UWM Signature Authority Chart

Authorized Signers of UWM-Related Documents on Behalf of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Background

The University of Wisconsin (UW) System is a legal entity whose authority derives from Chapter 36 of the Wisconsin Statutes. As a result, in many legal respects, the UW System is like a corporation in that it can act only through its duly authorized officers and agents. The President of the UW System, on behalf of the Board of Regents, has delegated to UWM’s Chancellor the authority to sign certain contracts related to UWM’s programs and operations and the ability to delegate that authority to, by name, those individuals who may legally obligate the University through contracts and agreements, including grants, memorandums of understanding, certifications, releases, purchase orders, leases, and royalty agreements. (Board of Regents Policy Documents 13-1 and 13-2). It is critical that documents binding UWM are signed by an individual with appropriate signature authority. A document that is signed outside of proper signature authority may not be legally binding. Further, an employee who signs a document without authority to do so could be personally liable for any damage incurred as a result. Anyone who is unsure as to their authority should not sign a document until consulting with UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs. This document provides a listing of all UWM employees who have the authority to sign UWM-related contracts on behalf of the Board of Regents and a description of their authority. Each individual has only the authority described in their letter from UWM’s Chancellor granting such authority subject to the applicable below-described limits. Individuals with authority cannot further delegate that authority unless such sub-delegation authority is expressly granted.

Exceptions

The signature authority appearing below is subject to the following important exceptions:

1. Procurement Contracts

Procurement contracts are those contracts involving the purchase of goods (e.g., materials, supplies, and equipment) and services (including printing). They also include certain revenue generating contracts and contracts for the disposal of surplus property. UWM’s authority to enter into any given procurement contract derives from Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 16, 35, 36 or 39. All Chapter 16, 35, and 39 procurement contracts must: (i) have the appropriate procurement process conducted by an individual with delegated purchasing authority from UWM’s Procurement Director, and (ii) be signed by an individual with appropriate delegated signature authority from UWM’s Chancellor. All Chapter 36 procurement contracts must follow the applicable process detailed in the 500 Series UW System Administrative Policies and: (i) have the appropriate procurement process conducted by an individual with delegated Chapter 36 purchasing authority from UWM’s Chancellor and (ii) be signed by an individual with appropriate delegated signature authority from UWM’s Chancellor.

2. Appointment of Employees

UWM’s Chancellor has authority to appoint employees at a salary up to 75% of the salary of the UW System President, subject to Board of Regents’ approval of tenure. (See Unclassified Personnel Guideline #4.) The Chancellor has delegated the authority to appoint employees with a salary of less than 75% of the UW System President to Deans and Division Heads. Deans and Division Heads may delegate appointment authority to subordinates, provided they notify the Department of Human Resources upon doing so. It is not recommended that appointing authority be widely dispersed, but rather that Deans and Division Heads retain the authority themselves or delegate it on a limited basis only to those individuals who understand the required processes and contractual implications associated with making appointments.

3. Contracts Requiring Approval by the Board of Regents or UW System

Regardless of designated signature authority, each of the following types of documents likely require approval by UW System or the Board of Regents prior to signature:

1. Agreements that contemplate or commit to the establishment of an academic program which has not had prior Board of Regents’ approval;
2. Agreements involving construction or modification of facilities that require UW System Capital Budget Office or Wisconsin State Building Commission approval;
3. Sales, trades, purchases, and gifts of real property;
4. Leases which (i) exceed $1,000,000 or five years in length, (ii) have renewal options that exceed $1,000,000 in total cost or five years in length, (iii) would permit a privately owned or operated facility to be constructed on state-owned land, (iv) affect certain agricultural lands, or (v) involve the lease of a state-owned residence hall for alternate use;
5. Grants from and contracts with private, profit-making organizations if the cumulative amount of the agreement and any predecessor agreements is more than $1,000,000;
6. Contracts for large or high-risk information technology projects as defined in Regent Policy Document 25-4;
7. Athletics employment contracts with total annual compensation greater than $500,000; and
8. Any other contract with a value of $1,000,000 or less if the President of the UW System determines that the contract warrants Board of Regents’ approval prior to execution.

Contracts and grants with a value of over $500,000 must be reviewed by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs prior to execution except for: (i) Chapter 16 procurement contracts and, (ii) public sector grants/contracts reviewed by UWM’s Office of Sponsored Programs.

4. Leases of Real Property for UWM Use

UW System, and in certain cases, the Wisconsin Department of Administration, is responsible for all leases of real property for use by UWM, including office, storage, warehouse, and laboratory space, and communication towers. Contact the Campus Planning Department for more information about initiating a lease.

5. Construction Contracts

Construction contracts are under the purview of UW System and/or the Division of State Facilities (DSF), Wisconsin Department of Administration.

All individuals with signature authority should retain a copy of each contract they sign. Copies of contracts may be destroyed only pursuant to applicable UWM records retention schedules.

Authorized Signers

General Authority

Subject to the above-described exceptions. Of note:

• Chapter 16, 35, and 39 Procurement Contracts should not be signed by the below listed individuals with general authority;
• Chapter 36 Procurement Contracts may be signed by the below listed individuals but are subject to the processes detailed in the 500 Series UW System Administrative Policies, as applicable;
• Certain contracts/grants over $1 million with private, profit-making organizations may require prior Board of Regents’ approval (see above);
• Certain contracts/grants with a value of over $500,000 may require review by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs prior to execution (see above); and
• It is recommended that individuals with general signature authority consult with, or request review by, UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs prior to signing any contracts (except Chapter 36 Procurement Contracts $500,000 or less, if reviewed by UWM’s Procurement Office).

Name	Title	Signature Authority
Thomas Gibson	Chancellor	All contracts subject to exceptions noted above.
Tina Freiburger	Interim Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs	All contracts subject to exceptions noted above.
Robin Van Harpen	Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administrative Affairs	All contracts subject to exceptions noted above.

Research-Related Contracts, Proposals and Non-Monetary Instruments

Subject to the above-described exceptions. Of note:

• Certain contracts/grants over $1 million with private, profit-making organizations may require prior Board of Regents’ approval (see above);
• Certain contracts/grants with a value of over $500,000 may require review by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs prior to execution (see above).

Name	Title	Signature Authority
Ali Abedi	Vice Chancellor for Research	All documentation relating to sponsored projects, including, but not limited to: proposals, awards, contracts, certifications, and non-monetary instruments; documentation relating to reporting on compliance-related activities.
Kate Mollen	Director, Office of Sponsored Programs	All documentation relating to sponsored projects, including, but not limited to: proposals, awards, contracts, certifications, and non-monetary instruments. Letter of Credit draws.
Jeremy Miner	Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs	All documentation relating to sponsored projects, including, but not limited to: proposals, awards, contracts, certifications, and non-monetary instruments.
Sam Westcott	Assistant Director, Office of Sponsored Programs	All documentation relating to sponsored projects, including, but not limited to: proposals, awards, contracts, certifications, and non-monetary instruments.   Letter of Credit draws.
Jeff Nytes	Compliance Manager, Office of Research	Documentation relating to reporting on compliance-related activities.
Margaret Anderson	Contracts Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: proposals, letters of intent/commitment, reports, certifications, sub-recipient monitoring, providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems, non-disclosure agreements, data use agreements, no-cost extensions; memoranda of understanding; and material transfer agreements.
Brooke Gilbertson	Pre-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: proposals, letters of intent/commitment, reports, certifications, sub-recipient monitoring, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.
Laura Guebert	Pre-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: proposals, letters of intent/commitment, reports, certifications, sub-recipient monitoring, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.
Jelena Kutlaca	Sub-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: proposals, letters of intent/commitment, reports, certifications, sub-recipient monitoring, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.
Louise White	Post-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: reports, certifications, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.   Letter of Credit draws.
Candace Salfer	Post-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: reports, certifications, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.   Letter of Credit draws.
Catherine Turk	Post-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: reports, certifications, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.   Letter of Credit draws.
Gayla Jenkins	Post-award Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs	Non-monetary instruments, including: reports, certifications, and providing information to sponsors including through electronic grant systems.   Letter of Credit draws.

Facility Use & Equipment Use Contracts

Note that facility use agreements are also subject to UWM SAAP 6-5 Use of Facilities policy, including its processes for large-scale events.

Name	Title	Signature Authority
Kelly Haag	Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs	UWM Student Union, Klotsche Center, Klotsche Pavilion, Engelmann Field, Engelmann Gym, and the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin (OHOW) Center facility and equipment use agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.   Housing and meal plan contracts with students, and guest housing agreements (including related food and parking) with outside entities and/or individuals, that: (i) are $50k and under, (ii) have a term of one year or less, and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Mike Schmit	Interim Director, Student Union	UWM Student Union facility use and equipment agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Arcetta Knautz	Director, University Housing	Housing and meal plan contracts with students, and guest housing agreements (including related food and parking) with outside entities and/or individuals, that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Kari Dawson	Associate Director, University Housing	Housing and meal plan contracts with students, and guest housing agreements (including related food and parking) with outside entities and/or individuals, that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Heath Powell	Associate Director, University Recreation	Klotsche Center, Klotsche Pavilion, and Engelmann Gym facility and equipment use agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Amanda Braun	Director, Athletics	Engelmann Field and the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin (OHOW) Center facility and equipment use agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Randy Trumbull-Holper	Director, Facilities, College of Arts & Architecture	CAA Facilities facility and equipment use agreements, included related services (if applicable) that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Monica Wendel	Dean, Zilber College of Public Health	ZCPH Facilities facility and equipment use agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
[vacant]	Director, School of Continuing Education	SCE Facilities facility and equipment use agreements, including related services (if applicable), that: (i) are $50k and under; (ii) have a term of one year or less; and (iii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.

Financial Aid-Related Contracts

Name	Title	Signature Authority For
Joel Spiess	Director, Student Scholarships, Student Financial Services	Co-signer with Athletics Director for Tender of Financial Aid.
Amanda Braun	Director, Athletics	Co-signer with Director of Student Scholarships, Student Financial Services, for Tender of Financial Aid.

Safety and Risk Management-Related Contracts

Name	Title	Signature Authority For
Melissa Spadanuda	Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Planning & Management	Protection of Human Subjects Institutional Review Board Authorization Agreements and Individual Investigator Agreements; animal care program’s Interinstitutional agreements and OLAW assurances; and property damage work authorizations/agreements.
Zachary Steuerwald	Director, Environmental Health & Safety, University Safety & Assurances	Hazardous materials shipment manifests and certifications; radioactive waste shipment manifests and certifications; biological material transfer agreements; Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plans/updates; and property damage work authorizations/agreements.
Melody Harris	Director, Compliance, University Safety & Assurances	Protection of Human Subjects assurances/certifications/affiliations; radioactive waste shipment manifests and certifications; biological material transfer agreements; and property damage work authorizations/agreements.
James Olson	Risk Manager, University Safety & Assurances	Property damage work authorizations/agreements; affiliation agreements; art loan/accessions; and pet therapy provider agreements.
Kimberly Axtman	Radiation Safety Officer, University Safety & Assurances	Hazardous materials shipment manifests and certifications; and radioactive waste shipment manifests and certifications.
Patrick Egan	Environmental Health Specialist III, University Safety & Assurances	Hazardous materials shipment manifests and certifications; and radioactive waste shipment manifests and certifications.
Sara Riordan	Risk Management Specialist, University Safety & Assurances	Property damage work authorizations/agreements; affiliation agreements; art loan/accessions; and pet therapy provider agreements.
Jill McClary-Gutierrez	Biological Safety Officer, University Safety & Assurances	Biological material transfer agreements.

Miscellaneous Administrative Contracts

Name	Title	Signature Authority For
Drew Knab	Associate Vice Chancellor, Business & Financial Services	Pleadings and related documents in Milwaukee County Small Claims Court subject to restrictions of Attorney General and legal suit authorizations; Federal Loans and Loan Assignment Forms; affidavits or other certifications, descriptions, or confirmation of amounts owed; collections-related documentation; and IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions). Credit card merchant related documentation.
Tony Helmke	Controller, Business & Financial Services	IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions). Credit card merchant related documentation.
Kelly Haag	Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs	Recreational Sports and Facilities Staff Development Reimbursement Agreements that use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.   Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Agreements.
[vacant]	Director, Children’s Learning Center	Documents requiring signature of “licensee” of the UWM Children’s Learning Center.
Lindsay Frost	Director, Office of Sustainability	WI DOA Surplus Property Declarations.
Jennifer Haas	Director, Archaeological Research Laboratory Center	Archaeological investigation related permits and certifications that use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs. Cultural Resources Management proposals that: (i) are under $25k; and (ii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.
Scott Gronert	Dean, College of Letters & Science	Cultural Resources Management proposals that: (i) are under $50k; and (ii) use a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs.

Procurement Contracts

For purposes of this section, these include contracts (including purchase orders) for the purchase of goods (e.g., materials, supplies, equipment) and services (including printing), certain revenue generating contracts and contracts for the disposal of surplus property but excluding research subcontracts. Further, these contracts are subject to the processes detailed in Chapter 16 and the 500 Series UW System Administrative Policies, as applicable; as well as the requirements for certain contracts over $500,000 and $1 million as detailed in Board of Regents Policy 13-1.

Name	Title	Signature Authority For
Drew Knab	Associate Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administrative Affairs	All Chapter 36 Procurement Contracts.
Donna McGee	Director, Procurement	All Chapter 36 Procurement Contracts; all Chapter 16 transactions.
Kathryn Kercheck	Procurement Specialist III, Procurement	All Procurement Contracts, excluding those under SYS 540.
Pamela Loignon	Procurement Specialist III, Procurement	All Procurement Contracts, excluding those under SYS 540 over $25,000.
Elizabeth Gillen	Procurement Specialist III, Procurement	All Procurement Contracts, excluding those under SYS 540.
Lamia Chakroun Mimouni	Procurement Specialist III, Procurement	Chapter 16 Procurement Contracts $25,000 or less.
Jamie Schueler	Procurement Specialist I, Procurement	All Procurement Contracts, excluding those under SYS 540.
Mike Schmit	Interim Director, Student Union	Speaker and Entertainment Contracts that use a form approved by UWM’s Procurement Director.
Amanda Braun	Director, Athletics	Athletic game contracts pursuant to SYS 522.
Michael Doylen	Associate Vice Provost & Director, Golda Meir Libraries	Library Journal/Database subscriptions up to $500,000; Individual subscriptions for periodicals or magazines; purchase of preprinted or recorded materials for educational purchases including books, microfilm/fiche, audio/video recordings, films.
Charles Licht	Director, Print & Copy Services	Purchase Orders and Contracts for all public printing activities (internal and external) under Chapters 16 or 35 Wis. Stats.
David Lee	General Manager, WUWM Public Radio	Agreements for the purchase of radio programming that have been reviewed and approved by UWM’s Procurement Office.

Outreach Service Agreements (OSAs) Less than $25,000

Provided a form approved by UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs is used.

Name	Title	Signature Authority For
Elysse Newman	Dean, College of Arts & Architecture	OSAs less than $25,000.
Lisa Berger	Interim Dean, College of Community Engagement & Professions	OSAs less than $25,000.
Scott Gronert	Dean, College of Letters & Science	OSAs less than $25,000.
Kim Litwack	Dean, College of Health Professions & Sciences	OSAs less than $25,000.
Brett Peters	Dean, College of Engineering & Applied Science	OSAs less than $25,000.
Kaushal Chari	Dean, Lubar College of Business	OSAs less than $25,000.
Monica Wendel	Dean, Zilber College of Public Health	OSAs less than $25,000.
Rebecca Klaper	Dean, School of Freshwater Sciences	OSAs less than $25,000.
Bryan Porter	Dean, Graduate School	OSAs less than $25,000.
[vacant]	Director, School of Continuing Education	OSAs less than $25,000.