Article XIII.A.1
Leaves of Absence without Pay

1.   Professional and Personal Leaves 
It is recognized that a policy permitting leaves of absence without pay for professional objectives or for personal reasons (including illness or accident) may under certain circumstances be beneficial to both the individual and the University. 

a.   Eligibility 
To be eligible for a professional or personal leave of absence without pay, a member of the bargaining unit shall have had one year of continuous, full-time service in the bargaining unit. Under certain circumstances, the President or his/her designated representative may waive the one-year eligibility requirement. 

b.   Application for Leave 
The member of the bargaining unit shall submit in writing to his/her department chair or immediate supervisor the request for the leave stating the reasons for the leave, the period of absence, and the date of return.

c.   Approval
Upon the recommendation of the department chair or immediate supervisor and subject to the concurrence of the dean, director or vice-president, as appropriate, a leave of absence without pay may be granted by the President or his/her designated representative.

d.   Length of Leave 
Leaves of absence without pay may be granted for a period not to exceed twelve months. Under exceptional circumstances, a leave or any extension thereof may be extended for a limited period not in excess of one year. A request shall be submitted in writing stating the reasons for the requested extension at least ninety days prior to the termination of the current leave. The beginning and ending dates of a leave will normally coincide with the beginning and ending of an academic term. Leaves of absence without pay shall not be counted toward the maximum period of pre-tenure employment.

Leaves of absence without pay for individuals employed on a limited term contract cannot extend beyond the original contract termination date and cannot serve to extend the contract period.

e.   Fringe Benefits 
A member of the bargaining unit may exercise his/her option (in writing) for continuance of medical and life insurance coverage at the full group rate cost, and without University subsidy, for the period of the leave, not   to exceed a maximum of two years. For those individuals who are eligible for the University's long-term disability insurance coverage and who are engaged in full-time study for an advanced degree, or active work in the field of education or research (such as Fulbright, foundation grant, or governmental project), long-term disability insurance coverage shall be extended for the period of the leave, not to exceed two years. 

f.    Return from Leave
If a member of the bargaining unit does not return to work by the date of leave expiration, s/he shall be considered to have voluntarily resigned from the University unless s/he was unable to return due to extenuating circumstances beyond his/her control.

If, in the event of extenuating circumstances beyond his/her control, a member of the bargaining unit who is engaged in full-time study for an advanced degree, or active work in the field of education or research, or who is on a personal leave for family responsibilities, wishes to return to work before the expiration of the leave of absence without pay, s/he must submit a written request for return to work to the department chair or immediate supervisor. In such cases the University shall restore the individual to the payroll either at the beginning of the next academic term or within thirty days of receipt of the written notification of intent to return, whichever waiting period is longer. In no event shall nine-month employees be reinstated to the payroll during the summer term under the provisions of this clause. At the University's discretion the individual may be returned to the payroll before the end of the above-stated waiting periods. 

Any member of the bargaining unit who has been on leave of absence without pay for medical reasons is required to complete a medical questionnaire authorized by the University before the individual may   return to work. If the individual is unable to return to work for medical    reasons and medical leave has been approved by the University and if   s/he has been engaged in full-time study for an advanced degree or active work in the field of education or research, or on a personal leave for family responsibilities, s/he shall be placed on the short-term    disability leave for which s/he is eligible in accordance with Article XIII, Section C.1

In the event that a member of the bargaining unit who is engaged in full- time study for an advanced degree or active work in the field of   education or research, or on a personal leave for family responsibilities, is disabled while on leave, s/he shall be placed on the short-term    disability leave for which s/he is eligible in accordance with Article XIII, Section C.l, and such leave without pay shall terminate. 

The following payroll deductions in effect prior to the leave of absence   shall be reinstated: life insurance, health insurance, retirement, dues, and tax deductions. 

g.   Salary Increases 
The base compensation rate of a member of the bargaining unit shall be augmented by all general increases which s/he would have received had s/he not been on leave and by selective increases approved through the regular channels. 

AAUP-AFT, Local 6075 - 5057 Woodward Avenue - Suite 3301 - Detroit, Michigan 48202-4050 - Phone: (313) 577-1750 / Fax: (313) 577-8159