SPECIAL AGREEMENT TO ACCEPT ACADEMIC
APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT FOR DEFINITE TERMS

A special agreement to accept academic appointment and reappointment for definite terms releases the University from any commitment to grant tenure. It is given only under exceptional circumstances.

The execution of a Special Agreement to Accept Academic Appointment and Reappointment for Definite Terms waives a staff member's right to all tenure provisions for academic staff as set forth in Article X of the University of Illinois Statutes. A copy of the Special Agreement form, which shows the necessary approvals, is attached.

The special agreement should only be executed under exceptional circumstances and should not be used as a means of appointing a staff member on a temporary basis (year-to-year contracts). The ranks to which this agreement apply are those outlined in the Statutes as being eligible for tenure. The Statutes do provide a notification period for instructors and assistant professors which, with careful planning on the part of departments, should cause no problems for those staff members employed on State funds. For those employed on non-State funds, there may be more of a problem in that grants may be terminated at any time and, therefore, a "W" form executed for a staff member paid from non-State funds is justifiable. (It is seldom, if ever, appropriate for a "W" form to be executed for a staff member paid wholly or partially from State funds.)

A special agreement will not be approved unless sufficient justification is provided concerning the reason the staff member is being asked to waive his/her rights to tenure. The execution of a "W" agreement for a staff member being paid on State funds for the reason of budgetary uncertainty is not acceptable.

The Special Agreement form, along with a statement of justification, should be submitted with the staff member's Recommendation for Appointment or Change of Status form, whichever is appropriate. Copies of the Special Agreement to Accept Academic Appointment and Reappointment for Definite Terms may be obtained from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Further questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Office of Academic Human Resources at 333-6747.