Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5204 USA
(269) 387-2380

Faculty: Full-Time

This page outlines the procedures, templates, and required documentation for full-time faculty hiring and appointments within Academic Affairs. Business managers and departments should use this information to guide each stage of the process, from position authorization through final hire and onboarding.

All hiring actions must be coordinated with the unit’s dean and business manager to ensure compliance with university, legal, and equity requirements.

  1. Authorization & Posting: Department prepares required position authorization, justification, job description/posting, and pro forma materials; approvals proceed through dean, provost, HR, and OIE.
  2. Screening & Pool Approval: Department screens applicants and submits a first round interview pool/short list (hiring guide for faculty) for approval by the dean, OIE, and provost.
  3. Interviews: First-round interviews: Department conducts initial (first-round) interview. On-Campus Interviews Approval: Department seeks approval via email for finalist (on-campus) interviews from the Dena, OIE, and Provost. Finalist Interviews and Checks: Upon approval, department conducts on-campus interviews, credential verification, and reference checks.
  4. Final Selection: Department submits Position Activity Record identifying finalists for approval.
  5. Offer Authorization: Department sends the draft letter of offer, including salary and terms, to the Provost's Office for authorization prior to extending the offer to the candidate.
  6. Offer & Hiring Packet: Provost-approved offer letter (see templates below) and salary and final hiring packet to be compiled and sent to the provost including: Verification of Faculty Credentials (P-008),  salary election option form, signed application, vita, official transcripts, cover sheet and Inventions, proprietary information, and other intellectual property agreement.
  7. Background Check: Provost designee completes OAA Disclosure and Consent Form, and A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act prior to final hire.
  8. Teaching Restriction: No instructional activity may occur prior to a satisfactory background check.