The Appointment Process

When a new chair or professorship is fully funded, the appointment process — that is, the process of selecting the person to hold the position — can begin. UW Medicine also conducts an appointment process when the previous holder vacates the position.

How long a person holds an appointment depends on the agreement that created the position. Some specify a limited term, but most are open-ended, meaning that the holder may hold it indefinitely — as recommended by the dean of the School of Medicine, and subject to review in accordance with University policies and procedures. Such reviews are held (at least) every five years.

Here’s a brief summary of the appointment process.

Following the agreement. The agreement that created the position stipulates the qualifications sought in the holder: their specialty, their level of experience and their relationship to UW Medicine (current faculty, potential recruitments, visiting faculty).

Selecting the candidate. Selecting the holder involves extensive communication among UW Medicine Advancement, the dean’s office and the provost’s office, among others. Each has a stake in the process.

• If it’s a newly funded endowment, the advancement office alerts the dean’s office.
• The dean’s office asks the department or division to form a committee to consider candidates and officially charges the committee with its task.
• The committee identifies a candidate and submits the name to the dean’s office.
• If the candidate is acceptable, the dean’s office contacts the School’s faculty appointments office and its finance and operations office.
• The candidate is then considered by the UW Board of Regents.
• If the regents approve, the candidate receives the position and the Provost sends final approval to the new holder.

Assuming responsibilities. After the candidate is approved, they receive congratulatory letters and memos. Some of these communications request that the new holder help steward the donors to the chair or professorship. Read more about these expectations.

Celebrating. Receiving an endowed position provides a department or division a great opportunity to celebrate both the holder’s achievements and the generosity of the donor(s) who created the position. Read more about announcements and events.