Temporary Part-Time Faculty
Temporary Part-Time (TPT) faculty are temporary faculty hired to teach on a per-course basis as defined by the Faculty Handbook section B2.3.10 Adjunct Titles.
TPT terms and conditions of employment are governed by the Unit 2 Agreement Between the University of New Mexico and United Academics-UNM (Unit 2 CBA).
TPT teaching assignments are subject to cancellation of classes due to under enrollments, significant mid-year budget rescissions (as determined by UNM administration) or other necessary changes in the work schedule of the department.
Adjuncts who have taught an average of 6 credit hours per semester in each of the past three academic years, or who have been contracted to teach an average of 6 credit hours per semester in each of the past four academic years, may request a two-semester term teacher appointment. Each application will be evaluated based on a demonstration of effective teaching by the applicant, including but not limited to course evaluations; teaching evaluations; a teaching statement; and evidence of professional development, including pedagogical training, technological training, curriculum development, and course or program reviews. Approval for awarding an adjunct a Term Teacher Appointment shall be approved by the Chair, Dean, and Provost or Provost’s designee.
Per Article 7. Section I in Compensation, in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of New Mexico and United Academics-UNM Unit 2, Term Teachers will be compensated at least at a minimum 10% above the minimum rates in Paragraph A of this Article.
Term Teacher Appointments are effectuated via the Term Teacher Appointment Letter
In accordance with the Unit 2 CBA, Article 12, Section A, units will endeavor to issue course appointment letters no later than the following schedule:
- Fall Semester: May 15
- Spring Semester: November 15
The Unit 2 CBA does not identify a timeframe for notifying TPT for summer session assignments. It is recommended that TPT faculty assigned summer session teaching be provided with their course appointment letter once the teaching assignment has been made.
TPT faculty may be eligible for certain UNM benefits. The criteria for benefit eligibility can be found under University Administrative Policy 3600: https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3600.html. Information about employee benefits is available from the HR Benefits Office, or the HR Benefits website: https://hr.unm.edu/benefits.
Benefits Eligibility at a Glance
ERB Retirement Benefits
The New Mexico Education Retirement Act (ERA) requires employees who work greater than .25 FTE be automatically enrolled in the defined benefit plan and make required contributions. Details about the ERA are available on the New Mexico Education Retirement Board (NMERB) website. Information regarding retirement plan benefits HR Benefits Office, or the HR Benefits website: https://hr.unm.edu/benefits.
For more Information about employee benefits is available from the HR Benefits Office, or the HR Benefits Office website:
Detailed recruitment information can be found in:
- Faculty Hiring Guidelines
- Faculty Hiring Procedures
- Job Aid for Creating a Faculty Requisition
- Job Aid for Hiring Request: Adjuncts
Information for rehiring an existing TPT can be found in:
Useful Documents
How do I process a TPT rehire for the next semester?
TPT rehires are processed via TPT rehire ePAF. See the TPT Rehire ePAF Job Aid for instructions.
When am I required to rehire a TPT through a competitive hiring process?
If the TPT has not taught in the past 2 years, the individual must be rehired via a competitive hiring process.
Can and TPT perform an administrative assignment?
No. The UNM Faculty Handbook B2.3.10 defines adjunct instructors as those who may teach on an occasional, limited, course-by-course basis. They are limited to instruction.
Can an Academic or Fiscal Year faculty hold a TPT assignment?
No, faculty who hold F9 (9-month) or FY (12-month) assignments who teach in an overload status can be compensated using the teaching overload form and process. Note, for Unit 1 faculty, teaching overload compensation is defined by the department workload policy.
Can non-exempt staff hold TPT assignments?
No. The UNM Faculty Handbook B2.3.10 defines adjunct instructors as persons whose primary professional responsibility is outside the University or for professional staff of the University. Exempt staff can hold a TPT assignment.
Non-exempt staff must comply with the timekeeping and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. TPT appointments are exempt and paid on a salary basis per course. There are no exceptions to allow a non-exempt staff member to hold a TPT assignment.
