LEAVE OF ABSENCE WITHOUT PAY

Upon written request by a faculty member, the President or representative shall grant leave without pay for a period not to exceed one (1) year, unless the President or representative determines that granting leave without pay would be inconsistent with the best interests of the University. Such leave may be extended upon mutual agreement. If leave without pay is granted, a copy of the written request and approval must be forwarded to Angelica Standley in the Office of the Dean of the Faculties (DOF).

While in leave without pay status, faculty members shall retain accrued sick leave and annual leave balances, but shall not accrue sick leave or annual leave nor be entitled to holiday pay.

Faculty members requesting the use of accrued leave during a period of leave without pay shall make the request at the time they request leave without pay. The request shall include the amount of accrued leave the faculty member wishes to use during the approved period of leave without pay. If circumstances arise during the approved leave which cause the faculty member to reconsider the combination of leave with and without pay, the faculty member may request revisions to the original approval. If the revisions are approved, a copy of the written request and approval of the revisions must be forwarded to DOF.

Faculty members may use any type of accrued leave intermittently during an approved leave of absence without pay for parental, adoption or foster care, medical, or military reasons in order to maintain the payment of the University's portion of the premiums for group health and life insurance coverage. Faculty members are responsible for continuing payments of their share of insurance premiums. When requesting a leave of absence without pay, faculty members should contact the Benefits Section of Human Resources to make arrangements for paying their premiums. The University's contribution to group health and life insurance premiums will continue for the corresponding payroll periods.

Normally the use of accrued leave intermittently during a period of leave without pay for medical reasons shall be approved for up to six months, but may be approved for up to one year for a serious health condition of a faculty member or a member of their immediate family. “Immediate family” includes the spouse and the grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren of both the faculty member and their spouse, and dependents living in the household. Leave for medical reasons may be counted toward the twelve workweeks entitlement under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Faculty members' retirement credits for periods of leave without pay shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the Division of Retirement. Questions pertaining to retirement credits and retirement plans should be directed to the Retirement Section of Human Resources.