Faculty employment is governed by university regulations as set forth in the policies of the Academic Senate, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board of Trustees of the California State University (CSU) and the California Faculty Association (CFA): Unit 3--Faculty; systemwide regulations which implement resolution of the Trustees; Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations; Executive Orders and policy directives issued by the Chancellor and his/her designee; the laws governing the CSU in the California Education Code; and other pertinent statutes and regulations.

In case of error or possible misinterpretation, it should be understood that the Collective Bargaining Agreement, pertinent government codes and statutes, Trustee and Chancellor policy, and officially approved university policy are controlling. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is used as an inclusive term, incorporating by reference all amendments ratified by CFA and CSU subsequent to the original Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Unless otherwise stated, “faculty” in this manual refers to Unit 3 employees in Academic Affairs. The term dean includes the eight college deans and the University Librarian.

The dean of the college/university librarian, under authority delegated by the President, offers appointment to the faculty upon the recommendation of his/her department. Normally, these appointments are on either a temporary or a probationary basis, though in exceptional circumstances a faculty member may be appointed with tenure. During probation, a faculty member is reappointed for one year at a time until a faculty member receives tenure or a terminal appointment, and probation is defined as service rendered toward qualifying for tenure. Temporary faculty are appointed as lecturers.