October 9, 2025
In accordance with policy AC85, Affiliate Academic Appointments, affiliate faculty positions are used within the College to recognize individuals employed by the university who contribute to the teaching, research, or extension mission in one of our academic departments without remuneration. It is expected that affiliate faculty will have meaningful engagement in the host department and enhance the excellence of its mission. AC85 specifically speaks about administrators and staff, but this policy considers faculty at other Penn State units in the same category.
An affiliate faculty appointment permits the individual to use "Affiliate Faculty in the Department of X" in their title. Accordingly, and as specified in AC85, eligibility is limited to individuals qualified for a regular academic appointment. While AC85 authorizes the rank-based titles to be used for affiliate appointments, the college uses the standard title of "Affiliate Faculty in the Department of X".
In addition, HR06, Types of Appointment, established the "academic affiliate" term, designated to provide unpaid affiliation opportunities for people outside Penn State. Academic affiliates can be individuals whose expertise contributes to the mission of the College. Upon approval, the title "Academic Affiliate in the Department of X" can be used.
"Affiliate faculty" and "academic affiliate" appointments (labeled as "affiliate appointments" in this policy) can only be made in one of the nine academic departments. It is each department's responsibility to develop a process to evaluate candidates for both original appointment and reappointment. The length of each affiliate appointment is 3 years (renewable as many times as the unit sees fit).
Following the review at the departmental level, the Head makes a recommendation to the Dean for approving or renewing the affiliate appointment. The recommendation must include the candidate's CV and the Head's support letter and should be sent to the Senior Associate Dean for processing. Upon the Dean's approval, the Head notifies the candidate. Affiliate faculty appointments are registered in Workday by the Dean's Office, since these refer to Penn State employees.
Requests for affiliate appointments must be submitted to the Senior Associate Dean by April 30 each year. The College evaluates these requests once a year. Appointments are made with a start date of July 1 of each year.
Heads are required to submit the description of evaluation procedure as well as the list of active affiliates (with the end date of their appointment) to the College by June 30 each year. The two types of affiliate appointments should be clearly identified.
