Chapter IV Contents: [ IV.1 Orientation of New Staff ] [ IV.2 Employee Benefits: Overview ] [ IV.3 When a Staff Member Retires ] [ IV.4 Joint Governance Appointments ] [ IV.5 Awards and Honors for Faculty and Staff ] [ IV.6 Faculty and Staff Liability ] [ IV.7 Review of Tenured Faculty ] [ IV.8 Reporting Outside Interests & Activities ] [ IV.9 Overloads and Summer Appointments ] [ IV.10 Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures ] [ IV.11 Nepotism, Conflict of Interest ] [ IV.12 Vacation Policy ] [ IV.13 Sick Leave Policy ] [ IV.14 Leave of Absence, Temporary Assignment ] [ IV.15 Extensions of the Tenure Clock ] [ IV.16 Absences from Madison ] [ IV.17 Disability Accommodation ] [ IV.18 Personnel Records: Content & Preservation ] [ IV.19 Tuition Reimbursement ] [ IV.20 Faculty Personnel Committee ] [ IV.21 UW-Madison Domestic Partnership Policy ] [ IV.22 Inclement Weather Guidelines ] [ IV.23 Telecommuting Policy ]

A key component of sustaining excellence is to reward it.  In addition to various individual named professorships created in response to grants, endowments, and bequests to specific departments, there are several kinds of named professorships and other awards established for the University as a whole for which departmental nominations may be appropriate. The following list of such named professorships and awards, with a brief description of their nature and requirements, may be helpful for departmental committees considering how to honor distinguished colleagues and recognize the contributions of outstanding staff. [See also Chapter II, "Special University Funds."] The Provost's "Teaching and Learning Excellence" initiative also lists a variety of awards and other opportunities online at http://www.provost.wisc.edu/tle/grants.html .

Please note that the Provost's memorandum of October 21, 2005 articulates campus policy regarding "in perpetuity" professorships (i.e., professorships that are renewable indefinitely). Since 2003, individuals are not awarded two such professorships at the same time; therefore, if an individual who already holds such a professorship (e.g., a Hilldale) is awarded a new one (e.g., a Vilas), he or she must give up the other. This does not apply to limited-term professorships, such as WARF Professorships, etc.

These are probably the University's most prestigious professorships for scholarly achievement and the advancement of learning. This distinguished research professorship is funded by the generosity of the Trustees of the William F. Vilas Estate in honor or this former University Regent and U.S. Senator. A candidate should be of proven research ability and possess unusual qualifications and promise. The individual must have contributed significantly to the research mission of the University and be widely recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality of research. Vilas Professorships provide for a reduced teaching load, a $10,000 salary supplement, an annual account of $30,000 for research expenses, the possibility of nonrecurring supplemental funding for special research needs, and a retirement supplement of $2,500/year for an individual who has served at least 15 years as a Vilas Professor. Nomination information for awards that become available annually, in July, is usually conveyed via a memorandum posted online.

These at-large professorships were created with funds from the UW Foundation to recognize faculty for their balanced contributions to the University's research, teaching and service efforts. Selection is by a special Chancellor's advisory committee. Recipients are appointed for five-year terms with the possibility for renewal. The professorship provides $10,000 research support per year. Effective in Fall, 2003, new awards in this category will be known as the University of Wisconsin Foundation (UWF) Chair Bascom Professorships replace current vacant John Bascom Professorships. These at-large professorships were created with funds from the UW Foundation to recognize former chairs of the board of the University of Wisconsin Foundation. They were established to recognize faculty for their balanced contributions to the University’s teaching, research, and service. These are five-year professorships with the possibility of renewal. They provide $10,000 annually for research and scholarly activities and a $5,000 base salary adjustment for the term of the professorship. Nomination information for awards that become available annually, in July, is usually conveyed via a memorandum posted online.

These are “at-large” professorships made possible through a gift of the Class of 1933 to enhance the scholarly activities of outstanding faculty members. The primary criteria are the quality, significance, and productivity of the nominee’s research, and the quality and programmatic value of the nominee’s teaching and service. Like the Named-Bascom Professorship, the incumbent is appointed for a five-year period; however, these awards are made without the possibility of renewal. The professorship provides an annual allowance of $10,000 to support research and scholarly activities and a $5,000 base salary adjustment for the term of the professorship. Nomination information for awards that become available annually, in July, is usually conveyed via a memorandum posted online.

Hilldale Professorships are given to faculty who excel in scholarly activity. They have records of outstanding
research or creative work and show promise of continued productivity. The appointments are for five years with
the possibility of renewal until the individual leaves the university or retires. New appointees to the Hilldale
Professorship will receive $15,000 per year for research support, which also may be used for teaching release
during the academic year or for summer salary. In addition, each recipient will receive a temporary base
adjustment of $7,500 for the term of the professorship. (Updated May 13, 2008 to reflect information located on Provost's website, at http://www.provost.wisc.edu/memos/nameprof.html . )

These awards recognize and support distinguished UW-Madison faculty.  Gift funds supporting these professorships are handled by the UW Foundation and are usually specific to a particular field or department. Candidates are recommended by departments to the Dean and Chancellor, for final approval by the Board of Regents. Funding arrangements and terms vary, depending on the donor's specifications.  Three examples are cited below:

• Edward Larocque Tinker Distinguished Visiting Professorship supports the appointment of a distinguished visiting professor for one semester or an academic year from Latin America or the Iberian Peninsula (any discipline) or from Canada (must be a Latin Americanist).  This award is administered by a committee appointed by the Chancellor and chaired by the L&S Dean.
• Carl Schurz Visiting Professorship supports the appointment of an occasional distinguished visiting professor from Germany.  The award is administered by a committee appointed by the Chancellor.  While funding is insufficient for an appointment each year, nominations may be made at any time.
• Emily Mead Baldwin Bascom Professorship in the Creative Arts  supports tenured members of the UW-Madison Arts faculty in the areas of Art, Communication Arts, Dance, Design, Music and Theater.  The professorship has a term of two years and carries a grant of $16,000 paid in two annual installments.  The grant may be used for general support activities such as travel, supplies, books, and equipment but may not be used as a salary supplement.  (For more information, contact the Arts Institute at 263-2350 or refer to the call for nominations.)
  

Gerald A. Bartell Award in the Arts 

This award recognizes and honors the achievements of UW-faculty and staff in the creative arts, in the areas of outreach, public service and/or other activities involving the larger community.  The award carries with it a grant of $4,000, which may be used for general support activities such as travel, supplies, books and equipment.  For more information, contact the Arts Institute (263-2350), or refer to the call for nominations.

Employees selected will receive the Classified Employee Recognition Award (CERA) as well as the opportunity to attend an employee development program. Awardees will be officially honored in Wisconsin Week, and an award ceremony will be held during the month of April.

• Classified Staff Excellence Award - (CURRENT CALL FOR NOMINATIONS)

Each year, the Dean of the College of Letters and Science offers five awards of $3000 each recognizing outstanding performance, service and/or contributions by L&S classified staff members. Awards are made in three categories. Based on proportionate number of employees in each grouping within the College, there will be three awards given to employees in the administrative support bargaining unit; one award given to employees in the blue collar or technical bargaining unit; and one award given to employees in the WPEC bargaining unit, engineering bargaining unit or non-represented staff. For more information, consult the Classified Staff Issues Committee website, at http://www.ls.wisc.edu/csic/ .

• L&S Excellence in Student Advising Award

The College grants  two annual Excellence in Student Advising Awards, one for faculty and one for academic staff. Each award, intended to recognize the importance of advising to our undergraduate and graduate students, carries a prize of $2,500. The call for nominations takes place early in the spring semester of each year, and selection is by a special committee.

• Academic Staff Excellence Awards (see also http://babel.lss.wisc.edu/lspdrc/ )

  • Early Career Award Two awards are made in this category, which honors people who have 3-8 years as members of the L&S academic staff. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding performance in their positions, must demonstrate substantial promise of future contributions; and exhibit a high degree of professionalism. The awards carry a $2,500 cash award
    
  • Mid-Career Award Members of the L&S academic staff with 7 or more years of service are eligible for this award, which carries a $3,000 cash award. Three awards are granted to individuals who demonstrate outstanding performance in their positions, leadership and service beyond their positions, and substantial professional competency and promise of continuing contributions.
    
  • Judith Craig Distinguished Service Award Each year, one person with 15 or more years as a member of the L&S Academic Staff is eligible for this honor, which is accompanied by a $5,000 cash award.. The recipient’s record must demonstrates outstanding service to the College and University throughout his/her career.

links updated August 2006