Guide to policies and procedures for hiring faculty to the instructional tenure-track, clinical instructional track, and research professor track; making joint appointments, faculty recruitment/retention efforts, and other related resources.

Making Faculty Appointments

Hiring and retaining exceptional faculty members is vital to maintaining the University of Michigan’s stimulating, welcoming, and diverse environment. Policies, procedures and support documents have been established to support this process.

As of March 2024, the University of Michigan launched a two-year pilot program of institutional reference checks (IRC) for candidates selected for Associate Professor and Professor, with tenure, positions. These steps help to ensure that the University of Michigan can make an informed hiring decision while adhering to privacy and legal guidelines.  This IRC process is managed by Academic Human Resources. Detailed information about the two-year pilot program and process steps can be found on the AHR website: Institutional Reference Checks Guide. 

Prior to offering a faculty appointment of professor or associate professor on the instructional tenure track, clinical instructional track, and research professor track, an Authorization to Extend Offer (AEO) package must be submitted to the Office of the Provost.

AEO instructions 2024-25
This document details the procedure for offering new faculty member appointments at the University of Michigan. This process must be completed and approved prior to making such an offer.

AEO Solicitation Letter Templates

Also include, as an attachment, a description of the particular track on which the candidate is being hired.

AEO Cover Approval Form Templates

Joint Academic Appointments Instructions 2024-25

Memorandum from the Provost RE: New Joint Appointments for Tenure Track Faculty (Memorandum of Understanding), July 2008

Guidelines for Joint Academic Appointments at the University of Michigan, September 2004

Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for Joint Appointments

Policies on Appointments and Promotions for Research Scientist and Research Professor Tracks
Guidance for research faculty appointments and promotions in both the Research Scientist Track and Research Professor Track.

ADVANCE

The ADVANCE Program focuses on recruitment, retention, climate, and leadership development in order to enhance a diverse and excellent faculty at the University. Among the resources provided by the ADVANCE is the Handbook for Faculty Searches and Hiring, which provides guidance on every phase of the faculty search and hiring process to ensure fair and consistently applied practices.

Dual Career Program

Guide to dual career services for partners of faculty members seeking staff, administrative, or professional opportunities within the university community or the greater Ann Arbor area.

Family-Friendly Faculty Resources

The University of Michigan provides a comprehensive set of policies, programs, services, benefits, and resources for faculty members and their families.

Provost’s Faculty Initiatives Program

The Provost’s Faculty Initiatives Program (PFIP) provides supplemental resources to help schools and colleges and other academic units to hire and retain faculty with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through scholarship, teaching and/or service; to assist the dual career partners of tenure track and tenured faculty; and to respond to unique opportunities.

Additional Resources

  • LGBTQ+ Policies, Resources, Community and Benefits
    The U-M Spectrum Center works toward enhancing the campus climate and support services for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty at the university through education, advocacy, and community building.
  • King-Chavez-Parks Visiting Professors Program
    This program, supported by the U-M and State of Michigan,  contributes to the intellectual diversity of the curriculum and the co-curriculum by exposing students to guest faculty with diverse points of view and experiences.