Senate Bill 751 proposes significant changes to the governance and appointment processes within the University of Wisconsin System. The bill renumbers and amends existing statutes, specifically focusing on the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Regents, the president, chancellors, faculty, and academic staff. It establishes that the Board of Regents must make all limited appointments, including the newly defined position of senior vice president, and prohibits the delegation of this authority. Additionally, the bill expands the criteria for appointments, ensuring that individuals are not excluded from consideration based on tenure status or the highest level of academic degree, thereby broadening the pool of candidates eligible for leadership roles.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of faculty for governance purposes to include all individuals with at least a 50 percent appointment whose primary duties involve teaching or research, as well as those serving as department or program leaders. It also emphasizes that faculty governance structures cannot limit eligibility based on rank or tenure. The bill aims to enhance faculty and academic staff participation in governance, ensuring that they have a significant role in advising chancellors on academic matters and policy formulation. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a more inclusive and flexible governance framework within the University of Wisconsin System.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 36.09(1)(e), 36.09, 36.09(1)(em), 36.09(4m), 36.17(1), 36.17, 36.17(2)