WISEST’s operating principle is to focus on institutional change rather than on remediating perceived individual weaknesses, with an eye towards sustainable transformation. As such, progressive policy changes, not only in the STEM disciplines but across all disciplines, are crucial outcomes. Policy review, recommendations and new policies enacted as a consequence of WISEST efforts are:

1. Mar 2008 The Provost‘s UFRP (Under-Represented Faculty Recruitment Program) was revised, adding funds to support units hiring new underrepresented faculty.

2. Two policy recommendations made to the Provost by the WISEST Facilitators were adopted:

(a) Progress made at increasing gender equity and diversity in their unit is now an annual reporting requirement and an evaluation criterion for Deans and LAS department heads.
(b) The P&T papers now ask the applicant what they have done to advance gender equity and diversity at UIC.

3. Another policy recommendation, infant care on campus, made to the Provost by the WISEST Facilitators is in the study stage. The Infant/toddler child care task force completed a series of meetings and presented the final report to the Provost on April 23, 2008.

4. WISEST initiated the 2006 Climate Survey. In each department, the facilitator encouraged faculty colleagues to participate, resulting in a very high participation rate (67%). One of the results of the facilitator recommendations and of the Climate Survey is the creation of the Provost's Climate Task Force, which has formulated policies to increase flexibility in the tenure clock, including automatic tenure hold and active duty/modified service policies. Some of these are still under consideration but the new policies listed below are now in place and are an integral part of the UIC Faculty Handbook.

5. Effective Aug 16, 2008 Automatic tenure hold.
A one-year tenure hold will be automatic under each event for an assistant professor in the tenure probationary period who becomes the parent of a child by birth or adoption regardless of whether they take Parental Leave or Family and Medical Leave. This applies to both men and women, and includes same-sex domestic partnerships that are recognized by the University. The tenure hold will become automatic upon notification to Faculty Affairs Human Resources (FAHR) via the completion of the Tenure Hold Request Form by the assistant professor.

6. Effective Jan 1, 2009 Modified Duties for Faculty Members with a New Child
Upon request, tenured and tenure-track faculty* members at the Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor rank, who have a new child (or children) under the age of 6 in the home shall be granted a period of modified teaching duties without a reduction in effort or salary. The nature and extent of these modifications must be negotiated between the department head and the faculty member prior to the beginning of the modified duties period.

A summary of these and other UIC policies which are important to life and career success are found in the brochure Life Friendly UIC.