Academic Staff UWPA 7

Academic Staff Policies & Procedures

UWPA 7
FIXED TERM

7.01 COVERAGE. Provisions of UWPA 7 (Fixed Term) apply to all fixed term academic staff holding appointments of 50% time or more, except as noted in UWPA 7.02.

7.02 LENGTH OF CONTRACT.

1. The initial contract may be limited to one year. All fixed-term academic staff, non-instructional and instructional, employed 50% or more time, may receive a series of three one-year contracts, and at the conclusion of the third year of continuous service in the same academic staff position will be granted either a non-renewal or a three-year fixed term appointment. Academic staff awarded a three-year contract would have an additional year added to their contracts annually so they are operating under a "rolling" contract.

2. Academic staff paid from a grant, contract or short-term funding may be renewed for shorter periods that expire concurrently with the funding awards. A reduced length of contract is not to be used when the current funding award extends beyond the normal contract length.

7.03 PERFORMANCE REVIEW. Performance review shall be conducted in accordance with UWPA 4.

7.04 NON-REAPPOINTMENT.

1. Notice Periods. Written notice that a fixed term academic staff appointment will not be renewed shall be given accordingly: at least 3 months before the end of the appointment in the first two years; at least 6 months for service of at least two years but less than seven years; at least 9 months for service of at least seven years but less than ten years; and at least 12 months for staff who have served ten years or more. Academic staff employed 50% time or more must receive written notice of non-reappointment separate from the appointment letter and at the appropriate required time. Academic staff paid from soft monies need not receive separate non-reappointment notice.

2. Procedures.

A. All fixed term appointees in their first through third years of employment shall be provided with written notice of non-reappointment in accordance with UWPA 7.04 (1).
B. Fixed term employees in their fourth through sixth years who are non-renewed may request written reasons for non-reappointment within five working days from the receipt of the notification. The appropriate authorized official shall respond within five working days of receipt of the request. Such requested written reasons will become part of the Official Personnel file. If the academic staff member wishes reconsideration, a written request to the supervisor should be made within twenty working days of the date of receipt of notification of non-reappointment. The meeting for reconsideration shall be held within ten working days of the receipt of the request and the academic staff member shall be notified of the meeting at least five working days in advance. The time limits may be extended by mutual consent of the parties. The meeting shall consist of the employee, the supervisor, and the appropriate authorized official. The reconsideration is not a hearing, not an appeal, and shall be non-adversarial in nature. Its only purpose is to allow the staff member an opportunity to persuade the supervisor and/or appropriate authorized official to change the recommendation of non-renewal by challenging the stated reasons and/or by offering additional evidence. Upon request of any party to the meeting an impartial observer may be present. Within ten working days after the reconsideration meeting, the appropriate authorized official shall notify the employee of the final decision regarding his/her status.
C. After six years, fixed term appointees shall be entitled to written notification of non-reappointment in accordance with UWPA 7.04 (1), shall enjoy the procedural protections provided by UWPA 7.04 (2B), and shall further be entitled to a review by the Chancellor of the non-reappointment decision.

Approved by the Academic Staff Committee, October 12, 1982, and Revised June 9, 1986, March 7, 1991, December 3, 1998, April 1, 1999, November 8, 1999, June 18, 2001.