Language Institute
University of Wisconsin-Madison Language Institute

Governance

Policies and Procedures for the UW-Madison Language Institute
Amendments approved November 16 2024

ARTICLE I. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTEXT

The College of Letters & Science (L&S) is the managing campus division for the Language Institute (LI). L&S employs LI staff, supports its core operations, and provides space in an appropriate campus location. L&S is the primary college through which LI external grants are managed.

An MOU between the International Division (ID) and L&S describes the relationship of the LI with the International Division and with ID pillar units. Per the MOU, the International Division provides an annual contribution for LI programming, which is used at the discretion of the LI Director.

ARTICLE II. MEMBER PROGRAMS

The LI engages in a range of activities in support of its mission; it also serves as the administrative home for undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Those member programs have their own internal leadership and governance structures.

Proposals for new member programs are considered by the LI Administrative Council.

ARTICLE III. GOVERNANCE

  1. Director. The Director is appointed by the Dean of the College of L&S, who confers  with the ID on possible candidates for the Directorship of the LI prior to any appointment. The Director reports to the Dean of L&S, through the L&S Associate Dean for the Arts and Humanities. The LI director prepares an annual report on LI activities and accomplishments.
  2. Associate Director. Reports to the Director. An academic staff member with supervisory responsibility for designated staff.
  3. Administrative Council. The Administrative Council (AC) is comprised of the Director (Chair), Associate Director, one representative from each member program (typically the Director or Chair), the Director of Language Sciences, and a representative of the ID, appointed by the Dean of the ID, who serves as a non-voting member. The AC may vote to add one representative each from other campus units aligned with the mission of the Language Institute, as appropriate. The AC coordinates activities across the member programs, considers proposals for new member programs, and provides guidance to the Director on the prioritization of LI activities. The AC makes recommendations on budget matters, which are transmitted through the director to the L&S Dean. The AC has the power to review and make recommendations concerning the appointment, recruitment, non-retention, dismissal, promotion, appointment to indefinite status, or salary of academic and classified staff and other persons appointed within the LI. The AC may, by annual vote, delegate to the LI Director the authority to make recommendations with respect to any or all of the following matters: salaries; non-faculty personnel actions; equipment and supplies.
  4.   Budget. The LI Administrative Council confers budget authority to the LI Director at the beginning of each academic year. All expenditures must be approved by majority vote of the Administrative Council.  This rule does not apply to small expenditures not exceeding $250 or to the purchase of office supplies.

ARTICLE IV. AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The policies and procedures may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Administrative Council.