Program affiliation is intended for individuals in a program-related role (vs. an operations role, for example). Program affiliations in Extension guide the development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of research-informed and evidence-based Extension programs. Program affiliation holds many benefits, including (but not limited to) strengthening our state and local responses to current and emerging issues, fostering statewide outcome and impact data, and colleague support and connections around program needs. All faculty and staff in programmatic roles will hold at least one program affiliation.

For colleagues in programmatic roles (e.g., faculty, Extension Educators, Specialists), the suggested distribution of effort assumes the large majority (~ 80%) of all Extension work comprises program-related activities. Program-related is defined broadly and is inclusive of any combination of the following and contingent upon specific roles (e.g., faculty, academic staff; statewide specialist, local extension educator): planning, development, implementation, teaching, evaluation, research, professional development, or overseeing the programmatic focus of others implementing programs (when included in positions such as volunteers/associate educators).

Primary program affiliation effort comprises the majority of all program-related effort. Secondary program affiliation is optional, and when selected, encompasses the remainder of planned program-related effort. 

The guidance in Section B applies to all faculty and staff appointed through an Extension Institute with a program-related role.

Expectations of Program Affiliates

• Program affiliates hold and continue to develop expertise in the discipline of their primary and, if applicable, secondary affiliation. Program affiliates are expected to participate in program planning processes and relevant professional development opportunities within their primary program. Participation in secondary program planning and professional development is also expected and should be proportionate to the dedicated effort within the secondary programming.
• Colleagues are expected to align portions of their individual plans of work within the shared outcomes articulated by Extension Program plans of work. Areas of potential alignment could include plans to implement supported curriculum, shared evaluation methods or measures, and/or contribution to program reporting efforts.
• Individual plans of work should reflect programming plans related to primary and, when selected, secondary program affiliations. It is acknowledged that plans of work are intended to be living documents and may not fully encompass all programming efforts completed in a year.
• Where applicable, colleagues are encouraged to actively engage in institute and/or program area workgroups and/or teams.
• Colleagues are encouraged to utilize their programmatic expertise to collaborate with programs and institutes they are not affiliated with.  For example, colleagues in the Horticulture Program could collaborate with colleagues in the Community Food Systems Program without being affiliated with each other’s programs. Each would bring their expertise and intended outcomes to the collaborative work.  Colleagues delivering/implementing a program or curriculum that is sponsored by another institute are expected to align program delivery with guidance provided by the sponsoring institute. 

Program Support

All affiliates will be connected to program colleagues through listservs, program communications, and program meetings. Primary and secondary affiliation will be identified within the staff directory. Programs may support program-specific professional development for affiliates.

Primary Affiliation: Extension educators with academic staff appointments will work with the Program Manager in the program or unit for their primary affiliation regarding onboarding and program development coaching. Faculty have the option of working with the Program Manager on program development at their own discretion.

Secondary Affiliation: As an affiliate of a secondary Extension program, faculty and staff will be connected to Program Managers regarding planning, implementing and/or evaluating programs associated with the secondary program. 

Adjustments to Program Affiliation

Primary program affiliations are initially assigned through the position description at the time of hire and are not intended to be adjusted regularly. However, the primary focus of program positions may evolve with time and in response to emerging needs. Potential re-alignment of primary or secondary program affiliation within the assigned institute should be discussed with the Institute Director. Institute Directors will then initiate the program affiliation change workflow (Program Affiliation Changes within Institute - Institute Director Instructions).

Given the evolving nature of initial institute assignments and alignment with emerging issue areas or needs, it is possible that a reaffiliation with a primary program outside of the primary institute may be warranted. However, in the case of county or Tribal-based educators, primary institute affiliation is tied to partner funding. Any potential adjustments to primary affiliation outside the current institute assignment should be discussed with the Area Extension Director/Supervisor/Department Chair and Associate Dean. Once the reaffiliation is agreed upon, the receiving Institute Director will work with the appropriate Academic Associate Dean and Human Resources to initiate any needed personnel and budgetary changes. 

The guidance in Section C applies to all faculty and staff that are partially or fully funded through Extension and appointed through another UW-Madison unit or another UW campus.

Expectations of Program Affiliates

• Program affiliates conduct research and/or develop programming in the discipline of their primary, and if applicable, secondary, affiliation. Program affiliates are expected to participate in program planning processes within their primary program. Participation in secondary program planning is also expected and should be proportionate to the dedicated effort within the secondary programming.
• Where applicable, colleagues are encouraged to engage in institute and program area workgroups and/or teams.

Program Support

All affiliates will be connected to program colleagues through listservs, program communications, and program meetings. Primary and secondary affiliation will be identified within the staff directory. Programs may support program-specific professional development for affiliates.

Primary Affiliation: Integrated colleagues have the option of working with the Program Manager on program development at their own discretion, but are expected to contribute to program planning activities.

Secondary Affiliation: As an affiliate of a secondary Extension program, faculty and staff will be connected to Program Managers regarding planning, implementing and/or evaluating programs associated with the secondary program.

Adjustments to Program Affiliation

Primary program affiliations are initially assigned at the time of hire and are not intended to be adjusted regularly. However, understandably the primary focus of program positions may evolve with time and in response to emerging needs. Any potential adjustments to primary affiliation outside the current institute assignment should be discussed with the Extension Associate Dean. The Associate Dean will work with Human Resources to initiate any needed personnel and budgetary changes.