Since universities and their departments are formal organizations with hierarchical structures, from time to time Economics in the Rear-view Mirror digs out and preserves information useful in understanding employment histories of individual academic economists. Today’s post is concerned with the pre- or sub-professorial appointment ranks and comes from a Columbia University document found in the economic department records at the Columbia University archives.
____________________
Revised April 28, 1966
Office of the Secretary
208 Low Memorial Library
DEFINITION OF RANKS:
| Lecturer | A Lecturer is an officer of mature experience, holding the doctorate or having equivalent special preparation, who is appointed annually to give part- or full-time instruction, and who does not qualify for the title of Adjunct Professor (see 1965 Faculty Handbook, Pages 28-30).
A Lecturer’s salary is generally determined with reference to that of an Assistant Professor and for the academic year 1966-67 should be based on a minimum of $1,250 for a three- or four-point semester course. Prorated variations shall be made for courses of other point values only when there is a substantial difference in the number of teaching hours involved. |
| Associate | An Associate is an officer of mature experience, not a candidate for a higher degree, who is appointed annually because of special competence in a given field to give part- or full-time service and who does not qualify for the title of Lecturer. An Associate may have full responsibility for a course or courses or he may conduct under the supervision of a regular member of the faculty, drill or recitation sections related to courses offered by that member of the faculty.
An Associate’s salary is generally determined with reference to that of an Instructor and for the academic year 1966-67, the salary of an Associate who has full responsibility for a course or courses should be based on a minimum of $1,000 for a three-point semester course. Prorated variations shall be made for course of different point values only when there is a substantial difference in the number of teaching hours involved. The salary of an Associate who, under the supervision of a regular member of the faculty, conducts drill or recitation sections related to courses offered by that member of the faculty, shall be computed for a normal week of 16 hours at the rate of $7.50 per hour. |
Note: Associates and Lecturers are not entitled to fringe benefits, including tuition exemption, except by special arrangement recorded in the Office of the Director of Personnel and subject to the rules governing Presidential appointments.
Note: The title of Associate or Lecturer requires a Presidential Appointment.
| Preceptor | A Preceptor is a full-time candidate for the Ph.D. degree who has completed the course work and preferably the oral examinations for that degree and who is appointed annually, for not more than 3 years (or, in exceptional situations, 12 consecutive courses, not more than two of which shall be given in any one semester), to teach, under the supervision of a regular member of the faculty, one or more courses not to exceed six points a term. Appointment to this rank shall normally be limited to students of outstanding teaching potential. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree who have had suitable teaching experience are eligible for appointment to a Preceptorship before completing the residence requirement.
A Preceptor’s stipend is at the rate of $2,000 per semester. Appointments for less than the full assignment of two courses per semester carry a prorated stipend but do not reduce the tuition exemption benefits of 15 points per term or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties. |
| Teaching Assistant (I) |
A Teaching Assistant (I) is a full-time candidate for a higher degree who is given an appointment for one or two terms to conduct a section or an elementary or intermediate course under the supervision of a regular member of the faculty. Normally a person in this category, if reappointed for further service, should qualify on the basis of teaching experience as a Preceptor. Although normally for use in the Language Departments, this rank may be used in special cases in other departments.
The compensation for Teaching Assistant I is at the rate of $900 per course per semester. Two-point conversation courses shall be paid at the rate of $600 a course. Tuition exemption is granted up to 15 points a term (or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties) for a teaching load of 2 courses and is prorated for a lesser assignment. |
| Teaching Assistant (II) |
A Teaching Assistant (II) is a full-time candidate for a higher degree, preferably having completed one year’s residence for that degree, who is appointed for one or more terms, not to exceed four consecutive years, and who is not in charge of a course or courses but who conducts drill or recitation sections related to courses offered by a regular member of the faculty. Although normally for use in the Language Departments, this rank may be used in special cases in other departments.
The compensation for Teaching Assistant II is at the rate of $1,000 per semester for service of 8 or more class hours per week. Tuition exemption is granted up to 15 points per term (or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties), both stipend and exemption to be prorated for a lesser assignment. |
Note: Assistants who work only in the Language Laboratory will be paid an appropriate hourly rate determined by the Director of the Laboratory.
| Teaching Assistant (S) |
A Teaching Assistant (S) is a full-time candidate for a higher degree in one of the sciences who is appointed annually, for not more than four consecutive years, to conduct recitation, discussion, laboratory or other sections related to courses offered by a regular member of the faculty. Normally for use in the Science Departments, this rank may be used in special cases in other departments.
The compensation for a Teaching Assistant (S) is at the discretion of the department but should range between $2,000 and $2,400 per year. It is prorated on the basis that a full assignment amounts to 15 hours of service per week. Appointments for less than the full assignment do not reduce the tuition exemption benefits of 15 points per term or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties. |
| Graduate Research Assistant |
A Graduate Research Assistant is a student who is engaged in research while registered in the University as a candidate for a higher degree. The research must be under the supervision and guidance of a member of the academic staff and must be of a kind which will satisfy academic requirements in connection with the particular degree for which the student is a candidate. In addition, equivalent research must be required of all candidates for the same degree as a condition to receiving the degree.
The compensation for a Graduate Research Assistant is generally at the rate of $250 per month for 20 hours of service a week. Tuition exemption is granted up to 15 points per term or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties. |
Caution: Consult the memorandum entitled Secretary’s Appointment for Graduate Research Assistants (revised January 17, 1966) from the Office of the Secretary.
| Departmental Research Assistant (I or II) |
A Departmental Research Assistant (I or II) is a full-time candidate for a higher degree who is appointed for one or more terms not to exceed four consecutive years, to assist the Department or one of its regular members in research and other academic work.
The stipend of a Departmental Research Assistant I is at the rate of $375 a term for 10 hours of service a week. Tuition exemption is granted up to 15 points a term, or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties, —both stipend and tuition exemption to be prorated for a lesser assignment. The stipend of a Departmental Research Assistant II is at the rate of $550 a term for 10 hours of service a week. No tuition exemption is granted for this rank. |
| Reader | A Reader is a full-time candidate for a higher degree who is appointed for one or more terms, not to exceed four consecutive years, to read and grade papers, take attendance, proctor examinations, and perform other similar functions as may be required by the departmental supervisor of assistants.
A Reader’s stipend ranges from $100 to $300 a term, depending on the estimated number of hours of service. A Reader is entitled to tuition exemption up to 6 points a term or the equivalent if the appointee is a student in Graduate Faculties. |
Please refer all questions concerning this Memorandum to:
Mr. John C. Graham
Assistant to the Secretary
213 Low Memorial Library
Extension 2570
Source: Columbia University Libraries, Manuscript Collections. Columbia University Department of Economics Collection, Carl Shoup Materials, Box 10, Folder “Columbia University. General”.
Image Source: Low Memorial Library, Columbia University from the Tichnor Brothers Collection, New York Postcards, at the Boston Public Library, Print Department.