Faculty Fellowship Program
Implementation Schedule and Guidelines

On or before January 5, 2009 the faculty member submits the faculty fellowship proposal and proposal summary to the unit head (in this case the department chair or school director).

The unit head refers the proposal to a faculty committee, either a special committee appointed to evaluate plans for professional leaves or an existing committee such as the unit's promotion and tenure committee, for evaluation.

The committee evaluates the plan on the basis of its merit, that is, with regard to the extent to which the plan of work promises to enhance the professional competency of the faculty member in the areas of teaching efficacy, research and creativity. The committee also evaluates the leave request with respect to the length of service of the candidate. Although the committee gives primary attention to these two factors, it should take into account other factors, included in the policy stated in the Faculty Handbook Part V Section A, that are relevant to arriving at a decision as to which faculty member(s), if any, should be recommended for a professional leave.

The committee should report its evaluation to the unit head in writing.

The unit head will endorse or not endorse the committee's evaluation. In addition, after consultation with faculty, the unit head must give consideration as to how the unit can cover the teaching and other duties of the fellowship recipient without impairing the quality and scope of its programs. If the unit head determines that adequate arrangements can be made with regard to staffing, a written description of the plan should be attached to the proposal. (Although the unit head may be concerned with staffing issues, due consideration should be given to other relevant factors in considering an application for professional leave.) 

On or before January 19, 2009, the chair/director forwards the faculty committee's evaluation, his/her endorsement thereof and the plan for covering teaching and other responsibilities to the dean.

The dean should review the materials forwarded by the unit head. The dean may be assisted in the review by a faculty committee that is representative of the major segments of the college. In the dean's review, attention should be given to the equality of standards of merit across the various units within the college, and to the distribution of professional leaves among them.

On or before February 2, 2009, the dean should forward the materials with his/her recommendations to the executive vice president and provost.

The EVP-provost will review the dean's recommendations, paying attention to equality of distribution of leaves and of standards of merit among colleges, as well as to the priorities and teaching capability remaining to staff all academic programs. 

On or about February 16, 2009, the EVP-provost will forward positive recommendations to the president. The president will review the provost's recommendations and reply with his/her own recommendations. 

In March 2009, the EVP-provost sends letters to faculty informing them of the decision. (Subject to confirmation by the Board of Trustees).

The list of faculty fellowship proposals will be presented to the Board of Trustees for confirmation at their spring meeting. 

Leave Denial - In each case where a leave request is denied, the individual or committee that first recommends disapproval shall state in writing to the individual the reasons for the disapproval by March 2, 2009.

Effect of a Faculty Fellowship Leave on Benefits provided by the Institution
The Ohio University Faculty Handbook states in section V.A.9.: “No faculty member shall, by virtue of being on a University Fellowship, suffer a reduction or termination of his/her regular employee retirement or insurance benefits or of any other benefit or privilege he/she receives as a faculty member at Ohio University. Whenever such a benefit would be reduced because of a reduction in the faculty member's salary during the period of the University Fellowship, the faculty member shall be given a chance to have the benefit increased to its normal level. Ohio University will continue to pay its portion of pension and insurance policies.”

During a faculty fellowship leave, the faculty member will maintain their medical and life insurance coverage provided by the university for themselves and their eligible family members. For faculty who participate in the STRS retirement plan, Ohio University will also provide retirement contributions to faculty on fellowship leave providing the faculty member is willing to contribute his/her normal retirement contribution for the leave period. Faculty members on leave who contribute to the STRS defined benefit plan will also be allowed to increase their contributions in order not to lose service time towards retirement. STRS will not allow faculty who participate in the STRS defined contribution plan and the combined plan to increase contributions.  The contributions of the faculty members enrolled in the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) and matching funds contributed by the university must be based upon actual salary of the faculty member, which will be reduced for those on a two-quarter or full year Faculty Fellowship Leave.

Requirements After Returning from Leave
The policy requires a faculty member to file a written report of the activities accomplished during the leave within three months of returning to his/her teaching duties at Ohio University. The faculty member should be aware that not submitting this report may play a significant role in the granting of future professional leaves.