U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A
BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO |
 |
SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ |
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT | 1111 Franklin Street Oakland, California 94607-5200 Phone: (510) 987-9074 Fax: (510) 987-9086 http://www.ucop.edu | |
May 29, 2003
CHANCELLORS
LABORATORY DIRECTORS
VICE PRESIDENT--AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Dear Colleagues:
New Academic Personnel Policy 390, Postdoctoral Scholars
Enclosed is a new academic personnel policy APM - 390 (Postdoctoral Scholars). The policy will be implemented in two stages starting July 1, 2003. Details are provided in the enclosed Transition Guidelines, which have been attached formally to APM 390 as Appendix A.
The development of APM - 390 was undertaken in response to national and University of California discussions and reports on postdoctoral education over the past five years. During the formal review of this policy, comments were received from the campuses, the Academic Council and Senate committees, several UC postdoctoral scholar associations, and the Office of General Counsel.
The new policy applies to (1) postdoctoral employees funded from research grants; (2) postdoctoral fellows and trainees funded from fellowships or traineeships paid through University accounts; and (3) postdoctoral fellows and trainees funded from fellowships or traineeships paid directly to the individual. APM - 390 establishes three new titles for Postdoctoral Scholars to cover the three types listed above.
Three principal issues emerged from the formal review. First, adequate flexibility was requested with respect to the provision limiting postdoctoral service to a maximum of five years, including postdoctoral service at other institutions. The final policy provides exceptions for a sixth year. Second, with regard to flexibility concerning the minimum salary/stipend and 100 percent time requirements, the policy retains strict provisions for full-time appointments at minimum salary rates in view of the need to provide compensation at levels commensurate with Postdoctoral Scholars' educational backgrounds and qualifications, and to recognize that the postdoctoral experience is essentially full time. Third, the policy provides for no vacation accrual and instead offers a provision for time off during intersession and break periods or at alternative times to be arranged by the Postdoctoral Scholar and mentor.
As the Transition Guidelines indicate, all aspects of APM - 390 will apply to new Postdoctoral Scholars effective July 1, 2003, except the health benefits, sick leave and time off provisions, which will go into effect later in the year.
The University is currently developing a Postdoctoral Scholars benefits package that will provide medical, dental, and vision plans and certain other benefits. These plans will become operative later in the year. Information about these benefit plans will be provided in Fall 2003.
Concurrently with the issuance of APM - 390, language has been added to APM Sections 140, 145, 150, 710, and 730 to indicate that these policies on layoff, grievance, and leaves do not apply to individuals appointed in a Postdoctoral Scholar title.
In addition to transition guidelines, a summary of the major provisions of the policy is enclosed. The policy may be found online at http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel/_files/apm/apm-390.pdf.
This has been a complicated project involving extensive cooperation among campus and President's Office departments. The resulting policy places the University of California in a leadership role in providing reasonable working conditions and compensation for Postdoctoral Scholars.
Sincerely,
Richard C. Atkinson
President
Enclosures
1. Summary of Major Provisions
2. APM - 390
with Appendix A (Transition Guidelines)
cc: Members, President's Cabinet
Academic Council Chair Binion
Associate Vice President Boyette
Assistant Vice President Switkes
Council of Vice Chancellors
Research Vice Chancellors
Graduate Deans
Special Assistant Gardner
Principal Officers of The Regents