Policy number: 7.19

Policy section: Human Resources

Revised Date: January 2, 2019

1. Policy Statement

The University will consider and, when appropriate, allow staff employees time off from work without pay to pursue educational interests.

2. Purpose

The University recognizes that individual staff members may desire the opportunity to take time off from work without pay to pursue educational interests. Staff employees may take unpaid Educational Leave of Absence under the terms and conditions outlined below.

3. Applicability

This policy applies to staff employees.

4. Department Administrative Rules, Procedures, and Guidelines

The Department of Human Resources, under the purview of the Vice President for Business and Finance, has oversight and administrative responsibility for this policy and shall promulgate departmental rules, procedures, and guidelines pursuant to this policy. Detailed eligibility and administrative rules, procedures and guidelines can be found on the Human Resources website.

5. Taking a Leave of Absence

1. Benefits-eligible employees may request an unpaid Educational Leave of Absence, for a period not to exceed one year, after completing one year of employment. An employee may request an Educational Leave of Absence if the purpose is to pursue one’s educational development and if it is beneficial to the employee and to the University.
2. While both the employee and the University may anticipate the employee’s return to work upon expiration of the leave, circumstances for either or both parties may change in the interim. Also, the employment relationship between the parties is at-will, so there is no guarantee of reinstatement if the employee chooses to return to work at the University. Assuming the employee chooses to and is able to return to the University upon expiration of the leave, he or she will be considered for the position he or she left, if it remains available, or any open position for which the employee is qualified.

6. Questions

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Department of Human Resources at benefitsu@smu.edu.

Revised: January 2, 2019

Adopted: March 2, 2015