Clarifying, disseminating, and enhancing policies related to faculty recruitment, retention, and advancement is an important step toward improving climate on campus. To this end, members of the UD ADVANCE leadership team partner with faculty, administrators, the Faculty Senate, and AAUP-UD to revise, update, and communicate relevant policies.
Notes from October 2021 Q&A Session on Faculty Policies with Matt Kinservik and Sunaina Soares
Family Friendly Policies for Faculty
UD offers a range of personnel policies and employee benefits to assist faculty in meeting the demands of work and of family responsibilities. We outline these polices below.
For further clarification of policies contact the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. UD ADVANCE is available for informal discussions and support.
FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act):
“Although federal law defines FMLA as unpaid leave, it is the university’s policy to provide faculty members with full pay during the period of FMLA leave.” For full policy see FHB 4.1.14.3 (link to Faculty Handbook).
Read FMLA: Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty here.
Administered Load:
“Workload options that meet department and individual needs immediately following the birth or adoption of a child under the age of five by the faculty member.” For full policy see FHB 4.1.14.3 (link to Faculty Handbook).
Family Leave of Absence:
This is unpaid leave for childcare – the university’s premiums for health care continue for up to one semester. FHB 4.1.14.2 (link to Faculty Handbook).
Stop the Tenure/Review Clock
A one-year extension of the probationary period/contract renewal for TT/CT faculty, up to a maximum of two times, for parenting or certain other approved situations. FHB 4.4.15, 4.1.6 Read about the policy in the Faculty Handbook.
Dual Career
UD has a formalized protocol for dual-career faculty situations. For more information on this protocol, click here.
Child Care and Elder Care Resources
UD HR provides information to help employees find childcare and elder care, including on-campus childcare centers (limited availability) and off-campus childcare and elder care referral services. Click here to access a description of UD’s current dependent-care benefits.
UD ADVANCE is working with Human Resources and the provost’s office to investigate options for enhancing dependent-care benefits, which is expected to increase employee productivity and retention and improve perceptions of climate. While we are still in the initial stages of this work, you can click here to access a policy brief written by UD ADVANCE that describes options that other institutions have used.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The state of DE offers an EAP, ComPsych Guidance Resources, to UD employees. This service offers confidential guidance on topics such as work-life solutions and legal issues. Click here for more information.
Educational Benefits
UD offers educational benefits for spouses and dependents including tuition remission for courses at UD, as well as a tuition exchange program with other participating schools. Click here for more information.