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Article 20 - Tuition Waiver and Professional Development

A. 1. Full-time unit members shall be eligible for a tuition waiver of up to two (2) courses per semester or summer session, not to exceed four (4) credit hours each course. Part-time regular unit members shall be eligible for a tuition waiver of up to one (1) course per semester or summer session, not to exceed four (4) credit hours each course. The following shall apply when a unit member is required to concurrently enroll in a laboratory course, in connection with another separate course, which is covered by a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver shall be applicable to the laboratory course. The laboratory course shall not be counted as part of either the four (4) or the eight (8) hours of total waiver, and shall not constitute an additional course.

2. Such courses shall be contingent on the availability of space. Each campus shall retain the right to designate those non-credit courses to which tuition waiver will not apply. Space priorities shall be determined in accordance with applicable non-financial admissions criteria.

3. This benefit shall not be applicable when a unit member is on an unpaid leave of absence for longer than ninety (90) days, long term disability or Worker's Compensation. In the event that a unit member has begun a course and one of the above situations occurs, the unit member shall be permitted to maintain enrollment at no cost until the end of the semester.

B. 1. The dependents of full-time unit members who are full-time students of the University of Maine System
shall be eligible for a waiver of one-half (1/2) tuition. Dependents of part-time unit members who are full-time students of the University of Maine System shall be eligible for a waiver of one-fourth (1/4) tuition. The dependent tuition waiver may be used for up to two summer courses, as long as the student was a full-time student during the full previous academic-year within the University of Maine System. This waiver does not apply to mini-courses or other non-semester course offerings. For the purpose of this section, dependents shall be defined as unit member's spouse or dependent children. Children of currently employed unit members who were granted dependent tuition waivers prior to execution of this agreement shall remain eligible to receive such tuition waiver so long as they remain continuously enrolled as full-time students of the University of Maine System.

Dependents of full-time unit members who are part-time students shall be eligible for a waiver of one-half (1/2) tuition, provided that the part-time student is matriculated and that there is space available in the course(s). Dependents of part-time unit members who are part-time students shall be eligible for a waiver of one-fourth (1/4) tuition, provided that the part-time student is matriculated and that there is space available in the course(s).

Eligibility for graduate students for this waiver also requires matriculation in a degree program, that there is space available, and extends only to courses taken as part of an approved program of study.

2. In no event shall tuition waivers exceed one-half (1/2) tuition for the spouse or each eligible child of a full-time unit member, or one-fourth (1/4) tuition for the spouse or each eligible child of a part-time unit member.

3. When an employee with twenty (20) or more years of University service is terminated through participation in the University's long-term disability program or by death, the spouse and/or dependent children of that employee who are enrolled full-time students participating in a tuition waiver program at the time of the employee's termination or death shall maintain eligibility for that tuition waiver program. The tuition waiver shall remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous full-time enrollment or until completion of the requirements for a degree.

C. Campuses may make available sabbatical leaves to unit members. Any sabbatical leaves granted must conform to the following terms:

1. Application for a sabbatical shall be submitted to the chief administrative officer of the campus or his/her designee in accordance with procedures established at each campus.

2. Unit members may make an application during their sixth year for a sabbatical leave.

3. The application for a sabbatical shall include a program proposal which includes a statement of intent and benefits of the proposed sabbatical to the individual, the campus and the profession.

4. An application for a sabbatical shall be submitted no later than six (6) months prior to the proposed effective date of the sabbatical. In unusual circumstances this requirement may be waived. Unit members will be notified of approval or disapproval of sabbatical applications by the chief administrative officer no later than three (3) months prior to the proposed effective date of the sabbatical.

5. Sabbatical salaries shall be one-half of the unit member's pay for the academic year or fiscal year; or full pay for one semester or half year.

6. The unit member must return to the University for at least one full work year following the sabbatical. Agreements to the contrary must be in writing prior to participation. Salary received during the sabbatical must be returned to the University where neither of the above is satisfied.

7. The unit member must provide a brief written report of the participation in the program to the chief administrative officer or his/her designee.

8. Compensation during the sabbatical shall include contributions made by the University to retirement programs, Social Security programs, and insurance programs under the University policy.

9. Annual leave and sick leave shall continue to accrue during the period of the sabbatical on a pro-rated basis.

10. While on sabbatical leave, a unit member shall be permitted to receive travel and moving expenses, fellowships, grants-in-aid or financial assistance from sources other than the University, provided there is no requirement to perform duties detrimental to or which interfere with the objectives for which the sabbatical has been granted.

11. Unit members shall be eligible to apply for another sabbatical leave after completion of six (6) years of full-time service since the last sabbatical. Calculation of service for this purpose shall begin at the time the unit member returns from the last previous sabbatical. Exceptions may be made if a proposed program is deemed of exceptional value to the individual, campus or the profession.

12. The chief administrative officer or designee shall have the sole discretion to approve or disapprove a sabbatical application and his/her decision shall be final and not grievable.

13. The Association shall be furnished annually a list by campus of unit members applying for, receiving and being denied sabbaticals.

D. Within sixty (60) days from execution of the Agreement, and upon request thereafter, the University will inform the Association of professional development funds which may be available at any campus. Where available, unit members will be informed of the process and procedure to make application at the campus.