“W” Agreements

The “W” agreement (special written agreement for definite term) provides departments the option of hiring faculty without indefinite tenure and under definite terms by entering into a special written agreement with the concurrence of the faculty member.

The use of a “W” agreement is exclusively maintained for non-tenured faculty in the Clinical Discipline track in the College of Medicine. A “W” agreement must be executed when either the advanced rank (Associate Professor of Clinical xxx or Professor of Clinical xxx) or % appointment (51% or greater for an Assistant Professor of Clinical xxx) would confer tenure or tenure probationary status. It is preferred that no state funding be included for faculty on a “W” agreement; however up to 50% will be allowed.

Processing: Units should initiate the W agreement via the W agreement online form for review and execution. Once electronic signatures have been secured at every level, employee and unit will receive an executed W agreement via email. At that time, units can proceed with the related HRFE transaction.

Clinician Educator 60/40 Rule

All new faculty hires that are truly primarily clinical/clinician educators will be in the clinical discipline track (i.e. Prof of Clinical “discipline”) and typically will be funded at a ratio of 60% physician surgeon and 40% faculty title. The expectation is that although the Physician Surgeon line provides certain flexibility, the faculty member will remain > 50% FTE. The assumption is total compensation will be consistent and subject to clinical productivity and departmental incentive plans.

This 60/40 split is intended to clarify the primary clinician teacher role, better define tenure versus non-tenured faculty, avoid triggering “W” agreements prior to promotion to senior rank, and creates the desired consistency required by Campus Faculty HR.

policy effective 2/8/10

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs.