Article 2

APPOINTMENTS, REAPPOINTMENTS, AND TERMINATIONS

2.1 Letter of Appointment. The University shall make appointments on standard letters of appointment, signed by a representative of the University designated by the president or representative and the appointee. The letter of appointment shall be sent to the appointee within ten (10) days after the conditions necessary for the appointment have been met. No salary shall be paid in the absence of a signed letter of appointment properly on file with the University Board of Trustees. The employing department shall ensure that the singed letter of appointment is properly on file. The letter shall contain the following elements as a minimum:

(a) Date;

(b) Professional Classification System title and job code, if any;

(c) Employment unit (e.g., department, college, institute, area, center, etc.);

(d) Length of appointment;

(e) Special conditions of employment;

(f) Name of supervisor;

(g) A statement that the employee's signature shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to process a grievance with respect to the appointment in compliance with Article 11, Grievance Procedure;

(h) A statement that the appointment is subject to the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida and the United States, the rules of the Board of Governors and the UBOT, and this Agreement, with the web address where the Agreement may be accessed;

(i) Percent of full-time effort (FTE) assigned; and

(j) Salary rate and bi-weekly stipend.

2.2 Reappointments. No appointment shall create any right, interest, or expectancy in any other appointment beyond its specific term. Upon written request, the GAU shall be provided information regarding established guidelines for teaching assistant appointments. When appointed, employees shall be provided with criteria concerning reappointment.

2.3 Length of Appointment. Appointments may be for any period of time up to one (1) calendar year. Appointments for graduate assistants shall be consistent with the faculty.

2.4 Notice:

(a) Fall Appointments. Employees serving in at least one (1) semester appointment during an academic year shall be provided with a letter of intent regarding continuation or non-continuation of employment for the subsequent Fall semester as soon as practicable, but in no event later than May 15. A final letter of appointment, if necessary, shall be provided to the employee by June 30.

(b) Spring Appointments. Employees, who will be offered an appointment to commence at the start of the Spring semester, shall be provided with a letter of intent by August 30. A final letter of appointment for mid-year appointees, if necessary, shall be provided to the employee by October 30.

2.5 Changes in appointment.

(a) Any appointment may be curtailed, diminished, or terminated at any time, only by reason of any one of the following:

1. Continued failure to perform duties as specified in the Letter of Appointment, after written notification;

2. Failure of the employee, in the academic judgment of the University, to maintain satisfactory student status or to make appropriate progress toward the degree;

3. Incompetence, which is documented, or misconduct of the employee;

4. Completion of degree requirements;

5. Lack of funds as a result of adverse financial conditions.

(b) In case of 2.5(a)(5) above, the University shall provide three weeks notice, if practicable, and make every effort to reassign the affected employee. The notice shall include a statement which indicates that this action is grievable under the provisions of the University Board of Trustee/Graduate Assistant United Collective Bargaining Agreement.

(c) When the President or representative has reason to believe that the employee's presence on the job will adversely affect the operation of the University, the President or representative may immediately place the employee on leave with pay, pending investigation of the event(s) leading to that belief. However, such leave with pay shall not extend beyond the semester in which the action by the President or representative was taken.