Revision of Policy on Study Terms for Department Heads and Program Directors from Thu, 08/25/2016 - 10:40am

Last update: 05/11/2021 - 11:21am

Reason for Policy


When faculty members assume the responsibilities of leading an academic unit, they must often wear two hats. They take on an administrative role but also retain their faculty roles with respect to research and teaching. This policy addresses an accommodation for the head's or director's increased responsibilities: support for research through the study term.

Entities Affected


Department heads and program directors

Enacted


This version: 8/1/2016

Policy Statement


Though department heads and program directors receive a workload adjustment for time devoted to administrative duties through course release, administrative demands and schedules may nevertheless adversely impact scholarly or creative productivity. To help faculty refocus on research after a period leading a unit, CAS will offer a study term, either following a three-year appointment of service or between two three-year appointments.

  1. Heads of academic units with tenure-related faculty lines may arrange a study term, which may be combined with the summer for a six-month period for research or other related professional development, associated with each three-year administrative appointment.
  2. The study term will allow for one course release during the academic year in which it is taken.
  3. For a head taking the study term between two consecutive administrative appointments, satisfactory arrangements must be made in advance for a person to serve as acting head, with stipend or summer compensation appropriately prorated.
  4. The study term must be used during or directly after its associated administrative appointment; study terms do not accrue to be used in one block of time.
  5. This accommodation only applies to heads of units who have administrative responsibility for direct supervision of tenure-related faculty.