4.9 Absence and Leave
4.9.1 Illness and Emergency
In the event of illness or other personal emergency, the faculty member shall notify the Department Chair or the Department Office as soon as possible so that arrangements may be made for the teaching of his/her classes and disposition of his/her other duties.
In the event that illness or incapacity will be prolonged, arrangements for carrying on the faculty member's usual duties must be made through appropriate administrative channels.
Sick leave for all faculty members shall be as provided by state law, and the required record of sick leave taken shall be maintained by the Department Office for reporting in accordance with University policy.
4.9.2 Absence for Other Reasons
Faculty absences from assigned duties at the University, whether on University business or personal business, must have prior administrative approval from the direct supervisor, e.g., Department Chair, Program Director. Arrangements must be made to cover classes before approval will be considered. Requests for approval of absences may be made on the same submittal provided for travel authorizations.
If a scheduled class is to be missed or canceled, except for reason of illness or emergency, or there is to be a substantive reduction in the length of the class period(s), the approval of the Chair of the department in which the course is listed must be obtained in advance.
4.9.3 Jury Duty and Subpoenas
A faculty member summoned for jury duty shall be excused on the days served. Salary will not be affected, and the faculty member is entitled to any routine jury payment. Faculty members are expected to perform their normal duties, if reasonably possible, when not actually in court or performing duties related to the jury service. Faculty members shall make arrangements for the teaching of any classes missed with the Department Chair, who may require evidence of the summons for jury service. A faculty member who appears in his or her official capacity as a witness in a judicial proceeding shall not accept a witness fee. If the appearance as a witness is not in an official capacity, the faculty member may accept a witness fee if such appearance is on his or her own time. The faculty member must notify the Department Chair of the court appearance and make arrangements for teaching missed classes.
4.9.4 Holidays
Members of the faculty are entitled to all holidays listed annually in the official holiday schedule of the University.
4.9.5 Vacation Leave
Teaching personnel with appointments of fewer than twelve (12) months do not accrue vacation time under current state law. They are not, however, expected to be present on campus between semesters or sessions except as may be required for registration and advising or commencements. Faculty holding administrative appointments may accrue vacation time proportionate to the percent of time of their administrative appointments, as may be provided by state law.
4.9.6 Travel
4.9.6.1 Faculty or teaching staff members must receive prior approval of the College or School Dean, upon recommendation by the Department Chair, for all official travel or for any absence from campus other than sick leave or jury duty that will affect performance of assigned duties, such as teaching classes.
4.9.6.2 Regents' Rule 20801 establish requirements and procedures for authorized travel and reimbursement where appropriate.
4.9.6.3 Travel to foreign countries requires advance approval. Inquiries should be made to the University Travel Office to ascertain current requirements, forms and deadlines well in advance of the scheduled travel.
4.9.7 Leaves of Absence Without Pay
4.9.7.1 Provisions for leaves of absence without pay are set forth in the Regents' Rules and Regulations Rule 30201.
4.9.7.2 With the interest of the University being given first consideration and for good cause, leaves of absence without pay may be granted for a period within the term of appointment of a faculty or staff member, subject to the general conditions included below. Leaves of absence for a first year or portion thereof or for a second consecutive year may be granted by the President or the President’s designee. A second consecutive year of leave of absence will be granted only in unusual circumstances, such as military service, reasons of health, continued graduate study, and public service or other activity that reflects credit on the University and enhances an individual's subsequent contributions to it. Only in very unusual circumstances will a leave of absence be granted for a third consecutive year.
After a return to duty of one year, the leave-of-absence privilege will again be available, subject to the conditions above.
In cases of leave without pay requested because of prolonged illness, all accrued sick leave, if any, must be exhausted before leave without pay may be granted.
4.9.7.3 Requests for leaves of absence without pay shall be submitted in writing, stating the period and the purpose of the leave. Except in cases arising from unanticipated family or medical reasons, such requests should be submitted preferably at least six (6) months and no less than four (4) months before the beginning of the leave. Notice of intention to return to duty, or request for extension of leave, should be received no later than six (6) months before the commencement of the next academic year.
4.9.8 Development Leave
Development leave for faculty members may be granted in accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 51.101 et seq. upon approval by the President. Faculty members must have two (2) consecutive academic years of service at the University in order to qualify for development leave. Development leave may be considered for one academic year at one-half of the faculty member’s salary or for one-half academic year at the faculty member’s full regular salary.
4.9.9 Other Absences
For further information regarding leave of absence to participate in a political campaign, parental leave, sick leave, Family and Medical Leave, Service member Family Leave, leave for jury duty, leave for military duty, and leave related to on-the-job injuries, see the University Handbook of Operating Procedures, Section V, Human Resources.