Guidelines for Recruitment and Retention of Extension-Funded Faculty
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Division of Extension are committed to strengthening the recruitment and retention of Extension-funded faculty. To align with the continuous nature of Extension responsibilities, this joint guideline outlines our approach to moving toward 12-month appointments as the standard for these positions.
Guiding Principles
Year-Round Responsibilities: Extension-funded faculty provide critical, year-round support to stakeholders in agriculture, natural resources, and community development. Appointment structures should reflect this ongoing commitment.
Unified Recruitment Approach: CALS and the Division of Extension will work collaboratively to offer competitive 12-month appointments, ensuring consistency across units and maintaining a strong candidate pool.
Sustained Retention: Competitive compensation and alignment with year-round duties will support long-term faculty satisfaction and retention, reinforcing our shared mission.
Consistency Across Appointments: Both CALS and the Division of Extension will prioritize 12-month appointments and will not consider conversion of faculty from 12-month to 9-month contracts as a retention strategy.
Key Guidelines
12-Month Appointments as the Standard:
All new Extension-funded faculty positions within CALS and the Division of Extension will be 12-month appointments.
It is our intent to offer an opportunity for those interested to transition 9-month appointments to 12-month structures as time and budget allow. In FY25 we do not anticipate an opportunity for this transition due to budget constraints.
Eliminating 12-to-9-Month Conversions:
Conversion from 12-month to 9-month appointments will not be used as a tool for retention or recruitment.
Exceptions will only be considered in extraordinary circumstances and must ensure the faculty member’s ability to fulfill their year-round responsibilities.
Collaborative Recruitment Practices:
Job postings will reflect the joint commitment of CALS and the Division of Extension to 12-month appointments.
Recruitment efforts will highlight the benefits of a 12-month structure, including stability and alignment with year-round stakeholder engagement.
Benefits of a Unified 12-Month Appointment Structure
For Faculty: Improved compensation stability, alignment with year-round duties, and enhanced professional opportunities.
For Stakeholders: Continuous, reliable access to faculty expertise and resources throughout the year.
For CALS and Division of Extension: A unified, strategic approach to strengthening the Extension mission through a sustainable and competitive faculty workforce.
