Instructional Associates

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BackgroundÌý

Instructional Associates are CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß employees hired to teach on a course-by-course basis when their appointment meets or exceeds 50% full-time equivalent (FTE). This role provides a benefits-eligible pathway for temporary teaching faculty while ensuring campus compliance with CU System policy. Note: Instructional Associate appointments apply only at CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß.

Instructional Associates may hold graduate degrees and/or possess advanced professional experience in their field. Appointments are at-will, temporary, and time-limited to three continuous calendar years once the Instructional Associate title is first applied. The position addresses short-term instructional needs and encourages evaluation of longer-term or recurring teaching demands that may warrant a regular faculty position, such as Assistant Teaching Professor.Ìý

See also:Ìý

Areas of Responsibility during the Hiring Process

  • Determine whether an individual should be hired as a Lecturer (job code 1419) or Instructional Associate (job code 1465) based on anticipated FTE. Ìý
  • Coordinate across units when an individual holds multiple CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß appointments. Ìý
  • Draft and route the correct offer letter for signatures. Ìý
  • Submit required hiring documentation (e.g., HRSC spreadsheet, offer letter, personal information link). Ìý
  • Plan instructional staffing with awareness that Instructional Associate appointments are time-limited. Ìý
  • Follow up on any downstream cost implications related to benefits eligibility.
  • Communicate with impacted faculty as needed.Ìý
  • Starting July 2026, provide monthly reporting on Lecturer and Instructional Associate hires to campus.
  • Support campus tracking of the three-year Instructional Associate clock.
  • Coordinate with HRSC on job code updates and notifications to schools/colleges and units.Ìý
  • Initiate pre-employment steps (e.g., I-9, background checks).
  • Review cumulative active CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß appointments for the term.
  • Enter appointments with the correct job code.
  • Convert Lecturer appointments to Instructional Associate when cumulative FTE reaches 50% or higher.
  • Notify impacted schools/colleges and units of job code changes.Ìý
  • Initiate benefits enrollment when eligibility thresholds are met.
  • Determine benefits effective dates when FTE changes during a term.Ìý

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Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Associates

For Hiring Units, HR Personnel and Faculty Liaisons

These are the key appointment parameters:

  • Units maintain any standing public facing lecturer appointment web postings to include the instructional associate title along with information about how each title will be determined/assigned. Please review CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß's Job Posting Requirements for details.Ìý
  • 50% FTE or higher for an entire teaching term: Instructional Associate (job code 1465, benefits-eligible).
  • Below 50% FTE: Lecturer (job code 1419, not benefits-eligible). Ìý
  • FTE may be reached through:
    • A single teaching appointment at 50% FTE or higher, or Ìý
    • Multiple CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß roles (teaching and/or part-time staff) that together reach 50% FTE or higher. Ìý
  • Only CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß appointments are included in FTE calculations. Ìý
  • Once the Instructional Associate title is applied, the three-year clock begins and does not stop.
  • Individuals with 50% FTE or higher staff appointments should generally be hired as Lecturers (job code 1419S)

Yes, schools and colleges may use supplemental forms or processes to help determine the use of the correct job code.

No, units should list only their appointment details. The job code reflects cumulative eligibility.

HRSC and campus partners review appointments periodically and will update job codes as needed. The impacted unit and employee will be notified of changes, and this includes contact information for the Benefits office at CU Employee Services.

Lecturers teach on a course-by-course basis below 50% FTE and are not benefits-eligible. Instructional Associates teach on a course-by-course basis at 50% FTE or higher and receive benefits.

No. Once appointed as an Instructional Associate, the three-year time limit begins and continues until it ends. After the three years, a unit may rehire the individual as a Lecturer if appropriate.

You remain in the Instructional Associate job code, and your three-year time period continues.

Yes, if they hold 50% FTE or higher appointments in both the Spring and Fall terms Some benefits may require additional out-of-pocket costs during months where no paycheck is received. Contact Benefits@cu.edu for questions.