Executive Committee Tenure and Promotion Process
Can the candidate attend the meeting?Can we use secret ballots during a tenure vote?
Per UWM Policies and Procedures, all tenure/promotion votes must be taken by written ballot (UWM P&P 5.162).
Each ballot should contain:
- the motion before the committee
- the date
- the individual’s vote (Yes, No, Abstain)
- the signature of the executive committee member
No additional information should be placed on the ballot. These ballots should be retained in departmental files and maintained confidentially for the duration of the employee’s career at UWM. While the motion and the vote (ballots) are public records under the Wisconsin’s Public Records Law, any requests to review the ballots should be referred to UWM’s Records Custodian to determine whether release is appropriate. This includes requests by department members and the employee who was the subject of the vote.
Do we need a ballot?
How is abstention counted in the vote tally?
Is the information discussed in closed session confidential? Can I discuss this information with others?
“Confidential university information” means information relating to university financial operations or personnel which is obtained from university records or in the course of official university business and which is not available to the general public upon request. Wis. Admin. Code s. UWS 8.02(6). There is an obligation to keep this information confidential.
Also see SAAP 11-02 and UWS 8
Members of the executive committee (departmental or divisional) or invitees to the meeting are expected to maintain in confidence all information discussed in the closed sessions of committee meetings, including all documents circulated in closed session and any minutes of the closed session. This obligation of confidence does not extend to information which: (a) is generally available in the public domain or becomes available to the public domain through no act of yours; (b) was independently known to members prior to participation in the closed session meeting; (c) is required to be disclosed by law; or (d) the Committee or the University directs a member to disclose. Committee members’ obligations under this policy shall continue indefinitely.
What do you do in cases where bylaws specify that a 2/3 majority is necessary for a motion to pass and the number turns out to be a fraction (e.g., 2/3 of 20 votes equals 13.3)?
What is the process of moving into closed session for tenure/promotion consideration?
A committee may meet in closed meetings for the reasons defined under Wisconsin Statute s. 19.85. A closed session occurs when only members of the body (such as the executive committee) or invitees are permitted to be in attendance. Section 19.85 (b) allows for a closed session when considering the grant or denial of tenure for a faculty member. Section 19.85(c) allows for a closed session when promotions or performance evaluations are being considered by the committee. Tenure candidates have the right to demand that the departmental tenure review process, including deliberations and the tenure vote, be held in open session.
Prior to the executive committee’s meeting on promotion/tenure, notice shall be posted of the intent to hold a closed meeting. Notice of the meeting must be posted on a departmental bulletin board to which students, faculty and staff routinely have access, or on University Relations website, at least 24 hours before the meeting. If the committee will be meeting in closed session, a motion must be made to move into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute s. 19.85(1)(b) or (c), as applicable, and the motion to be considered must be stated. A roll call/ballot vote is then taken and recorded, unless the motion is unanimous.
What is the role of the observer?
Personnel Information
How does an academic department chair conduct a review of an Academic Staff member?How does one obtain an extension of the probationary period?
The faculty member needs to make a request in writing for an extension to the department executive committee in a timely manner. If the request is approved, the executive committee forwards the request with its recommendation to the Dean and the Provost In the event of childbirth, adoption and requests related to disability or chronic illness, requests are forwarded directly to the Provost. See the UWM P&P 5.135 at Policies and Procedures: Chapter 5: FACULTY PERSONNEL.
The request for extension of probationary period must be made prior to commencement of the tenure or contract renewal process.
How is the probationary period for faculty calculated
What are the ranks for faculty?
What are the steps in the promotion process from associate to full professor?
What are the steps in the promotion process?
All probationary faculty are evaluated by departmental executive committees per UWM P&P 4.05(2)
(Policies and Procedures: Chapter 4: THE DEPARTMENT) and divisional executive committees per UWM P&P 3.13
(Policies and Procedures: Chapter 3: FACULTY DIVISIONAL SYSTEMS) in accordance with written standards and guidelines. Department guidelines are available from the department chair. Divisional guidelines are published by the divisional committees each year. These are available from the Secretary of the University’s Office. Teaching, research and service are all to be considered in any judgment concerning promotion.
The executive committee of a department initiates the review process. The entire process is detailed in UWM P&P Chapters 4 and 5:
Policies and Procedures: Chapter 4: THE DEPARTMENT
Policies and Procedures: Chapter 5: FACULTY PERSONNEL
What do I do if I have a grievance?
https://uwm.edu/secu/standing/fagc/
https://uwm.edu/secu/standing/frrc/
Grievances and complaints are defined under Wis. Admin. Code Ch. UWS 13:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/uws/uws013.pdf
What if the request for an extension of the probationary period is denied?
Policies and Procedures: Chapter 5: FACULTY PERSONNEL
What is the probationary appointment for faculty?