Guidelines and Resources
Internal guidelines and resources for faculty and staff
We offer guidelines and resources for a range of situations to support employees.
If you need help finding a guideline or resource, please contact Erminia Piccinonno, the assistant dean for human resources and administration.
For faculty and academic staff
Mentoring and professional advancement
The Faculty Mentoring Handbook provides a helpful guide for mentees and mentors as well as an overview of the promotion process in SHASS.
The Institute provides guidelines regarding appointment, promotion, and tenure.
Leaves of absence for childcare, family, and personal reasons
Consult MIT’s policies on leaves and teaching relief for taking a leave of absence.
If you are having children or need childcare support, look into SHASS’ Faculty Childcare Supplement as well as the Portable Childcare Benefit that is managed by the Provost’s office (accessible through the Faculty Concierge).
Research leaves
Faculty can consult Faculty Leaves of Absence and Faculty Teaching Relief for information on sabbaticals.
MIT offers a Junior faculty leave in their pre-tenure years by providing a concentrated period of time during which they can engage in research to advance their careers. See MIT’s policy on Faculty Leaves of Absence and Faculty Teaching Relief.
Old Dominion Leaves are available to non-tenured professors in humanities (anthropology, global studies and languages, history, literature music and theater arts, writing and humanistic studies). SHASS administers these leaves that provide one term of leave with full pay. This leave may be taken during years three through six, although it is normally awarded in the third or fourth year of appointment.
To take an Old Dominion Leave, seek approval from your department head. Applications are normally a one- or two-page description of the project to be undertaken. Typically, the approval process begins in the fall term preceding the academic year in which the leave is taken. This application is then forwarded to the Dean for final approval.
Like Junior Faculty Research Leaves, Old Dominion Leaves are considered professional leaves and thus do not affect the tenure clock, nor will they be counted in the accumulation of years of service with regard to subsequent sabbatical leaves.
Home-buying support
For home-buying support, consult the MIT Faculty Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). This program supports newly hired junior and senior faculty as well as recently tenured faculty.
Professional development resources
Visit the Faculty Concierge for various resources to help you develop professional skills. For support with any kind of writing, explore MIT’s Writing and Communication Center (WCC). For feedback on your teaching, connect with Teaching + Learning Lab for one-on-one support in implementing research-based teaching strategies.
MIT is an institutional member of the NCFDD. The NCFDD is a nationally recognized, independent organization that provides online career development and mentoring resources. All faculty, post-docs, and graduate students at MIT are eligible for access to the NCFDD’s resources and tools at no charge. Activate your membership by following the steps given here.
Humanities Film Office
The Humanities Film Office maintains an extensive collection of videos from theatrical films, television shows, stage performance recordings, and other audiovisual materials for use in teaching and research.
The office supports SHASS faculty and teaching staff by providing access to films in its collections, acquiring new films as necessary, arranging evening class screenings, and providing access for students in their classes.
MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
MIT undergraduates are motivated and engaged, and UROP is a great way to make them an important part of your research. UROP connects you with undergraduates who want to become active, productive members of your team. Not only are they committed to making real, meaningful contributions to your work, but they are also excited to benefit from your experience, expertise, and mentorship.
For student advisors and undergraduate academic administrators (UAAs)
Minor or transfer credit guidelines
The Minor Advising Guidelines help staff support undergraduates who are minoring in your field. Our Transfer Credit Examiner Guidelines detail processes and procedures to transfer students’ credit from other institutions.
