There are times when a faculty member needs to be excused from teaching duties and
leave the university for a time for personal, academic, or professional reasons. Even though
the university is unable to support such leaves, it can encourage and help the faculty member.
Any full-time faculty member is eligible for a leave of absence. The written request should
be presented to the dean of faculty by March 1 prior to the academic year in which the leave
of absence will be taken. Normally, the leave is for one academic year.

The decision to grant the leave of absence is based on the needs of the individual faculty member, the department, and the university. Such time away from the university may not be counted as teaching time for promotion in rank or for tenure eligibility. Such time will be included for advance on the salary step scale only if the activity while on leave is comparable or germane to one's Whitworth appointment. It will not change the faculty member's rank or tenured status.

Tenured faculty members are assured reemployment at the end of such leave.
Nontenured, Track II, and Track III appointments are assured reemployment barring any
extraordinary financial or program changes at the university.

Back to Academic Affairs >> Faculty Handbook >>