CAP’s Role in Campus Efforts

AP Senators – After many years of effort, led by CAP, ten University Senate seats have been allocated to qualifying members of the Academic Professional community. The first class of AP senators has been elected. CAP continues to work with the senate to clarify and broaden the eligible pool of APs for this important role.

Academic Professional Development Fund – The Council of Academic Professionals (CAP) thanks the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research in hosting the online application for the Academic Professional Development Fund (APDF). APDF provides a source of funds for academic professional staff members (permanent/non-visiting) to take advantage of professional development opportunities. Learn more and apply.

AP representation on campus-wide committees – CAP has been successful at raising awareness of APs among upper levels of campus administration. As such, AP representatives are now more routinely included on campus-wide committees.

Worked with UPPAC to secure recognized AP representative at Board of Trustees meetings – CAP representatives working with their colleagues at the Chicago and Springfield campuses have achieved “Recognized” status for one AP representative at Board of Trustees meetings.

Improved structure for AP appointments to Senate committees and their opportunity to report to CAP – CAP refined its officer duties to include committee supervision as one role for the Vice Chair. Because of that added attention to detail, CAP has been diligent about its appointments to Senate Committees and has also included a reporting function for those appointees on the monthly CAP agenda.

Guests – CAP often invites guests to our monthly meetings, including the Chancellor, the Provost, the Chair of the Staff Advisory Council, the Associate Provost for Budget & Research Planning, to name a few. This continues to be an important part of our effort to enhance communication between administration and academic professionals.

Grievances – The Council of Academic Professionals (CAP) strongly encourages attempts to resolve problems through informal discussions at the lowest possible administrative level, typically with the academic professional’s immediate supervisor. Such discussions may progress to higher-level administrators when resolution cannot be accomplished. Academic professionals are encouraged to hold a pre-grievance conference with the CAP Grievance Officer and/or the CAP Assistant Grievance Officer prior to submission of a formal written grievance. The scope of the CAP grievance process is procedural. The purpose of the CAP grievance process is not to supplant the judgment or authority of management, but to ensure the process used that gave rise to the concern was appropriate and fair.

CAPE Awards – Each year, the CAPE committee is chaired by a CAP representative, and solicits and reviews nominees for the award.

The Council of Academic Professionals (CAP) is an elected assembly serving the interests of full-time, part-time, and retired academic professionals at Illinois. We provide direct and concerted communication between academic professional staff and administrative officers of the University. We are the voice of Academic Professionals (APs).