To define the certain types of University Appointments. 

An individual may be exclusively appointed to either an unpaid affiliation or a paid appointment/position. A paid appointment or position can be either full-time or part-time. For information on part-time appointments terms and conditions, refer to University policy HR103 - Employment Conditions for Part-Time Employees. 

The following is not an inclusive list of all University appointments and positions. Please contact your unit HR representative for more information. 

UNPAID AFFILIATION

Unpaid affiliations may be modified, altered, or discontinued at the University's sole discretion. These affiliations are not employees, and not paid by the University. 

ACADEMIC AFFILIATE

An academic affiliate is an individual who has an academic affiliation with the University but is not employed or paid by the University and is terminable at the discretion of the University. Academic affiliations include clinical faculty at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with tenure through the College of Medicine, emeritus retirees, visiting scholars, and visiting faculty (refer to University policies/guidelines: AC01 - Visiting Scholars, AC25 - Emeritus Status, and ACG09 - Clinical Faculty Appointments for Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Physicians and Health Care Providers). Individuals who meet the criteria under University Policy AC25 - Emeritus Status are appointed as academic affiliates. 

PAID APPOINTMENTS AND POSITIONS

No individual may be appointed to more than one full-time job at the same time. For information on full-time employees assuming a part-time University position, refer to University Policy HR103 - Employment Conditions for Part-Time Employees. 

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATOR

An Academic Administrator is an individual who has an administrative role in a major academic function at the University and who generally holds an academic appointment or is qualified to hold one. These positions blend academic leadership with administrative responsibilities, often overseeing academic departments, schools, divisions, or research institutes. Academic Administrators play a crucial role in shaping academic policies, supporting faculty, and ensuring the effective delivery of academic programs and services. These individuals report to a Dean, Chancellor, or the direct report of a Dean or Chancellor. 

ACADEMIC: NON-TENURE-LINE, TERM

Non-Tenure-Line, Term academic appointments must last for a minimum of six (6) months up to a maximum of five (5) years and have a specified end date and are terminable in accordance with applicable University policy and applicable terms and conditions of employment. Employees may be offered subsequent appointments at the option of the University. 

ACADEMIC: NON-TENURE-LINE, NO-TERM 

The approval of the Office of Faculty Affairs is required prior to the creation of any Non-Tenure-Line, No-Term academic positions. Non-Tenure-Line, No-Term academic positions have no specified end date and are terminable in accordance with applicable University policy and applicable terms and conditions of employment. Unless otherwise indicated in applicable University policy, Non-Tenure-Line, No-Term academic appointments are considered to be at-will. 

ACADEMIC: TENURE-LINE, NO-TERM 

Tenure-Line, No-Term academic positions have no specified end date and are terminable in accordance with applicable University policy and applicable terms and conditions of employment (refer to University policies AC23 - Promotion and Tenure Procedures and Regulations and AC70 - Dismissal Procedure for Tenured and Tenure-Eligible Faculty Members). 

UNPAID AFFILIATIONS: 

Unpaid affiliations may be modified, altered, or discontinued at the University's sole discretion. These affiliations are not employees and are not paid by the University. 

CONTINGENT

Individuals with a contingent status are not employed or paid by the University but must be able to access certain University systems due to a supervisory relationship or tracking need. Typically, individuals with a contingent status are paid by another institution or organization. A contingent status is limited to employees of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre who supervise College of Medicine employees, individuals of the ROTC who manage University employees, and temporary agency individuals who are performing work classified as technical service. Such contingent statuses are terminable at the discretion of the University. 

PAID APPOINTMENTS AND POSITIONS: 

No individual may be appointed to more than one full-time job at the same time. For information on full-time employees assuming a part-time University position, refer to University policy HR103 - Employment Conditions for Part-Time Employees. 

ADMINISTRATOR

An administrator is a senior-level management position who reports directly to the President or another Executive of the University and is entrusted with the responsibility for overseeing a significant non-academic department or function. These individuals typically manage operational, financial, or institutional services that support the University's overall mission. Administrators are tasked with ensuring the efficient and effective operation of their respective areas and typically oversees multiple functional areas with University-wide scope. 

STAFF: LIMITED-TERM 

Limited-Term Staff appointments must last for a minimum of six (6) months, up to a maximum of three (3) years and have a specified end date and are terminable in accordance with applicable University policy and applicable terms and conditions of employment. Employees may be offered subsequent appointments at the option of the University. 

STAFF: REGULAR

Regular Staff positions have no specified end date and are terminable in accordance with applicable University policy and applicable terms and conditions of employment. Unless otherwise indicated in applicable University policy, regular staff positions are considered to be at-will. 

POSTDOCTORAL: TERM

Postdoctoral appointments are full-time temporary one-year appointments. Refer to University policy RA68 - Postdoctoral Appointments for more information. 

CROSS REFERENCES

AC01 - Visiting Scholars

AC23 - Promotion and Tenure Procedure and Regulations

AC25 - Emeritus Status

AC70 - Dismissal Procedure for Tenured and Tenure-Eligible Faculty Members

ACG09 – Clinical Faculty Appointments in the College of Medicine for The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Physicians and Health Care Providers

HR34 - Employment Conditions for Staff Employees

HR92 - Employment Conditions for Employees Classified as Administrator 

HR103 - Employment Conditions for Part-Time Employees

RA68 - Postdoctoral Appointments