1                  Introduction

The Office of Academic Affairs—Planning, Curriculum, & Assessment published comprehensive policies concerning the employment of part-time faculty members in response to the 1992 SACS recommendation (Number 10).  The recommendation was that the University of Tennessee at Martin “establish and publish policies to ensure that there is appropriate orientation, supervision, and evaluation of all part-time faculty members.” The guidelines were developed and published on July 16, 1993, and disseminated to chairs, deans, and directors; they were disseminated again on October 27, 1998, to the academic administrators listed.  The information in this section on part-time faculty was taken from the university policies and procedures for part-time faculty published on July 16, 1993.

The UT Martin Faculty Handbook represents the primary source for information regarding University policies and procedures related to faculty and takes precedence over this guidebook.  In some sections, information from the Faculty Handbook has been included in this guidebook for the convenience of the adjunct or part-time faculty member. 

In the 21^st century, degrees and degree programs are provided through traditional (classroom) instruction and nontraditional (distance learning and online) instruction.  Regardless of the mode of instruction, the University of Tennessee at Martin shallcontinue to employ outstanding faculty (full-time and part-time) to deliver instruction to students.