Faculty Professional Leave Policy

Effective: 7/1/2026

To whom this policy applies

UNR Med Employed Academic Faculty

Definitions

• Faculty: UNR Med employed academic faculty, including all departments, chairs, centerdirectors, asst/associate/senior associate/vice deans.
• Fiscal year: July 1 to June 30
• Professional leave: Defined as institutionally approved time away from regularacademic, clinical, or administrative duties for the purpose of engaging in professionalactivities that directly support the mission, reputation, or operations of the medicalschool. These activities may include, but are not limited to, participation in academicconferences, service on accreditation or advisory boards, leadership roles in professionalorganizations, externally funded project obligations, or institutional representation atexternal events. Professional leave (may also be called business leave) should not beused for activities unrelated to institutional or professional service.
• Usual Leave Request Process: The standard administrative method for requesting anddocumenting routine absences, including professional/business leave, illness-relatedand accrued personal or annual time away.
• Clinical chair: The faculty leader responsible for the academic, clinical, and administrative oversight of a clinical department within UNR Med.

Purpose/Background

It is a core expectation that faculty work to build the university's reputation at theregional and national levels by presenting at conferences, participating in committees,and otherwise building extramural networks. Short notice leave requests submitted fewer than forty-five (45) days prior to theanticipated leave date must follow the usual leave request process with explanation forthe shortened request duration to the supervisor. The explanation should outline thereason for the short notice request and identify any potential impact on instructional,clinical, research, or administrative responsibilities, as applicable. The request isconsidered approved once the supervisor signs off through the usual leave request process.

Faculty wishing to take an extended leave from the university and who have meteligibility requirements may consider Sabbatical Leave.

Department Chairs and Center Directors Notification:

Clinical department chairs should inform their clinical partners and the dean about thedesignated in-person coverage during their absence. Biomedical research chairs shouldinform the Senior Associate Dean of Research and dean about the designated in personcoverage during their absence.