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Article 34 - Voluntary Schedule Reduction

A. 1. When it is mutually beneficial to the University and a unit member, a full-time regular employee with
continuous service equaling five (5) full-time equivalent years may request a reduction in schedule and be eligible for pro-rated benefits available to full-time regular employees. The schedule reduction shall be to no less than one-half time. The reductions will normally be for an indefinite duration, and there will be no right to return to full-time regular status. However, if the unit member and the University agree at the time the reduction occurs, the reduction may be for a specified period with a return to full-time regular status guaranteed at its conclusion. Final approval or disapproval of a voluntary schedule reduction request shall be at the sole discretion of the campus chief administrative officer or designee and shall be communicated to the unit member in writing.

2. Once the schedule reduction has occurred, employee benefits shall be as described below. The same benefits shall apply to part-time regular employees who have the equivalent of five years full-time continuous service (e.g. ten years of half-time service, six years and nine months of three-quarter time service, etc.) and, if they have the requisite service, to employees whose positions are reduced from full-time to part-time for program or budget reasons.

B. 1. Annual leave and disability leave accruals and usage shall be in accordance with policies for part-time
regular employees. Holiday benefits shall also be in accordance with policies for part-time regular employees. At the time the reduction becomes effective, the employee may carry forward only the pro-rated maximum leave balances. The employee may use excess annual leave or, if there is no opportunity to use the leave, may be paid for the amount of annual leave which may not be carried forward.

2. For purposes of determining sabbatical eligibility, service shall be counted in full-time equivalence. A year of service at half-time shall count as one-half year toward sabbatical eligibility.

C. Coverage in the group health plan may continue. The employee will pay any premium for which a full-time regular employee is responsible.

D. Basic life insurance will be based on the reduced salary. The employee will pay any premium for which a full-time regular employee is responsible.

E. Long term disability coverage will be provided based on the reduced salary.

F. Contributions to the University of Maine System Retirement Plan for Faculty and Professional Employees will be made in the percentages applicable to full-time regular employees. Contribution amounts shall be based on the reduced salary. Employees in the Maine State Retirement System are eligible for reduced schedules. Such employees should be aware that pension benefits will be based on their years of highest salary, not their final salary.

G. Tuition waiver shall continue at the level available to part-time regular employees for both employee and dependent waiver.

H. Employees with a reduced schedule will continue to be eligible for supplemental life insurance, tax deferred annuities, income protection, and advantage accounts.

I. An application for a Voluntary Schedule Reduction shall ordinarily be submitted at least two months prior to the requested effective date. This time limit may be waived when an earlier effective date is beneficial to both the employee and the University. The application form shall be completed by the employee and submitted to the supervisor. The supervisor shall make a recommendation and forward the form for administrative review, regardless of whether the supervisor's recommendation is positive or negative. The Application shall be reviewed by administrators designated by the campus. A final decision shall be made by the President (Chancellor for System employees) or the President's designee and communicated to the employee in writing.