OFFER LETTER TEMPLATE: TENURE TRACK (CLINICIAN SCHOLAR PATH) January 1, 2018
Susan Smith MD
40000 East 63rd Street
New York, NY 10065
Dear Dr. Smith:
On behalf of the Department of ______, we are pleased to offer you the position of Assistant Professor. Details of the offer are outlined briefly below:
Title: Assistant Professor
Annual Base Salary: $000,000
Guaranteed Supplement Compensation for 2 years: $000,000
FTE: 1.0
Term of Appointment: 12 months
Initial Appointment Period: January 1, 2018 – August 31, 2018
Tenure Status: Tenure Track (Clinician Scholar Path)
You will be eligible for salary increases as allowed by the University on September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 2018. Academic appointments are from September 1, through August 31. (If a stipend for an administrative appointment, such as division director, is included in the base, that amount must be identified; a statement noting that amount will be removed if the role is relinquished voluntarily or involuntarily must be included.)
You will be eligible for productivity-based incentive (based on productivity, citizenship, patient satisfaction, and other factors) according to the Department of ______compensation plan (attached). Your annual base salary for each subsequent year and your productivity-based incentive will be determined annually by the Chair and in accordance with the departmental compensation plan. Incentive income payments may be dependent on satisfactory financial performance of the Department as determined by the Dean.
INSERT DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC ALLOWANCES HERE (e.g., development or education).
OPTIONAL: The University will provide reimbursement for moving expenses to cover the actual costs of eligible moving expenses up to a maximum of [ten percent (10%) of your annual base salary or $25,000, whichever is the lesser OR $___(replace with a lesser amount negotiated with the hire)]. For a summary definition of expenses that are allowable under the University’s Moving Expense Policy, please refer to http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/hrm/hr100/103.
Please note that due to 2017 federal tax law amendments, moving expense reimbursements will be treated as taxable income.
OPTIONAL: In addition, a hiring incentive consisting of one or more payments totaling [$$$$$] will be paid to you soon after you become a University employee, contingent upon your return of a signed hiring incentive agreement. This agreement requires a specified level of repayment if you depart the University within a specified period. The policy on hiring incentives, HR 104, can be found online at http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/hrm/hr100/hr104
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ONLY: As a tenure track faculty member, your tenure clock will begin on September 1, 2018. During each year of your probationary period, which under the Academic Tenure Regulations may not exceed a total of six (6) years, your performance in teaching, scholarly activities, and service will be expected to demonstrate that your appointment should be renewed for another year. Your progress will be evaluated annually and the results of the evaluation shared with you. An internal, third year or mid-probationary review, including peer review components, is an important assessment of your progress towards tenure. Tenure at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine only assures a base salary related to tenure equal to the average of all non-physician faculty members on this campus of equivalent academic rank. Your mandatory tenure notification date is August 1, 2024. If you are not awarded tenure, you will receive a terminal appointment for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS ONLY: As a tenure track faculty member, your tenure clock will begin on September 1, 2018. During each year of your probationary period, which under the Academic Tenure Regulations may not exceed a total of 4 years, your performance in teaching, scholarly activities, and service will be expected to demonstrate that your appointment should be renewed for another year. Your progress will be evaluated annually and the results of the evaluation shared with your. An internal mid-probationary review, including peer review components, is an important assessment of your progress towards tenure. Tenure at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine only assures a base salary related to tenure equal to the average of all non-physician faculty members on this campus of equivalent academic rank. Your mandatory tenure notification date is August 1, 2022. If you are not awarded tenure, you will receive a terminal appointment for the 2022-2023 academic year.
FULL PROFESSORS ONLY: As a tenure track faculty member, your tenure clock will begin on September 1, 2018. During each year of your probationary period, which under the Academic Tenure Regulations may not exceed a total of 2 years, your performance in teaching, scholarly activities, and service will be expected to demonstrate that your appointment should be renewed for another year. Your progress will be evaluated annually and the results of the evaluation shared with your. An internal mid-probationary review, including peer review components, is an important assessment of your progress towards tenure. Tenure at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine only assures a base salary related to tenure equal to the average of all non-physician faculty members on this campus of equivalent academic rank. Your mandatory tenure notification date is August 1, 2021. If you are not awarded tenure, you will receive a terminal appointment for the 2021-2022 academic year.
All incoming faculty will be provided with an initial mentor to help assure an optimal chance for success. We have identified Dr. XXX as your mentor. He/She will meet with you to discuss your transition to the MU SOM as a faculty member and to assist you in determining your mentoring needs. Your mentor will be expected to provide support and guidance to help you define and achieve your academic and career goals. Your role as a mentee is to take full advantage of your mentor’s expertise, and you should plan to meet with him/her at least monthly for your first 6 to 9 months. After this initial period,you, your mentor, andthe departmentwill assess your needs and your mentoring requirements as needed.
Because this position is an appointment as a member of the clinical faculty, it is contingent upon a successful completion of background checks, completion of a National Practitioner Data Bank query, the granting and continuation of appropriate Missouri licensure and registration, verification of United States citizenship or approval to work in the United States, credentialing and privileging at a University of Missouri Health Care facility and the agreement to practice as a University Physician.
You will need to obtain appropriate licensure and have submitted your credentialing/privileging and billing packets at least 120 days prior to your start date. The Department will assist you with obtaining your licensures/credentialing/privileging/billing packets.
Benefits: As a benefit eligible employee at the university, you will be eligible to participate in a broad array of total reward programs that the university makes available including health and retirement benefits. There are actions that you will need to take right away.
Retirement Plans- Immediate Action Required if You Are Interested in Participating
· You may want to consider enrolling in the 401(a) Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) or the irrevocable 403(b). On or before your first day of employment, you can make an irrevocable election in either the 401(a) SRP or irrevocable 403(b).This provides an opportunity for additional tax savings; however, it is important to note that unlike other deferral options, once you have made this election it cannot be changed or stopped during your employment with the university. Learn more about this option by emailing . If you wish to make an irrevocable election, it MUST be elected on or before your first day of employment. If you do not wish to participate in these irrevocable options then no action is necessary on your part.
Retirement Plans - Informational
· If this is your first time working for the University, if you are being rehired and were non-vested, or if you were vested and took a distribution of your benefit, you will receive information from Fidelity in the coming weeks regarding automatic enrollment in your core retirement plan – the Employee Retirement Investment Plan (ERIP). The ERIP contains both a defined contribution and defined benefit component. Both components feature automatic enrollment and have separate employee contributions. Watch for the information from Fidelity Investments regarding the defined contribution component, and review it carefully to learn more about the university’s contribution, your default contribution level and your investment options. Your contribution to the defined benefit portion of your core retirement plan will automatically be deducted from your paycheck. Please visit http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/retirement/core_and_voluntary_plans to learn more about both components your ERIP retirement plan.
· If you are a rehired employee who vested in the Retirement, Disability and Death Plan (RDD) and did not take a distribution of your benefit, you will be reinstated in this plan as your core retirement plan. Employee contributions are required for the RDD Plan and will be automatically deducted from your paycheck. Please visit http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/retirement/core_and_voluntary_plans to learn more about this plan. Contributions reset each January.
In addition to the core retirement plan the university offers, you have the opportunity to save more towards retirement and reduce your taxable income through payroll deductions. Please visit http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/retirement/core_and_voluntary_plans to learn more about these options, including how to enroll.
Health Benefits – Action required within first thirty one (31) days
· Health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits become effective on the first day of your employment as long as you enroll within the first thirty one (31) calendar days of benefit eligible employment. You must actively select and submit a medical plan choice within 31 days or you will be automatically enrolled in the Healthy Savings Plan. Please visit www.umsystem.edu/benefits to learn more about University benefits. You may also visit with a campus Benefits Advocate at 1095 Virginia Avenue, Parking Structure #7 to obtain information. Call 573-882-2146 if you would like to set an appointment with a Benefit Advocate or if you have questions after reviewing the information.
ALTERNATE BENEFITS TEXT - use this paragraph in place of the information above if the candidate is currently a University of Missouri employee.
As a benefit eligible employee at the university, you continue to be eligible to participate in a broad array of total reward programs that the university makes available including health andretirement benefits.In addition to the core retirement plan the university offers, you have the opportunity to save more towards retirement and reduce your taxable income through payrolldeductions. Please visit http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/retirement/core_and_voluntary_plans to learn more about these options, including how to enroll. You may also visit with a campusBenefits Advocate at 1095 Virginia Avenue, Parking Structure #7 to obtain information. Call 573-882-2146 if you would like to set an appointment with a Benefit Advocate or if you havequestions.
Performance Goals and Responsibilities: The specific nature of your duties will be determined by Dr.______. Your annual evaluation will be provided by Dr. ______. In general, we expect approximately 80% of your time spent in clinical activities, which incorporate education-related activities, and 20% in research activities. This breakdown of activities only applies to your initial appointment and may change over time as priorities and funding sources change, but research activities will not fall below 20%. An outline of the required duties may be summarized as follows:
Education Goals: (examples; change these goals to reflect departmental expectations)
· To be actively involved in fellows, residents and medical students education [add other types of trainees as appropriate.].
· Graduating responsibility to residents as appropriate in the clinic, emergency department and operating room.
· Attending 100% of the M&M conferences, except when out of town.
· Attending 80% of the Grand Rounds unless patient care or other emergencies prevent you from attending.
· Actively engaging residents in research including publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Clinical Service Goals: (examples: change these goals to reflect departmental expectations)
· Work collaboratively as a team member with our faculty as well as other clinical and administrative support staff to provide the highest quality care possible.
· Maintain and continue to build an excellent practice that progressively grows over your employment developing areas of sub-specialization.
· Achieve clinical productivity levels commensurate with your specialty/sub-specialty peers of similar experience and clinical effort.
Research Goals: (example: should be department specific to achieve tenure)
· Utilize clinical and basic science to further advance your career.
· In your role, you will be expected to develop an independent program of scholarly work to bring distinction to MU School of Medicine, make contributions to new knowledge and be recognized by peers at the national level for the quality and creativity of your scholarly work.
· You will be expected to receive sufficient peer-reviewed external funding to support your ongoing scholarly work.
The Department (list specific personnel) will be able to provide assistance with your research endeavors.
Citizenship:
· We would ask that you regularly participate in departmental activities including departmental meetings and conferences. We also welcome your participation in institutional committees.
Professional Standards: (example: should be department specific)
· Faculty within the Department of ______are members of a medical school and department community and with each new hire, we seek to strengthen these communities. We expect you to provide an example of excellence in clinical medicine and education.
· All faculty members are expected to provide a positive work environment.
· You will be expected to successfully stay on track regarding your Promotion and Tenure progressions.
Although you will be primarily responsible for your promotion and tenure documentation, the department will provide assistance with the preparation of review materials.
The School of Medicine has developed a standard vacation and leave time policy that is consistent with our mission. The website for this policy is listed on the attachment.
This appointment is subject to all the rules, orders, and regulations of the Board of Curators. The faculty handbook can be found online at http://facultycouncil.missouri.edu/handbook/index.html. The Faculty Bylaws and Academic Tenure Regulations are also online at http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/faculty.