C235: Leave for Service Abroad

Policy

(Approved by Faculty on 3/12/74, 4/8/75 and 5/10/78; approved by Regents on 3/14/74, 2/1/75, 5/18/75 and 8/29/78)

1. General Statement. Since the end of World War II, colleges and universities have recognized their responsibility for providing educational leadership to the developing countries of the world. They have particularly met their responsibility by releasing competent faculty members for a term of service on education projects abroad. Such leaves for service abroad are sufficiently different from sabbatical leaves and other leaves of absence to merit a different set of policies.

2. Eligibility. After two (2) years of service at The University of New Mexico (UNM), any full-time member of the faculty on regular appointment (i.e., not temporary) as a lecturer or above is eligible for a leave without pay for such service abroad.

3. Length of Leave. The leave for service abroad is usually longer than the sabbatical in that at least two (2) years of service are normally required. The longer period is necessary since the first year abroad is primarily one of learning and cultural adjustment. A second year is usually required for productive work. Therefore, leaves of up to two (2) years may be granted. Requests for leaves and third-year extensions must be judged on their individual merits. Applications shall be submitted pursuant to the procedures set out in paragraph 8 under Sabbatical Leave.

4. Assignment of Duties upon Return. Upon their scheduled return to UNM, the faculty member shall be assigned to the same position that was left, or one that is comparable, bearing in mind the member's seniority and special competencies.

5. Determination of Salary and Rank upon Return. Work done while on leave for service abroad shall be considered in determining the rank and salary that the faculty member shall receive upon returning. The normal advancement of the faculty member will not be interrupted by reason of the leave for service abroad. However, it is understood that if a faculty member has not attained permanent tenure, the leave for service abroad automatically extends the probationary period by the length of time consumed by the leave.