Faculty Professional Development Leaves
1. Purpose
Teaching at Brigham Young University–Hawaii (“BYU–Hawaii” or “university”) requires dedication to student learning, manifested by the faculty in their investment of time and energy with students. Therefore, the university encourages in word and with resources the professional growth of its faculty. For this reason, BYU–Hawaii encourages faculty to engage in regular scholarly activity and take advantage of periodic professional development leaves.
2. Policy
Faculty with continuing faculty status are eligible to apply for professional development leaves. Professional development leaves, paid or unpaid, may be applied for every six years for one, two, or three semesters.
3. Implementation
3.1 Funding for Professional Development Leaves
Funding for professional development is allocated to each faculty unit in the annual budget. Additional or matching funds outside of the department are not available for this purpose. (See Faculty Handbook)
3.2 Costs for Professional Development
All proposed costs associated with a professional development leave should be itemized and listed in the professional development proposal. These costs should be reviewed and discussed with the dean prior to final submission.
3.3 Travel
Travel is often associated with professional development leaves.
3.3.1 Short-Term Travel
Faculty traveling for conferences, meetings, or professional development opportunities, for less than 30 days (short-term travel), during leave should follow normal travel procedures. These costs should be included and reviewed with the dean in the professional development proposal. (See Travel policy)
3.3.2 Long-Term Temporary Relocation
Faculty members relocating to a location other than Oahu for more than 30 days, but less than a year (long-term temporary relocation), may include in their professional development application funding for a single round trip air transportation. Family may accompany the faculty member, but no associated or increased costs should be borne by the university. Generally, costs for meals, lodging, and local transportation are not included in a long-term relocation for professional development.
Short-term travel may be associated with long-term relocation. Situations may arise in which a faculty member may attend a conference, meeting, or research engagement. These costs should be included in the proposal. They should be modest and in harmony with the relocation area. If approved, expenses should follow normal travel procedures.
Generally, the housing subsidy will continue to be paid as a benefit while faculty are on paid professional development leaves (see Housing Assistance policy). If in university housing, faculty should work with Housing Operations to understand options pertaining to their housing unit during the leave period.
3.4 International Visa Requirements
Faculty traveling internationally are required to understand the visa requirements for the country in which they will be. If faculty are being paid by the university and are conducting research, they may be required to have a work visa. The university is not responsible for passport fees.
3.5 Expense Reporting
Expenses paid with a corporate card are to be reconciled in the month in which they occurred (see Corporate Card policy). Often this will require that reconciliation occurs during the professional development leave rather than afterwards. Faculty should work with the Purchasing department to ensure that their corporate card is active and will not expire during their leave.
All anticipated expenses from the professional development proposal should be added to a single spend authorization and approved before any expenses are incurred. The length of the professional development should be indicated on the spend authorization.
Any routine purchases, or lab or equipment purchases, not related to travel, should follow the normal procurement procedures and not be included in the travel expense report. If equipment purchases are made while on leave, the equipment must be returned to BYU–Hawaii at the conclusion of the professional leave.