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DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BYLAWS
I. Faculty Appointments
Faculty appointments within the Department fall under two broad categories: regular faculty
appointments (i.e., tenure track) and special faculty appointments (i.e., non-tenure track).
I.A. Appointment categories
A.1 Regular faculty appointments
Regular faculty appointments involve teaching, research and service, and are state-funded,
tenure-track positions. Specific duties and expectations are defined in the individual’s Statement
of Mutual Expectation (SME) (http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-05-20-27). Regular faculty
members may become members of the Graduate Faculty. Graduate Faculty membership is
recommended by the Department Head or Director of Graduate Programs and approved by the
Dean of the Graduate School. Appointment to the Graduate Faculty is required in order to serve
as a graduate student mentor. Qualifications and responsibilities associated with Graduate
Faculty membership can be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/sections/1.3-gradfaculty.html. Regular faculty members having a rank of Associate Professor with tenure or
Professor also serve as Department Voting Faculty (DVF). The DVF vote on appointment, reappointment, promotion, and tenure decisions for tenure track faculty, initial and subsequent
appointment decisions for Research, Teaching, and Adjunct Faculty, and Associate and Joint
status for faculty members in other NCSU academic departments. Associate Professors do not
vote on tenure track appointments at the Full Professor level or promotions to Full Professor.
A.2 Special faculty appointments1
A.2.a Research and Teaching Professorships
These positions are non-tenure track appointments to the professorial rank of assistant professor,
associate professor, or professor http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-05-20-34#EIGHT . The
positions are of fixed duration and duties are primarily associated with the designated position
adjective (research or teaching). Specific duties and expectations are defined in the individual’s
Special faculty appointments with “clinical”, “extension”, and “of the practice” modifiers are
not excluded by these by-laws. Criteria will be established at the time such an appointment is
proposed.
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Statement of Mutual Expectation (SME) (http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-05-20-27). Special
faculty members can be appointed to the Graduate Faculty upon recommendation by the
Department Head or Director of Graduate Programs. A positive majority vote of the DVF is
required for a promotion recommendation to go to the Department Head.
A.2.b Instructors, Lecturers
Instructors and Lecturers are non-tenure track, fixed-term teaching positions. The primary
difference between the two is that Instructors are expected to progress into the ranks of a
professorship with additional training or education, subject to the appointment process described
in I.B.2.a. A Lecturer is a considered to be a terminal rank. These positions do not have the
expectation of scholarly activity as associated with a professorship.
A.2.c Associate Faculty Members
Associate faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences have a primary regular
faculty appointment elsewhere within the University. As an associate faculty member, the
individual has the same rank as in their home department. Associate faculty members are
expected to contribute to the teaching and training of students or the advancement of research in
the Department of Biological Sciences. Associate faculty members do not have voting privileges
within the Department. Length of appointment is determined at the outset and terminates
automatically unless renewed by the same process as the original appointment.
A.2.d Adjunct Faculty Members
Adjunct faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences have a position and rank at
another institution commensurate with the position sought with the Department. Adjunct faculty
members are expected to contribute to the teaching and training of students or the advancement
of research in the Department of Biological Sciences. Adjunct faculty members do not have
voting privileges within the Department. Length of appointment is determined at the outset and
terminates automatically unless renewed by the same process as the original appointment.
Adjunct faculty members can be appointed to the Graduate Faculty with associated privileges,
upon recommendation by the Department Head or Director of Graduate Programs.
A.2.e Visiting Scholars
A visiting scholar is an individual who is visiting from another institution for a defined period of
time with the purpose of contributing to research or other facet of scholarship being conducted
by a regular faculty member. These individuals typically do not receive salary from the
University but may be provided a stipend from extramural support received by the sponsoring
regular faculty member. These positions are of fixed-term.
A.2.f Emeritus Professor
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Emeritus professor is a rank bestowed upon a retired faculty member.
A.2.g Joint Status
Joint status refers to a regular faculty member, at any rank, whose position is supported jointly
by two departments. The faculty member retains full voting rights, appropriate to rank, in one of
the departments, and associate status in the other department. Joint status is typically designated
at the time of initial appointment and is not subject to expiration unless mutually agreed on by
both Departments and the faculty member.
I.B. Criteria for appointment
I.B.1 Regular faculty appointments
Candidates for a regular faculty appointment must show clear potential to carry out the duties
and meet the expectations associated with the position. Candidates are interviewed by the search
committee, Department Head, and Dean (or designates); present a seminar to the general faculty;
and meet, individually or in groups, with relevant faculty members. The Candidate must submit
a CV, research plan, at least three letters of recommendation, and proof of highest degree. A
recommendation to appoint is made to the Department Head following a positive majority vote
of the DVF and a separate vote of the total tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty. A
recommendation to appoint is made by the Department Head to the College Dean.
I.B.2 Special faculty appointments2
I.B.2.a Research and Teaching Professorships
Candidates must have a demonstrated ability to carry out the tasks and scholarly activities
associated with the position. Candidates for a research professorship must have a demonstrated
ability to secure extramural funding, either independently or in collaboration with regular faculty
members, and must show evidence of appropriate scholarly accomplishment. Candidates for a
teaching professorship must have a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate instruction at all
levels, and must show evidence of relevant scholarly accomplishment. Candidates will provide a
current CV, a statement of research or teaching philosophy, and proof of highest degree.
Candidates will meet with relevant faculty members individually or in groups; will give a
presentation on their research or teaching experience; and will meet with the Department Head.
A recommendation to appoint is made to the Department Head following positive majority votes
of the DVF and (for teaching professorship positions) the non-tenure-track teaching faculty of
Special faculty appointments with “clinical”, “extension”, and “of the practice” modifiers are
not excluded by these by-laws. Criteria will be established at the time such an appointment is
proposed.
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the same or higher rank as the position being filled. The final decision to appoint is made by the
Dean following recommendation by the Department Head.
I.B.2.b Instructors, Lecturers
Candidates are appointed by the Department Head on the basis of teaching needs within the
Department. A vote of the DVF or other faculty is not required if the appointment is for two
years or less http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-05-20-34#EIGHT.
I.B.2.c Associate Faculty Members
Faculty members with regular appointments in other NCSU departments are eligible for
associate status in the Department of Biological Sciences. Candidates are nominated by a
regular departmental faculty member based upon their demonstrated willingness to contribute to
departmental activities, and departmental need for the provided expertise. Candidates will write
a letter to the DH expressing interest in an associate appointment, and will provide a CV for
review by the DVF. In addition the nominating faculty member will provide a nominating letter.
Unless specifically waived, the candidate will be expected to present a seminar to the
Department. Associate status is granted following a positive majority vote by the DVF and a
separate vote of the total tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty.
I.B.2.d Adjunct Faculty Members
Faculty members with comparable appointments in institutions other than NCSU are eligible for
adjunct status in the Department of Biological Sciences. Candidates are nominated by a regular
departmental faculty member based upon a demonstrated willingness to contribute to
departmental activities, and departmental need for the provided expertise. Candidates will write
a letter to the DH expressing interest in an adjunct appointment, and will provide a CV for
review by the DVF. In addition the nominating faculty member will provide a nominating letter.
Unless specifically waived, the candidate will be expected to present a seminar to the
Department. Adjunct status is granted following a positive majority vote by the DVF and a
separate vote of the total tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty. Appointments are for a fixed
period of time and may be renewed by written request. A seminar presentation is not required for
a renewal, and is also not required for adjunct appointments from the legacy departments
(Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Toxicology).
I.B.2.e Visiting Faculty
Candidates are nominated by a regular faculty member within the Department based upon shared
interests or other scholarly activity. The sponsoring faculty member must provide the
candidate’s CV to the Department Head who approves the appointment. A vote of the DVF or
other faculty is not required. Appointments terminate automatically after one year unless
renewed.
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I.B.2.f Emeritus Professor
The rank of emeritus professor is granted to a retired regular faculty member upon written
request to the Department Head. A vote of the DVF or other faculty is not required.
I.B.2.g Joint Status
Joint status must be approved by a vote of the DVF and a separate vote of the total tenure-track
and non-tenure-track faculty, and by the Head of both departments.
II. Departmental Personnel
The following personnel are appointed or re-appointed annually (effective July 1) by the
Department Head.
Associate Department Head The Associate Department Head provides leadership to the
academic programs within Biological Sciences and has signature authority for the department
when the Department Head is unavailable.
Assistant Department Head This position is discretionary and may involve assistance to the
Department Head and/or oversight on many issues: facilities, safety, course scheduling,
computing infrastructure, instructional laboratories etc.
Undergraduate Coordinators (one per major/degree program, and/or significant concentration).
These individuals are responsible for administration related to the designated major,
concentration or minor, and will serve on the Departmental Undergraduate Courses and
Curriculum Committee.
Coordinator of Advising This individual will oversee the guidance of undergraduate students on
degree track options, courses, research opportunities, etc.
Honors Program Directors These individuals provide guidance to undergraduate students who
are participating in Departmental Honors Programs.
Library Liaison This individual serves as a Department contact for matters dealing with the
NCSU libraries.
Animal Welfare Liaison This individual serves as a resource for departmental faculty members
using vertebrate animals in their research.
Safety Officer This individual serves as the Department liaison to the COS Safety Committee
and is a contact person for Department members having safety issues. Since the department has
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faculty and staff in multiple locations across campus, this individual may delegate safety issues
to other personnel as appropriate.
Building Liaison Maintenance and repair needs relating to buildings and departmental
instruments are communicated to this individual who coordinates the service. Since the
department has faculty and staff in multiple locations across campus, this individual may
delegate building liaison issues to other personnel as appropriate.
Website Manager This individual is responsible for coordinating the departmental website and
for communicating updates to appropriate IT personnel in the Department or the College.
DE Coordinator This individual will serve as liaison with COS, DELTA and OIT for DE, online learning and classroom technology issues.
Summer School Coordinator This individual will identify appropriate summer school offerings,
assist in identifying appropriate faculty, advise the Department Head on summer school budgets
and serve as liaison with the University on all matters pertaining to the Department’s offerings.
III. Departmental Committees
Membership in the following committees is determined annually (effective July 1) by the
Department Head, and where applicable, by vote of the tenure track (TT) and/or non-tenure track
(NTT) faculty.
Executive advisory committee This committee consists of three (3) TT and one (1) NTT faculty
members and serves as a resource to the Department Head on strategic issues within the
Department. The Associate Head serves ex-officio. TT members will serve staggered three-year
terms. The exiting member will conduct an election among the TT faculty and provide the
Department Head with two nominees for the vacant TT position. The Department Head will pick
a new member to ensure appropriate diversity of rank and discipline on the committee. The NTT
member will be selected to a three-year term by vote of the NTT faculty.
Post-tenure review committee This committee is composed of full professors, typically 5 or 6.
This committee provides a comprehensive post-tenure review of applicable faculty members
(Associate Professors evaluated every 3 years, Full Professors evaluated every 5 years).
Non-tenured faculty progress review committee This committee is composed of tenured faculty
members and serves to review the annual progress of non-tenured TT faculty to ensure
appropriate progress is being made for the awarding of tenure.
Undergraduate programs committee This committee is comprised of TT and NTT faculty and
reviews proposals for new undergraduate courses, reviews course scheduling to minimize
conflicts and ensure balance between fall and spring offerings, and oversees revisions to
curricular requirements. This committee periodically reviews undergraduate courses for
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consistency among sections and to ensure that the materials taught provide adequate foundation
for subsequent courses taken by students. This committee also oversees undergraduate program
assessment and makes recommendations to the Teaching Advisory Committee and to the
Department Head or designate regarding course and curricular needs.
Teaching advisory committee This committee is comprised of TT and NTT faculty and surveys
faculty annually in regard to teaching preferences and works with the Undergraduate Programs
Committee to make appropriate teaching assignment recommendations to the Department Head
or designate. This committee is also responsible for oversight of the peer teaching review
program, soliciting reviewers, providing guidance on the process, and ensuring that reviews are
performed as required.
Introductory biology stewardship committee This committee is composed of faculty teaching the
science majors introductory biology sequence and interested faculty teaching upper level courses
that build on the introductory sequence. This committee will periodically review learning
outcomes, consistency across sections (including lab sections), and oversee appropriate
development of the introductory course sequence to meet the needs of students.
Graduate programs committee This committee is composed of the director of each graduate
program in which the Department of Biological Sciences participates. If the director is not a
member of the Department then a designate, who is a Department member, will substitute for the
director on this committee. The committee serves to establish some congruence among graduate
programs, handles graduate level course and curriculum actions, and advises the Department
Head on all graduate program-related issues.
IV. Department Faculty Meetings
Department faculty meetings are held monthly during the fall and spring semesters at a date and
time determined by the Department Head.
V. Graduate Programs and Research Focus Areas
The Department of Biological Sciences participates in several inter-departmental and intercollege graduate programs, and has research activity clustered around a number of focus areas.
As appropriate, leadership in the individual graduate programs and focus areas will be provided
by individuals designated by the Department Head. These individuals will provide scholarly and
administrative leadership to the respective groups. These individuals may establish committees
and meetings relevant to their respective groups or focus areas.
VI. These bylaws may be modified at any time upon positive majority vote of the total
departmental tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty.
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Draft Personnel and Committee Assignments 2013-2104
Associate Department Head Jim Brown
Assistant Department Head Jane Lubischer
Undergraduate Coordinators Lisa Parks, Jenny Campbell, Jim Brown, Bill Grant, Brian
Langerhans, John Godwin, Stephanie Curtis
Coordinator of Advising new position, to be created and filled
Honors Program Directors Lisa Parks, Stephanie Curtis, Jim Brown, Jenny Campbell.
Library Liaison Reade Roberts
Animal Welfare Liaison Kay Coole
Safety Officers Jeff Hawley (Thomas Hall), Wall Crumpler (DCL and Bostian teaching labs),
Jeanne Burr (Toxicology Building), Kay Coole (BRF)
Building Liaison Jeff Hawley
Website Manager Michele Wolfe
DE Coordinator Tim Petty
Summer School Coordinator Jane Lubischer.
Departmental Committees
Executive advisory committee see election procedure.
Post-tenure review committee TBD
Non-tenured faculty progress review committee TBD
Undergraduate programs committee Coordinators of our undergraduate programs (including
concentrations), Director of the Life Sciences First Year Program, Coordinator of Advising
Teaching advisory committee Jane Lubischer, Jim Brown, TBD
Introductory biology stewardship committee : Lisa Parks, Jenny Campbell, Jim Brown, Brian
Langerhans, John Godwin, Stephanie Curtis, faculty who teach BIO 181 and/or BIO 183 in a
given year, Director of the Life Sciences First Year Program
Graduate programs committee: Stephanie Curtis, Scott Laster, Gerry LeBlanc, Nick Haddad,+…
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