Preface
Handbook last updated: October 13, 2022
This Stanford University Academic Staff-Teaching and Other Teaching Staff Handbook, published by the Provost’s Office, arose out of the work of the 2018 Committee on Lecturers, the 2019-2020 Third Committee on the Professoriate, the approval of recommendations by these committees by the Faculty Senate in 2020, and further recommendations by the 2020-2021 Committee on the Professor of the Practice. The new handbook provides policies applicable to the Academic Staff-Teaching (Lecturers, Advanced Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Artists-in-Residence) and all categories of Other Teaching Staff.
Previously incorporated into the Faculty Handbook and now in their own handbook, these policies have been substantially revised in response to the committees’ recommendations. Among the most significant of these revisions are: the introduction of the new AST rank of Advanced Lecturer; new policies directed towards “core” Lecturers (full-time, benefits-eligible, long-term Lecturers), including longer, multi-year terms with fewer formal reappointments needed; and greater clarity with regard to AST/OTS roles, appointment structure and percent time effort considerations, non-reappointment notice provisions, annual review expectations, leave policies, and compensation calculation methods. Changes involving Other Teaching Staff include a completely revised Professor of the Practice policy and an updated description of (By courtesy) appointments, as well as clarifications touching on other OTS roles.
New AST/OTS are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new handbook, but it is important for those with long-standing University experience to review it as well. Not all policies will apply across all programs; as indicated below, check with your school regarding applicability.
Chapter One provides background information regarding the University. Chapters Two through Four pertain to those holding Academic Staff-Teaching titles, and Chapter Five pertains to those holding Other Teaching Staff titles. This handbook contains University policies and procedures for use in the appointment, reappointment and promotion of Academic Staff-Teaching and Other Teaching Staff titles. Recommendations to appoint, reappoint, promote, or modify existing appointments may be submitted through Stanford University's Faculty and Academic Staff Appointments web form system. The appendix to this handbook contains forms and links relevant to Academic Staff-Teaching and Other Teaching Staff.
There are additional policies and procedures applicable to specific schools and departments (including school-specific supplementary criteria for appointments, reappointments and promotions) that have been approved by the Provost’s Office as consistent with overall University policy. It is not possible to present each of these policies in this handbook, but they may be obtained by inquiring of one’s department chair or school dean, or in some instances by checking a school’s website. Similarly, all employees are subject to additional applicable University policies, such as those set forth in the University’s Administrative Guide and the Stanford Bulletin. For additional information on policy statements and guidelines that support research at Stanford, including those relating to the Academic Staff-Research ranks, please consult the Research Policy Handbook. For additional information on policy statements and guidelines that support the University Libraries at Stanford, including those relating to the Academic Staff-Libraries ranks, please consult the Librarian Handbook, which may be obtained from the Human Resources Office for University Libraries.
In an institution as complex and dynamic as Stanford, change in organization and in the policies and procedures to which Academic Staff-Teaching and Other Teaching Staff are subject is an ongoing process, and the University reserves the right to make such changes. The online version of this handbook should always be referenced to determine the applicable policy language.
Persis Drell
Provost