To: All UW System Faculty, Academic Staff, and Classified Staff
“The State of Wisconsin yesterday released some additional details and principles relating to mandatory furloughs for all State and University of Wisconsin System employees, including an executive order from Governor Jim Doyle directing the university and other branches of government to develop specific furlough plans for approval. See the links below this message to view the documents released yesterday by the State.
“With this information in hand, we are now working with your chancellors to develop detailed guidance for all UW System faculty, academic staff, and classified staff, spelling out how the UW will implement furloughs. Chancellors are conferring this week with elected governance leaders at each institution. Once that consultation is complete, we will need to roll out UW System’s plan and post materials on a special web site by June 30. This site will be updated, as needed, as we move forward with this difficult process.
“Please note that the State documents refer to four ‘designated furlough days’ in each of the next two years, when State agencies will be closed for business. Because of the unique nature of our academic calendars, it will not be possible for UW campuses to close on all those dates, but we are looking at closing on the days after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2009 and Nov. 26, 2010) as part of our plans.
“Again, we’re working hard to manage this very complex requirement, all the while remaining cognizant that this will create multiple challenges for our institutions, individual academic units, and each UW employee. If you have questions about this process, please consult with your chancellor or the appropriate campus Human Resources office.”