You received a stipend for editorial work, or payment for a project using your professional expertise. When review time arrives, you're unsure whether to list it as service, consulting, professional practice, or something else.
The handbook raises the question of paid work in a service record. Start with an accurate description and the reporting guidance that applies to your appointment. Payment alone doesn't settle every classification question.
Describe what the role actually was
Record the organization, dates, responsibilities, and work completed. Explain whether the activity was part of your assigned duties or another arrangement, as relevant to the required report.
A clear account gives the appropriate reviewer or office something concrete to classify.
Use the applicable categories
Read the local criteria and instructions for the report you're preparing. An editorial responsibility, outside consultation, and additional institutional assignment may need different treatment. Ask about a specific activity instead of assuming one broad rule covers all compensated work.
Keep the answer with your records so the classification remains consistent.
Distinguish recognition from required disclosure
A review narrative may focus on the professional contribution, while another process asks about compensation, outside activities, or other details. Follow each applicable requirement and respond accurately when information is requested.
Don't use a category choice to obscure a circumstance that needs to be reported elsewhere.
Explain the contribution without overstating it
State your role and the result you can support. Compensation doesn't erase meaningful work, but a paid arrangement also shouldn't be described as volunteer work if that isn't accurate.
Identify the relationship plainly enough that the reader doesn't infer something different from what happened.
Handle overlap consistently
If the activity connects to teaching, research, service, or professional practice, follow the relevant guidance on overlapping work. Explain distinct contributions where appropriate rather than presenting one task as several independent accomplishments.
Before submitting your next report, select one activity whose classification is unclear and write a factual paragraph about it. Ask the designated contact how it should be recorded and which other processes apply. That is a stronger starting point than debating the word service without the details of the role.
Adapted from The New Faculty Handbook by Zafer Unal, pp. 158-159.
