The first ISU Faculty Senate meeting of the spring semester will bring policies regarding non-tenure-eligible faculty to the forefront.

Sedahlia Crase, president of the Faculty Senate, said the proposed faculty handbook changes to the non-tenure-eligibility policy on hiring and reappointment of lecturers will be one of the more important issues to face the Senate this semester.

Crase said Tuesday’s agenda was altered so a resolution could be made as soon as possible. She said the proposed changes had been placed on a back burner for too long during fall semester.

“We were due to vote on the issue last December but didn’t get to it,” Crase said.

The changes to the policy would create a non-tenure-eligible faculty position with the title of research professor. Crase said the changes would allow lecturers to keep their jobs even after six years without advancement; the faculty handbook currently specifies that lecturers have their contracts terminated after six years.

“This is for professors who are current lecturers but don’t want to advance to senior lecturers,” Crase said. “This would allow them to remain on their current path without any changes after six years.”