Faculty Handbook

This edition of the Duke University Faculty Handbook contains policies and procedures pertinent to faculty at Duke University as of May 2019. Because of the range of subject matters and authority for them, these policies and procedures are subject to change at any time. Revisions to the Faculty Handbook will be incorporated periodically. Duke faculty are responsible for checking this webpage to keep abreast of alterations and additions.

Reading the Handbook requires the Acrobat Reader available free from Adobe. Printed copies of the Handbook are no longer distributed, but it can be printed from the Acrobat reader. The Faculty Handbook is available in alternative media upon request to the Office of the Provost (919-684-2631). Questions about this publication and its contents should be addressed to Faculty Handbook, Box 90005, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0005.

Duke University is committed to encouraging and sustaining a learning and work community that is free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. The university prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, employment, or any other university program or activity. The university also makes good faith efforts to recruit, employ and promote qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. It admits qualified students to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students.

The university does not tolerate harassment of any kind. Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are forms of sex discrimination and prohibited by the university. Duke University has designated Dr. Benjamin D. Reese, Vice-President for Institutional Equity, as the individual responsible for the coordination and administration of its nondiscrimination and harassment policies.

Questions or comments about discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking can be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity, (919) 684-8222. Additional information, including the complete text of the discrimination grievance procedure and the harassment policy and appropri­ate complaint procedures, may be found by contacting the Office for Institutional Equity or visitingits website at www.duke.edu/web/equity.  Questions or comments about discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking committed by a student may also be directed to the Office of Student Conduct at (919) 681-6938; additional information, including the complete text of the policy and complaint procedure for such misconduct, may be found at https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/conduct/z-policies/student-sexual-misconduct-policy-dukes-commitment-title-ix.

Download the Faculty Handbook

Download the Faculty Handbook

Chapter 1:  The University

Chapter 2: The University Faculty and Its Organization

Chapter 3: Faculty Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure

Chapter 4:  Professional Affairs of the Faculty

Chapter 5:  Research - Organizational Structure for Sponsored Projects and Research Related Policies

Chapter 6: Faculty Responsibilities with Respect to Students

Chapter 7: University Libraries

Appendix A: Governing Documents

  • University’s Mission Statement
  • Indenture of Trust
  • Amended and Restated Charter of Duke University
  • Bylaws of the University

Appendix B: Bylaws of the University Faculty

  • Bylaws of the Academic Council

Appendix C: Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure

  • Faculty Participation in the Appointment and Retention of Administrators
  • Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Procedures for Appointment, Reappointments and Promotions for Regular, Non-Tenure Track Faculty

Appendix D: Arts and Sciences

  • Bylaws of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
  • Bylaws of the Arts and Sciences Council
  • Procedures for Appointments, Reappointments, Promotions and Tenure in the Arts and Sciences
  • Arts and Sciences Accelerated Sabbatical Policy

Appendix E: Pratt School of Engineering

  • Bylaws of the Faculty
  • Procedures for Faculty Recruitment, Promotion, and Tenure

Appendix F: Divinity School Bylaws

  • Articles of Organization
  • Bylaws of the Faculty
  • Policies and Procedures

Appendix G: Nicholas School of the Environment

  • Faculty Bylaws

Appendix H: Fuqua School of Business

  • Faculty Evaluation, Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure: Criteria and Procedures
  • Faculty Bylaws

Appendix I: School of Law

  • Procedures for Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure

Appendix J: Basic Sciences School of Medicine

  • Bylaws of the Basic Sciences Faculty Steering Committee
  • Procedures and Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure
  • Materials to be Submitted by the Department in Support of Nominations for Tenured Appointments and Promotions

Appendix K: School of Nursing Faculty Governance Association Bylaws

Appendix L: Clinical Sciences School of Medicine

  • Bylaws of the Clinical Sciences Faculty Council on Academic Affairs
  • APT Process for Tenure Track Faculty with Primary Appointments in Clinical Departments

Appendix M: Graduate School Bylaws

Appendix N: Ombuds and Faculty Hearing Committee

Appendix O: Financial Conflict of Interest Policy

  • Duke University Faculty Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
  • Institutional Conflict of Interest in Research Policy
  • Institutional Conflict of Interest in Research Implementation

Appendix P: Policies Related to Research

  • Protecting Human Subjects in Nonmedical Research
  • Policy on Inventions, Patents, and Technology Transfer
  • Interpretation of the Policy on Inventions, Patents, and Technology Transfer Reaffirming the Rights of Undergraduate Students
  • Duke University Policy on Intellectual Property Rights
  • Interpretations of the Policy on Intellectual Property Rights as it Relates to Online Courseware
  • Duke University Copyright Guidelines for Electronic Course Content
  • Checklist for Fair Use Analysis
  • Patent Agreement
  • University-Industry Guidelines
  • Policy on Research Records: Sharing, Retention and Ownership
  • Duke University Policy and Procedures Governing Misconduct in Research
  • Faculty Communication to External Sponsors on Administrative Issues
  • Guidelines for Authorship and Authorship Dispute Resolution
  • Principal Investigator Status
  • Policy on Open Access to Research

Appendix Q: University Committees

Appendix R: Student Records Policy

Appendix S: Use of University Lands and Facilities

Appendix T: Sanford School of Public Policy

  • Bylaws of the Sanford School of Public Policy

Appendix U: Travel

Appendix V: Pickets, Protests, and Demonstrations

Appendix W: Duke University/Duke University Health System Harassment Policy and Procedures

Appendix X: The Duke Community Standard

Appendix Y: Steps in the Process of Approving New Academic Degrees and Changing the Name of a Unit

Appendix Z: Policy on Consensual Romantic or Sexual Relationships Between Faculty and Students

Revisions to the Faculty Handbook