3. Faculty Ranks and Status

3.1 Classification of Academic Employees

Academic employees of the Louisiana State University System are grouped as follows:

• Faculty. Full-time members of the academic staff on the various campuses with the rank of Instructor or above and equivalent ranks.
• Other Academic. Part-time members of the academic staff; members of the academic staff below the rank of Instructor or equivalent; and other personnel with academic responsibilities not holding faculty rank.

[LSU Board of Supervisors. (2/23/2024). Regulations, Article II, Section 1: Classification of Employees, General. LSU Board of Supervisors Rules and Regulations.)

3.2 Academic Ranks

The academic ranks at LSUHSC-S encompass roles across teaching, clinical practice, research, and library services. These ranks, established in accordance with Article II, Section 6 of the LSU Board of Supervisors Regulations and LSU Permanent Memorandum 23, recognize the qualifications, expertise, and contributions of faculty and professional staff to the institution’s mission.

The common academic ranks at LSUHSC-S include, but are not limited to:

1. _{^{Full-time faculty in the clinical sciences with responsibility to teaching and service programs and who are essential for patient care are to be appointed as Assistant Professor of Clinical (discipline), Associate Professor of Clinical (discipline), or Professor of Clinical (discipline).}}
2. _{^{Full-time faculty whose primary responsibility is conducting research and who normally are paid from grant or contract funds are to be appointed as Assistant Professor-Research, Associate Professor-Research, or Professor-Research.}}
3. _{^{The full-time faculty shall consist of the full-time University faculty and the members of the full-time staff at affiliated hospitals who have academic responsibilities equivalent to the full-time University faculty. The full-time affiliated faculty who are gratis or whose University contribution to salary is less than 25 percent shall be considered as volunteer faculty to the University insofar as employee benefits are concerned.}}
4. _{^{Full-time faculty in the professions whose primary responsibility is in teaching or service programs associated with coordinating fieldwork and supervising students in the field are to be appointed as Assistant Professor-Professional Practice, Associate Professor-Professional Practice, or Professor-Professional Practice.}}
5. _{^{The titles “Visiting Professor,” “Visiting Associate Professor,” and “Visiting Assistant Professor” are courtesy titles given to holders of visiting full-time appointments at those respective ranks. No changes shall be made in the titles of regular members of the instructional and research staff holding part-time appointments during the summer term. The “Visiting” title may also be used for individuals who are not on leave from another institution but who meet the standards for the rank specified and who are hired for a limited period.}}
6. _{^{Part-time academic personnel in the Medical Center whose primary role is related to a clinical setting may be designated by the title “Clinical” preceding their academic rank, except department heads, who may be given their appropriate professorial rank without the designation “Clinical”.}}
7. _{^{The designation “part-time” indicates that the appointee is to serve less than 100 percent basis.}}

For comprehensive details on all ranks, provisions, and policies governing appointments and promotions to the academic staff, please refer to Article II, Section 6 of the LSU Board of Supervisors Regulations and LSU Permanent Memorandum 23.

[LSU Board of Supervisors. (2/23/2024). Regulations, Article II, Section 6: Academic Ranks. LSU Board of Supervisors Rules and Regulations.)

[LSU. (6/22/2017). Permanent Memorandum 23: Ranks, Provisions, and Policies Governing Appointments and Promotions of the Academic Staff.]

3.3 Boyd Professorships

As outlined in Article II, Section 14 of the LSU Board of Supervisors Regulations and Permanent Memorandum 74, the Boyd Professorship is the highest professorial rank awarded by LSU, recognizing faculty who have attained national or international distinction in teaching, research, or other creative achievements. Faculty members holding administrative positions at the rank of dean or above are ineligible for nomination. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding scholarly contributions conducted while affiliated with LSU, as evidenced by peer recognition, publications, teaching excellence, and professional service.

The nomination process requires that nominations originate from an academic dean or director, with endorsements at all appropriate academic levels before submission to the Boyd Professorship Review Committee. This committee, chaired by the Executive Vice President & Provost, consists of two emeriti Boyd Professors and three current Boyd Professors appointed by the President. All proceedings remain confidential, and the nomination cannot be used as a retention mechanism. If awarded, the Boyd Professor receives a permanent salary adjustment ensuring compensation at or above the 95th percentile of comparable faculty in the region, along with an annual research stipend. Upon retirement, the title Boyd Professor Emeritus is conferred.

For comprehensive guidelines, please refer to the official policies and regulations.

[LSU Board of Supervisors. (2/23/2024). Regulations, Article II, Section 14: Boyd Professorships. LSU Board of Supervisors Rules and Regulations.]

[LSU. (4/23/2021). Permanent Memorandum 74: Guidelines on Boyd Professorships.]

3.4 Emeritus Ranks

Upon recommendation by the appropriate campus, the title Professor Emeritus shall be conferred upon all persons who upon retirement have attained the title of Professor and who have been in the service of the University for a period of at least ten (10) years. The said title may also be conferred, upon recommendation of the appropriate campus, upon a person who upon retirement has attained the title of Professor even though the period of service is less than ten (10) years, if it is determined that the person has made outstanding contributions to the University in either the field of scholarship or public service.

Any person who has held the position of academic dean, director, or department head for a period of ten (10) years may be retired with the title Dean, Director, or Department Head Emeritus. Where applicable to other positions within the University, an Emeritus title may be conferred upon the recommendation of the President in appropriate cases.

Approval of emeritus status shall be governed by the Personnel Action Approval Policy.

[LSU Board of Supervisors. (2/23/2024). Regulations, Article IV, Section 5: Emeritus Ranks. LSU Board of Supervisors Rules and Regulations.]

3.5 Employment of Retirees

Faculty members who have retired from Louisiana state service and are receiving a monthly benefit from a state retirement system (e.g., TRSL, LASERS, or ORP) may be eligible for re-employment at LSUHSC-S. Faculty retirees should notify the hiring department of their retired status and consult with their retirement system to understand the potential impact of re-employment on their benefits.

For re-employment, retirees must complete and submit a signed Retiree Acknowledgment Form and, if applicable, a LASERS (10-2) Form before their hire date. A mandatory break in service may be required.  For example, TRSL retirees must observe a one-year break from their retirement date, while non-academic retirees must observe a 60-day break.

If considering re-employment, the retiree should contact Human Resources - Benefits at 318-675-5616 to review return-to-work eligibility, procedures and preclusions that exist.

Details regarding requirements, procedures and preclusions related to Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) and Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) can be found at the followings URLs:

TRSL: http://fluxconsole.com/files/item/202/20799/rtw_WEB.pdf

LASERS: https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MG-19-Re-EmployedRetirees.pdf

[LSUHSC-S. (12/14/2022). Administrative Directive 2.6.17: Rehiring Retired Employees.]

3.6 Administrators with Faculty Rank

A faculty member who accepts an administrative position maintains faculty status and tenure rights.