(A)
Purpose
The primary purpose of this policy is
to advance the academic competence of faculty members while enhancing their
contribution to the university as scholars and teachers. Faculty professional
leave (FPL) proposals typically focus on improvement of scholarship skills and
knowledge and/or production of scholarly products. Faculty members may,
however, use FPL for a substantial improvement in pedagogical or administrative
skills and knowledge that are beneficial to both the faculty and the
university. The FPL program is developed in compliance with section
3345.28 of the Revised Code. All
provisions of section
3345.28 of the Revised Code will
be adhered to in implementing this policy.
(B)
Restrictions
The FPL program is designed to provide
faculty with a significant period of uninterrupted time to invest in their
professional development.
(1)
Enrichment activities involving little or no investment
in new skills and knowledge are not appropriate for the
program.
(2)
Faculty should restrict any other employment activities
during a leave to that which clearly advances or enhances the purpose of the
FPL. Such employment must be expressly approved by the provost.
(3)
Proposals for
faculty improvement designed to address long-term institutional priorities or
targeted tuition reimbursement or training for approved program initiatives
will not be covered under this policy but may be funded in other
ways.
(4)
Faculty may not apply for the same educational
opportunity under both FPL and another university faculty development program
during the same year.
(5)
Tuition and fees incurred by the faculty member during
FPL will not be reimbursed under this policy. In other words, one may apply for
tuition and fee reimbursement or FPL, but not both during the same
year.
(C)
Eligibility
Faculty seeking FPL must have been
employed as a tenure-track or tenured faculty member for seven years and be
otherwise eligible according to provisions of section
3345.28 of the Revised
Code.
(1)
Time served at another university, as an adjunct,
full-time instructor, visiting or temporary faculty member or while on unpaid
leave does not count towards the seven year requirement.
(2)
A faculty member
who takes an FPL, regardless of duration, becomes eligible again only after
completing another seven years of service at Shawnee state university
(SSU).
(D)
Evaluation
As described in the underlying
procedure, FPL applications will be evaluated and approved by both faculty
peers and appropriate academic administrators. The president's final approval
is required. Evaluators will place greatest weight on the merits of the
proposal with regards to the professional development of the faculty member and
the advancement of the mission of the university.
(E)
Faculty
obligations
Faculty who take an FPL must understand
and consent to meeting certain obligations.
(1)
Faculty who take
an FPL are required to return to SSU for a full academic year following
completion of the FPL. The underlying procedure will address consequences for
failure to return.
(2)
Faculty who take an FPL are required to submit a
written report of goals and accomplishments within sixty calendar days of the
date of their return to service at the university.
(F)
Compensation
Faculty who take a one semester leave
will be paid one hundred per cent of base salary. Faculty who take a two
semester leave will be paid sixty-six per cent of base salary.
(1)
The salary noted
above is the total amount that may be earned by the faculty member from SSU
general funds. Departments and colleges may not rehire faculty on FPL to teach
or engage in other compensated activities.
(2)
The FPL
application must describe any non-SSU compensation that the faculty member will
receive while on FPL. Faculty members on FPL for one semester are prohibited
under Ohio law and this policy from receiving additional compensation from an
external source for FPL work.
(3)
A faculty member
on a two semester FPL may supplement his/her salary through external sources,
such as grants, provided that the activity to be compensated supports the
purpose of the FPL and the external support combined with the reduced stipend
does not raise the faculty member's compensation above the level of their base
salary.
(G)
Procedures
The board of trustees authorizes the
president to establish procedures to effectively implement this
policy.
Notes
Ohio Admin. Code 3362-2-05
Effective:
6/19/2017
Promulgated Under:
111.15
Statutory
Authority: 3362.03
Rule
Amplifies: 3362.03
