Definition of Letter of Appointment & Part-Time Instructor

At UNLV, our faculty and staff are divided into different employee types depending on their job function and scope.

A Letter of Appointment (LOA) is a temporary part-time academic or administrative faculty member. The university provides benefits to LOA employees who are employed at 50% Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) or more.

Part-Time Instructors (PTIs) who are employed at 50% Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) or more are eligible for health coverage depending on the number of credits they are teaching per semester.

• Spring term coverage months: January to May
• Summer I term coverage month: June
• Summer II term coverage month: July
• Summer III term coverage month: August
• Fall term coverage months: September to January

Visit the Compensation and Classification webpage for more information about each employee type.

Health coverage begins on the first day of the month concurrent with, or following your date of hire. If your start date is after the first day of the month, your coverage begins the first day of the following month. Your coverage will end on the last day of the month in which your employment ends.

You can add eligible family members and dependents to your health benefits when you elect coverage upon hire or during annual open enrollment or a qualifying life event.

Health and Life Insurance Plans

• Medical benefits
• Mental health benefits
• Prescription benefits
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic life insurance
• Health Savings or Health Reimbursement Accounts
• Long-term disability

All university employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. LOAs and PTIs must participate in the State of Nevada FICA Alternative Deferred Compensation Plan. Individual contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck on a tax-deferred basis and sent to the plan’s record keeper, VOYA. The funds are defaulted into a guaranteed interest-bearing account.

Voluntary retirement plans are also available.

• More About Retirement Plans

UNLV supports you in furthering your education by offering discounted college tuition and free learning opportunities. Spouses and financial dependents under the age of 24 are also eligible for discounted college tuition.

UNLV is proud to offer RebelWELL, a range of wellness resources to support your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. This includes our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a program that connects employees with resources, short-term counseling, and service providers to help you confidentially address everyday challenges. 

• More About RebelWELL
• More About the EAP