27.         Professional Absence and Leave Policies

The various types of leaves are defined in the Board of Regents Policy Manual, Section 802.08 as well as, the Board of Regents Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 4.05.01. The following section discusses leave policies that are unique to Georgia Institute of Technology. However, none of these policies supersede the policies and procedures stated in the Board of Regents Policy Manual and Academic Affairs Handbook.

27.1 Policy on Absences from Campus for Professional Activities

Occasional absences from campus are necessitated by the professional activities of most faculty members in a Research I university, and are consistent with the Duties, Responsibilities, and Privileges of faculty described in the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook, Section 10.9.2.  At the same time it is essential that supervisors be cognizant of absences of faculty from campus and the reason for those absences, and that there be a clear prior approval and administrative oversight process that ensures that Board of Regents and Institute policies are followed.  The following procedures and approvals are intended to accomplish these objectives.

27.1.1 Procedures

Absences from campus of more than one business day for professional activities, including consulting, should be documented in advance by submission of a Travel Authorization Form (TAR), or other acceptable document as required for approval under Section 27.1.2.  This procedure is consistent with Section 10.9.3 of the Faculty Handbook.

The purpose of an absence and an itinerary should be provided.  Any deviations from the original itinerary must be clearly indicated and explained when requests for reimbursement from Georgia Tech are submitted.

For absences from campus for professional activities of one business day or less the faculty member should notify his/her supervisor or designated representative as to his/her location. A Travel Authorization Form is not required unless reimbursement for expenses is expected.

It is the faculty member’s responsibility to arrange for his/her duties to be performed during absences from campus.  Cancellation of undergraduate classes due to absences from campus is strongly discouraged.

All absences for consulting must be reported monthly.

27.1.2 Approvals

Absences of more than one business day must be approved by the School Chair or his/her designated representative.

Absences of more than ten consecutive business days must be approved by both the School Chair and the Dean of the College, who will notify the Provost’s office.

A proposed absence of greater than half a term in duration must be forwarded to the President’s office by the Dean of the College for consideration for a Leave of Absence as defined by the Board of Regents.