Academic Staff Terminal Contract Deadline for the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Introduction
Action Required
Submit HRFE NONR transactions to the UIC HR Service Center no later than June 26, 2026, for any Academic Professional, Postdoctoral Research Associate, or Faculty employee who is entitled to a formal Notice of Non-Reappointment (NONR) from the Board of Trustees for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Employees Who Require a Formal NONR
- Academic Professionals (APs)
- Permanent full‐time APs on hard funds with 4+ years of service
- Permanent full‐time APs on soft funds with 10+ years of service
- Postdoctoral Research Associates
- Full‐time Postdoctoral Research Associates on hard funds.
- Faculty
- Assistant Professors in years one through five of probation (tenure codes 1-5)
- Assistant Professors who did not attain promotion and tenure during the AY25-26 review cycle
- Full-time Teaching Associates, Clinical Associates, and Research Faculty (all ranks) on hard funds
Effective Dates for Terminal Contracts
Terminal contracts submitted and processed by June 26 will be effective for the new academic year:
- Academic year service basis: August 16, 2026 – May 15, 2027
- 12-month basis: August 16, 2026 – August 15, 2027
These dates apply to tenure track faculty, academic professionals or other academic staff who serve either on an academic year or on a twelve-month service basis.
Rolling NONR Submissions (APs and Postdocs)
- Academic Professional NONRs may be submitted at any time, provided the required notice period is met.
- Postdoctoral Research Associates on hard funds must receive notice six months before the end of their current appointment; otherwise, they must be offered a full additional year.
How to Submit the NONR
- Complete an Employee Job Record Change transaction in HRFE
- Attach the required terminal letter
- Confirm the employee’s current mailing address in Job Comments
- Route to the UIC HR Service Center by 5pm on June 26, 2026
- Email UICHRServiceCenter@uillinois.edu with the employee’s name and UIN to alert UIC HR
- Include AP, Postdoc, or Faculty in the subject line
The Board of Trustees Office will mail the amended NOA to the employee.
Appointments Not Requiring a Formal NONR
If the employee’s contract ends on or before August 15, 2026, and no formal NONR is required:
- Submit the HRFE separation transaction as soon as possible, but no later than July 21, 2026
- Update the budget profile code to “X” before submitting
- Attach required union-related NONR letters for NTS Faculty (May 15 or July 16 letters)
Units are expected to provide employees with a reasonable notice period when their contracts will not be renewed.
Policy and Job Aid References
- Academic Professional NONR Process: Refer to the Academic Professional Non-Reappointment page on the UIC HR website for detailed information on the NONR process, policy information, letter template, and Job Aids.
- Faculty Notice Rights: Guidance can be found in the following resources including the UIC Faculty Affairs Web Guide, Faculty Handbook, and Policy 901: Notice of Non-Reappointment to Tenure Track and Non-Tenured Faculty.
Questions
Contact the UIC HR Service Center at UICHRServiceCenter@uillinois.edu.