III.J. Employment Benefits
Listed below are some of the employment benefits available to full-time faculty members. Other benefits are described in Faculty Handbook, Section VII.A.1.
III.J.1. Leave
The probationary status of an untenured faculty member in a tenure-track position will continue during a leave of absence, and the time while on leave will be counted as part of the probationary period, unless there is a negotiated agreement to the contrary. See Faculty Handbook, Section III.E.6.
For types of leave other than those listed below, see Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1338, Faculty Leave.
III.J.1.a. Leave with Pay
III.J.1.a. Leave with Pay Continued >>
III.J.1.b. Leave Without Pay
III.J.1.b. Leave Without Pay Continued >>
III.J.2. State Employee Assistance Service
A faculty member is entitled to use the Virginia State Employee Assistance Service in the resolution of personal difficulties. For more details, see Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1110, Substance Abuse, or contact the Office of Human Resources.
III.J.3. Professional Development
III.J.3.a. Support
It is the policy of James Madison University to encourage and support the professional development of faculty members. As funding is available, participation in courses, workshops, seminars and meetings directly related to the goals and objectives of the university will be supported to enable faculty members to improve performance. See Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1403, A&P Faculty and Staff Training & Development
III.J.3.b. Travel
The university encourages faculty members to attend meetings that will enhance their professional development. Requests for reimbursement for travel and related expenses and to be absent from classes or other duties to attend these meetings must be approved by the AUH or supervisor. For details on the procedures of approval, payment and reimbursement for travel expenses, see Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 4401, University Supported Travel.
III.J.3.c. On-Campus Courses
Faculty members may enroll in a limited number and type of credit courses at the university and have normal tuition or tuition deposit fees waived. Other fees must be paid by the faculty member.
For further information on this policy, see Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1402, Faculty-Staff Waiver of Tuition Program for Non Degree-Seeking Coursework at JMU.
III.J.3.d. Tuition Reimbursement at Other Educational Institutions
The university may authorize departments to reimburse full-time employees for the tuition cost of certain courses taken at other educational institutions if the courses are unavailable at the university and if other criteria are met. For details, see Manual of Policies and Procedures, Policy 1401, Tuition Reimbursement for Courses Taken at Other Educational Institutions.
III.J.4. Recreational Facilities
Each faculty member is entitled to the full use of available recreational facilities at the university subject to existing policies for their general use. See UREC's web site for details.
III.J.5. Awards
The university prides itself on its academic programs and seeks to recognize faculty members who contribute to educational excellence. In each college of the university, there are annual awards to recognize a distinguished teacher and one or more annual awards to recognize Madison Scholars. In each case, a faculty selection committee chooses the award recipients after peer review of the candidates' accomplishments. Although criteria vary among the colleges, eligibility is limited to full-time faculty members with at least five years of service at the university at the rank of assistant professor or above. Individual colleges have annual awards to honor faculty members for specific contributions to achievement of the college's mission.
In addition, the university nominates faculty members as candidates for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Professor of the Year award and for the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award. In each of these award processes, the emphasis is on the faculty member's accomplishments as a teacher.
