Chancellor's message: Post-retirement employment

Statement from UW-Green Bay Chancellor Thomas Harden, Wednesday, Oct. 19:

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

UW-Green Bay has received inquiries from local media pertaining to the retirement and subsequent rehire of Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Tim Sewall. Given the ongoing attention this issue has received, it is important you have the facts.

Tim Sewall retired from UW-Green Bay on March 18, 2011. He returned to employment with the University on April 18, 2011 to fill a specific need on a temporary basis. Prior to Tim’s retirement, there was no agreement, implied or otherwise, that he would return to UW-Green Bay. The search process for Tim’s replacement has begun, and his last day of employment at UW-Green Bay will be June 30, 2012.

It is important to note that our focus to date has been on following the UW System guidelines and state Department of Employee Trust Funds policy regarding this practice. However, we are sensitive to public sentiment about this issue and the concerns that surround it. Therefore, we have determined that it is prudent to go beyond the policy and guidelines to develop a more stringent policy for UW-Green Bay. This policy on post-retirement employment has been drafted but not fully vetted, and it will be reviewed during the coming weeks.

I appreciate your interest, and I thank you for your continued support of our University. I will keep you posted on further developments.

Thomas K. Harden
Chancellor