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Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) - Non-Renewal Letter FAQs

These questions and answers pertain to the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (UNTF) non-renewal letter provision described in Article 15 in the UNTF collective bargaining unit agreement between Michigan State University and the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty.  

Additional questions regarding appointment non-renewal requirements can be directed to:
Bernadette Russell, HR Professional, brussell@hr.msu.edu , 517-884-0214
Kara Yermak, FAS Affairs Director, burtkara@provost.msu.edu , 517-884-0185
Kathy Lewless, FAS Affairs Director, lewlessk@msu.edu, 517-353-4851
Melissa Sortman, FAS Affairs Director, sortmanm@msu.edu, 517-353-5802  

The non-renewal letter needs to state the basis for the decision not to reappoint the faculty/academic staff member.

No. This reason doesn’t provide sufficient rationale for why the faculty/academic staff member won’t be reappointed for an additional semester/year. Examples of appropriate reasons for non-renewal include: 

  • The department doesn’t have sufficient enrollment numbers to determine if a teaching assignment will be available for the next semester
  • The appointment was for a limited-time period of time to cover for a faculty member who was on a sabbatical or another leave
Yes, the collective bargaining agreement requires that notice of non-renewal also be provided to the UNTF. The letter can be mailed, emailed or faxed to the UNTF. Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs recommends emailing the letter to the UNTF. The UNTF contact information can be found on their  website   . 
For an upcoming spring semester appointment, the non-renewal notice must be provided no later than December 1. For an upcoming fall semester appointment, the non-renewal notice must be provided no later than July 15. 
The collective bargaining agreement states that the notice of non-renewal provision does not apply in the spring appointment period for the summer appointment period. In other words, if an appointment ends in the spring, any notice of non-renewal that is to be provided to a faculty/academic staff member need only address the non-renewal for the fall semester.
No, a non-renewal letter is not required. However, please obtain written resignation from the faculty/academic staff member to keep on file.
The collective bargaining agreement states that if non-renewal letters are not issued within the specified time limits, and the UNTF notifies the department of failure to comply with such timelines, the department must issue, within five (5) business days after such notice is received, either a non-renewal letter or an appointment letter. When a letter is issued to the employee, it must also be sent to the UNTF. Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs recommends emailing the letter to the UNTF. Failure to comply with the five day time limit will result in a financial penalty for the department (i.e., two weeks’ pay). 
Employees who are not issued a letter within the five business day notice period are entitled to two weeks’ pay from the employing unit at the pay rate they received during their most recent appointment period. The two weeks’ pay is calculated using the daily rate and only on the UNTF teaching portion of the assignment. Acceptance of such payment will satisfy any grievance or claim pertaining to the matter. Please contact HR Employee Relations or Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs to discuss how payment is to be made. 

 

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