Institutional Development Leave Policy
for the University of Nevada Las Vegas
December 13, 1996
Index of Document
"Click" here to Download MS Word 6.0 file which contains Policy, Form and Checklist.
"Click" here for a text version of the application form.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas provides Institutional Development Leave as part of a framework for achieving the mission of making UNLV a premier urban university. Institutional Development Leave provides professional employees an opportunity to acquire explicit skills, knowledge, and/or experiences necessary for improving performance in their current assignments. Institutional Development Leave is to be used for administrators assigned responsibilities in areas of dynamic growth and changing responsibilities or in areas in need of updated administrative or managerial skills. The application of these skills, knowledge and experiences to the challenges of our campus will enhance the likelihood of the University achieving our short and long term goals. These leaves are not for pursuing academic degrees.
Applications for Institutional Development Leave will be considered from a full-time professional administrative employee, who has been employed as a professional staff member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for a minimum of six (6) consecutive years. Following the Institutional Development Leave, six (6) consecutive years of further full time service with the University are required before one is eligible to apply for another leave.
The number of Institutional Development Leaves granted for each calendar year shall not exceed one-percent of the non academic faculty.
Leave will typically be for a duration of up to three (3) months. Longer leaves will be considered on a case by case basis when special considerations exist. Unless specified and approved in advance, the leave should not require employment of a replacement.
Participants are required to return to the institution for a time period equal to the length of the leave, unless by mutual agreement between the employee and his/her supervisor it is deemed inadvisable. When the employee does not return or returns for a portion of the required service and an agreement has not been made, the individual is required to refund on a prorated basis the salary and fringe benefits received while on leave. A staff member who cannot perform the return-to-service obligations due to death or permanent and total disability, or reduction in force, will be released of all repayment obligations.
Within three (3) months following the employee's return to the University, the employee must submit a detailed written report to the president with copies to the appropriate vice president and the department/division head. The report is to include a summary of the work completed during the leave (with specific reference to the plans submitted at the time of application), specific benefits that the University will derive from the application of the new knowledge, and any other University benefits derived from the leave.
The University reserves the right to postpone or cancel an award at any time.
Institutional Development Leave is paid leave and its use will in no way interfere with the continuing employment of an individual with the University, with any possible promotion or salary increase, or with any other rights normally associated with work at the University. During Institutional Development Leave, participants are eligible for all salary adjustments; however, neither sick leave nor vacation will accrue.
Leave compensation (salary) may be supplemented by external funding sources (e.g., grants) or University funds, if available, to help cover special expenses (e.g., travel, educational fees, living arrangements). External funds may also be used to bring salaries up to full funding for employees who are normally supported in part by non-University sources and to reduce the University's salary and benefits contributions for those normally fully funded by the University. All external funding used during the leave must be justified in terms of the applicant's proposed plan while on leave and the overall purposes of the Institutional Development Leave.
There is no permanent budget for this program. The availability of funds for special expenses is subject to the adequacy of divisional resources.
Eligible employees must submit an application for Institutional Development Leave through administrative channels to the appropriate vice president. These requests must be submitted by January 15, May 15, or September 15. Applications may be initiated at the request of an employee's immediate supervisor.
The application would include an abstract of the project not to exceed 100 words and a detailed statement describing the objectives in terms of University needs/objectives, steps for achieving the project objectives, the time sequence, project location(s), and evaluation measures which would demonstrate the University benefits. A copy of the individual's resume or vitae along with copies of the previous three years evaluation reports must also be submitted. A listing of professional development activities undertaken while a UNLV employee must also be included within the application. Additional types of compensation must be explained in the application and must be approved before the leave is granted.
Previous recipients of Institutional Development Leave at UNLV must attach a copy of the mandatory report on Institutional Development Leave activities to their application. They also must include an updated report of the long-term benefits derived from the previous Institutional Development Leave.
Supervisors shall include a statement indicating how the employee's responsibilities will be handled while the employee is on leave. If a replacement of the employee is necessary, the vice president will be responsible for the funding of the replacement. The endorsement of the department head (when not the applicant) and the appropriate vice president are required. Letters of explanation may be attached to the application if desired. The University reserves the right to deny leaves when the absence of the employee requires hiring a replacement.
The decision to approve or deny the leave shall normally be rendered within three (3) months after receipt of the application by the department head/director. The granting of Institutional Development Leave is solely the decision of the president; no manner of appeal is available.
- Non-academic Faculty Member develops proposal and submits Application for Institutional Development Leave to department head/director (by January 15, May 15, or September 15);
- Department head/director forwards review of proposal to vice president (by February 15, June 15, or October 15);
- The vice president makes recommendations and submits the application to the president (by March 15, July 15, or November 15);
- The president, after consulting with the vice presidents sitting as a group, makes the decision as to the awarding of leaves and informs the applicants (by April 15, August 15, or December 15).
The Institutional Development Leave Program will be evaluated in terms of the benefits and liabilities to the university. The assessment of individual leaves and the overall program will be based on comparisons of the planned activities and desired outcomes specified in the applications and the achievements noted in the final reports. Both the individual and cumulative evaluations of the program will be conducted by the appropriate vice presidents in consultation with the relevant department heads and directors. The vice presidents as a group will report their conclusions to the president.
- Application
- Abstract of Project
- Detailed statement describing the objectives in terms of University needs/objectives, steps for achieving the project objectives, the time sequence, project location(s), and evaluation measures that would demonstrate the University benefit.
- Resume
- Past three years evaluation reports
- Listing of professional development activities undertaken while a UNLV employee.
- Explanation of additional types of compensation/support to be received.
- Institutional Development Leave Reports from previous awards (if applicable).
- Updated report of the long-term benefits derived from the previous Institutional Development Leave (if applicable).
M E M O R A N D U M
To: Deans, Chairs, Directors and Professional Staff
From: Norval F. Pohl, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Date: February 10, 1997
Re: Institutional Development Leave Policy
Please find attached a copy of the application form and a statement of policy and procedures for the granting of Institutional Development Leave to UNLV professional staff. The Professional Staff Issues Committee and Human Resources have developed this policy in consultation with President Harter and the Vice Presidents.
Applications will be accepted campus-wide beginning with the May 15, 1997, deadline and continue as stipulated on September 15, January 15, etc.
If you have questions concerning the procedure or application form, please contact Human Resources.
Vice President for Finance and Administration
4505 Maryland Parkway * Box 451004 * Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-1004
(702) 895-3571 * FAX (702) 895-1090
Send questions or comments to hamilton@ccmail.nevada.edu
Last updated Friday, 23-Mar-2007 14:50:19 PDT