Cooperative Extension Academic Staff Title Prefix Review

Cooperative Extension's Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) has developed this web site to help academic staff members answer Frequently Asked Questions related to making a title prefix review request. Keep in mind that every effort you can make to substantiate that you have met the requirements for a title prefix change will help to move the process along. While you have the primary responsibility for initiating the request, your supervisor, District Director, or Cooperative Extension Human Resources Office can assist you with the various steps.

Introduction to the Title Prefix Review Process:

According to UWEX Polices and Procedures Governing Title Prefix Review for Promotion (found in UPG #15), academic staff in the Professional Title Series (identified as Category A) and in the Instructional/Research Title Series (identified as Category B) may request a review of the title prefix that was initially assigned to their position based on primary duties and required qualifications. This review is available to academic staff in these two position catagories because of the way UW-System position titling policies are written.

For example, the duties of some positions require educational degrees, work experience, and other qualifications that are considered entry-level for a particular position while the primary duties of other positions require more advanced degrees and more job experience. The title prefix assigned to a position requiring entry-level qualifications would be "Assistant" or "Associate" depending on the title series. Because an individual in an academic staff position is generally expected to acquire more skills and knowledge as he or she performs their job duties, the entry level title may lose its relevancy over time. UPG#15 describes the process that is used to review one's position title prefix after a designated number of years and demonstrated competency level is achieved in order to account for and recognize career growth in a position title.

Title Prefix Review Process Overview:

In order to be considered for a title prefix change, the process specified in UPG #15 must be followed and certain criteria must be met. The process includes initiation of the request by the academic staff member, preparation of documents that substantiate that the requirements have been met, review of the documents by designated supervisory levels, and review by a divisional title review commitee. Ultimately, the Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension must approve the request before it can be advanced, with the Chancellor having the final approval. The criteria to be met depends on the type of title prefix that is being requested, e.g., from associate to no prefix; from no prefix to senior.

If the title prefix review is approved, the next step is to initiate a salary increase per UWS, UWEX, and Cooperative Extension guidelines. The salary increase will be in the amount specified for a particular title prefix by Cooperative Extension policy or by the mimimum salary amount required by UWS policy, whichever is greater. Effective July 1, 2007, Cooperative Extension policy approves the following minimum salary increases: from Associate to No Prefix -- $2,500; from No Prefix to Senior -- $3,500.

Other Title Review Processes:

The academic staff title prefix of "Distinguished" is not part of the standard academic staff title prefix review process. Instead, an annual application process is used, with applications being reviewed once per year by an UWEX institutional review committee. UWEX UPG#18 explains this process. Also see Title Change to Distinguished for more information. The minimum salary increase for a title change to Distinguished is $4,500.

Academic staff who have positions in the Program Manager or Director title series are not assigned prefixes at the time of hire and thus are not covered by the title prefix review process. UWEX 15.05 explains how changes in job duties are acknowledged and recognized for individuals in these positions through a position review questionnaire process. Also see Title Change for Program Managers or Directors for more information.