Assembly Bill 600 aims to restore the faculty tenure and probationary appointment provisions for the University of Wisconsin System to their status prior to the enactment of the 2015-17 biennial budget act (2015 Act 55). The bill introduces a new section, 36.13, which defines tenure and probationary appointments, stipulating that tenure can only be granted upon the affirmative recommendation of the appropriate chancellor and academic department, with specific conditions outlined for cases where such recommendations are not provided. The bill also establishes that a probationary appointment cannot exceed seven consecutive academic years and includes provisions for procedural guarantees regarding dismissal for both tenured and probationary faculty.

In addition to creating section 36.13, the bill amends several existing statutes, including 36.17, 36.19, and 36.21, to clarify the status of tenured faculty and the conditions under which appointments can be made or terminated. Notably, it specifies that tenured faculty will not lose their appointments by accepting limited appointments and that certain appointments made under the amended sections will not be subject to the new tenure provisions. The bill also updates definitions and procedural rules related to faculty performance reviews and dismissals, ensuring that the rights of faculty members are preserved while allowing the Board of Regents to implement necessary rules and procedures.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 36.17(1), 36.17, 36.19, 36.21, 111.81(7)(ar), 111.81, 111.81(7)(at)