University House Faculty-in-Residence Position Open

Beginning fall 2025, the University has a Faculty-In-Residence position opening for University House in North Village. Campus Living & Learning invites applications from female faculty for the position. University House, one of three houses in the North Village Residential Community, is an apartment-style facility that houses 160 first-year and upper-division female residents from all majors. 

The application deadline is Friday, January 24, 2025. Interviews for selected candidates will occur in early-mid February 2025. Candidates will interview with a selection committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students, with a final appointment made by the vice president for student life and the provost in March 2025.

University House Faculty-In-Residence Position Description

Purpose

The heart of the Baylor experience is developed on-campus in the union of shared experiences and relationships. In keeping with the university's strategic plan, Baylor University continues to increase the percentage of undergraduates living on campus and improve the quality of Baylor’s residential communities. Central to this effort is Campus Living & Learning (CL&L)’s goal to further enhance engagement between students and faculty within the residential communities. 

The Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) program at Baylor University exists to foster and shape the social, cultural, educational, and spiritual life within Baylor’s residential communities. As such, Faculty-In-Residence (FIR) are faculty members who, along with their immediate family members (if applicable), live in designated on-campus residential communities.  Faculty-In-Residence work collaboratively with CL&L leadership and residence hall staff to create diverse residential environments that support learning and faith development through the cultivation of relationally driven communities.

Campus Living & Learning invites applications from female faculty for the University House Faculty-In-Residence position that will begin with the fall 2025 semester. University House, one of three houses in the North Village Residential Community, is an apartment-style facility that houses 160 first-year and upper-division female residents from all majors.  

Qualifications and Expectations

• Faculty with tenured, senior lecturer, or clinical status.
• Prior experience engaging students outside of the classroom.
• Demonstrated interest in the undergraduate residential educational experience, particularly for first-year students.
• Knowledgeable of general academic requirements, procedures, and campus resources.
• A role model for adhering to all university and Campus Living & Learning policies and procedures. The FIR and their family members and guests are required to adhere to housing policies and procedures as outlined in the Guide to Community Living and the Faculty-in-Residence manual.
• A demonstrated Christian faith.
• Spouses who do not work at Baylor must agree to have a criminal background check completed prior to moving on campus. 

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the FIR are comprised of two important categories:  

(1) Community Involvement and Student Interaction:

The FIR will be known as an active member of University House. In collaboration with hall staff, the FIR will develop a specific plan for serving as a resource for members of the residential community. The FIR will utilize relationship-building skills and community development techniques to get to know the residents of the assigned residential community.

Specific duties include:

1. Support the mission of Campus Living & Learning and residents in the assigned residential community as they pursue academic success, spiritual formation, and campus involvement. 
2. Initiate and sponsor formal and informal programs within one’s residential community including discussions, talks, study breaks, or other gatherings where students can interact with faculty, staff, or other guests.
3. Attend and support other programs associated with one’s residential community.
4. Provide approximately 10 hours per week of student interaction and community involvement. 
5. Promote, enhance, and sustain faculty involvement in the residential community by encouraging greater faculty participation and facilitating meaningful encounters between students and faculty.
6. Participate fully in Baylor traditions and events, such as Move-In days, Welcome Week activities, Homecoming, Diadeloso, and other residence hall events.

(2) Cooperation and Collaboration with Campus Living & Learning:

Positive relationships, frequent communication among the FIR and the hall staff, and close collaboration between academic partners and student leadership are essential for the success of the FIR. To achieve these ends, the FIR is expected to meet regularly with hall staff and designated CL&L leadership. FIRs are also expected to interact frequently with Community Leaders and other students within the community. The FIR will serve as a role model by supporting residence hall and university policies, along with the staff members responsible for enforcing them, although the role does not include enforcement of residential policies.  

Specific duties include:

1. Meet regularly with the Associate Director for Academic Initiatives, Residence Hall Director, and Resident Chaplain and interact frequently with Community Leaders.
2. Attend at least one hall staff meeting each month.
3. Serve as an active member of the Faculty-in-Residence Council that meets monthly on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm.
4. Participate in an annual FIR fall Training day (in mid-August before the start of the academic year) and departmental or divisional meetings/events as requested or schedule permits.

Compensation

This is a ten-month, year-to-year appointment (early August through the end of the academic year in May) based on an annual review. The FIR is provided year-round accommodation in an apartment within University House. The FIR apartment will serve as the primary residence, and as such, the FIR should fully reside on campus.  

Program Support

1. Housing: The 4 bedroom, 2 ½ bath apartment (approximately 1,300 sq. ft.) may be partially furnished if requested (basic living room and dining furniture only).  Utilities, basic internet, and cable TV are included in the apartment. Two reserved parking spots in close proximity to the assigned residence will be provided for the faculty member (and spouse, if applicable). The position or housing does not cover the cost of liability insurance for personal property. As such, renters’ insurance is strongly encouraged.
2. Program Budget: A budget of $2,000 is provided for the academic year for programming purposes in order to facilitate interaction between residents and faculty. This budget is managed and distributed by CL&L, and the use of the funds must follow all CL&L and Baylor University accounting procedures.  
3.  Dining: The FIR is provided a partial meal plan that includes 170 swipes per semester while classes are in session (excluding summer), along with 17 guest passes per semester to encourage sharing meals with guests.   
4. Pet: A pet is allowed with certain limitations (per Campus Living & Learning pet policy, which is available upon request). Renters’ insurance is required with a pet. 

Annual Review Process

The FIR position is a ten-month, year-to-year appointment (August 1-May 31) that will be renewed annually for up to five years upon mutual agreement. If mutually agreed upon for continuation after five years, a more extensive review will occur in which the FIR and Associate Director work to identify goals that provide ongoing vision for the FIR on a year-to-year basis. Consulting with CL&L and hall leadership, the FIR will develop annual goals for his/her residential community.

Annually, each FIR will assemble a FIR portfolio that includes the following:

1. A report of progress toward achieving the year’s goals. 
2. A general summary of events planned or hosted, along with activities attended.
3.  Any supporting documents or photos (flyers, notes, etc.).
4. Reflection on involvement in the community, contributions to the FIR program, areas of concern, and suggestions for improvement.
5. Goals for next academic year.

In addition, the Associate Director for Academic Initiatives may collect evaluative information from students living in the residential community and the staff (RHD, PD, RC, CLs). The evaluative information and/or FIR portfolio may be reviewed by the Associate Director for Academic Initiatives as part of the reappointment process. If the faculty member chooses not to continue as a FIR for the following academic year, the FIR should inform the Associate Director by November 1st and vacate the FIR apartment by May 31st. 

The duties, title, and position of the Faculty-In-Residence is “at will” and may be expanded, reduced, amended, merged with other duties, or eliminated in whole or in part at any time at the sole discretion of Baylor. Failure of a Faculty-In-Residence to comply with Baylor policies or the Faculty-in-Residence Manual may result in removal from the position with or without notice in Baylor’s sole discretion and may result in other personnel action in accordance with Baylor Personnel Policies, including the Faculty Handbook.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and four recommendation letters from the following references: 1) academic department chair, 2) academic dean, and 3) two students. If desired, recommendation letters from references may also be submitted through email. The letter of interest and recommendations should be addressed to Dr. Terri Garrett, Associate Director for Academic Initiatives, Campus Living & Learning, One Bear Place #97076, or Terri_Garrett@baylor.edu.    

Candidates are highly encouraged to review the Campus Living & Learning website as a means of becoming acquainted with on-campus housing. In the letter of interest, please consider addressing the following topics:

1. What interests you about the Faculty-in-Residence role?
2. What experiences have you had that have prepared you particularly well for living in a residence hall and engaging both first-year and upper-division female students in their living environment? 
3. What non-classroom activities or interactions have you had with students (e.g., student organization advisor, study abroad, residence hall program, etc.) that you think have prepared you well for this role? 
4. What special skills, qualities, or experiences would you bring to the Faculty-in-Residence position?
5. What ideas or experiences do you hope to provide to students that will increase interaction with you as FIR, or your guests, such as faculty and staff? 

The application deadline is Friday, January 24, 2025. Interviews for selected candidates will occur in early-mid February 2025. Candidates will interview with a selection committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students with final appointment made by the Vice President for Student Life and the and Provost Brickhouse in March 2025.