Externally Funded Regular Named Chairs, Policy on

Externally Funded Regular Named Chairs, Policy on

Topic: Appointments, Tenure and Promotion, Awards and Honours
Approval Authority: Senate

Policy Statement

In furtherance of its academic mandate and out of a desire to provide donors with opportunities to support tenure and alternate stream faculty members, York University may designate certain regular academic positions as named chairs.  Regular named positions differ from Research and Teaching Chairs and Professorships and Distinguished Fellowships by the level of support provided and the expectations associated with the position.  They are indistinguishable from other tenure or alternate stream faculty positions in all other respects except by virtue of their naming.

Funding

Regular named chairs are established through formal agreements between the University and donors that stipulate the nature and duration of funding and the recognition of donors.   In general it is expected that funding will be sufficient to cover at least 50% of the costs of the position either through endowment, or expendable funding sufficient to support at least a five year term of support.

Expectations of Incumbents

 Faculty members occupying a regular named Chair are expected to provide an annual report on their activities to their Dean and to the Division of Advancement, which may be shared with donors.   They also are also expected to participate in activities that recognize the contribution of donors to the establishment and promotion of the position.

Establishment

The Provost shall review the terms and conditions of all proposals to ensure that they are consistent with York’s academic interests and provide the formal approval for the establishment of the naming designation.

Disestablishment

The term or conditions for ending the naming opportunity shall either be provided for at the time of establishment or determined by mutual agreement of the University and donors such that they may be ended following the expiration of a funding term or in the event that endowment income or other funding no longer fully supports the Chair.

Procedures

The Provost is responsible for establishing Regular Named Chairs. See the procedures for the establishment of Distinguished Fellowships in the procedures associated with the Policy on the Establishment and Designation of Research and Teaching Chairs, Professorships and Distinguished Fellowships for further details.

See also the Policy on the Establishment and Designation of Research and Teaching Chairs, Professorships and Distinguished Fellowships

Legislative History: Approved by Senate March 26, 2015