Faculty Handbook


The Faculty Handbook is a guide to the faculty and is designed to present information relevant to the faculty about Emory University. It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of policies and practices affecting Emory faculty. Online sources of original policies are provided throughout the text, though in a few instances the policy provided in the handbook is the original source. Although the Faculty Handbook is updated periodically, the responsibility remains with the faculty member to refer to the most recent policies to ensure that they have the most current version of the information.

The creation of this Faculty Handbook and its distribution by the Office of the Provost does not in any way change the legal rights or obligations of faculty members at Emory University. Further, as a guide, it is not a legally-binding document. The policies, practices, procedures, guidelines, and standards referred to in all parts of this Faculty Handbook form a basic part of the essential employment understandings between members of the faculty and the university. The handbook does not constitute a contract between the individual and Emory University. The relationship of faculty to the university continues to be governed by the terms of the Statement of Principles Governing Faculty Relationships as amended periodically by the Board of Trustees, which is included as a link in Chapter Four in this Faculty Handbook.

In addition to the policies of the university, schools and units in the university have additional policies and practices that apply to faculty, some of which supplement the policies in the Faculty Handbook. Faculty members are advised to be familiar with all of these policies and practices.

Information about suggestions, corrections, additions, or deletions is welcome. Please contact Carol Flowers St. John, associate vice provost for faculty affairs and inclusion.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Emory University Overview

  • 1.1 History
  • 1.2 Academic Programs
  • 1.3 Academic Calendar

Chapter 2: Vision, Mission, and Ethical Principles

  • 2.1 Vision Statement
  • 2.2 Mission Statement
  • 2.3 Statement of Ethical Principles

Chapter 3: University Governance

  • 3.1 Selected University Bylaws
  • 3.2 Standards of Conduct
  • 3.3 Administration
  • 3.4 University and Faculty Governance

Chapter 4: Statement of Principles Governing Faculty Relationships ("Gray Book")

Chapter 5: Faculty Structure, Titles, Promotion, and Reviews

  • 5.1 Faculty Structure
  • 5.2 Current Faculty Titles and the Requirement for Approval of New Titles
  • 5.3 Appointment and Promotion Guidance
  • 5.4 Procedures for Reappointment, Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure
  • 5.5 Faculty Reviews

The Office of the Provost exists to advance Emory's scholarly community through excellence in research and teaching across the university and to support intellectual community and faculty distinction. The university provides infrastructure and resources to support faculty scholarship, teaching, and service. As we are an academic institution, it is expected that all faculty engage in these academic pursuits. This section of the Faculty Handbook outlines expectations as well as opportunities in scholarship, teaching, and service. Further, faculty development opportunities exist for faculty at all ranks and disciplines. Faculty should be familiar with both university-wide as well as unit-wide programs for continued academic development. Emory prides itself on faculty participation and governance and thus looks to faculty for input on scholarly, teaching, and service activities and programs.

Each new faculty member is invited to attend an orientation session regarding university policies and benefits. Faculty members may elect to do this in person or online. More information about benefits is available at the Human Resources website. Further, the various schools and colleges offer orientations to new and junior faculty.

Chapter 6: Scholarship, Research, and Libraries

  • 6.1 Scholarship Expectations for Faculty
  • 6.2 Research at Emory
  • 6.3 Research Administration
  • 6.4 Libraries

Chapter 7: Teaching

  • 7.1 Teaching Expectations for Faculty
  • 7.2 Teaching Resources

Chapter 8: Service

  • 8.1 Service Expectations for Faculty
  • 8.2 Senate Resolution on the Critical Role of Service
  • 8.3 Faculty, Staff, and Student External Volunteer Guidelines

Chapter 9: Faculty Development

  • 9.1 Center for Faculty Development and Excellence (CFDE)
  • 9.2 Academic Leadership Program (ALP)
  • 9.3 University Research Committee (URC)
  • 9.4 Emory Conference Center Subvention Fund
  • 9.5 Lecture Series
  • 9.6 Emory University Emeritus College

Chapter 10: University-wide Faculty Awards and Recognition

  • 10.1 University-wide Faculty Awards
  • 10.2 Faculty Recognition

Within this Faculty Handbook, many policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, and standards are referenced in Parts A and B. In Chapter 4, the Statement of Principles Governing Faculty Relationships, otherwise known as the "Gray Book," is provided in its entirety. In the sections below are additional descriptions and links to key university policies relevant to faculty. Some policies that are useful to faculty on a regular and frequent basis are reprinted in this handbook, but most are summarized or referenced with a link to the full policy. This is not meant to be an exhaustive compilation of policies. Except for a few faculty policies that are contained in this handbook, a comprehensive description of Emory University policies is available at the Policies and Procedures website. Although this handbook is updated frequently, the policies website should be accessed for the current versions of all codified university policies. Further, each school and college has policies that are unique to its needs and faculty, and these are available at the school and college websites.

Faculty are responsible for becoming familiar with and complying with the policies of the university and of their schools and colleges. The members of the Office of the Provost, the Office of the General Counsel, and the deans' offices are available to assist faculty members on policy matters. Given that change is continual at Emory, when circumstances require assurance of completeness or validity of information, please consult the university or school office that is the authority on the particular matter, as well as the university policies website.

Chapter 11: Policies of Faculty Appointment, Promotion, Recognition, Reviews, and Aspects of Faculty Life

  • 11.1 Appointment, Promotion, Review
  • 11.2 Policies on Other Aspects of Faculty Life

Chapter 12: Policies Regarding Conduct in the Workplace

  • 12.1 Ethics and Conduct
  • 12.2 Consensual Relationship Policy
  • 12.3 Policy on Violence in the Workplace
  • 12.4 Substance Abuse/Drug-Free Workplace
  • 12.5 Tobacco-Free Environment Policy

Chapter 13: Conflict of Interest and Commitment

  • 13.1 General University Conflict of Interest Policies
  • 13.2 Conflict of Interest in Research
  • 13.3 Conflict of Commitment

Chapter 14: Leave and Leaves of Absence

  • 14.1 Policy on Bereavement Leave
  • 14.2 Policy on Holidays
  • 14.3 Policy on Jury Duty Leave
  • 14.4 Sick Leave Practices for Faculty
  • 14.5 Vacation Leave Practices for Faculty
  • 14.6 Living Donor Leave Policy
  • 14.7 Salary Continuation Policy
  • 14.8 Medical Leave Policy (Non-FMLA)
  • 14.9 Family and Medical Leave Act Policy (FMLA)
  • 14.10 Military Leae Policy
  • 14.11 Personal Leave Policy
  • 14.12 Educational Leave Policy
  • 14.13 Administrative Leave Policy
  • 14.14 Maternity Leave Policy
  • 14.15 Parental Leave Policy

Chapter 15: Information Technology (IT) Policy and Procedures

  • 15.1 Policy on Information Technology Conditions of Use
  • 15.2 Policy on Connecting to the Emory Data Network
  • 15.3 Policy on Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Utilities
  • 15.4 Smart Device Security Policy

Chapter 16: Research Policies and Procedures

  • 16.1 General Policies
  • 16.2 Sponsored Programs
  • 16.3 Technology Transfer
  • 16.4 Other Research Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures

Chapter 17: Relevant Student Policies, Procedures, and Resources

  • 17.1 Student Policies and Procedures
  • 17.2 Student Resources

Chapter 18: Policies and Procedures on Finance

  • 18.1 Selected Policies on Financial Operations
  • 18.2 Payroll Policies
  • 18.3 Travel Policies

Chapter 19: Policies on Media, Communication, and Marketing

  • 19.1 Media Relations Policy
  • 19.2 Use of Emory Name, Logo, or Trademarks/Service Marks
  • 19.3 Social Media Guidelines
  • 19.4 Sponsorship of Nonprofit Organizations beyond Emory University

Chapter 20: Human Resources and Benefits

  • 20.1 Medical, Prescription Drugs, and Dental Plans
  • 20.2 Eligibility to Continue Benefits into Retirement
  • 20.3 Other HR Benefits
  • 20.4 Education, Training, and Career Development Benefits

Emory has systematic emergency response plans in place as well as helpful urgent contact information and plans for other circumstances.

Chapter 21: Emergency Management

  • 21.1 Emergency Contact Information
  • 21.2 Critical Event Preparedness and Response
  • 21.3 Threat Assessment Team
  • 21.4 Enterprise Risk Management

Chapter 22: Faculty Handbook Process

  • 22.1 Approval
  • 22.2 Updates
  • 22.3 Dissemination