A guiding principle is that leaves are granted when doing so is in the professional interest of both the academic appointee and the University, and that granting leave would not unduly interfere with University operations. These policies apply to all academic appointees other than those covered by a collective bargaining agreement. All academic leave decisions are at the discretion of the University officials described below. All academic leave requests (which should be submitted via the form available below) should be made reasonably well in advance of the proposed leave. An academic appointee on leave remains a University employee subject to the policies of the University.
After a period of leave paid by the University, an academic appointee is expected to devote a period of equal length in-residence.
Research Leave
A faculty member or other academic appointee appointed to do research may request a research leave in order to focus on a specific research project or purpose for a defined period, typically between one quarter and one year. If the appointee’s academic unit has a policy for research leaves, then the parameters of that policy apply. If the cognizant academic unit does not have such a policy, then the appointee must draft a brief request for a research leave. The appointee’s request should include the planned activities and what, if any, funding has been obtained for salary and benefits, with specific reference to any grant on which the appointee is serving as principal investigator, and how those responsibilities will be discharged during the leave period.
This request and any supporting materials should be provided to the department chair for consideration. If the chair endorses the request, the chair will forward it to the dean or the dean’s designee for review. If the dean or the dean’s designee endorses the request, it is then forwarded to the associate provost for faculty affairs for review. If the associate provost approves the leave, the approval process is concluded.
During a research leave, the appointee does not have teaching or service responsibilities and is expected to devote their full-time effort to the proposed research activities, with the exception that faculty members are nonetheless expected to continue to advise and respond to graduate students as usual.
Outside Agency Leave
A faculty member or other academic appointee may request a leave to work or hold an appointment at a government agency for a defined period, typically one year. The appointee must draft a brief request for such a leave, including what the appointee will do at the agency; what, if any, funding has been obtained for salary and benefits—with specific reference to arrangements for any federal grants on which the appointee serves as principal investigator; and how the leave will benefit both the appointee and the University.
This request and any supporting materials, normally a proposed memorandum of understanding or agreement from the outside agency, should be provided to the department chair for consideration. If the chair endorses the request, the chair will forward it to the dean or the dean’s designee for review. If the dean or the dean’s designee endorses the request, it is then forwarded to the associate provost for faculty affairs for review. If the associate provost approves the leave, the approval process is concluded.
If the agency wishes to extend the period of engagement beyond the initial year and the academic appointee is amenable, an additional year may be requested and approved (via the same process detailed above) if the first year proved satisfactory from the University’s perspective as well.
During an outside agency leave, the appointee does not have teaching, regular research, or service responsibilities. Faculty members are expected to continue to advise and respond to graduate students as usual, or to make suitable alternative arrangements.
Entrepreneurial Leave
The University recognizes entrepreneurial leave, which allows a faculty member or other academic appointee to dedicate full-time effort to a company or not-for-profit entity, be it established or start-up. In order to request such a leave, an appointee needs to write a brief description of the purpose of the entrepreneurial leave. The appointee’s request should include the planned activities; what, if any, arrangements have been made for salary and benefits, with specific reference to any grant on which the appointee is serving as principal investigator; and how the leave will benefit both the appointee and the University. During periods of entrepreneurial leave, academic appointees remain subject to the University’s Policy on Individual Conflict of Interest, which requires disclosure of significant financial interests (including any interests related to the outside entity) and which may require a formal plan to manage potential conflicts of interest.
This request and any supporting materials should be provided to the department chair for consideration. If the chair endorses the request, the chair will forward it to the dean or the dean’s designee for review. If the dean or the dean’s designee endorses the request, it is then forwarded to the associate provost for faculty affairs for review. If the associate provost approves the leave, the approval process is concluded.
Normally a one-year leave is requested. If the company or not-for-profit wishes to extend the engagement and the appointee agrees, additional time may be requested and approved (via the same process detailed above) if the first year proved satisfactory from the University’s perspective as well.
During an entrepreneurial leave, the appointee does not have teaching or service responsibilities. Faculty members are expected to make suitable arrangements with their dean or chair for advising and responding to graduate students.