Guidelines for Adjunct Appointments

Layout for printing
Policy Number:
UW-5002
Old Policy Number:
1.03
Responsible Office:
Office of Human Resources

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The Adjunct Professor title series is used to hire individuals employed by a non-University agency who contribute significantly to the instructional mission of the University.

Scope:

Individuals hired into the Adjunct Professor title series, in both a paid and $0 capacity.

Policy:

Policy Summary

This policy provides information on the use of the Adjunct Professor title series at UW–Madison.

Table 1. Titles and Title Codes
Title Title Code
Adjunct Professor IC001
Associate Adjunct Professor IC002
Assistant Adjunct Professor IC003
Adjunct Instructor IC004

Policy Detail

Adjunct appointments specify persons from a non-instructional institution and persons whose professional career is primarily outside of University instruction. Individuals hired into this title must be performing primarily instructional activities. In some circumstances the title may be appropriate for those whose full-time continuing teaching assignments are practicum-oriented. All new appointments to adjunct titles must have the prior approval of the department executive committee and the Dean/Director of the school/college/division. Requests for such approval must indicate why an adjunct rather than lecturer title is appropriate. Depending on the nature of the relationship, the appointment may either be set up as a paid appointment or may be a non-paid position.

Adjunct appointments are always set up as terminal appointments and can be approved for a maximum of three years, with the possibility of renewal. This title series is not subject to the ASPP 2.01 A (3)b limiting instructional appointments to three years due to the unique nature of the relationship of the adjunct employee to the university. If an adjunct appointment is to be renewed by a department executive committee, dean/director’s approval is required. If the decision is made to change the level of the title (e.g. associate to no-prefix), this should be entered as a new appointment in JEMS Hire after the department executive committee has voted on the new level.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

If a school, college, or division fails to comply with the Adjunct Appointment policy, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) may remove delegation for the approval of adjunct appointments.

Responsibilities

Table 2. Responsibilities
Office of Human Resources (OHR)
  • Conduct quarterly audits on use of the adjunct title series
  • Provide clarification of the policy as needed
Deans and Directors
  • Ensure consistent use and application of the adjunct title series within the school/college/unit
College/School/Division HR
  • Approve use of the adjunct title series
  • Work with departments to ensure proper approval and renewal of adjunct appointments
  • Upon approval by the Dean/Director, an official letter of appointment is issued to the adjunct appointee, and the adjunct appointment is entered into JEMS Hire
  • Issue appointment letter and renewal letters for adjunct appointments
Department Executive Committee
  • Vote on the creation/renewal of adjunct positions
  • Assign the appropriate level of the title
  • Prepare a memo to the dean including information on the following:
    1. An explanation of the request, specifying the appointment (e.g. if the appointment is not $0, indicate the rate of pay and percentage of paid appointment*), and indicating the department executive committee’s approval
    2. The proposed appointee’s special qualifications
    3. The duties to be performed
    4. An explanation why a lecturer title is not appropriate (this is especially important if it is a paid title)
    5. The proposed title prefix as an adjunct professor
    6. The duration of the initial proposed appointment (not to exceed three years)
    7. The Curriculum Vita for the person must also be included in the request
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Title Guideline

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Policy Manager:
Associate Vice Chancellor/Chief Human Resources Officer
Contact:
Compensation Admin Director -- Meghan Owens, meghan.owens@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2346
Effective Date:
07-03-2015
Revised Dates:

04-05-2019, 09-05-2023

Retrieved:
01-25-2025 04:39:49