Section 4 - Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures

XV. Leaves of Absence

1. A leave of absence is a period of time in a faculty member's employment during which he or she is partially or completely relieved of on-campus responsibilities.
   
2. A faculty member who begins a non-FMLA leave of absence is considered to have resigned from all elected committee positions and elected offices.
   
3. Faculty who have been granted a leave of absence should consult with the Human Resources Office to determine their eligibility for benefits during their leave and to make arrangements for any payments that may be necessary.
   
4. The period during which a faculty member is on leave shall not count as time in service accumulating toward a sabbatical leave.
   
5. The period during which a faculty member is on leave shall count as time in service in determining salary increments, provided that the leave is not for the purpose of work toward a terminal degree as defined by one's department.
   
6. A faculty member with a tenure-track appointment who takes a leave of absence may choose whether to count the leave period as part of the probationary period before tenure unless the leave is for the purpose of pursuing work toward a terminal degree as defined by one's department, in which case the leave period shall not count as part of the probationary period. A faculty member with a full-time appointment who chooses to count the leave period shall count it as full-time service; a faculty member with a part-time appointment who chooses to count the leave period shall count it in terms of his or her FTE the preceding year. The choice shall be made in writing before the leave period begins.
   
7. Faculty members who are granted a leave of absence from the college are expected to return to the college after their leaves have been completed. It is anticipated that most faculty members will return to their former position when they return from their leave of absence. There may be situations, however, where (when consistent with applicable law) the college will need to fill the position the faculty member held. In these instances, the college will attempt to place the faculty member in a similar position when he or she returns to work.
   
8. Faculty members not returning to work upon the conclusion of their leaves of absence will be deemed to have resigned from their employment unless an extension of the leave has been granted.
   
9. Notice of severance from the college shall not be given during a leave of absence except pursuant to provisions of the Faculty Manual.
   
10. When faculty members have been granted leaves of absence, the administration of the college will strive to make proper provision for their work without increasing the teaching loads of other members of the faculty.