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

ActionCAP/DCAP ReviewAuthorityNotes
Appointments
Appointment to Steps 1-3, up to the annual salary rate of Professor, Step 3None*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 3CAPCP/EVC
Appointment to Steps 4-5CAPCP/EVC
Merit Reviews, Reappointments, & Non-Reappointments
Reappointment and merit increase when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds stepsCAPDeanRef. CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Reappointment and merit increase if the salary increase exceeds one and two-thirds stepsCAPCP/EVCRef. CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Reappointment and accelerated meritCAPCP/EVC
Reappointment onlyCAPDean
Non-reappointmentCAPChancellorAd 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
Mid-career appraisals typically include review for reappointment and merit increase; in any event, CP/EVC authorityCAPCP/EVCAd 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
Promotion to Associate AstronomerCAPChancellorAd 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

ActionCAP/DCAP ReviewAuthorityNotes
Appointments
Appointment (any step)CAPCP/EVCAd 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 & Promotions
Merit increase when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds stepsCAPDeanRef. CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Merit increase if the salary increase exceeds one and two-thirds stepsCAPCP/EVCRef. CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Accelerated meritsCAPCP/EVC
Promotion to Astronomer rankCAPCP/EVC
Salary Increase Only Reviews
Salary increase actions for candidates at Step 4 that do not exceed the equivalent of two-thirds of a stepCAPDeanRef. 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 stepCAPCP/EVC**Effective 7/1/21 – 6/30/27Deans 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

ActionCAP/DCAP ReviewAuthorityNotes
Appointments
Appointment to Steps 1-9, up to the UC Salary ThresholdCAPCP/EVCAd 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 ThresholdCAPChancellorAd 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 ThresholdCAPProvost- Academic Affairs,
UCOP
Merit Reviews
Merit increase to Steps 2-5 and 7-9 when the salary increase does not exceed one and two-thirds stepsCAPDeanRef. 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 stepsCAPCP/EVCRef. CAPM 803.620 regarding expectations at the campus salary limit
Accelerated meritsCAPCP/EVC
Merit to Step 6CAPCP/EVC
Merit to Above Scale, up to the UC Salary Threshold or above Indexed Compensation Level with merit increase of 10% or lessCAPChancellor
Merit to Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold with merit increase greater than 10%CAPProvost- Academic Affairs,
UCOP
Merit to further Above Scale, up to the UC Salary ThresholdCAPCP/EVC
Merit to further Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold but with merit increase of 10% or lessCAPChancellor
Merit to further Above Scale, above the UC Salary Threshold with merit increase greater than 10%CAPProvost- Academic Affairs,
UCOP
Salary Increase Only Reviews
Salary increase actions for candidates at Steps 5 and 9 that do not exceed the equivalent of two-thirds of a stepCAPDeanRef. 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 stepCAPCP/EVC**Effective 7/1/21 – 6/30/27Deans have authority for salary increase up to a full step at Astronomer, Step 5.

Other Actions

ActionCAP/DCAP ReviewAuthorityNotes
Career Equity ReviewCAPAuthority follows the type of review
Deferral of ReviewNoneUnit Head Assistant Astronomers are not eligible for deferrals
Mandatory Review only*CAPDean*If combined with another review, e.g., mandatory merit review and another review type, authority follows the type of review.
Retention ActionCAPCP/EVCA retention review does not impact the faculty member’s regular eligibility for review or the associated review period.

Last modified: Jan 10, 2025