Professional Leave Policy for the College of Public Health and Health Professions

Approved by the Faculty March 24, 2006

The faculty and leadership within the College of Public Health and Health Professions have discussed the importance of formalizing a policy supporting professional leave for college faculty. The University of Florida supports the awarding of professional leave to worthy faculty after appropriate levels of service. The purpose of professional leave is to enhance the effectiveness of faculty through scientific activities, acquisition of new knowledge, or acquisition of experiences that have benefits to the University. Professional leave is not provided as a reward for service, but as an opportunity for a professional renewal, study, formal education, research, or development. In order to be eligible for professional leave, an individual must have been on the faculty for six (6) years of continuous, full-time service. In the case of faculty on a contract or grant, the terms of employment must be consistent with the terms of the contract or grant. In the College of Public Health and Health Professions, all faculty holding the rank of assistant professor or above, regardless of track, are eligible.

The length of the professional development leave can vary from one year to lesser periods. If an individual takes leave for one year, they will receive half-pay. Individuals taking leave for six months or less may be eligible for full pay. Faculty may submit requests for three, six or twelve months of leave support. It is not necessary to request full support, partial support will be considered. University policy (6C1-1.201)(17)(e) governs the professional leave process.

• Requests for leave must be filed with the respective chair of the department of the individual desiring leave, by May 1 of the year preceding the requested leave.
• Leaves may be arranged at the convenience of the faculty member of the Department.
• The request for leave should be given to the Department Chairman. The Chairman will forward the request to the Dean with a cover letter expressing his/her views regarding the leave and their support, or lack thereof.
• The Dean, with input from the chairs and faculty, will create a Faculty Leave Committee, composed of at least one member of each unit in the College. Individuals serving on the Committee may not submit a request for leave during the year under review.
• During the month of May, the Dean will forward all requests to the College Faculty Leave Committee.
• During the month of May, the Chair of the College Faculty Leave Committee will convene the Committee to review requests and make recommendations to the Dean. The Dean will announce recipients during June.
• Annually, the College will establish the budget authority for this exercise. For the year 2006/2007, the College will provide $200,000 in support for professional leave requests. It is anticipated that this request will cover the average salary for a professor in the College, and replacement services for that individual in the Department, at the level of a post-doc or in course coverage. The stipend for the individual on leave will be provided to the Department, as well as the coverage monies.
• For the year 2006/2007, the College will, on a one-time basis, provide an additional stipend for support of an individual interested in engaging in rehabilitation research, which will include performing research at the Brooks Health facility in Jacksonville.
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University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions