Important information regarding CGS faculty layoffs

To College of General Studies faculty, 

Given that the faculty layoff provisions in state statute apply to the entire system, UWM has been working with the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) on questions related to the implementation of the pending faculty layoffs. UWM would like to share guidance from UWs on the interpretation of the layoff provisions, particularly as you consider your future employment options. On the issue of faculty reappointment, UWs has advised: 

“36.22(11)(b)(2) provides:  

[Faculty shall remain in layoff status until] The faculty member is reappointed to the position from which he or she was laid off. Failure to accept a reappointment terminates the faculty member’s association with the system.  

(emphasis added)  

This statutory subdivision relates solely to reappointment to tenure-track and tenured faculty positions. Faculty do not have the right on layoff to be reappointed to non-faculty positions, whether occupied or vacant, and the institution is not required to convert academic staff positions to faculty positions. 'The position' to which the laid off faculty member has a right to reappointment will also depend upon how their position and work unit were defined in their appointment. For example, if a faculty member was appointed to an academic department in a college, their reappointment right is to a position in that department and not to any academic department in that or another school/college.”  

Because of CGS’s closure, including its academic departments, this means that, in this case, CGS faculty likely have no expectation of reappointment to UWM within the three years after layoff. 

We fully appreciate the disappointment and frustration this may cause. UWM, however, remains committed to helping CGS faculty find other employment options, within UWM and externally. This includes posted faculty positions at UWM and other UW institutions, UWM academic staff positions through the Priority Referral Program in which you have all been enrolled, as well as Human Resources’ partnership with nearby technical colleges. Human Resources is also providing job readiness resources. 

As a reminder, HR is hosting a job fair for CGS employees on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Commons Lounge at UWM at Waukesha. Local employers, including regional technical colleges, will be in attendance. More information can be found here: UWM at Waukesha Job Fair - Human Resources.  

Employees are encouraged to use the services of UWM’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Acentra Health, which is available to all UWM employees and their family members. Acentra Health is free, confidential and available 24/7. Please contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at sowi.mylifeexpert.com. Sign in using UWM’s password: SOWI.    

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