Office of the Provost
Office of the Provost

Performance Reviews for Adjunct Faculty

The President determines merit pay increases for University Professors, upon recommendation of the EVP. The current process yields recommendations that vary significantly: some University Professors’ recommended increases exceed the annual pool percentage, and some fall below. The President receives no substantive rationale for the differences among the University Professors’ recommended increases, hampering his ability to make effective decisions. The variation is the result of departmental merit processes that, for some University Professors, fail to value the contributions the University Professor is making to the University. Some University Professors are happy with the current state, some are not.

Generally, the value University Professors bring to the University cannot be reflected in the merit increases we award. They are contributing at such a high level that no increase can accurately reflect their performance and contributions. Instead, it signals our respect for their contributions and expectation of continued high performance. Accordingly, a process that makes mincing distinctions in percentage points fails to meet our goal of respecting and retaining these highly esteemed contributors to our community.

According to the Georgetown University Faculty Handbook:

“Georgetown University reserves the rank of University Professor for faculty members of extraordinary achievement whose scholarly accomplishments have earned them substantial recognition from their academic peers. The rank is bestowed by the President in recognition of distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and service to the University and higher education community at large. The rank is recognized as the University’s most significant professional honor, and is awarded rarely and only in accordance with the criteria specified in this policy.”

Goal

The goal is to create a rational, consistent process for determining merit increases for University Professors that respects the very unusual, highly valued status they have attained.

Process

  1. University Professors whose merit increases are contractually determined are automatically awarded that amount.
  2. University Professors who opt to participate in their department’s annual merit review process do so, consistent with the departmental timelines and requirements.
  3. University Professors whose merit increases are not contractually determined
    and are not participating in their departmental review submit a summary of their accomplishments and a current CV to the EVP by January 31 each year.
  4. The EVP reviews and recommends a merit increase based on this policy for
    each University Professor to the President as follows:
    a. University Professors who opt to participate in their department’s annual
    review process receive the greater of the percentage increase
    recommended by the department or the annual pool percentage increase;
    b. University Professors who opt not to participate in their department’s
    annual review process receive the annual pool percentage increase or
    their contractually guaranteed amount.
  5. The President makes the final decision on the merit increase based on these
    recommendations.
  6. The EVP’s Office communicates the increases to the University Professors and implements the changes.

Forms and Policies