Appeals

If a grievance or appeal is not resolved satisfactorily at the unit or dean/director level, an academic staff member may appeal to the Academic Staff Appeals Committee (ASAC). The Academic Staff Appeals Committee has prepared this document clarify what happens during the appeals process. While this description is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive, it provides a picture of what to expect.

Please note that the UW-Madison Academic Staff Policies and Procedures (ASPP) govern the appeal process and that the ASAC has a set of Operating Guidelines; both supersede this document. Both documents are available from the Secretary of the Academic Staff..

After reviewing these documents, appellants or supervisors who have additional questions about the appeal procedure should contact the Secretary’s office (263-2985).

Initial Letter from the Secretary of the Academic Staff

Following receipt of an appeal, the Secretary of the Academic Staff will send out a notice of the appeal to the Academic Staff Appeals Committee chair(s) within 5 business days.  The letter simply notifies the chair(s) of the appeal and also catalogs any documents that were filed with the appeal.

Scheduling Proceeding and Pre-Proceeding Teleconference

The Secretary of the Academic Staff will work with all parties involved to establish a date for the proceeding as well as the pre-proceeding teleconference.

Initial Letter from the ASAC Chair-Pre-Proceeding Teleconference

Following the establishment of the dates for the proceeding and teleconference and prior to the teleconference, the chair sends a letter to the appellant and the employer. This letter will discuss issues that will be agreed upon during the pre-proceeding teleconference:

• Agree on issue(s) to be considered by ASAC
• Verify access to evidence used by University
• Establish whether proceeding is open or close
• Establish for submission and exchange of written records
• Agree to appeals panel that has been selected
• Cite the sections of the ASPP that apply to the appeal
• Review the burden of proof and the procedures for the proceeding

Following the teleconference, the ASAC chair will send a follow up letter to the parties summarizing what was agreed to during the teleconference

Additional Written Submissions

It is important to comply with the deadline date for additional Written submissions stated in the initial letter from the ASAC chair. Attempted submissions during the proceeding disrupt the process and are unfair to both parties.

Confidentiality

In the interest of fairness to both parties to an appeal, neither the ASAC chair nor any members of the ASAC will discuss the appeal with either party apart from a pre-review or pre-hearing conference.

Panel

Each review or hearing will be considered and voted upon by a “panel” consisting of at least a simple majority of eligible ASAC members, usually five. The composition of each panel will be assigned by the chair or his/her designee. A committee member may recuse themselves from participation in any matter before the ASAC if they have reason to believe that doing so is in the best interest of any party to the matter.

• When considering the amount of written documentation to provide to the panel, submit only sufficient documentation to support your position. More is not necessarily better.
• Make an oral presentation. It is advisable to make an appearance before the panel to support your case, in order to highlight the main points supporting your position, and to answer questions.
• Be organized. Prepare your line of argument and have references to documents and exhibits ready. Omit references that are not germane to the question before the panel.
• Introduce no surprises. All documentation must be identified, submitted, and exchanged before the review or hearing. Names of all witnesses must be exchanged prior to a hearing.
• Be timely. Observe deadlines.
• Maintain a professional demeanor.