Reason for Policy
To clarify the considerations CAS will make in recommending approval of leave without pay to the Provost
Entities Affected
CAS tenure track faculty
Enactment & Revisions
Enacted: 05/09/2016
Revised 1/29/2019
Policy Statement
Authorization for Leave without pay (LWOP) must ultimately come from the Provost. The College of Arts and Sciences will base its recommendation to the Provost on the points below.
LWOP to evaluate a position at another institution
The college may endorse such a request, but, if it does, it will be initially for at most Fall and Winter terms. Faculty on such leave will be required to provide written notice by the date specified in their LWOP agreement of their intent to return to the University of Oregon.
Notice that the faculty member intends to return to the university after their period of LWOP should be sent to their Department Head’s official university email address. This notice is to allow the Department opportunity to cover the faculty member’s professional responsibilities during the terms following the approved LWOP period should the faculty member not return.
At that time, if the faculty member gives notice that they intend to return to the University of Oregon, the college will consider a request for LWOP for Spring term.
LWOP for other professional or for personal reasons
The college will assess such requests on a case-by-case basis.
LWOP will have an impact on:
* Benefits – Employees must be .50 FTE or greater to be benefit eligible.
* Retirement – Could be affected depending on the employee’s retirement plan option.
* Sabbatical – Six years (18 terms) at 1.0 FTE are required for full sabbatical eligibility. Any reduction in FTE will affect your next fully funded sabbatical eligibility date.
Requests for extensions of LWOP
Any requests for extensions to LWOP should be received at least 28 days before the approved LWOP expires. Failure to provide timely requests for extensions will result in automatic denial of the requests.
Access to Research Funds
Access to Academic Support Accounts and other related research funds stops during a full LWOP and resumes when the faculty member returns to the position. Exceptions in extraordinary cases require the approval of the Head and Dean during LWOP.