Regulations of the Faculty
Regulations of the Faculty
The Regulations of the Faculty encompass the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry’s long-standing commitment to areas of clinical excellence, teaching, medical research, scholarship, and leadership in the fields of medicine and dentistry, while providing more opportunity to acknowledge the additional roles in which our faculty serve to support excellence in institutional stewardship, contributions to professional and community service and citizenship, advancement of inclusivity and belonging, and promotion of a culture of faculty wellness—all of which are increasingly recognized as essential pillars of an effective academic environment. Appointment and promotion activity components available to full- and part-time academic appointments are intended to reflect and promote the wide range of contributions required to advance and achieve the broad, evolving goals of the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) and the Medical Center. These regulations describe the categories of SMD faculty appointments and outline the requirements for promotions, appointments, reappointments, and the ongoing review of faculty contributions. All faculty are expected to follow and embrace the ICARE values of Integrity, Inclusion, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
Full-time academic appointments are intended for faculty who are committed to a career in academic medicine, dentistry, or biomedical research, and who devote their time to an appropriate combination of activities at the University of Rochester or affiliated institutions—activities that are recognized as significant contributions to institutional missions. Professional and research appointments are available for faculty who contribute focused service to the Medical Center.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Objectives
Chapter 2: Organization and Governance
Chapter 3: General Overview
Chapter 4: General Principles
- 4.1 Recognition of Faculty Contributions
- 4.2 Emphasis on Faculty Development
- 4.3 Faculty Teaching Obligations
- 4.4 Other Academic Activities
- 4.5 Service to the School and the University
- 4.6 Annual Review
- 4.7 Tenure Appointments
- 4.8 Center/Institute Appointments
Chapter 5: Types of Appointments
Chapter 6: Academic Appointments
- 6.1 Instructor
- 6.2 Senior Instructor
- 6.3 Assistant Professor
- 6.4 Associate Professor
- 6.5 Professor
- 6.6 Activity Components
- 6.7 Additional Expectations
Chapter 7: Research Appointments
Chapter 8: Professional Appointments
- 8.1 Assistant, Associate, Senior Associate
- 8.2 Termination of Professional Appointments
- 8.3 Part-Time Appointments
- 8.4 Special Appointments
- 8.5 Joint (Secondary) Appointments
Chapter 9: Processes by Appointment Type
- 9.1 Academic Appointments
- 9.2 Professional, Service, Special, and Non-Academic Appointments
Chapter 10: Decisions to Not Reappoint or Promote and Procedures for Appeal of Decisions
Chapter 11: Requirements for Tenure
Chapter 12: Term Appointments
Chapter 13: Simultaneous Appointments at Other Institutions
Chapter 14: Compensation
Chapter 15: Vacation
Chapter 16: Academic Leave of Absence
Chapter 17: Administrative, Financial, and Other Responsibilities
- 17.1 Sudden Termination of Employment
Chapter 18: Consulting Policy and Outside Activities
Chapter 19: Equal Employment Opportunity within an Inclusive Community
Chapter 20: Discrimination and Harassment
Chapter 21: Disability Accommodations
Appendix I: Medical School Advisory Counsel (MEDSAC)
Appendix II: Overview of Academic Appointment Criteria for Promotion and Tenure
Appendix III: Guidelines for Excellence in the Components by Rank
Appendix IV: Family Leave Policy and Procedures for Extending the "Academic Clock" for Full-Time Faculty
Appendix V: Policies and Procedures for Extending the "Academic Clock" for Part-Time Faculty with Academic Appointments
Appendix VI: Temporary Changes to Part-Time for Tenured Faculty
- VI.i: Procedure for Changing from Academic Full-Time to Academic Part-Time Status
Glossary
Last updated February 2026.