What Does Academic HR Do?
The Academic Human Resources Office provides access to essential services and support specific to the employment of our faculty, librarians, graduate employees and researchers. We promote collaboration and drive excellence in the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of academic employees. Academic HR oversees the reappointment, promotion and tenure process and administer numerous benefits programs specific to academic employees. We are also responsible for the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements that govern the terms and conditions of employment for over 4,000 faculty, graduate employees and post-doctoral researchers. Check out more ways the Academic Human Resources Office can support you!
Merit Awards
The 2024-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the UMass Amherst administration and the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) reinstates a merit program in recognition of faculty performance in relevant areas of research and creative activity, teaching, and/or service.
There are two merit pools:
- The first scheduled merit award process has been implemented and pay increases were realized in January 2026 (2.25%).
- The 2024-2025 activity period will inform the January 2027 merit award pool (1.75%).
More details about the dates and deadlines for submitting and reviewing AFRs can be found in our 2025 AFR Announcement (please note the timelines have been adjusted.) Our Due Dates page reflects the current deadlines, AFR and merit recommendations for the January 2027 merit award pool.
Faculty and Librarian Workflow System (FLWS)
The Faculty and Librarian Workflow System is a new, user-friendly platform designed to make personnel actions—reappointments, promotion & tenure, sabbatical requests, and annual faculty and librarian processes—simpler and more connected by integrating existing faculty databases through the Faculty and Librarian Success Portal. Chosen after faculty feedback calling for a more intuitive system, it will begin gradually replacing APWS starting summer 2026. Rollout for this new system will be phased and supported with resources to help you through the transition.
Policies & Procedures
Find important policies on academic personnel (the Red Book), additional compensation, and more.
Important Dates
Look up important dates for tenure, promotion, applying for leave and time off, and more.
Contact Academic HR
For help with time off and leaves; reappointment, promotion, and tenure; academic policies and procedures; or to find an answer to another question, please contact the team directly at [email protected].
For assistance with financial policies, annual budget and planning, and other financial and budgetary processes for academic affairs, please contact Academic Administration and Finance.
For other hiring and benefits issues, please contact the university’s Department of Human Resources.