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1-28-08 SENATE version

POL-U1600.01   REQUESTING AN APPOINTMENT OF OPPORTUNITY

This policy applies to the department using an appointment of opportunity to fill an open faculty or professional staff position.

Definitions:

An Appointment of Opportunity is a process by which to request a waiver to normal search requirements (e.g. a competitive search process) under limited and specific conditions.

Dual Career Assistance (DCA) is seeking employment opportunities for a partner of a primary candidate hired by a department or an incumbent employee.

1.      Hiring Department Considers Using an Appointment of Opportunity for an Open Position

The department decides to make a direct appointment and gets approval from

·         The Equal Opportunity (EO) Office

·         Human Resources (HR) Office

·         Provost or President’s Office (as appropriate)

The department considers this appointment before any search is opened. However, as defined in this policy, the hiring department may close/suspend an ongoing search due to the availability of a qualified individual.

NOTE:  This policy does not constitute a promise, real or implied, of employment at Western Washington University (WWU).

2.      The Appointment Must Meet One of the Following Five Conditions:

A.      The appointment is for Dual Career Assistance (DCA) and is critical to sustaining WWU’s commitment to recruiting and retaining highly qualified and competitive faculty and staff and strengthens the University’s capacity to meet institutional objectives, as outlined in the Strategic Plan.  See Procedures for DCA.  The following criteria would apply for DCA:

·         The academic or administrative department advocates for a couple requesting DCA.

·         Academic appointments include: half-time, non-tenure track; full-time, non-tenure track; half-time, tenure track; or full-time, tenure track. Non-tenure track appointments can be commitments of varying lengths.

·         Non-academic appointments can be: full-time or part-time permanent appointments, or full-time or part-time limited-term appointments for terms up to one year.

·         There is an open position (or positions) available in which to accommodate the common interests of the institution and the couple seeking DCA.

Or

·         The Provost and President have approved creating a new position to utilize the qualifications and occupational interests of the primary candidate’s partner. (In this case, funding from the recruiting and receiving units is often necessary)

B.     The appointment would respond to the University’s Affirmative Action (AA) Plan goal for that particular job group and enhance the University’s Strategic Plan for diversity in the workforce. See Procedures for AA Appointments

C.     The appointment would be for a faculty or staff member who is nationally and/or internationally recognized for outstanding achievement or of Exceptional Merit (EM) in her/his areas of expertise.  Such individuals have qualifications that are unique and exceptional and whose potential value to the University is great. See Procedures for EM Appointments

D.     The appointment is for a temporary exempt (TE) position that will not exceed one year and the position will be eliminated after the temporary period has expired.  See Procedures for TE Appointments

E.     The appointment fills an appropriate professional staff position for a sponsored or grant-funded program (SP) proposal. See Procedures for SP Appointments