FACULTY DEVELOPMENT LEAVE
As part of its faculty development program, Midwestern State University offers developmental leaves.
Tenured faculty members with (1) at least six years of full-time service to MSU and (2) at least six years
of full-time service since their last development leave, as long as they have submitted the required
Developmental Leave Report(s) in a timely manner, are eligible. The full-time service may include
teaching and other duties. University Research Committee members are not eligible to apply for a
development leave during their tenure on this committee.
Applicants may request developmental leaves to engage in study, research, writing, and similar projects
for the purpose of adding to the knowledge available to themselves, their students, the University, and
society generally. Developmental leaves are not available to support completion of an advanced degree.
A faculty member on development leave may accept a grant for study, research, or travel from any
institution of higher education or from a charitable, religious or educational corporation or foundation,
or from any federal, state, or local governmental agency. Any other outside employment or
compensation requires the written approval of the following MSU officials: the Chair, the Dean, the
Provost, and the President.
After a faculty development leave has been granted, any change in the terms of the leave requires prior
written approval of the following MSU officials: the Chair, the Dean, the Provost, and the President.
CONDITIONS
In accordance with Texas law, at most 6% of the MSU faculty members will be on Faculty
Development Leave at the same time. It is to be expected that financial constraints will reduce this
percentage markedly.
Faculty Development Leaves for one academic year are granted for half of the recipient’s regular salary;
leaves for one-half academic year (4.5 months) are granted at the recipient’s full salary. No paid leaves
are authorized for summer sessions. After a faculty development leave has been granted, any change in
the terms of the leave requires prior written approval.
Upon accepting a developmental leave, a faculty member shall sign an agreement to serve one full
academic year after completion of the leave. Included in the agreement will be a clause requiring the
faculty member to reimburse the University in the amount received as salary and fringe benefits from
the State while on leave should he or she choose not to serve the University during the year following
the developmental leave. Any exceptions must be approved by the President.
A faculty member on development leave will retain the right to and eligibility for all benefits extended
by the state of Texas to full-time faculty members, as well as all other rights and privileges of a full-time
faculty member. The University administration shall cause to be deducted from the leave recipient’s
salary the cost of all programs as are legal or elected by the faculty member on leave.
Recipients of Faculty Development Leaves must submit a written report of their leave activity to the
Provost. Due dates are May 1 for a fall semester leave and November 1 for a spring semester leave.
Those on a full year leave must submit a progress report at the mid-leave reporting period and a final
report on May 1 or November 1, whichever is closest following the conclusion of the leave.
THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
The deadline for application submission is March 21, 2011. Completed applications, with an up-todate curriculum vitae, must be submitted via email to Devah.Carter@mwsu.edu in the Office of the
Graduate School. Paper copies, incomplete applications, and those that exceed the page limit will not
be accepted. If you need assistance with electronic submission contact our office at ext 4867.
The Graduate Dean’s Office will then forward the completed application to the Chair of the department.
The Chair verifies the applicant’s eligibility, provides the required information including an evaluation
of the request, and forwards his or her evaluation via email to Devah.Carter@mwsu.edu by March 28,
2011. The application and Chair’s evaluation will then be forwarded to the applicant’s college Dean for
review. The Dean adds an evaluation of the application and a statement on the Chair’s plan to replace
the faculty member during the developmental leave and submits his or her evaluation via email to
Devah.Carter@mwsu.edu in the Office of the Graduate School on or before April 1, 2011.
The University Research Committee submits its recommendations with written reasons in rank order to
Provost on or before April 15, 2011.
The Provost evaluates all applications, recommendations, and plans for replacing the faculty member
during the developmental leave, and consults with the President. After the President makes a decision,
taking into account the quality of the applications as well as the financial implications, the Provost
informs the Dean, the Chair, and the faculty member of the decision.
The President submits his or her decision to the Board of Regents and asks for the Board’s approval.
An applicant not receiving a leave may submit an updated application for reconsideration during
succeeding application periods.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT
At least once every three years, the Provost will appoint an ad hoc Program Review Committee,
comprised of faculty from each of the University’s colleges, to review the Faculty Development Leave
program including this policy statement and the Faculty Development Leave applications and reports
submitted since the last program review. Based upon its review, the Committee will submit a report to
the Provost evaluating the Faculty Development Leave program and offering suggestions for
improvement, including changes to this policy statement.