Senior Leader Compensation for Guest Lecturing

Rationale/Purpose of the Policy

This policy ensures that compensation practices for University Senior Leaders align with the University’s governance standards and applicable oversight requirements. Guest lecturing in University offered courses is an important way for senior leaders to contribute to the academic mission of the University. As such, receipt of additional compensation for such activities is generally not permissible.

Definitions

• Guest Lecture: A single or occasional instructional session delivered as part of a credit or non-credit bearing course. A guest lecture does not involve designing or managing the course, grading, or being listed as the instructor of record.
• University Senior Leaders: Includes the President, Provost, Executive and Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans, and all members of the President’s Senior Leadership Group and Cabinet as well as those at the Medical Center with Vice President in their title.
• Compensation: Any form of payment, including stipends or salary supplements, offered in exchange for instructional services.

Scope/Compliance

This policy applies to all University Senior Leaders, as defined herein. All University departments, schools, and programs must follow this policy when planning for University Senior Leaders to provide guest lecturing contributions.

Policy Details

A. General Rules
University Senior Leaders may not receive additional compensation for guest lecturing in any University of Rochester credit or non-credit bearing courses. Any guest lecturing services provided by University Senior Leaders are considered part of the University Senior Leader’s existing institutional service responsibilities and should be provided without additional pay. In rare cases, an exception may be considered, but only with prior written approval from the President, Senior Vice President for Human Resources (CHRO), and when applicable also by the Committee on Compliance and Compensation of the Board (CCC) for applicable Senior Leaders whose compensation is reviewed by the CCC. Without this advance approval, no additional compensation—whether in the form of stipends, or other payments—may be offered, accepted, or processed. As per the Honorarium Policy, Honorarium may not be paid to a University employee.

B. Governance and Oversight
Compensation for University Senior Leaders is subject to oversight by the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the University and for certain executives by the Committee on Compliance and Compensation of the University’s Board of Trustees. The Senior Vice President for Human Resources ensures that all pay practices for University Senior Leaders are compliant with regulatory standards, and consistent with the University’s governance principles. Any proposal to compensate a University Senior Leader for guest lecturing must be reviewed in light of these standards and is not eligible for retroactive approval. All requests for exceptions to this policy should be submitted to the Senior Vice President for Human Resources, who will move the request through the proper approval process.

C. Conditions and Restrictions
This policy applies specifically to guest lecturing activities that occur within University of Rochester credit and non-credit bearing courses. These activities typically involve a one-time or occasional appearance and do not include responsibilities such as course design, course management, grading, or being listed as the instructor of record. When a University Senior Leader engages in formal course instruction, a separate review and approval process by the President, Provost, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, and when applicable the Compensation Compliance Committee of the Board of Trustees must be followed.

1. The following restrictions apply:
   1. Additional compensation to University Senior Leaders may not be offered, accepted, or processed for guest lecturing unless prior written approval is obtained from the President, the Senior Vice President for Human Resources, and when applicable the Committee on Compliance and Compensation of the Board of Trustees.
   2. Retroactive approvals are not permitted.
   3. Any violation of this policy may result in canceled or delayed payments and may be subject to additional internal review.

D. Exclusions and Exceptions

1. This policy does not apply to:
   1. Faculty or staff who are not part of the University Senior Leader group as defined by this policy.

2. Exceptions to this policy are rare and will only be granted when:
   1. A compelling institutional justification is provided in writing.
   2. Approval is received in advance from the President, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, and when applicable the Committee on Compliance and Compensation of the Board of Trustees.