The Department Chair of a faculty member’s primary department and proposed secondary department should agree that the secondary appointment is appropriate and warranted. The departmental appointment and promotions committee of the secondary department must review and approve the proposal for a secondary appointment.
A secondary appointment or promotion at the associate professor or professor level can be included with the Portfolio Builder submission when the secondary is being recommended at the same time as the primary appointment or promotion.
If only the secondary is being recommend for a new appointment or promotion, then the department must submit the entire action through Pitt Worx or DocuSign for review and approval.
An action to initiate a new secondary appointment or promotion in the School of Medicine at the rank of associate professor or professor (if not done concurrently with the appointment in the primary) must be submitted via:
- PittWorx or
Docusign (if the faculty members primary appointment is outside the School of Medicine).
The portfolio must include:
- From the secondary department – A letter from the Department Chair describing the basis for the secondary appointment and confirming the departmental committee’s approval
- From the primary department – A letter of concurrence from the Department Chair
- Current CV in School of Medicine format (format required for School of Medicine faculty ONLY)
The portfolio for appointment or promotion will be submitted and reviewed by the Office of Faculty Affairs. If additional information or updates are needed the department will be notified. Once approved, the portfolio will be routed to the Dean’s Office for review.
Recommendations for secondary faculty appointments and promotions from instructor to assistant professor are made with the approval of the Vice Dean and Dean/Senior Vice-Chancellor. No committee review is required. Please submit directly to the Office of Faculty Affairs via Pitt Worx.
For processing instructions see: Administrative Checklist for Secondary Appointments and Promotions
Approved by the Executive Committee 10/12/10
Amended by Office of Faculty Affairs 10/29/2026