Academic Administrative Appointments - Class Series and Appointment Types

An academic position is defined by a set of responsibilities or job duties that together describe its primary purpose. Each position belongs to a classification, which groups roles with similar duties. Every classification has an official title and job code.

In addition, a position may use a working title for clarity (e.g., Speech Writer), but the official classification (e.g., 9354/Coordinator) remains the University title of record. Each classification also includes a generic description which encompasses a collection of sufficiently similar mix or ranges of responsibilities or job duties that describes the classification.

Class Series: 93xx and 9631 – 9640 (University of Minnesota Extension Service)

Appointment Types:

K – Annual Renewable Contract
J – Multiple Year Contract
M – Acting/Interim, Administrative Staff
L – Limited, Selected Senior Administrative Staff

Other appointment types that can be used with academic administrative job codes/titles:

Q – Annual Renewable, Additional Appointment (teaching)
R – Retired
X – Outside Term of Appointment Dates
0 – Other

Appointment Types:

Annual Renewable Contract (K)

• Granted on a yearly basis and are date specific.
• They are for one year or a portion thereof.
• Renewed each year unless notice is given. If no communication is received to the contrary, the appointment is automatically renewed for the same contract period.

Multiple Year Contract (J)

• Are date specific and longer than one (1) year, up to a maximum of five (5) years.
• Renewable at the end of each contract period at the discretion of the responsible administrator. If the appointment is renewed, the contract need not be renewed for the same number of years. The next contract may be changed to annual renewable or remain multiple year.
• Often used for recruitment/retention purposes or for positions with high degree of stability. It is recommended that units develop internal guidelines that assist in determining when such appointments are appropriate and for what length of time.
• May include a probationary period (up to ¼ of initial term) with early termination possible. After probation, nonrenewal follows University policy with required notice.
• Employees holding multiple year appointments must be provided with written notification near the end of their multiple year contract that defines the span of time covered in the next contract.
• In the absence of any communication, the employee's contract is automatically renewed for the same number of years.
• Probationary Period: An initial multiple year appointment given to a new hire may provide a probationary period of up to one-fourth (¼) of the initial appointment period. For example, if an employee is given an initial multiple year (J) appointment of two years, the probationary period could be up to six (6) months. At any time during this period the employee may be terminated without the right to grieve the termination. If such an evaluation period is used, the letter of appointment must state these terms. When a probationary period is used for a multiple year appointment, a review prior to the end of the defined period is required. This review can occur at any time throughout the probationary period with an option to terminate the employee. There is not a required length of termination notice for a person serving in a probationary period, but reasonableness should guide. If the employee is not terminated as a result of the probationary period review, the employee then is governed under the Administrative Policy: Nonrenewal of Appointment for Academic Professional and Administrative Employees and is entitled to a required notice period if the position is subsequently nonrenewed, provided eligibility requirements are met. If no review is held and no communication given, the employee is then under the Administrative Policy: Nonrenewal of Appointment for Academic Professional and Administrative Employees at the end of the probationary period.

Acting/Interim, Administrative Appointment (M)

• Identify administrators serving in an acting or interim capacity
• May be for a stipulated period of time or until the ongoing position is filled.
• Employees may retain the right to return to their prior position after completion of an acting/interim position.

Limited, Select Senior Administrators Appointment (L)

• Many P&A provisions do not apply. For persons who serve as college, campus or system-wide administrative officers and hold appointments in the administrative positions listed below. They carry responsibility for the organization, interpretation, and monitoring of policies, program directions, and budget at the highest levels in the University.
• Serve solely at the discretion of the responsible administrator.
• Carry no tenure or continuous appointment rights or implications (though tenured faculty/continuous academic professionals may retain the right to resume their prior position upon acceptance and completion of a limited appointment).
• Salaries are negotiable and separate from other roles. Further, they may be separate and distinct from the salary rates of pre-existing or concurrent positions. Resumption of such a position does not require continuance of the salary level provided under the limited appointment.
• May be terminated at any time without a requirement of establishing just cause.
• The appointment period for an individual on a limited appointment must be specified in writing initially and upon renewal, if applicable
• Termination or nonrenewal is not grievable.

Designated appointments: The following positions may be designated limited appointments:

• President
• Executive Vice President and Provost
• Senior Vice President
• Vice President
• Associate Vice President
• Assistant Vice President
• Chancellor
• Associate Chancellor
• Assistant Chancellor
• Vice Chancellor
• Provost
• Dean
• Executive Director and Corporate Secretary to the Board of Regents
• General Counsel
• University Librarian
• Chief of Staff, President's Office

Other administrative positions in the 93xx administrative class series may be designated as limited by the Board of Regents, the president, vice presidents, or chancellors, at the time the position is posted, subject to the approval of the appropriate senior vice president.

Individuals holding tenure-track faculty or probationary academic professional positions may request that service during a limited appointment of two-thirds time or greater not be credited toward the maximum probationary period.

An individual whose initial appointment is limited (L) may concurrently receive a faculty appointment that is adjunct and that relates to teaching or professional practice. In this case, no transfer rights to a faculty appointment following the conclusion of a limited appointment are provided.