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Ohio State University logo University Libraries arrow Advisory Commitee on Research

The Ohio State University Libraries
GUIDELINES FOR THE FACULTY PROFESSIONAL LEAVE PROGRAM

Responsible Committee: CFBPR/ACR
History: 10/77; rev.3/87; rev.12/93; rev.4/95

 

PURPOSE

The Ohio State University recognizes the importance of continued professional development for its faculty and has provided opportunities, including the granting of professional leave, to encourage increased scholarly competence for the mutual benefit of the individual and the University. The major purpose of the professional leave program is to grant a period of one to four academic quarters to engage in research, creative work or a program of professional development. Faculty not eligible for the professional leave program and faculty requiring one quarter or less release time should consider options such as Unassigned Time or Special Research Assignment.*

ELIGIBILITY

A regular faculty member with at least seven continuous years of service at the Ohio State University may be granted professional leave. Faculty become eligible for their next leave after completion of seven continuous years of service following the end of the previous professional leave. A professional leave may not be a terminal leave. In accepting such leave, faculty recognize their responsibility to return to the Libraries for at least one year thereafter.

CONDITIONS

Faculty may request leave of one to four academic quarters. Professional leaves of one quarter at full salary may be taken; however, longer leaves are to be encouraged. Other professional leave options for nine-month faculty consist of two quarters each at three-fourths salary or three quarters each at two-thirds salary. Other leave options for twelve-month faculty consist of two quarters each at three-fourths salary, three quarters each at two-thirds salary, or four quarters each at two-thirds salary. No faculty shall, by virtue of being on professional leave, suffer a reduction or termination of benefits or privileges received as a faculty member. Faculty whose benefits (e.g., retirement and insurance coverage) would otherwise be reduced because of salary reduction during professional leave will be granted the option of purchasing credit to permit continuing benefits at the normal level.**

While on leave faculty are free to accept grants for research or study to augment the leave stipend to the approximate level of their full-time salary, provided that the activity for which compensation is received is supportive of the purposes of the faculty professional leave. If unusual travel or living expenses requiring supplementation will be involved, a request for exception with full justification should accompany the application.

PROCEDURE

  1. Applicants shall complete the Faculty Professional Leave Application Forms available from the Library Personnel Office. The Personnel Librarian and the Advisory Committee on Research (ACR) are available for consultation on applying for leave. ACR is also available for consultation on the development of proposals and research projects. Applications may be submitted at any time, but no later than six monthhs before the leave is to begin (unless there are extenuating circumstances), and will be processed as quickly as possible following receipt.

  2. The Personnel Librarian shall notify the Director of Libraries of all applications and forward them to the ACR.

  3. ACR shall review all applications and seek advice where necessary to assist in evaluating the merit or methodology of each proposal. Applications which initially would not be recommended by the ACR shall be returned to the applicant with the Committee's comments in sufficient time to allow resubmission of the application. All applications, with final recommendations, shall be forwarded to the Director of Libraries.

  4. The Director shall consider all applications, taking into consideration the recommendation of ACR, and make a recommendation. That recommendation and the appropriate documentation will be forwarded to the Office of Academic Affairs by the Director of Libraries. In cases where the Director does not approve an application which has been recommended by the Committee, explanation will be provided to both ACR and the applicant. The Director will insure that teaching and other obligations of faculty receiving professional leave will be met. However, the uniqueness or indispensability of an individual's contributions to the Libraries cannot be used to restrict participation in the professional leave program indefinitely.

  5. The request for leave must receive approval by the Office of Academic Affairs, the President and the Board of Trustees. The Office of Academic Affairs will notify the Director of Libraries of the final decision regarding each request for professional leave.

  6. Each recipient shall within two months of return from leave submit to the Director and the Advisory Committee on Research a statement summarizing work completed while on leave.

  7. The Director of Libraries will forward a copy of this summary to the Office of Academic Affairs and the President.

CRITERIA

  1. To receive a positive recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Research a proposal must be considered meritorious in one or more of the following categories:

    1. Scholarly research

    2. Pedagogical research

    3. Creative work

    4. Professional growth activity

    5. Other (Proposals not falling into the above categories should be discussed with ACR in advance of application.)

  2. The following criteria shall be used:

    1. General merit and contribution of the proposal to the field

    2. Appropriateness of the methodology

    3. Feasibility:

        Is the time requested sufficient to carry out the proposal or has provision been made for completion after termination of leave

        Are the resources required to carry out the proposal available; this could include supplies, computer support, staffing, travel, copying, etc.

        Is the applicant qualified; this could include background, education, provision for assistance in areas requiring special expertise, etc.

  3. ACR shall rank applications recommended for approval in priority order according to merit based on the above criteria. In the event that two proposals are judged equally meritorious, priority shall be given to the candidate who has not yet been granted a professional leave. If applicants are still equally rated, ranking shall be by seniority in the University Libraries system.

*See "Guidelines for Assigned and Unassigned Time and Special Research Assignments."

**See The Ohio State University Operating Manual: No. 6.45, Revised 2/1/83, Leaves of Absence, Statutes: Selected Sections of the Ohio Revised Code applying to The Ohio State University, Section 3345.28, Leaves of absence for professional improvement, p. 10-54; and the Faculty Handbook: Professional Leave, p. 2.a.29.

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