Status-Only, Adjunct, and Visiting Professors

Updated: December 14, 2023

Introduction

Status-Only or Adjunct appointments are held by individuals who are employed outside of the University of Toronto. These are non-salaried and non-continuing academic appointments which may be given to individuals whose skills and expertise can advance the academic mission of the University. However, it is essential to ensure that such appointments are made in a manner that is consistent with the mission of the University, preserves the integrity of our standards, and provides appropriate protection for the individual and the University.

Appointed faculty and librarians (i.e., those appointed under the Policy and Procedures on Academic Appointments, the Policy and Procedures on Employment Conditions of Part-Time Academic Staff, the Policies for Librarians, and the Policy on Part-Time Librarians) as well as clinical faculty (i.e., those appointed under the Policy for Clinical Faculty) and University of Toronto staff members are not eligible to hold Status-Only or Adjunct appointments at the University of Toronto as defined by these guidelines. Librarians or staff members (including Research Associates) involved in graduate teaching or supervision can hold membership in the School of Graduate Studies to enable this to occur but must not be given a Status-Only or Adjunct appointment.

Clinical Faculty are licensed physicians who hold joint appointments between a clinical entity (fully affiliated hospital, or partially affiliated hospital, or an affiliated community practice or other entity with a relationship to the University of Toronto) and a clinical department in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Note: the Temerty Faculty of Medicine maintains its own distinct category of Clinical Adjunct Faculty.

Status-Only, Adjunct, and Visiting Professor appointments may only be held in academic units with full faculty appointment rights. Processes must be in place in divisions and units [2] to ensure that such appointments are made in the appropriate manner and that they are reviewed on a regular basis in accordance with approved divisional guidelines. All such appointments require the written approval of the Dean. Any individual who is to hold a Status-Only, Adjunct, or Visiting Professor appointment at the University of Toronto must be given a letter of offer outlining the privileges and responsibilities that accompany the appointment. See the template letters of offer at the bottom of this page.

“Division” is used to refer to multi-departmental Faculties or campuses as appropriate. “Unit” is used to refer to single-department Faculties, departments, centres, and institutes that are within Faculties.

The Provostial Guidelines for the Appointment of Status-Only, Adjunct, and Visiting Professors provide a framework to define the nature of such appointments and the procedures by which they should be made.

Status-Only Appointments

Individuals being considered for Status-Only positions should normally hold full-time employment arrangements with another institution with a job description that is appropriately academic (components of research and/or teaching) in nature. Most often, Status-Only appointments may be granted to qualified employees of affiliated hospitals, research institutions, agencies with collaborative agreements with the University of Toronto or other universities. Status-Only appointments are non-salaried and normally receive no remuneration from the University of Toronto. Such appointments are made to allow a faculty member from another university or a qualified individual from an appropriate institution to participate more fully in an academic unit’s teaching or research program. Status-Only appointees have certain privileges through their affiliation with the University (e.g., where appropriate, they can be recommended for a graduate appointment and are eligible to apply for research funding). Care must be taken that the individual’s primary appointment is chiefly academic and that appropriate safeguards and infrastructure are in place to protect academic freedom and ensure proper ethical conduct. These appointments also have resource implications, consideration must be given to the support of Status-Only appointments.

Appointments

  1. All divisions should establish a procedure for the appointment, regular review, and reporting of Status-Only appointments.
  2. The Dean of the division, following consultation with an appointments committee, can offer Status-Only appointments. Status-Only appointments at the rank of Professor also require Provostial approval when the candidate does not hold this rank at their home institution.1
  3. Appointments are usually annual but may be for longer terms. Terms must be stated in the Status-Only letter of appointment (see template at the bottom of this page).
  4. Appointments may be renewed at the discretion of the Dean.
  5. The academic rank of the appointment will correspond with the individual’s academic credentials and the expectations of the appointment.
  6. At the time of appointment, Status-Only appointees must receive written confirmation of appointment, conferring title at appropriate academic rank, adding “Status-Only,” and stating the duration of the term of the appointment and expectations for contribution to the unit. The specific duties to be performed by the Status-Only faculty member should be clearly outlined in a letter of appointment. Any policies governing the duties to be performed by the Status-Only faculty member should be identified and brought to the attention of the appointee in the letter of offer.
  7. Status-Only appointees may also be recommended for a graduate appointment within the academic unit in accordance with the policies of the School of Graduate Studies. Status-Only appointees may be actively involved in the unit’s graduate program through the teaching of graduate courses or supervision of graduate students or by serving on graduate committees. Appointment to the School of Graduate Studies must be co-terminal with the individual’s university appointment.
  8. The appointing officer must confirm that the institution employing the Status-Only faculty member permits the appointment and that the institution will allow the faculty member to fulfil academic responsibilities and cooperate with the University on all matters in the University’s jurisdiction.
  9. Status-Only appointees may be promoted on the recommendation of a properly constituted promotions committee, according to divisional guidelines and the Policy and Procedures Governing Promotions, and subsequent review and approval by the Vice-President and Provost (see the section on promotion to Professor).
  10. Normally an individual will hold only one Status-Only appointment at the University of Toronto.
  11. Upon recommendation of the Dean and with the approval of the Vice President and Provost, non-clinical Status-Only appointees in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who hold a primary appointment at one of the fully affiliated University teaching hospitals and have held the rank of Professor (Status-Only) for at least 10 years, may be eligible for the title Professor Emeritus/Emerita (Status-Only). The title Professor Emeritus/Emerita (Status-Only) at the University of Toronto may not be held concurrently with emeritus rank or title from any other institution. This is an honorary title only and does not confer the rights accorded to other Emeritus/Emerita Professors at the University of Toronto (e.g., as contained  in the Policy on Emeritus/Emerita Status or the Statement of Commitment to Retired Faculty and Librarians). Where appropriate and with the approval of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, those holding the title of Professor Emeritus/Emerita (Status-Only) may be granted membership in SGS at the rank of SGS membership held at the time of retirement. Use of the title “Professor Emeritus” must always be followed by the qualifier (Status-Only).
  1. Please note this change is effective July 1, 2023 ↩︎

Duties and Obligations

  1. Status-Only faculty are expected to acknowledge their affiliation with the unit in which they hold their primary academic appointment in all publications and scholarly works resulting from the Status-Only appointment.
  2. Status-Only faculty who teach, supervise graduate students, or conduct research are bound by all University of Toronto policies governing academic conduct.
  3. Status-Only appointees are eligible to apply for research funding. Status-Only appointees holding research funds administered by the University are bound by the University’s policies governing research.

Adjunct Appointments

Individuals who are employed elsewhere in a position that is not primarily academic in nature, who have special skills or learning of value to a unit and who may provide services for which recognition is desirable may be appointed as an Adjunct faculty member for a limited term. Those individuals who have special qualifications and expertise, such as eminent professionals of recognized stature, should be appointed as Adjunct Professors. This category of appointment is normally reserved for distinguished individuals of exemplary achievement with whom units expect to have an on-going connection. Other individuals who are appointed within teaching programs or who contribute their skills or experience in supervising clinical placements should be appointed as Adjunct Lecturers. Recognizing that the role and contribution of Adjunct Lecturers and Adjunct Professors will vary across units, each division is encouraged to create guidelines for the appointment of Adjunct Lecturers and Adjunct Professors. Guidelines should be submitted to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty and Academic Life for approval.

Academic units are responsible for and should endeavour to make available to its Adjunct faculty appropriate office space, access to IT and library resources, and a divisional email address.

Adjunct faculty may be remunerated for services. Adjunct faculty whose duties and remuneration are equivalent to those of a part-time appointed faculty member no longer qualify as Adjuncts and should be offered annual appointments of between .2 FTE and .75 FTE under the Policy and Procedures on Employment Conditions of Part-Time Academic Staff (see section 8). For Adjunct Professors who are paid a stipend to teach, see the section below on teaching to assess whether the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement may apply.

Appointments

  1. All divisions should establish a procedure for the appointment, regular review, and reporting of Adjunct appointments.
  2. The Dean, following consultation with an appointments committee, can offer Adjunct appointments.
  3. Appointments are usually annual but may be for longer terms. Terms must be stated in the letter of appointment (see the Adjunct Professor or Adjunct Lecturer templates at the bottom of this page).
  4. Appointments may be renewed at the discretion of the Dean.
  5. Adjunct appointments carry no rank; appointments can be made as either Adjunct Professor or Adjunct Lecturer to appropriately acknowledge the contribution the individual will make to the academic mission of the unit.
  6. Appointees must receive written confirmation of their Adjunct appointment, conferring title of “Adjunct Professor” or “Adjunct Lecturer,” stating the duration of the term of the appointment and expectations for contribution to the unit. The specific duties to be performed by the Adjunct Professor should be clearly outlined in a letter of appointment. Any policies governing the duties to be performed by the Adjunct faculty member should be identified and brought to the attention of the appointee in the letter of offer.
  7. Adjunct appointments do not usually involve full membership in the School of Graduate Studies but may give the recipient the opportunity to teach graduate courses or to co-supervise graduate students. Where appropriate, Adjunct faculty may be appointed to graduate departments in accordance with the policies of the School of Graduate Studies, generally as Associate Members with duties limited to the tasks their letter of appointment specifies. Appointment to the School of Graduate Studies must be co-terminal with the individual’s University appointment. Further, Adjunct faculty may provide graduate supervision at a remote location (but not as primary supervisor).
  8. Normally an individual will hold only one Adjunct appointment at the University of Toronto.

Duties and Obligations

  1. Adjunct faculty are expected to acknowledge their affiliation with their sponsoring unit in all publications and scholarly works resulting from the Adjunct appointment.
  2. Adjunct faculty who teach or engage in research are bound by all University of Toronto policies governing academic conduct.
  3. Adjunct appointees may not be the principal investigator on research funds administered by the University, but may be a co-investigator on a grant held by a full-time or Status-Only faculty member at the University of Toronto.

Visiting Professors

Faculty from other universities and research institutes who hold continuing appointments in their home institutions may be appointed to a unit as a Visiting Professor. Academic units are responsible for and should endeavour to make available to Visiting Professors appropriate office space, access to IT and library resources, and a divisional email address. In exchange, the Visiting Professor will be expected to contribute to the research and teaching activities of the academic unit.

Visiting Professors may or may not receive honoraria and expenses. Visiting Professors who are to be offered annual appointments of between .25 FTE and .75 FTE must be appointed as part-time faculty members, under the Policy and Procedures on Employment Conditions of Part-Time Academic Staff. Visiting Professors who are to be offered full-time salaried appointments will be appointed under the Policy and Procedures on Academic Appointments (see the section on contractually limited term appointments).

  1. Visiting Professor appointments will be approved by the Dean following consultation with an appointments committee, and normally will be for no more than one year. Appointments for longer than one year require the approval of the Vice-President and Provost.
  2. Visiting appointments do not automatically carry membership in the School of Graduate Studies and do not give the recipient the rights or privileges of teaching graduate courses or of supervising graduate students. Visiting faculty may be appointed to graduate departments in accordance with the policies of the School of Graduate Studies. These appointments are co-terminal with their University appointment.
  3. Visiting Professors are not normally eligible to apply for research funding.
  4. The term of appointment and the specific duties to be performed by the Visiting Professor should be clearly outlined in a letter of appointment. Any policies governing the duties to be performed by the Visiting Professor should be identified and brought to the attention of the appointee in the letter of offer. See below for the Visiting Professor template letter.

Teaching

CUPE 3902 Unit 3 represents instructors who teach credit courses for the University of Toronto on contracts of less than one year. Status-Only Professors, Visiting Professors, clinical lecturers in Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, and persons employed in the Faculties of Architecture, Engineering, and Law who are licensed to practise their profession in the Province of Ontario where the assignment requires that they be so licensed are excluded from the bargaining unit. All other faculty who teach credit courses on contracts of less than 12 months will be covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

Template Letters of Offer

Template Letters of Offer for Status-Only, Adjunct, and Visiting Professors