This policy aims to create a university-wide standard for the appointment of instructional staff in courses taught for academic credit at UW–Madison. Such a standard will set common expectations for instructor qualifications at UW–Madison. In addition, it is being promulgated to meet the new accreditation standards adopted by the Higher Learning Commission in June 2015.
This policy applies to all UW–Madison staff who teach with appointments as faculty or instructional academic staff, including limited-term appointments, defined here collectively as “instructional staff.” It does not apply to graduate students who receive appointments as teaching assistants or as lecturers-SA (student assistant) and work under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty or instructional academic staff. In cases of instructors (including graduate student teaching assistants) who are supervised by faculty or qualified academic staff, the institution will note both supervisor and instructor of record. Individuals who teach courses offered for UW–Madison credit must have instructional appointments consistent with that role during the term of instruction.
This policy is informed by new accreditation standards adopted by the Higher Learning Commission in June 2015; it is promulgated to meet these standards.