Faculty Policies Handbook:

4. Policies and Procedures

4.9 Policies and Procedures for Recommending Leaves of Absence Without Pay

4.9.1 University policy and practice permit the granting of leaves of absence without pay to faculty members in the College (see the University Faculty Manual 4.51 "General Leave Policy"). Because an unpaid leave of absence may affect a faculty member's progress toward promotion and/or tenure, the following guidelines shall be applied to requests for leaves of absence:

   a. Leaves of absence are recommended first by the Department to the Dean, who in turn presents a recommendation to the Provost. Only in unusual circumstances may a leave be granted without a department's recommendation.

   b. If it is probable that the circumstances of the proposed leave will diminish the faculty member's capacity to develop or produce the materials that would come under review when a candidacy is presented for tenure and/or promotion, the Department may recommend that the decision on tenure or promotion be delayed for one year. (In other words, the year on leave would not count as time toward tenure and/or promotion.) The recommended delay must be approved by the Dean and the Provost. The circumstances warranting a delay may include but are not limited to illness, personal circumstances, employment relocation of a spouse, and teaching or service appointments away from the Drake campus that remove the individual from research resources or otherwise reduce the opportunity for research and writing.

   c. If it is probable that the circumstances of the leave will enhance the faculty member's capacity to develop or produce the materials that would come under review when a candidacy is presented for tenure and/or promotion, the Department will not recommend changing the year in which the decision on tenure and/or promotion will be made and the University will not allow such a change.* Such circumstances not justifying a delay include but are not limited to accepting fellowships or grants that free the individual to pursue research or writing or taking an unsupported leave for the purpose of research and writing.

   * "For a nontenured faculty member on scholarly leave for one year or less, the period of leave should count as part of the probationary period as if it were prior service at another institution. Exceptions to this policy should be mutually agreed to in writing prior to the leave." (AAUP "Statement of Principles on Leaves of Absence")

4.9.2 A request for a leave of absence without pay must be initiated at the department level. The faculty member must certify to the Department Chair the reason(s) for the leave. If the circumstances are personal, the faculty member will confer, in confidence, with the Chair, explaining the need for the leave. Taking care to protect the individual's privacy, the Chair will then vouch to the Department's Promotion and Tenure Committee whether the request falls under 4.8.1.a or 4.8.1.b and whether the request warrants a postponement of the tenure decision.

4.9.3 A faculty member who desires a leave should notify her/his Department as far in advance of the proposed leave as possible. Early notification will allow the Department to arrange for a suitable replacement for that faculty member during her/his absence.