Academic Affairs and Personnel

In all cases which are deemed appointments, the departments shall use the online recruiting system, UCLA Academic Recruit to post the position. After the department completes a Search Plan the data will be entered into UC Recruit. After the position is posted, applicants have applied, and a candidate is selected, departments are required to generate the Search Report via UC Recruit. This report is designed to provide the information and assurance of compliance necessary to determine whether search requirements have been met and to provide data necessary for analyses of the recruitment process.

Chairs and Directors have the responsibility to make decisions whether proposed personnel actions are or are not "appointments" under these guidelines, and to make decisions whether proposed appointments (other than in the Regular Professor Series) are in compliance with these guidelines.

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I. Actions Deemed Not Appointments

The following personnel actions are not deemed "appointments" and therefore are not subject to the compliance procedures set forth in these guidelines:

• reappointment of any individual whose original appointment was "in conformity" with full search requirements;
• permanent or temporary reassignment of an appointee in one of the several professorial series from one unit to another;
• adding a without-salary teaching title for an individual holding a non-academic or academic research position, in order to authorize instructional activity by the appointee during the course of his or her normal responsibilities;
• an additional appointment (less than full time or without salary) in the same series in a department or unit other than that in which the individual is currently appointed;
• appointment of an individual in the Regular Professor Series, transferring from an appointment in a different series, where the original appointment of the individual was made in later expectation of the transfer, and the search undertaken at the time of the original appointment was equivalent in character and scope to that which would have been required at the time for the position to which the transfer was contemplated, (e.g., appointee in the Visiting Professor, Professor-in-Residence, or Acting Professor Series later transferred to the Regular Professor Series).

There may be other proposed personnel actions, not included in those listed above, which might also appropriately not be deemed appointments. Questions about such proposed actions may be directed to the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.

 

II. THE SEARCH

Departments must complete a Search Plan that explains how it will identify potential candidates and make an appointment. The Department Chair, Dean, and Vice Chancellor for Equity Diversity and Inclusion must approve the Search Plan.  Their approvals certifies that the Search Plan is in compliance with the provisions of the campus Academic Search Guidelines. UCLA Academic Recruit system allows the search to be publicly posted once all approvals are in place. The nature and the scope of the search is determined by the nature of the position to be filled. In filling a ladder position in the Regular Professor Series, a national search, by advertising and other means, is ordinarily required. In filling a part-time continuing non-ladder position, a search limited to the local geographic area is appropriate. Below are examples of searches which are "in conformity" with the Faculty Search Requirements.

A. In Conformity

Normal channels of search should be used to the maximum feasible extent as appropriate for the specific type of position: advertising on appropriate websites, publications, letters, announcements and other communications to organizations and individuals, and the like, to assure that individuals qualified for a position have an opportunity to apply. The position to be filled should be clearly described. For example, if it is possible that appointment might be made at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank, depending on the qualifications of the appointee, the appointment should not be described solely as at the assistant professor level.

Advertisements and other communications must carry the statement, "UCLA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

B. Exceptions

There are several types of situations in which an appointment can properly be approved where there has been a limited search or no search. Exceptions to more extensive search requirements may be approved. Examples of permissible exceptions follow. Please note that there cannot be appointment to a position in the Regular Professor Series by an exception.

1. (i) — Emergency Temporary Exception - Limited Search/No Search

A department may need to make a last-minute appointment, in order to accommodate to an unforeseen occurrence—e.g., to appoint an individual to teach one course in a quarter about to begin. In such situations departments should make whatever search is reasonable in the circumstances. For example, a department may limit the individuals to be considered to qualified individuals holding other types of appointments in the department. Or a department can prepare beforehand panels of names of individuals by appropriate search methods, to draw upon in such cases. An exception because of an emergency is limited to the specific need which must be met, and cannot be for a duration of more than one academic year. Subsequent appointments to the same position may be made only after more extensive search "in conformity." A limited search or no search may also be appropriate for intermittent appointments, which are of a short duration--e.g., an department may have a need for a lecturer every third year for one quarter. Again, a department should prepare beforehand panels of names of individuals to use as a resource for these types of appointments.

2. (ii) — Continuing Exception - No Search

Sometimes departments wish to appoint individuals to academic positions for which search processes are inappropriate because no allocation of a UCLA position is involved. Examples include individuals who have fellowships, sabbatical leaves from other institutions, or grants or awards of various types which will provide their support, and where UCLA academic appointments are desirable, to provide for teaching or research activity which would not otherwise take place. Such exception can be approved, in appropriate cases, as "continuing exceptions," as long as the outside support continues. If reappointment after one year is made where there is a continuing exception the reappointment would not be deemed an appointment for compliance purposes (as set forth in Part I.A.(2) of these guidelines).

3. (iii) — Continuing Exception - Without Salary Appointment - No Search

Another example is the individual who is proposed for a without-salary position, in circumstances in which the department would be ready to provide a similar appointment for any other similarly qualified individual who might be available. In these cases there are not "applicants" or "candidates" for a single position, from whom the appointee is selected, and hence it is appropriate to consider them as exceptions to search requirements. Such exceptions can be approved, in appropriate cases, as "continuing exceptions," as long as the without-salary appointment continues. If reappointment after one year is made where there is a continuing exception the reappointment would not be deemed an appointment for compliance purposes (as set forth in Part I.A.(2) of these guidelines).

Search processes may also be inappropriate in connection with the UCLA academic appointment of an individual who is employed by an organization or institution affiliated with UCLA where the appointment is necessary in order to enable the individual to participate in a UCLA program. An example is the part-time teaching appointment, without salary, of an individual in an outside organization or institution to which UCLA students are assigned for clinical experience. Such an appointment can be made as an exception ("continuing" if appropriate), if the organization or institution follows employment procedures in compliance with relevant legal requirements. When making such a UCLA appointment all qualified employees of the affiliated organization or institution should be considered.

4. (iv) —Temporary Exception - Outstanding Qualification & Expertise - No Search

An individual with unique and outstanding qualifications who can fill a special need in a department, can in appropriate cases be appointed as an exception. Approval should be granted only in special circumstances. It is not a sufficient reason for approval as such an exception that the proposed appointee is well or highly qualified for the position. There must be documentation of unique expertise not otherwise reasonably available. Such an exception cannot be made for more than one academic year.

5. (v) — Appropriate exceptions which do not fall within the above categories

Occasionally the circumstances of an appointment will warrant approval as a temporary or continuing exception other than in situations described in the preceding categories. Proposals for such exceptions should be discussed with the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.

C. Appointments of Opportunity

Exceptions

1. (i) — Occasionally it will be desirable and appropriate to waive search requirements in connection with the proposed appointment in the Regular Professor Series of an individual whose qualifications are so unique and outstanding, and whose potential value to the campus and the department is so great, as to justify the waiver. Examples include Nobel Laureates and members of the National Academy of Sciences and equivalent organizations.

2. (ii) — It may also occasionally be desirable and appropriate to waive search requirements where successful recruitment of the leading candidate in an ongoing search will be ultimately dependent upon a suitable academic appointment for his/her spouse. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Personnel may authorize a waiver of normal search requirements with regard to consideration of the appointment of the spouse if:

1. the appointment of the candidate in the ongoing search would be of special significance to the campus; or
2. programmatic need for the spouse’s appointment is demonstrated; and/or
3. the appointment will be substantially equivalent to one held by the spouse elsewhere, the appointments will be in different departments, and the impact of making both appointments will not be adverse to the University’s overall search efforts.

In either case, a Chair or Director may seek permission to make the appointment without instituting or completing normal search procedures. Such a request, addressed to the Chancellor, should be made by the Chair or Director, with full explanation and justification to the appropriate Dean, by a separate document. Such a request is finally acted upon by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Personnel, after consultation with Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and review of the recommendation of the Senate Diversity and Equal Opportunity Committee.

If a waiver of search requirements is authorized, the appointment may then be recommended by the department pursuant to normal procedures. The departmental recommendation will be reviewed by the Council on Academic Personnel, and, if appropriate, an ad hoc review committee, before final administrative decision.

 

III. THE SEARCH REPORT

The UC Recruit Search Report is to be completed for all actions that have been deemed appointments (see section I. above for Actions Deemed Not Appointments). This built in system document should be filled out in conformity with full Search Plan requirements. .

The Dean’s  review and approval is required for all appointments made to the Regular Professor Series. It certifies that the appointment in the Regular Professor Series was conducted in conformity with full search requirement or has been determined to be an exception as set forth in the campus Academic Search Guidelines.

Files relating to a specific recruiting effort should be retained for 4 years from the beginning of the appointment.

Though not specifically stated in the Search Report, the certification of the Chair and/or Dean implies each of the following:

1. that the department did not define its curricular or programmatic requirements, or other qualifications for the position such as appointment level, so as needlessly to preclude recruitment of women or minority candidates;
2. that efforts to assure a suitably extensive search were undertaken and that notice was given that UCLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer;
3. that the decision as to whether and how to advertise the position was consistent with applicable policy guidelines;
4. that the action taken and the process which led to it were free of bias with respect to race, religion, ethnic background, sex, or gender identity;
5. that no individual was denied consideration on the basis of unverified assumptions concerning their acceptability to the department or to individual members, their career intentions, or their child-care or other family responsibilities;
6. that no individual was denied consideration for appointment because of his or her relationship to another employee of the University; and
7. that in recruiting for a position in the Regular Professor Series explicit consideration was given during the search to departmental appointees in the Professor-in-Residence Series and other members of the departmental non-ladder staff whose qualifications correspond to departmental programmatic priorities.

 

IV. Responsibilities of Deans

Deans have the responsibility to review and approve all proposed appointments in the Regular Professor Series and to monitor the determinations of Chairs and Directors with respect to actions not deemed appointments, and other appointments.

In the event the Dean is not convinced of conformity in the case of an appointment to the Regular Professor Series, the Dean should consult as they see fit with the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. If after such consultation the Dean determines that the action should not be released, the case should be forwarded, if the Chair or Director so requests, to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Personnel with an explanation of the Dean’s findings and recommendation for action, and with any additional comment the Chair or Director may wish to make. In such a case the Vice Chancellor of Academic Personnel will make the final decision whether the proposed action should be released.

 

V. University of California’s Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of the University not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with the University of California on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy,1 physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (as defined by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994).2 This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion and separation. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws and University policies.

University policy also prohibits retaliation against any employee or person seeking employment for bringing a complaint of discrimination or harassment pursuant to this policy. This policy also prohibits retaliation against a person who assists someone with a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or participates in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a complaint of discrimination or harassment. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to employment.

In addition, it is the policy of the University to undertake affirmative action, consistent with its obligations as a Federal contractor, for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities and for covered veterans.3 The University commits itself to apply every good faith effort to achieve prompt and full utilization of minorities and women in all segments of its workforce where deficiencies exist. These efforts conform to all current legal and regulatory requirements, and are consistent with University standards of quality and excellence.

In conformance with Federal regulations, written affirmative action plans shall be prepared and maintained by each campus of the University, by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, by the Office of the President, and by the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Such plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Office of the President, and the Office of the General Counsel before they are officially promulgated.

 

VI. University of California Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy Statement

The University prohibits discrimination against any person employed; seeking employment; or applying for or engaged in a paid or unpaid internship or training program leading to employment with the University of California on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation.

The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The University undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans.3

University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws.

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1 Pregnancy includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

2 Service in the uniformed services includes membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services.

3 Covered veterans includes veterans with disabilities, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Military, Ground, Naval or Air Service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or Armed Forces service medal veterans.

 

VII. Applying Faculty Search Guidelines

A. Regular Rank Professorial

B. In-Residence

C. Adjunct

D. Clinical X

E. Health Sciences Clinical Professor Series

F. Professional Research

G. Project (e.g., Scientist)

H. Lecturer

I. Academic Coordinator

J. Academic Administrator

K. Specialist

L. Clinical Volunteer

M. Visiting

 

 

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Revised 6/11/19

Web page updated 8/9/19