Overview
The educational leave program is intended to maintain and improve the quality of the programs of the University by creating opportunities for Administrative/Professional employees to acquire new methods and techniques, to broaden outlooks, and to improve professional competency and stature through study, research, and other professional development activities.
Criteria and Eligibility for Educational Leave
Full-time Administrative/Professional employees who have completed five years of employment at Illinois State University are eligible to apply for an educational leave of one-half year with full pay or one year at half pay. An individual may not be awarded a paid educational leave more often than once in seven years.
To apply for educational leave, the employee shall file with the immediate supervisor/unit head a Request for Leave of Absence (PERS 917-AP) specifying:
- the purpose of the leave;
- the value of the leave to the unit of principal assignment;
- the value of the leave to the University; and
- the value of the leave to the individual.
Paid educational leaves require the endorsement of the employee's immediate supervisor, the appropriate area administrator (e.g.,college dean or unit director), the appropriate Vice President, the Provost, and the President. The request shall be forwarded initially to the employee's unit head no later than September 15, to the area administrator by October 1, to the appropriate Vice President by October 8, and to the Provost by October 15 of the year preceding the fiscal year for which the paid educational leave is requested. No more than one paid leave (sabbatical and educational leave totals) per twenty-five eligible academic employees, or major fraction thereof, shall be awarded.
The workload and any costs to replace the duties of any Administrative/Professional employee who is granted a paid educational leave shall be absorbed by their unit.
Unpaid educational leaves may be requested at any time and require the endorsement of the employee's immediate supervisor, the appropriate area administrator (e.g.,college, dean or unit director), the appropriate Vice President, and the Associate Vice President for Human Resources.
Employees who apply for an educational leave (paid or unpaid) shall be notified on the disposition of their request by the appropriate Vice President.
Administrative/Professional Employee Obligations Upon Completion of Educational Leave
An individual granted a paid educational leave assumes a professional obligation to return to the University for a period of no less than one year after the completion of that individual's paid educational leave. Individuals who fail to return to the University for a least one year immediately following the educational leave agree to reimburse the University for any salary paid during the leave.
Within three months of the completion of a paid educational leave, the employee must file a written report with the appropriate area administrator and the appropriate Vice President summarizing the goals and objectives of the educational leave, a description of the educational leave activities, and a listing of the consequent accomplishments.