COLLEGE DEAN LETTERHEAD
DATE
[ADDRESS]
Dear Dr. or Mr. or Ms. xxx:
I am pleased to appoint you as a Lehigh University {blank} / Senior / Distinguished Research Fellow in the xxx {Department or Program}. Your University Research Fellow position beginsMONTH DAY, 20XXand endsMONTH DAY, 20XY. The fellowship carries no compensation.
A Lehigh University Research Fellowship does not provide employee benefits, including but not limited to accident or health insurance, Worker’s Compensation, and retirement benefits, to its recipients. Therefore, we will not be responsible for any expenses that you may incur as a result of illness, accident, or disability. We strongly urge you to obtain your own medical and accident insurance, if you do not already have such protection.
The University Research Fellow position is a privilege afforded to scholars and researchers temporarily in residence at Lehigh and does not guarantee or entitle you to any future position or employment at the University. During your time as a University Research Fellow in the xxx Department/Programworking with your faculty host, Dr. XXX, you will be able to concentrate on conducting your own independent research, including {project name}, because, as a fellowship recipient,you are not required to perform specific duties within the department, such as teaching. While this affiliation is without compensation, the formal nature of this relationship mandates that Research Fellows will, in all capacities and on all occasions, abide by the high ethical and professional practices and standards expected of all faculty, staff and student members of the Lehigh University community, and that by accepting a Research Fellow appointment you agree to do so.
In addition, you are expected to complete two online training programs - one training program focuses on harassment and the other focuses on working with minors. It is our expectation that you will complete these 30- to 45-minute online training courses within one week of receiving your Lehigh email address, which you should receive during your first week of your appointment. When you have completed these two training courses, please print copies of your completion certificates and give them to your Department Chair/Program Director.
This fellowship offer will remain conditional upon your successful completion of a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check (PATCH), a FBI fingerprinting report, and a child abuse clearance. If you accept this appointment, the University’s Office of the Provost and the University’s background check vendor, CBY Systems, will communicate with you via email to begin the background check process. Please review the enclosed document titled: PA Act 153 Background Checks and Lehigh’s Protection of Minors Policy.
Please review the Rules and Procedures of the Faculty of Lehigh University and Related Information, which is available online at It is understood that these and, in fact, all the rules and regulations in the Rules and Procedures of the Faculty, as amended from timeto time, as well as all other applicable University policies, including those found on the University’s Policy Statements webpage ( are incorporated into the terms of your appointment, to the extent applicable. Violation of University policies, rules or regulations or breach of this appointment may result in immediate termination of this appointment.
As demonstrated by the enclosed Core Values and The Principles of Our Equitable Community, Lehigh University is committed to the values of Integrity and Honesty, Equitable Community, Academic Freedom, Intellectual Curiosity, Collaboration, Commitment to Excellence, and Leadership. These values permeate our university and are at the heart of what we strive to accomplish. The Principles of Our Equitable Community document has been endorsed by Lehigh's board of trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, and alumni association board of directors.
Please sign the enclosed letter to indicate your acceptance of this offer. Best wishes as you continue your project.
Sincerely,
COLLEGE DEAN
I accept:
SignatureDate
Email Address for Background Check Communication: ______
Date of Birth: ______
Enclosures
cc:Patricia Mann, Administrative Director, Office of the Provost
Janele Krzywicki, Coordinator for Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost,
Department Chairperson, Center or Program Director
Faculty Host
Payroll Office
Human Resources
Office of International Students and Scholars (if applicable)