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Contents
Preamble
Proposal
1. Establishment
2. Appointment
3. Conditions
4. Tenurability
Preamble
The traditional path to an academic career is akin
to a long apprenticeship. An Honours degree is followed
by a higher degree(s) then usually by postdoctoral or
other experience, all on contract and low stipends.
It is clear that the lack of security and the paltry
income combine to discourage some gifted students from
considering an academic career.
The higher education system cannot afford to lose most
of the best and brightest to the commercial sector -
it needs them to educate and to research for the next
generation. The traditional approach therefore needs
to be modified.
Index
Proposal
It is proposed to introduce "Early Start"
Lectureships in the University of Wollongong. The conditions
relating to these would be:
1. Establishment
1.1 At the request of the Head of an academic
unit and with the approval of the Dean, a Lectureship
in an academic unit may be designated "Early Start".
Initially, only one will be permitted in any academic
unit.
Index
2. Appointment
2.1 An Appointments Committee will be chaired
by the Dean. Appointment will be open to people who
are in or who have completed their Honours year or equivalent
within the past 2 years. For 4 year degrees, applicants
may have alternatively completed the first 3 years and
be undertaking 4th year (only) subjects. The Head of
academic unit has the responsibility to ensure an adequate
field.
2.2 Appointments may only be at the base of
the Lecturers grade (with subsequent incremental progression);
there will be a five year probationary period. Promotion
will not be available during this period nor will it
become available after this period unless the normal
promotions conditions applying to other academic staff
are satisfied at the required standard.
2.3 Applications are to be restricted to those
who demonstrate outstanding potential.
Index
3. Conditions
3.1 Such Lecturers may average no more than
half the average teaching load of the academic staff
of the department. Teaching should include lecturing,
tutoring, demonstrating or supervising prescribed practical
work, but without extensive associated administrative
work.
3.2 They must be eligible to enrol, be accepted,
enrol and then complete a higher degree (normally a
PhD) within the probationary period.
3.3 During their first year, they must attend
a specially designed staff development program approved
by the Director, Staff Development, which will be held
on Friday afternoons.
3.4 They will normally have permanent resident
status or be eligible to be granted such status.
3.5 Failure in the higher degree will lead to
termination of the appointment.
3.6 The higher degree must (where available)
be undertaken at the University of Wollongong.
Index
4. Tenurability
4.1 An "Early Start" Lecturer who
completes (at least to the stage of submission) a higher
degree and who can present evidence of high quality
teaching, may be granted tenure by the University. This
will be considered by the appropriate Promotions and
Continuing Appointments Committee.
Index
Last Updated 9 September 2004
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