Adjuncts who have taught an average of 6 credit hours per semester in each of the past three academic years may be offered a two-semester term teacher appointment with a minimum appointment of 12 credit hours during the two terms of the academic year. See the Memorandum of Agreement implemented on December 7 ^th 2023 for details on the amendment to Unit 2 CA, Article 12, Section A.

Term Teacher 9-month base salary is determined from per course pay rate based on the  unit’s published pay scale. Term Teacher appointments cannot exceed 1.00 FTE (appointment percent). A Term Teacher may teach additional assignments above those documented in the appointment letter via a teaching overload. Including a teaching overload, a Term Teacher cannot exceed a total 1.25 FTE.  

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 per course appointment letters for fall semester by May 15 ^th and spring semester by November 15 ^th. However, departments may issue per course appointment letters following these dates to meet the operational needs of the University. The Unit 2 CBA does not identify a timeframe for notifying Term Teachers for summer session assignments. It is recommended that Term Teachers teaching over summer session should be provided with their course appointment letter once the teaching assignment has been made.

Adjunct (TPT) faculty who have taught an average of 6 credit hours per semester in each of the past three academic years may be offered a two-semester term teacher appointment with a minimum appointment of 12 credit hours during the two terms of the academic year. Departments are encouraged to use the  Term Teacher Appointment Tool to identify TPT who may meet the eligibility requirements.

To initiate a Term Teacher appointment, the department must submit the following documents to OAP:

• Term Teacher Appointment Request Form,
• Term Teacher Appointment Letter, and
• Pay Installment Election Form

Departments must follow the approval process required by their College/School/Branch campus leadership.

To continue or extend an existing Term Teacher appointment for an additional Academic Year, the department must submit the following documents to OAP:

• Extend Non-Continuing Faculty Appointment Request Form, and
• Term Teacher Appointment Letter

Departments must follow the approval process required by their College/School/Branch campus leadership.

Term Teachers 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. 

Changes in FTE may impact benefit eligibility or make the faculty member ineligible for certain UNM benefit plan or retirement plan participation.   

For more Information about employee benefits is available from the HR Benefits Office, or the HR Benefits Office website:

https://hr.unm.edu/benefits

Term Teaching faculty FTE is based on the number of credit hours taught for the Academic Year. The FTE is determined by using the Hour Per Pay Table

FTE Examples:

0.50 FTE

Two (2) Three (3) credit hour classes in Fall

Two (2) Three (3) credit hour classes in Spring

Total credit hours – Twelve (12) credit hours for the Academic Year

0.75 FTE

Three (3) Three (3) credit hour classes in Fall

Three (3) Three (3) credit hour classes in the Spring

Total credit hours – Eighteen (18) credit hours for the Academic Year

1.0 FTE

Four (4) Three (3) credit hour classes in Fall

Four (4) Three (3) credit hour classes in Spring

Total credit hours – Twenty-Four (24) credit hours for the Academic Year

* Branch Campuses should use the Branch Campus Hours Per Pay Table when identifying the FTE for Term Teaching Faculty. 

*Departments should attempt to balance credit hours by having Term Teachers work the same credit hours each semester.

May a Term Teacher work over 1.00 FTE?

Additional classes taught above the those including the Term Teacher’s appointment letter can be processed as a teaching overload. A Term Teacher’s FTE, including any teaching overloads, cannot exceed 1.25 FTE. Teaching overloads shall be processed via a teaching overload form and submitted via ePAF.

May a Term Teacher perform an administrative assignment?

No. The UNM Faculty Handbook defines term teachers as those who teach on teach on a non-permanent basis. They are limited to instruction.

Is it possible to cancel a Term Teacher contract due low course enrollment?

No. Term teachers are guaranteed the appointment documented in their appointment letter. If a class is cancelled, the department must find alternative teaching or other assignment to meeting FTE requirement.

May term teachers hold appointments in two departments?

Yes, term teachers may hold appointments in two separate departments. The Office for Academic Personnel requires departments to work together to issue term teacher appointment.

Can term teachers teach an additional course in a department other than their home departments?

Yes, the additional course can be processed via a teaching overload form. Departments must coordinate to ensure there isn’t a conflict the Term Teacher’s total FTE cannot exceed 1.25.

What if I want to add a class to the term teacher appointment, do I need to issue a new appointment letter?

No, the additional teaching assignment can be added as a teaching overload using the teaching overload form.