Unit Policy
Title
Department of Social Medicine: Primary Faculty Teaching Policy
Introduction
Purpose
Teaching medical students is a core part of the Department of Social Medicine’s mission. The Department has a long history of teaching students in the humanities and social sciences, with a unique curriculum that is internationally recognized. The purpose of this document is to establish the baseline teaching expectations for faculty members whose primary appointments are in Social Medicine, and to set procedures and criteria for teaching reductions based on external salary support. (The teaching responsibilities of full joint appointments who hold a primary appointment in another department are determined on a case-by-case basis and governed by agreements between Social Medicine and those other departments.) The goal is to support research productivity while maintaining instructional commitments and a high-quality curriculum in the humanities and social sciences.
Scope
This policy applies to faculty members whose primary appointments are in the Department of Social Medicine, regardless of faculty rank or track.
Policy
I. Baseline Expectations
The baseline expectation for faculty members in Social Medicine is to teach three courses in the three-semester sequence, Social and Health Systems (SHS) 1-3. These expectations apply regardless of faculty rank or track (i.e. fixed vs. tenure track). Historically, these courses have been directed by Social Medicine faculty, although they are now administered through the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE), which reimburses the Department for faculty teaching contributions. Currently, OMSE pays 5% FTE plus benefits for each course taught in SHS1-3.
Social Medicine faculty may have additional teaching roles within the School of Medicine and in other UNC departments. When these activities are compensated, they are counted as part of the faculty member’s external salary support and may result in a reduction of departmental teaching obligations (see below). Social Medicine faculty engage in a variety of additional teaching activities, including, but not limited to, supervising independent studies, theses, and dissertations, and mentoring residents. Many of these activities are not formally compensated yet nevertheless support the department’s values and mission and are therefore highly encouraged.
II. Eligibility for Teaching Reductions
Social Medicine Faculty may reduce their baseline teaching responsibilities by bringing in external salary support for their work. The Department defines such external funding broadly to mean funding that originates outside the Department as a result of additional work or responsibilities faculty take on. This may include, for example, salary support from OMSE for a Course Director role, federal or foundation research grants, teaching in another department, etc.
The thresholds for course reductions are set at the following levels:
- One course reduction: 30% FTE
- Two course reduction: 60% FTE
- Three course reduction: 90% FTE
Other special arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Chair. Examples of teaching reductions that could be offered outside of this structure might include a semester of research leave for junior faculty on the tenure track, or a competitive scholarly leave or sabbatical funded internally or externally.
Faculty receiving reduced teaching loads are expected to remain engaged in departmental activities, including service, advising, and committee work, unless otherwise agreed.
III. Teaching Allocation Procedures
In general, teaching decisions are made by the SHS Course Directors in consultation with the Chair in January for the following academic year.
Each faculty member’s expected teaching load is determined in consultation with the Department’s Director of Finance and Administration, who will calculate anticipated external salary support for the following fiscal year. Assignments are generally made based upon known funding; however, it is often possible (though not guaranteed) to adjust a faculty member’s teaching load if additional funding is awarded later on. Such decisions are at the Chair’s discretion and depend on the availability of alternate teaching faculty.
The process for assigning faculty to courses and days (for SHS3, which meets on two days) will take faculty preferences into account. However, assignments must account for additional external factors, such as teaching commitments outside of SOM for specific semesters/days, clinical schedules of non-departmental SHS faculty, etc. Consequently, it may not be possible for every faculty member to receive their first choice every year.
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Mara Buchbinder
Telephone: 919-843-6881
Email: mara_buchbinder@med.unc.edu
Publication Details
Issuing Officer: Mara Buchbinder, Department Chair
Effective Date: September 6, 2025
Next Review Date: September 6, 2028