Apr. 24, 2025
An email was sent out to share updates about the Fixed-Term Faculty Promotion process, designed to better reflect their work and contributions, and to provide greater clarity and consistency across the university. While the core promotion policy remains unchanged, these updates aim to make the process more inclusive, transparent and effective.
Mar. 31, 2025
An email was sent out regarding tenure clock extensions, including resources available to the campus community. To assist faculty in understanding the process, there is an Extending the Tenure Clock Policy, a tip sheet on extending the tenure clock and an assistant professor tenure clock guide.
Mar. 27, 2025
An email was sent to share MSU’s Paid Family Sick Leave Policy for Faculty and Academic Staff for salaried faculty and academic staff to support family caregiving needs related to medical issues including but not limited to diagnosis, illness, treatment, and preventative care. This policy brings clarity and consistency to longstanding practices and aligns with the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), addressing an area of MSU’s leave policies that previously lacked clear definition.
Mar. 17, 2025
The university recently finalized and implemented revised guidelines for assistant dean and associate dean positions, effective March 10, 2025. Informed by benchmarking and stakeholder feedback, these updates reflect a commitment to equity, consistency and flexibility across the institution while recognizing the unique needs of each college.
Some of the key changes include:
Resources have been developed to assist deans with this process, including a document titled, “MSU Guidelines – Position Differentiation for Associate and Assistant Deans,” which is available here. A Phase 2 project will focus on developing university-wide criteria and guidance for promotion to senior assistant dean. More details on the timeline for this initiative will be shared in the coming months.
Feb. 26, 2025
MSU is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment. The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President of Administration recently announced the introduction of the interim Policy on Protection from Retaliation for Reporting Misconduct. The new policy protects university community members from retaliation when they report concerns in good faith or participate in an investigation or review of misconduct. It complements, rather than replaces, existing university policies that prohibit retaliation.
See the full joint message that was sent out on Feb. 26, 2025, here.
Feb. 10, 2025
We are excited to announce changes to the policy formerly known as Course Fee Courtesy, beginning with the Fall 2025 semester. Key updates: the new policy name, Tuition Benefit Program, provides greater clarity and aligns with naming conventions used by peer institutions; the credit limit for the benefit has been increased to a maximum of 134 credits or until the first bachelor's degree is completed. elimination of the five-year waiting period for all full-time employees; updated language throughout.
Find the policy, which the Board of Trustees approved on Feb. 7, 2025, here.
Nov. 13, 2024
Beginning in summer 2025, MSU will match 10% of retirement contributions on summer salaries (earned between May 16 and Aug. 15) for benefit-eligible AY faculty and academic staff. Please find President Guskiewicz's announcement here.
Aug. 28, 2024
Key policy revisions for 2024-25 include the new policy on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities, the addition of a statement on Faculty Professional Integrity, the addition of Prohibition on Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Programs, the addition of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Pregnancy-Related Conditions for Students and Employees, and reference changes from OIE to ISR throughout.
Please find the entire 2024-25 policy update guide here.
Dec. 6, 2023
Teresa Mastin has been selected as MSU's next vice provost and associate vice president for faculty and academic staff affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Oct. 26, 2023
Email from Interim Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs Ann Austin to call attention to the implementation of the changes in the Awarding Emeritum Status policy which replaced the prior Emeritus policy in June 2022. One of the primary changes was to how Emeritum status is granted. Previously, emeritus status was granted automatically. Emeritum status is now requested and reviewed through an approval process. Individuals seeking Emeritum status must complete the new Emeritum Request Form before or at the time of retirement.
Nov. 3, 2022
Email from Interim Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs Ann Austin to call attention to the policy for requesting an extension of the tenure system probationary appointment. The policy includes a number of reasons for automatic extensions.
Dec. 20, 2022
Email to Faculty and Academic Staff regarding Michigan State University's commitment to the value of inclusion and it has always been our policy to permit students, faculty and staff to observe holidays set aside by their chosen religious faiths. As we have furthered our commitment through the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report and Plan, we are pleased to announce forthcoming revisions to the current Religious Observance Policy.