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 budgetary decisions may lead to termination of faculty appointments, with required procedures for such actions. The amendments also clarify that the provisions of section 36.13 apply to faculty employed by the University of Wisconsin System, ensuring that the rights and processes surrounding tenure and probationary appointments are clearly defined and protected.

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