Wisconsin Administrative Code › Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System › Chapter UWS 10 - Academic staff appointments › Section UWS 10.03 - Appointments policies

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) FIXED TERM APPOINTMENTS. Each institution
			 of the system may employ academic staff members on fixed term appointments.
			 Such appointments shall be for a fixed term to be specified in the letter of
			 appointment, are renewable solely at the option of the employing institution,
			 and carry no expectation of reemployment beyond their stated term, regardless
			 of how many times renewed. The initial fixed term appointment may include a
			 specified period of time during which the appointee may be dismissed at the
			 discretion of the authorized official. Such a dismissal is not subject to the
			 provisions of ch. UWS 11. Unless otherwise specified, fixed term appointments
			 shall be for a period of one year. Each institution shall develop policies and
			 procedures for the use of such appointments. The policies and procedures of
			 each institution shall specifically treat the issue of job security including
			 appropriate due process protections in the case of nonreappointment for those
			 fixed term academic staff members who have served the institution for a
			 substantial period of time. Such policies and procedures shall be formulated so
			 as to meet the continuing needs of the institution while at the same time
			 recognizing the employment commitment and contribution to the institution
			 provided by such fixed term academic staff members.
(2) INDEFINITE AND PROBATIONARY ACADEMIC
			 STAFF APPOINTMENTS. Indefinite appointments and probationary academic staff
			 appointments shall be authorized by the chancellor or designee.
(a)
Probationary academic staff
			 appointments.
1. Each institution of
			 the system may appoint selected members of the academic staff to probationary
			 academic staff appointments leading to review and a decision on an indefinite
			 appointment. Each institution shall adopt procedures to govern such
			 appointments. These procedures shall provide for appropriate counting of prior
			 service, for a maximum probationary period not to exceed 7 years for a
			 full-time position, for annual appraisal of performance, and for an affirmative
			 review process prior to the end of the probationary period resulting in
			 promotion to an indefinite appointment or termination of the appointment. A
			 longer maximum probationary period may be provided for part-time appointees.
			 Unless otherwise specified, probationary appointments shall be for a period of
			 one year. An indefinite appointment is not acquired solely because of years of
			 service.
2. A leave of absence
			 shall not constitute a break in continuous service, nor shall it be included in
			 the probationary period under sub. (1).
3. Circumstances that do not constitute a
			 break in continuous service and that shall not be included in the 7-year period
			 include responsibilities with respect to childbirth or adoption, significant
			 responsibilities with respect to elder or dependent care obligations,
			 disability or chronic illness, or circumstances beyond the control of the
			 academic staff member, when those circumstances significantly impede the
			 academic staff member's progress toward achieving indefinite status. It shall
			 be presumed that a request made under this section because of responsibilities
			 with respect to childbirth and adoption shall be approved. A request shall be
			 made before an indefinite status review commences under subd. 1. A request for
			 additional time because of responsibilities with respect to childbirth or
			 adoption shall be initiated in writing by the academic staff member concerned
			 and shall be submitted to a designated administrative officer who shall be
			 authorized to grant a request following consultation with the academic staff
			 member's supervisor and who shall specify the length of time for which the
			 request is granted. Except for a request because of responsibilities with
			 respect to childbirth and adoption, a request made because of other
			 circumstances under this section shall be submitted to a designated
			 administrative officer who shall be authorized to grant a request in accordance
			 with institutional policies. A denial of a request shall be in writing and
			 shall be based upon clear and convincing reasons. More than one request may be
			 granted because of responsibilities with respect to childbirth or adoption.
			 More than one request may be granted to a probationary academic staff member
			 but the total, aggregate length of time of all requests, except for a request
			 because of responsibilities with respect to childbirth or adoption, granted to
			 one probationary academic staff member ordinarily shall be no more than one
			 year. Each institution shall develop procedures for reviewing the requests.
4. If any academic staff member
			 has been in probationary status for more than 7 years because of one or more of
			 the reasons set forth in subd. 2. or 3., the academic staff member shall be
			 evaluated as if he or she had been on probationary status for 7 years.
Example: An academic staff member has been on probationary
				status for a total of 9 years because the academic staff was granted 2 requests
				under subd. 3. for one-year extensions because of the birth of 2 children. The
				academic staff member's record of performance shall be evaluated as if the
				academic staff had only 7 years to work towards achieving indefinite status,
				rather than as if the academic staff member had been working towards achieving
				indefinite status for 9 years.