Astronomer Series | Delegation of Authority Chart


Related Policy: CAPM 502.220 | Astronomer Series

Delegations of authority refer to the assignment of decision-making responsibilities to a specific individual or group of individuals at UCSC. The chart on this page lists the level of review and authority for each of the indicated titles and actions. If you encounter an accessibility issue with information presented in a table, please contact us at apo@ucsc.edu for assistance.

Delegations for Astronomers

Assistant Astronomer

The campus off-scale limit for the Astronomer series is the annual salary rate for Professor, Step 9, plus 11 percent

Appointments

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Appointment to Steps 1-3, up to the annual salary rate of Professor, Step 3 None* Dean *CAP review required when there is greater than 25% dissenting votes by the Bylaw 55 voting faculty; see 4/8/22 memo
Appointment to Steps 1-3, if annual salary rate is more than Professor, Step 3 CAP CP/EVC None
Appointment to Steps 4-5 CAP CP/EVC None

Merit Reviews, Reappointments & Non-Reappointments

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Reappointment and merit increase when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds steps CAP Dean Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Reappointment and merit increase if the salary increase exceeds one and two-thirds steps CAP CP/EVC Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Reappointment and accelerated merit CAP CP/EVC None
Reappointment only CAP Dean None
Non-reappointment CAP Chancellor Ad hoc review is normally required, but after consultation with CAP, the CP/EVC may determine that it is not. In cases of non-reappointment, the candidate is entitled to notice or pay in lieu of notice; see CAPM 404.220.C.3.d

Mid-Career Appraisal

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Mid-career appraisals typically include review for reappointment and merit increase; in any event, CP/EVC authority CAP CP/EVC Ad hoc review is not required, except in cases involving non-reappointment. Effective with the 2012-13 review year, solicited external letters shall not be part of the mid-career appraisal.

Promotion with Tenure

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Promotion to Associate Astronomer CAP Chancellor Ad hoc review is required where the department and/or dean 1) does not support promotion, or 2) recommends acceleration of two or more steps.

Associate Astronomer

The campus off-scale limit for the Astronomer series is the annual salary rate for Professor, Step 9, plus 11 percent

Appointments

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Appointment (any step) CAP CP/EVC Ad hoc review is required where
1) the department and/or dean does not support the appointment, or
2) the department and dean do not agree on proposed rank and/or step.

Merit Reviews and Promotions

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Merit increase when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds steps CAP Dean Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Merit increase if the salary increase exceeds one and two-thirds steps CAP CP/EVC Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Accelerated merits CAP CP/EVC None
Promotion to Astronomer rank CAP CP/EVC None

Salary Increase Only Reviews

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Salary increase actions for candidates at Step 4 that do not exceed the equivalent of two-thirds of a step CAP Dean Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit.
Salary increase actions for candidates at Step 4 in excess of two-thirds of a step CAP CP/EVC* *Effective 7/1/21 – 6/30/27 Deans have authority for salary increase up to a full step.

Astronomer

The campus off-scale limit for the Astronomer series is the annual salary rate for Professor, Step 9, plus 11 percent

Appointments

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Appointment to Steps 1-9, up to the UC Salary Threshold CAP CP/EVC Ad hoc review is required where
1) the department and/or dean does not support the appointment, or
2) the department and dean do not agree on proposed rank and/or step.
Appointment to Above Scale, up to the UC Salary Threshold CAP Chancellor Ad hoc review is required where
1) the department and/or dean does not support the appointment, or
2) the department and dean do not agree on proposed rank and/or step.
Appointment to Steps 1-9 or Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold CAP Provost – Academic Affairs, UCOP None

Merit Reviews

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Merit increase to Steps 2-5 and 7-9 when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds steps CAP Dean Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Merit increase to Steps 2-5 and 7-9 if the salary increase exceeds one and two-thirds steps CAP CP/EVC Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Accelerated merits CAP CP/EVC None
Merit to Step 6 CAP CP/EVC None
Merit to Above Scale, up to the UC Salary Threshold or above Indexed Compensation Level with merit increase of 10% or less CAP Chancellor None
Merit to Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold with merit increase greater than 10% CAP Provost – Academic Affairs, UCOP None
Merit to further Above Scale, up to the UC Salary Threshold CAP CP/EVC None
Merit to Further Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold but with merit increase of 10% or less CAP Chancellor None
Merit to Further Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold with merit increase greater than 10% CAP Provost – Academic Affairs, UCOP None

Salary Increase Only Reviews

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Salary increase actions for candidates at Steps 5 and 9 that do not exceed the equivalent of two-thirds of a step CAP Dean Refer to CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit.
Salary increase actions for candidates at Steps 5 and 9 in excess of two-thirds of a step CAP CP/EVC* *Effective 7/1/21 – 6/30/27 Deans have authority for salary increase up to a full step.

Career Equity Review

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Career Equity Review CAP Authority follows the type of review None

Deferral of Review

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Deferral of Review None Unit Head Assistant Astronomers are not eligible for deferrals

Mandatory Review

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Mandatory Review only* CAP Dean *If combined with another review (e.g., mandatory merit review and another review type) authority follows the type of review

Retention

Actions CAP/DCAP Review Authority Notes
Retention Action CAP CP/EVC A retention review does not impact the faculty member’s regular eligibility for review or the associated review period.

Last modified: Oct 20, 2025