Microbiology faculty include the following categories, with varying qualifications for graduate student advising. Links to faculty within each category are provided on the Microbiology Faculty webpage

For all categories, a “Nomination to Graduate Faculty” form is submitted to the Graduate School for the advising activities proposed, from the minimal level of serving on student committees to the most comprehensive level of serving as the primary advisor for PhD programs. Guidelines for Graduate Faculty Membership

Current Microbiology Faculty and Adjunct Faculty

Current Microbiology and Adjunct (refer to Dept of Microbiology Adjunct faculty policy) faculty members desiring to be graduate student advisors submit their request and a current CV to the Department head.

OSU Adjunct Faculty Definition

Adjunct Faculty are professorial rank faculty associated with one or more OSU departments but paid by other units of Oregon State University.

Emeritus Faculty

Emeritus Faculty who have previously served as major advisor for graduate students may request continuance of their most recent pre-retirement Graduate School appointment roles at the time of the application for Emeritus appointment. After application for Emeritus appointment, he/she is prohibited from serving as the sole thesis advisor for any new graduate students but may co-advise*, with the co-advisor taking on responsibility for the student if the emeritus faculty leaves.

OSU Emeritus Faculty Definition

The "Emeritus" title may be recommended for a faculty member who:

• retires from Oregon State University, and
• has held a position with indefinite tenure, generally on an active full-time basis, for at least five years immediately prior to retirement, and
• has demonstrated professional competence and provided effective service to the programs of the institution.

Senior Research Faculty

(refer to Dept of Microbiology Senior Research Faculty policy)

Senior Research Faculty may apply for graduate faculty status in order to participate in graduate student committees, training and teaching (Activities 1-3) through the process used for affiliate faculty. Direction of graduate student research (Activities 4,5) may be allowed in a co-advisory* capacity.

Categories of Graduate Faculty membership

Activity 1 - Teach Graduate Courses

Activity 2 - Direct non-thesis students

Activity 3 - Serve on graduate student committees

Activity 4 - Direct master's theses

Activity 5 - Direct doctoral

Courtesy Faculty

Based on university policy, individuals with Courtesy Faculty status may serve as committee members for Microbiology graduate students. Courtesy Faculty are advised to have an OSU Microbiology Faculty member as a co-advisor for MS and PhD students. This requirement may be waived by the Microbiology Graduate Faculty on a case-by-case basis.

The Affiliate Faculty status was discontinued by the university in 2023. Affiliate Faculty appointments have been renewed as Courtesy Faculty appointments.

OSU Courtesy Faculty Policy

Departments may name an individual as a courtesy faculty member if the contributions of the individual will be substantive and sustained in achieving the mission of the department and the University. Examples of such contributions are:

• teaching regularly scheduled classes
• advising graduate students
• serving as a principal investigator on research grants
• visiting scholar