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Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty Designation B Appointment Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers pertain to the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) Designation B appointment as described in Article 15 in the UNTF collective bargaining unit agreement between Michigan State University and the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty.

More information on Designation B and the submission process, visit the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) Designation B appointment page.

Additional questions regarding Designation B appointments can be directed to:

Bernadette Russell, HR Analyst, BRUSSELL@HR.MSU.EDU, 517-884-0214
Paige Breen, HR Analyst, BREENPAI@HR.MSU.EDU, 517-884-0157

What is Designation B?

Designation B is an appointment type outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between MSU and the UNTF. A Designation B appointment is predicated on exemplary instructional performance in UNTF bargaining unit assigned teaching duties. If eligible, individuals who believe they have established a clear record of sustained, outstanding achievements in teaching must assemble a compendium of materials that documents teaching excellence and submit such documentation to the unit head or designee. The request for a Designation B appointment is reviewed by the unit and the Office of the Provost for approval. If approval is granted, the initial Designation B appointment would provide at least a five year appointment for the UNTF teaching portion of the assignment. The collective bargaining unit between MSU and the UNTF states 'Following each annual review that demonstrates continued excellence in teaching, each Designation B employee's appointment shall be extended for one (1) year ensuring that the appointment is for no less than five(5) years" for the UNTF teaching portion of the assignment.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a Designation B appointment?

The collective bargaining agreement between MSU and the UNTF provides that “during the first month of the eighth or subsequent semester of teaching employment within seven years of the first of these semesters in a given employing unit, the employee may submit a written request to the unit head or designee, including required documentation of teaching excellence, to be reappointed as a Designation B employee for the teaching portion of the assignment.”

How does a unit or employee know if they are eligible to apply for Designation B appointments?

If a unit or employee is unsure on eligibility, an employee or unit can submit a request via email to HR Records at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu for eligibility determination. The employee will need to include a completed Request for Verification of Designation B Eligibility form with the request. HR Records will review the information against the data in the HR/Payroll System to identify if the employee meets the eligibility requirements to apply for consideration for a Designation B appointment. Please anticipate a two week turnaround time on all requests.

If eligible, how and when does an employee apply for a Designation B appointment?

To apply for a Designation B appointment, the eligible employee would complete Form B and submit materials to the unit head or designee not later than September 30 for review during fall semester or January 31 for review during spring semester.

An employee is eligible for a Designation B appointment in more than one unit. Does the employee need to make a separate request for Designation B status in each unit?

Yes, a request for a Designation B appointment needs to be made to each unit in which the employee is eligible. Each unit will review and make a determination on the request through its own independent review process.

If Form B is approved, when does the initial Designation B appointment take effect?

The collective bargaining unit agreement between MSU and the UNTF states “…the next appointment shall be for at least five years subject to satisfactory completion of a major review.” The Designation B appointment would take effect as of the effective date of the next UNTF reappointment within the employing unit.

The employee has split UNTF and non-UNTF duties. In other words, only a portion of their assignment is UNTF eligible, while the other portion is not UNTF eligible. Does the Designation B five year appointment apply to all of the assignment?

No. The Designation B five year appointment only applies to the portion of the assignment that is UNTF eligible. For example, if an employee’s duties are split as 40% research and 60% UNTF teaching, only the 60% UNTF teaching assignment is eligible for the five year commitment.

Can an employee with work authorization limitations be approved for a Designation B three year appointment?

Yes, however the appointment is contingent on the employee securing valid immigration status and work authorization before the expected reappointment start date and maintaining valid immigration status and work authorization throughout the employee’s course of employment.

An employee is appointed with a five year Designation B appointment. What happens if funding is no longer available or the course needs to be cancelled due to low enrollment? Will the layoff provisions in the UNTF collective bargaining unit agreement apply?

Yes, the layoff provisions outlined in Article 17 of the UNTF collective bargaining unit agreement would apply.

After an employee is approved for a Designation B appointment in a given employing unit, does an employee need to re-apply for a Designation B appointment for each subsequent reappointment?

No. The employee does not need to re-apply for Designation B for subsequent reappointments in a given employing unit. However, the employee's annual review does need to demonstrate continued excellence in teaching to maintain his/her Designation B status.

Does a UNTF employee have to be employed full time in order to be considered for a Designation B appointment?

No, UNTF employees do not need to be employed full time to be considered for a Designation B appointment. The determination to appoint an employee on a Designation B appointment is independent from employment percent.

After an employee submits Form B to the unit, when does Form B need to be submitted from the dean’s office to Human Resources?

Form B is due to Human Resources on March 15 for spring semester and November 1 for fall semester. Please send Form B documents to the attention of Bernadette Russell at HR Records, 1407 S. Harrison Rd., Suite 110.

When will an employee who applied for a Designation B appointment be informed of the decision on whether the initial Designation B status has been awarded?

A notification of determination will be sent from Human Resources to the dean’s office by April 15 for spring semester and November 30 for fall semester. Each college is responsible for notifying the employee of the final decision.

When does the one year extension, submitted by a reappointment form, need to be processed to continue the five year commitment to existing Designation B employees?

One year extensions, submitted by a reappointment form, need to be at Central HR by August 1 for fall appointments and December 1 for spring appointments.

What happens if the Designation B status is removed?

If a designation B employee's annual review does not clearly demonstrate continued excellence in teaching, upon consultation with the unit advisory committee regularly used to provide advice on faculty performance, the unit administrator may require a more detailed review to verify continued teaching excellence. The employee shall be given an opportunity to respond to the detailed review.

What is the difference between a major review and an annual review?

In the context of Designation B, the major review is the initial performance evaluation and review process that is required before the initial Designation B appointment is awarded. The annual review thereafter evaluates continued excellence in teaching and does not include the documentation required for the major review.

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