Academic Staff Policies and Procedures (ASPP) Questions and Answers
What is Academic Staff Policies and Procedures (ASPP), and why is it important to me?
ASPP defines some of your rights and responsibilities and describes procedures for academic staff on such issues as appointments, job security, layoffs and nonrenewals, discipline, performance reviews, personnel files, appeals and grievances. ASPP also provides details about the Academic Staff Assembly and committees of the university. It was written by academic staff for academic staff as part of the governance process.
Where can I find ASPP?
Copies are available in your department office or from the Academic Personnel Office. It is also available on the web at acstaff/aspp.pdf
What is the difference between nonrenewal and layoff? What can I do if either one happens to me?
While both actions signal the end of an appointment, the primary differences between them are the amount of notice required and certain employee benefits. See Chapters 3 (nonrenewal) and 5 (layoff) of ASPP. Appeal rights are laid out in Chapters 3.06 and 5.05.
What can I do if I believe I have been treated unfairly or have another employment problem?
Chapter 7.01 describes the informal resolution process. If that does not work, Chapter 7.02 covers the grievance procedure. ASPP also includes information on discipline (Chapter 6) and complaints against academic staff members (Chapter 8). Both employer and employee issues are covered because academic staff serve in both roles.
How will my performance be evaluated? Do the results of this performance evaluation affect my pay?
Chapter 10.01 says, "Academic staff shall be reviewed annually in a manner appropriate to their work setting and responsibilities." Units are encouraged to develop, implement, and maintain review procedures that best meet their needs. Chapter 10.07 states that an academic staff member's annual merit increment shall take cognizance of the results of performance reviews. The annual UW budget instructions, which change from year to year, contain further information about merit increases.
Do I have any job security?
Most academic staff members have one-year renewable appointments with required notice periods if the position is to end. See Chapter 3.04 (nonrenewal) and 5.05 (layoff). Longer-term appointments may be available to you at any point in your career. See Chapter 2.01, types of appointment. Once you have been a member of the academic staff for seven years, ASPP requires that you be reviewed annually for a longer-term appointment.
What is my personnel file? Can I see it? What control do I have over what is in it?
Personnel files contain only information relevant to your status and performance as an employee and to the commitments made to and by you. Chapter 11 includes information on contents (11.01), access (11.02), how items are added, removed, or modified, and other pertinent issues.
What are some important issues and benefits not covered by ASPP, and where do I find information?
FRINGE BENEFITS: For information on vacation, sick leave, retirement, and health, life, and income continuation insurance, see the benefits booklet you received when you were hired. See also the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services Web site: www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html.
YOUR OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY TITLE: See the Unclassified Title Guideline (www.ohr.wisc.edu/polproced/UTG/utg.html).
HIRING, OVERLOADS, TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: See Unclassified Personnel Policies and Procedures (www.ohr.wisc.edu/polproced/UPPP/uppptblc.html).
DISABILITIES: Contact your school/college/division Division Level Representative in your dean or director's office, or the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, or see www.wisc.edu/edrc/disability.
HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION: Contact the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, or consult either of these websites: www.wisc.edu/edrc or www.wisc.edu/edrc/sexualharassment.
Where else can I find help?
The Employee Assistance Office provides consultation on personal and workplace issues and concerns. The Academic Personnel Office develops and administers UW-Madison personnel policies and programs for faculty, limited appointees, academic staff, employees in training, graduate assistants, and student help. Staff members there also interpret policies and procedures and consult on various employment issues.
Where do I go if I don't understand ASPP?
Many departments have a human resources person who is familiar with ASPP. If yours does not, contact your dean's or director's office human resources person or the Academic Personnel Office. Contact: ACADEMIC PERSONNEL OFFICE 174 BASCOM HALL 608/265-2257 www.ohr.wisc.edu
Compiled by the Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee of the Academic
Staff Assembly, August 2000.