Policies, Procedures and Criteria for Acceptance of Senior Research Faculty in CSS

The Department of Crop and Soil Science recognizes the benefits that senior research faculty can bring to the Department (additional expertise, grant funding, graduate training opportunities, departmental service) but also recognizes that there is a two-way commitment in these relationships. In instances where the individual is housed in the Department, a commitment of space (office and lab access) is often made. In all instances, a commitment of Departmental resources in the form of administrative assistance (human resource, accounting and secretarial help) is made as well as Departmental faculty commitment to assure the success of the individual in professional development and in the promotion process. The individual in turn is expected to actively pursue individual or cooperative grants to fund their activities in the Department, to provide service to the Department and to understand the mission of the Department and be supportive of this mission.

Procedures

1. Individuals interested in joining CSS as a senior research faculty must submit a letter of application and current vita to the department head. The letter of application should include information on why the applicant is interested in CSS as an academic home, what the applicant sees as the benefits to themselves of being in CSS and how they see CSS benefiting from their membership. If the individual is working directly with a current CSS faculty member and this individual is interested in sponsoring the senior research faculty member, a letter from the sponsor should be included with application materials. If the individual holds a position with another non-academic unit in the OSU system, their immediate supervisor should also provide a letter of support for the request.
   
2. This information will be evaluated by the CSS administrative team. The administrative team will make an initial determination as to whether there appears to be a possible fit and if so, provides materials for all faculty to review and arranges for the applicant to present a departmental seminar.
   
3. The applicant will present a department-wide seminar to include a discussion period. Following the seminar, a meeting with those CSS faculty who would most closely work with the applicant will be held. Following this meeting any additional information that is needed would be obtained.
   
4. A CSS senior research and tenured/tenure-track faculty only meeting will be held after all necessary information is obtained. A recommendation on acceptance, achieved through a consensus process, will be made by the faculty to the department head.

Acceptance Criteria and Policies

1. Acceptance into the Department will in large part be based on the perceived fit of the individuals research goals into the overall mission of the department, a judgment on the individuals ability to succeed in reaching these goals through grant procurement and the fit of the individual as a departmental member per se.
   
2. While appointments are annual, it is Departmental intent that senior research faculty operate under a 3-year rolling contract philosophy. This will allow the individual continuity as they seek grants for their work.
   
3. An annual review will be held with the Department Head or an Associate Head and a new commitment made each year to continue the relationship. If research activities appear to be straying from departmental mission or other issues arise, the relationship can be terminated within established OSU notification guidelines for fixed term employees. It is Departmental intent to provide as much notice as possible to allow smooth transitions for all involved.
   
4. Formal 3-year review will be held by the Promotion and Tenure Committee for newly appointed senior research faculty. A written report will be submitted to the Department Head as an outcome of this meeting.
   
5. Senior research faculty are eligible for promotion but are not under any set timeframe for such consideration. The Promotion and Tenure Committee will work with senior research faculty under the same policies and procedures as regular professorial faculty.
   
6. Office and lab space will be allocated in accordance with established Departmental policies.