The employment of part-time faculty at the University for the first time is called an original appointment and requires the prospective employee to submit a complete employment package, including all the above documents. All appointments there after will be considered reappointments, requiring adjuncts confirmation by the Program Coordinator and an updated Personal Data Sheet if necessary to update personal information.
When the decision to hire an individual is made, a verbal or written offer will be extended by the Program Coordinator with all details regarding the instruction of the course. Once accepted, the new faculty’s name is submitted via email to the Scheduling Coordinator. The new faculty should immediately begin to establish their syllabus, order textbooks and desk copies if needed with the Faculty Services Office gsefso@gmu.edu. Any questions regarding the hiring process or individual hiring information should be directed to the OSFS Business Manager.
An official standard offer letter or contract will be extended to the faculty approximately one month prior to the start of classes, which states the following:
To officially begin work with the University, the letter or contract must be signed and returned to the OSFS Business Manager. Signatures of acceptance by all parties will constitute a contract between the University and the individual part-time faculty member. Any documents received by you from the University should be kept in a safe and accessible place for your future needs. The University cannot guarantee duplication of these documents in the future.
Payment to part-time faculty is based on a Matrix Scale that is developed by the University. Please see the appendices for the most updated scale to determine payment information. Faculty are compensated for the instruction of their class based on several criteria:
The course level is determined by the number of the course. All 100 and 200 courses are considered lower level (or Level A); all 300 and 400 courses are considered higher level (or Level B); and all 500 and up courses are considered grad level (Level C).
The full-time equivalence is determined by the number of credit hours students will pay for when registering for the class. Three credit hours is equal to 0.25 or ¼ of a full-time equivalent for the fall and the spring semesters. For the summer sessions, the FTE will change, while the credits will not. Please note that you are paid by the course credit hours and not the FTE.
There are two criteria that determine academic rank: degree level and university experience. There are three levels (I, II, and III) of academic rank, with Levels II and III being reserved for faculty with their doctorate. Level I is equivalent to an Instructor; Level II is equivalent to an Assistant Professor; and Level III is equivalent to an Associate or Full Professor. Moving among the levels depends on the individual experiences of each faculty. Upon request, all salaries may be reviewed at the end of the academic year. In general the following guidelines apply:
Number of Years Taught at a University = Academic Rank
All faculty will start as either Level I or Level II unless special exceptions are made by the Associate Dean. These exceptions must be presented in writing to the OSFS Business Manager.
Part-time faculty are appointed on a semester basis and paid semi-monthly during each semester on the 1st and the 16th of each month. If teaching the full semester, the faculty member will receive a total of seven checks, with the first paycheck being issued no earlier than three weeks after the first night class begins. This initial payment will only occur if the contract has been submitted in a timely manner.
Under special circumstances, some adjunct faculty are appointed to be paid on a monthly basis, with one check issued per month for a given period. In these cases, checks are issued on the 1st day of each month with the first check being issued at the beginning of the second month of employment. Other faculty may be appointment to be paid on a one-time lump sum payment after grades have been submitted. The faculty member will be informed by their hiring department if they fall under either of these categories.
For more information, please contact the OSFS Business Manager or the George Mason University payroll office at (703) 993-2600.
Direct Deposit is the official means for pay distribution. All George Mason University employees will be required to sign up for this service. A Direct Deposit Authorization Form is submitted to the OSFS Business Manager with the other hiring documents. For more information, please contact the OSFS Business Manager.
George Mason University, Human Resources Office maintains all information electronically. It is the responsibility of the employee to update their own records when changes are made. All employees can access their file by logging in to PatriotWeb. After entering your ID and PIN, you may view and update your address and biographical data, as well as your education and emergency contact information. You may also view employment records such as downloading pay stubs and W-2’s. Please remember that whatever information you update in the HR system should also be updated with the CEHD. Please email all Personal Data changes to gsefso@gmu.edu.
All CEHD instructors are expected to prepare course materials and class presentations for the course(s) they have been hired to teach in consultation with the course Program Coordinator. This includes arranging for all course materials per program procedures (consult Program Coordinator for specifics), preparing and submitting syllabi for school archive and internet posting, electronic grade submission, and any electronic registration procedures required by students in the course.
While teaching, all faculty are required to make themselves available to students for course consultation. Given the constricted schedules of our students, it is often more convenient for faculty to schedule meeting times immediately before or after class, and by appointment. Availability of adjunct faculty should be clearly stated in the course syllabus. See the Appendices for sample syllabus). Use of Blackboard and Mason email provides for communication with students regarding course matters.
The university’s relationship to Adjunct Faculty is explained in the Part-Time Faculty Guide. Please refer to this handbook for information regarding employment, course and instruction, workplace expectations, benefits and personnel and facilities and services information.
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