Affiliate Faculty Policy & Procedures

The Human Context of Science and Technology Program may grant affiliate faculty status to those who have expertise and interest in the Human Context of Science and Technology. This document outlines the mutual responsibilities of the affiliate faculty and the Program. It is designed to provide basic guidelines for the Director of the Program and the individual affiliate faculty.

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Affiliate faculty status is granted only to faculty who are already employed by UMBC.
  2. Minimum requirements for affiliate status are: current full-time faculty status at UMBC: terminal degree in one’s discipline and expertise in science and technology studies scholarship and/or teaching; and a commitment to the Human Context of Science and Technology Program.
  3. The Program Director will recommend to the Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who in turn will make a recommendation to the Provost, the appointment of the affiliate faculty member for a two-year renewable term. The appointment will be at the rank already held by the appointee in the case of faculty members. Where the individual does not already have a professorial rank, the appointment will be at a level commensurate with his or her qualifications, consistent with standards established for regular full-time faculty.
  4. Tenure cannot be earned on an affiliate appointment nor can affiliate faculty members receive any portion of their University salary from the affiliated department or program. Affiliate appointments are renewable.

PROCEDURES

  1. An applicant for affiliate status should submit a vita and a statement of interest to the Director of the Program. The application will be reviewed by the HCST Governing Committee, who will vote on the appropriateness of granting affiliation. (Governing Committee members will recuse themselves from review of their own applications.)
  2. The faculty member will be informed of all responsibilities to and benefits of association with the Program as they relate to research, teaching, and opportunities for intellectual development.
  3. The Director will send a letter recommending appointment to the Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (with a copy to the home department), who in turn will make a recommendation to the Provost. If the appointment is approved, the Provost will send an appointment letter to the affiliate faculty member, with a copy to the Human Context of Science and Technology Director and a copy to the affiliate faculty’s main department.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AFFILIATE FACULTY

There are multiple ways in which affiliate faculty can serve the Human Context of Science and Technology community. Since the term of affiliation is two years, the responsibilities and options outlined below are to be fulfilled during the two-year period. Affiliate faculty will be expected to participate in the following ways:

  1. Teaching or HCST Committees
    Affiliate faculty will normally be expected to teach at least one HCST or elective course and/or to serve on the HCST Governing Committee during a two-year period.
  2. Advising
    Affiliate faculty will be expected to be knowledgeable about and to disseminate information concerning the program and to advise students with respect to course selection within the program.
  3. Participation
    Affiliate faculty will be expected to attend program-sponsored functions if possible.
  4. Vita and Course Syllabi
    Affiliate faculty will be expected to submit a current curriculum vitae to the HCST Program. They will also be expected to submit all HCST course syllabi to the Program office.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF HCST PROGRAM

The Program (Governing Committee and/or Director) will provide the following services for affiliate faculty:

  1. Orientation
    Affiliate faculty will receive orientation concerning the HCST program, individual courses, and governance.
  2. Communication
    Affiliate faculty will be informed of program activities, research opportunities, and meetings of special interest.
  3. Support Services for Teaching Faculty and Committee Work
  4. Records
    1. HCST will keep a current vita file on all affiliate faculty.
    2. HCST will keep accurate records concerning a faculty member’s affiliate status and will inform all affiliates about renewing their status with the Program.