award of any other level of adjunct title may be initiated by a Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor, Director Research Institute, or a Head of School. The nomination shall be in writing accompanied by information in support of the nomination, including a copy of the Adjunct Relationship Deed. The proposal may then be approved by the Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor Portfolio Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor. The Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor or Research Institute Director or nominee will notify the recipient of the title in writing.
An annual review of all adjunct positions is mandatory to ensure that the specific contribution to the University is being received, and that the support provided is still appropriate. The review will be conducted by the relevant Head of School / Director Research Institute at the time stipulated within the standard University Adjunct Relationship Deed.
Honorary Academic Titles are awarded for a specified period of time (up to three years). In instances where it is foreseen that the regular and significant contributions made by an adjunct will continue beyond this term, the adjunct appointment will be reviewed and renewed according to the following process.
1. For renewal of Professor and Associate Professor titles, a recommendation is made to the Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor, Director Research Institute or the Head of School, citing the specific nature of the continuing benefits to the University and outlining the outcomes from the previous deed. Resubmission of a curriculum vitae is not necessary. The Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor, Director Research Institute forwards a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor. (The Senior Honorary Academic Titles Committee will consider the recommendation and if approved, report to Council and advise the Division or Research Institute accordingly.)
2. For renewal of all other titles, a recommendation is forwarded to the Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor by the Head of School or by the Director of Research Institute, citing the specific nature of the continuing benefit to the Division or Research Institute in terms of the previous deed, and specifying the recommended period of renewal. The proposal may then be approved by the Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor or Portfolio Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor. The Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor or Research Institute Director or nominee will notify the recipient of the title in writing.
3. Local HR staff will monitor adjunct term end dates and advise heads of School or Directors of Research Institutes of expiring terms in advance. This will assist in timely instigation of renewal of adjunct appointments where required.
An honorary academic title may be rescinded if, in exceptional circumstances, an annual review process reveals that the anticipated contributions to the University by the adjunct, and the expected outcomes of the appointment, have not been met. Rescinding of an adjunct appointment can occur only after the annual review of the appointment and the agreement on which it is based. The rescission of an appointment will be according to the following process.
1. For rescission of Professor and Associate Professor titles, a recommendation is made to the Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor or Portfolio Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor, by the Head of School or Director Research Institute, citing the specific nature of the concerns with the appointment to the Division or Director Research Institute and outlining the outcomes from the deed. The Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor or Portfolio Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor forwards a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor. (The Senior Honorary Academic Titles Committee will consider the recommendation and if approved, report to Council and advise the Division or Research Institute accordingly.)
2. For rescission of all other titles, a recommendation is forwarded by the Head of School or by the Director of Research Institute, to the Deputy/Pro Vice Chancellor for approval, citing the specific nature of the concerns with the appointment to the Division or a Research Institute in terms of the deed.
The University faces a risk of attracting vicarious liability from statements, actions, or advice issued by an adjunct appointee who might reasonably be perceived by the public to be acting as an agent of the University.
However, while the liability exists, the University has insurance covering adjuncts for,
Staff who are not employees of the University are not covered for personal accident through WorkCover arrangements while working for the University.
Again, while the liability exists, the University has appropriate coverage in its policy for,
It is important that relevant Units (ISTS, Library, Flexible Learning Centre, Research Services, Graduate Studies Office, Student and Academic Services, Human Resources,) be advised of the start and finish of an adjunct's time associated with the University. For example, if the adjunct has access to computer hardware or software, and ITS Unit is not formally notified of the cessation of their appointment (first term or renewed), the University could be in breach of the Telecommunications Act, AARNET/AVCC Agreements and software licensing agreements, some of which have very severe penalties.
Adjuncts are the responsibility of the Division, Research Institute or School to which they are attached. All direct costs necessary (administrative support, workshop/laboratory use, stationery, etc.) for the effective involvement of adjuncts in Division, Research Institute or School activities must be borne by the Division, Research Institute or School, budgeted for and managed appropriately. Space to accommodate adjunct (if accommodation/furniture are being provided) must come from within existing Division or Research Institute space allocations.
There are also indirect costs (ISTS, Library, parking, supervisory development and vehicle use) that can be significant, depending on the amount of access. For example, if phone, fax, computing, email, Internet and other information technology services are provided, the relevant cost centre must be prepared to meet all capital and recurrent costs associated with the appointment. Divisions and Research Institutes should consider the impact of appointing adjuncts on central units prior to deciding on an appointment and the conditions attached to that appointment.
