Faculty Reappointments
Reappointment is the process by which Indiana University Indianapolis reviews and renews faculty appointments. Reappointment reviews are more often connected to annual reviews. This helps ensure that faculty receive regular feedback, understand expectations for continued employment, and have opportunities to discuss professional development, promotion, and career progression.
Faculty on tenure-track appointments, clinical appointments, lecturer appointments, professor of practice appointments, research appointments, and long-term appointments are governed by different university policies and may be reviewed on different schedules.
Initial Appointment Period
Most faculty appointments at Indiana University Indianapolis begin with a specified appointment period between one and three years.
The initial appointment period serves several purposes:
- Providing faculty with time to establish a record of accomplishment in their assigned responsibilities;
- Allowing departments and schools to assess performance and fit within the academic unit;
- Providing regular feedback and mentoring; and
- Supporting decisions regarding reappointment, promotion, tenure, or long-term appointment eligibility.
Faculty should become familiar with the review schedule associated with their appointment type and discuss expectations with their department chair or supervisor early in their appointment.
Tenure-Track Faculty
Tenure-track faculty serve a probationary period that includes a series of reappointment reviews before consideration for tenure. Reappointment reviews during the probationary period are governed by BOT-12: Reappointment and Non-Reappointment During Probationary Periods and are intended to evaluate progress toward tenure and promotion.
Faculty should expect regular review of their teaching (including librarianship), research or creative activity, and service, along with feedback regarding progress toward tenure expectations.
Clinical and Lecturer Faculty
Clinical and lecturer faculty are appointed under BOT-07: Regulation of Clinical and Lecturer Appointments.
Most appointments begin with annual appointment periods and annual review. As faculty progress through the ranks and establish a record of successful performance, they may become eligible for long-term appointments as provided under university policy and school practice.
Schools may establish additional review procedures and expectations consistent with BOT-07.
Professors of Practice
Professor of Practice appointments are governed by BOT-08: Regulation of Professor of Practice Appointments.
These appointments are made for specified terms and are reviewed periodically based on the responsibilities assigned to the position and the needs of the academic unit. Faculty may become eligible for longer appointment periods as they advance in rank and demonstrate sustained contributions.
Research Faculty
Research appointments are governed by BOT-09: Regulation of Research Appointments.
Because research appointments are often associated with sponsored projects and external funding, appointment periods may reflect both performance considerations and funding availability. Reappointment reviews typically consider research productivity, programmatic needs, and the continuation of funding support.
Long-Term Appointment (LTA)
Some non-tenure-track faculty are eligible for long-term appointments under university policy.
The Provost’s Office recommends a three-year rolling reappointment cycle for Clinical Associate Professors and Senior Lecturers and a five-year rolling reappointment cycle for Clinical Professors and Teaching Professors. Some schools, including the Kelley School of Business and the School of Medicine, have longstanding school policy which guides reappointment decisions.
Long-term appointment status does not eliminate review. Faculty continue to undergo annual evaluations and periodic reviews, but reappointment decisions occur on a longer cycle than annual appointments.
Tenured Faculty
Tenured faculty do not undergo reappointment reviews because tenure provides a continuing appointment.
However, tenured faculty remain subject to:
- Annual reviews
- Promotion reviews (where applicable)
- Faculty conduct and performance expectations
- Post-tenure review requirements
Post-tenure review is governed by BOT-24: Academic Appointee Annual and Post-Tenure Productivity Reviews. Post-tenure review is intended to support continued faculty development, recognize accomplishments, and address situations in which performance may fall below expected standards.
Non-Reappointment
In some cases, a faculty appointment may not be renewed. (See an overview.)
The procedures and notice requirements for non-reappointment depend on appointment type and are established in the applicable Board of Trustees policies.
Faculty should receive appropriate notice and should consult their department chair, dean's office, or school HR representative if they have questions regarding appointment status or review outcomes.
Questions
Because review processes vary among schools and appointment types, faculty should direct questions first to their department chair, supervisor, dean's office, or school HR representative.
Questions regarding university-wide policy and reappointment procedures may be directed to acadhr@iu.edu.
Reviewed and revised: 7/2026.