E17.0 Faculty Leave of Absence

Scope: Applies to tenure-track faculty, and all regular non-tenure track faculty as defined in E01.0 - Employee Work Classifications and E06.0 - Policies on Faculty Rank and Promotion.

Tenure-track faculty and all regular non-tenure track faculty may apply for a professional paid or unpaid leave of absence for reasons not covered under a Faculty Leave for Professional/Career Development (E18.0), Family Medical Leave (E33.0), or Military Leave (E34.0). Requests for professional leave as described by E17.0 should be made six months in advance.

  1. Leave of Absence without Salary

    1. A leave of absence without salary may be granted to faculty members for good cause, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made to cover their work loads.  

    2. Benefits while on Leave of Absence.

      1. A leave of absence without salary of up to four months may be granted with continuation of benefits.

      2. A leave of absence without salary of more than four months may be granted without continuation of benefits.

  2. Leave of Absence with Salary

    1. Determination of leave with salary: If the application for such leave makes it clear that the professional status of the individual and hence the university will be enhanced as a result of the leave, the leave may be a paid leave.  The university will study each case on its individual merits.

    2. Benefits

      1. During paid leave, benefits may be continued for up to two (2) years. 

      2. Contributions to the faculty member’s retirement plan will continue during paid leave; the amount of the contribution is based on the salary received by the faculty member during the leave.

    3. Return after Leave of Absence

      1. After paid leave, the recipient of the faculty leave of absence is obligated to return to the university for a period of one (1) academic year following the leave period. 

      2. If a return to the university for one (1) academic year is not met, the recipient shall be expected to repay the salary received while on paid leave.  The terms of repayment will be specified in writing.  Usually, repayment must be made within five (5) years.

  3. Leave of Absence Application Process

    1. To apply for a leave of absence, the faculty member shall submit to the department head a written request for the leave of absence, preferably six months in advance of the leave. The request shall indicate whether a leave with pay is requested and the date by which the faculty member intends to return to the university.  

    2. The department head will submit the faculty request to the dean with a recommendation for or against the leave. 

    3. The dean will submit their recommendation and the department head’s recommendation along with the faculty request, to the provost for final decision. 

  4. Contract for Leave of Absence

    1. Faculty members on a leave of absence with or without pay will receive, and will be required to sign, a faculty contract issued by the dean stating the duration and terms and conditions of the leave.

    2. This faculty contract for Leave of Absence shall govern the leave and may only be modified in writing by the faculty member, department head, dean, and provost.

Responsible Office:
Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Inquiries may be directed to: 

Faculty Senate:       
2106 Eastman Hall
fsenate@rit.edu
(585) 475-2016

Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs:       
Assistant Vice President
2109 Eastman Hall
academicaffairs@rit.edu
(585) 475-5572

Effective Date:
September 9, 1959

Policy History:

  • Revision approved December 15, 2011
  • Revision approved November 15, 2018 - section A - the word "pay" replaced with the word "salary"; section C - the phrase "preferable two semesters in advance" was placed with "preferably six months in advance"; section D - the last sentence was rewritten.
  • Revisions throughout policy approved by Faculty Senate on April 3, 2025.