Nonrenewal Policy

Nonrenewal means that the academic staff member's current appointment is "not renewed" for another term. Most academic staff appointments run on a fiscal year basis; i.e. July 1 through June 30. However, the letter of appointment determines the applicable appointment period. If you have any questions about the appointment period for a particular academic staff member, review the letter of appointment and contact CALS Human Resources for advice.

Reasons for Nonrenewal (Permitted by ASPP)

1. Funding loss: See ASPP 3.01 and 3.02
2. Budget or program redirection: See ASPP 3.01 and 3.02
3. Unsatisfactory performance: See ASPP 3.01 and 3.03

Advance notice of nonrenewal must be given to academic staff members prior to the end of the current appointment period according to the number years of service as an academic staff member at UW-Madison.

• Minimum Notice Period for Nonrenewal

Nonrenewals may be appealed by academic staff members under the procedures provided in ASPP 3.06 and 3.07. An academic staff member has the right to appeal when the staff member believes that his or her performance was satisfactory or that the nonrenewal is not actually because of a budget or program decision or when he or she believes that another academic staff member should have been nonrenewed instead. The substance of a budget or program decision cannot be appealed.

Ultimately, the nonrenewal can be appealed to the Academic Staff Appeals Committee; the academic staff member has the burden to show by preponderance of the evidence that the nonrenewal is arbitrary, or capricious, or for reasons prohibited by law. The final decision making authority rests with the Chancellor.