The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Voting Rights for Instructional Academic Staff (GOV 6.1)

Last Revision Date: May 11, 2021

6. POLICY STATEMENT

GOV 6.1. Faculty Voting Rights for Instructional Academic Staff.

History: This document was originally approved by the Faculty Senate in November 1986 and by the Chancellor in December 1986. After consultation with the Faculty Senate and the Senate of Academic Staff, the following amendments were approved by Chancellor Kerrigan in December 1992. Revisions were made to the document and approved by the Faculty Senate on May 3, 1994 and, after consultation with the Senate of Academic Staff, approved by Chancellor Kerrigan on June 6, 1994. Section II was revised and received final approval on April 14, 1998.

I. Length of Service Criteria for Eligibility for Faculty Voting Rights.

An academic staff member will be automatically eligible to exercise faculty voting rights in an academic depart- ment or equivalent unit (herein defined as departments) if they currently hold an instructional assignment within that academic department averaging at least half-time for the academic year and their instructional assignment in that academic department was:

A. At least half-time over the previous four consecutive semesters, or
B. An annual average of at least half-time over the previous four years

These length of service requirements can be shortened. Any such changes should be defined in academic depart- ment or college bylaws.

II. Conditions Under Which Voting Rights Are Extended.

Faculty voting rights for Instructional Academic Staff are restricted to departments (or their equivalent) affairs excluding recruitment, tenure, appointment/reappointment and promotion. Instructional Academic Staff who are in their departments’ (or equivalent) merit pool may vote on merit recommendations; all others are excluded. Departments (or equivalent) can determine whether or not Administrative/Professional Academic Staff be given the same voting rights as Instructional Academic Staff.

III. Conditions Under Which Faculty Voting Rights Are Extended within Colleges.

Within their college, voting rights granted through this policy for Instructional Academic Staff include:

A. College policy matters (as defined in college bylaws);
B. As a member of college committees (both standing and ad hoc); and
C. As a member of college task forces.

IAS are prohibited from voting on matters related to faculty evaluation, such as tenure, appointment/reappointment, progression, and promotion. IAS are prohibited from voting on matters related to faculty recruitment unless
appointed to a search and screen committee.

The college can determine whether and to what extent Professional Academic Staff are granted the same voting
rights as Instructional Academic Staff.
Rights listed above cannot be removed. Any additional rights extended should be defined in college bylaws

IV. Procedures.

Departments (or equivalent units) must inform the senate each year of the instructional academic staff persons eligible for voting rights in the unit.

9. REVISION HISTORY

Revised May 11, 2021 (updated on website March 9, 2023)