Tenure-track faculty
The initial contract period for all new tenure-track faculty is four years, with a flexible reappointment period of up to four years in duration (the tenure review year is normally in the seventh year). This change was implemented effective Fall 2011.
The first reappointment review will normally align with the Mid-Tenure Review, i.e. in the sixth semester of the contract. However, the reappointments of faculty members with January start dates and those who elect to defer their tenure review year in conjunction with a medical or maternity leave may on occasion fall in a semester other than the Mid-Tenure Review semester.
While a four-year reappointment is the most likely outcome following the initial four-year contract, the Chair or Dean may recommend a one-, two-, or three-year reappointment where appropriate, with further reappointments if subsequently required to take the faculty member through the tenure review year.
The standard initial appointment period of four years applies to all junior faculty with the exception of those who come to Boston University with a tenure-review year that is less than three years from the initial appointment date.
Salaried Lecturers
The L509 Salaried Faculty union contract outlines possible appointment and reappointment lengths for salaried lecturers. In order to standardize appointments within CAS as much as possible, we have outlined here expectations for initial appointment and reappointment periods.
Typically, initial appointments are for a two-year period. If an initial appointment is being made at the rank of senior or master lecturer, a longer initial appointment period is possible and will be determined in consultation between the department and appropriate Associate Dean.
Expected reappointment period lengths are as follows:
| Rank | Reappointment Length |
| Lecturer | 3 years |
| Senior Lecturer | 5 years |
| Master Lecturer | 5 years |
If a department is considering a shorter contract length for any reason, please contact the Director of Faculty Actions Alex Bellan (lundsted@bu.edu) prior to a vote on reappointment.