Administrative Policies
University Policy Number 2206
Subject: Staff Study Leave of Absence
Responsible Parties: Provost, Senior Vice President, Executive Council, Executive Vice President, Vice President for University Life, Vice President for Information Technology, Vice President for Development, Vice President for University Equity, Vice President for University Relations, Vice President for Operations, and Acting Vice President of Human Resources
Procedures: Staff Study Leave Application Procedures (http://hr.gmu.edu/procedures/procedures.php?2206)
Related University Policies: Not Applicable
I. SCOPE
The policies and procedures provided herein apply to all George Mason
University full-time and part-time classified staff and administrative
and professional faculty. This policy applies to all George Mason University
locations, owned, and leased.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
George Mason University Classified Staff and Administrative and Professional
Faculty, with seven (7) or more years of service at George Mason University,
are eligible to apply for a paid staff study leave of absence of up to
three (3) months for purposes of development of new competencies and skills,
or for research and development of services, programs, or other initiatives
which will benefit the University.
Employees may apply for an additional staff study leave with seven or more years of service following the completion of a study leave. Employment as a wage or student employee does not qualify as credit towards the service requirement.
Supervisors and directors of activities must agree that the employee's
responsibilities can be accomplished during his/her absence and that departmental
resources are available to cover any additional temporary operating costs
associated with maintaining the existing level of departmental service
during the absence of the employee.
III. DEFINITIONS
Deliverable: The final outcome of the study leave, which may take the
form of a report, proposal, or other format.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Provost, Sr. Vice President, Executive Vice President, Vice President
for University Life, Vice President for Information Technology, Vice President
for Development, Vice President for University Equity, Vice President
for University Relations, and Vice President for Operations will be responsible
for selecting individuals for a staff study leave of absence with pay,
in a manner that reflects an equitable allocation of these opportunities
across entire spectrum of the University community.
Supervisors and deans and directors will have the responsibility to authorize
and/or approve the availability of fiscal and operational support during
the period of the leave of absence, and to forward the application to
the appropriate vice president/provost.
The Acting Vice President of Human Resources will be promoting and administering
the administrative staff study leave program.
V. COMPLIANCE
A. Any employee on approved staff study leave will be compensated at his/her approved salary during the term of the leave. All fringe benefits will continue at the same cost to the University and the employee.
B. An applicant for a staff study leave shall agree to return to University service for at least one (1) year following completion of the leave; or, to refund the compensation paid by the University during the leave, unless this obligation is specifically waived or deferred by the University in writing. Generally speaking, in the event an employee leaves the employment of George Mason University prior to the completion of one year of post-study leave service, the reimbursement for the staff study leave compensation will be prorated consistent with the portion of required service not completed.
C. An individual on staff study leave shall not provide personal service
that will adversely affect, or in any manner compromise, the purposes
for or the quality of the leave project. Any service for compensation,
during such a leave, must be approved in advance by the appropriate vice
president/provost.
D. The deliverable will be submitted to the appropriate vice president/provost
within thirty (30) days of the completion of the staff study leave. The
individual will participate in presentations of the study leave project/results
to the University community during the period following his/her return.
E. The University reserves the right to postpone or suspend an approved staff study leave for cause, including but not limited to loss of institutional capacity to operate with the absence of the employee.
VI. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL
This policy is effective December 17, 2002. This Administrative Policy
shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually to become effective
at the beginning of the University's fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.
Approved:
_______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President
________________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost
Date approved: December 18, 2002