Northcentral University

NCU Faculty Handbook | Appendix C | 73 APPENDIX C - NORTHCENTRAL FACULTY FLEX PROGRAM HANDBOOK Northcentral Faculty Flex Program Handbook Overview In 2015, Northcentral faculty initiated and implemented a pilot project to examine the outcomes of a 20% reduction in workload with a corresponding 20% reduction in salary. Faculty involved in the pilot reported reduced stress, greater work-life balance, and more time to devote to their students. Faculty were supportive of continuing this employment option and believed the corresponding salary reduction was fair. Purpose The purpose of this document is to outline the terms and expectations of faculty participating in the Faculty Flex Program at Northcentral University. Eligibility Full-time faculty in good standing (e.g., not currently subject to corrective action) at Northcentral University have the option to apply for the Faculty Flex Program. Expectations Faculty accepted into the Flex Program will receive a 20% reduced student load with a corresponding 20% reduction in the faculty member's then-current salary. As with all faculty and staff employed at Northcentral, faculty in the Flex Program are expected to abide by the Northcentral Team Member Handbook, the NCU Faculty Handbook, and all NCU policies. Flex Program faculty are still considered full-time faculty and, as such, are expected to comply with NCU's outside employment policies. Faculty in the Flex Program will be eligible for all benefits available to full-time faculty pursuant to the policies and procedures outlined in the NCU Team Member Handbook and Faculty Handbook. They are also eligible for a full allotment of professional development funds, consistent with NCU policy for the availability of such funds, and they are eligible for faculty awards, as determined by the annual budget as well as the award processes outlined in the Northcentral University Research Support Awards Handbook. Faculty in the Flex Program are expected to maintain a standard load of service to the University as articulated in the faculty letter of appointment. Flex Program faculty will be evaluated by the standard evaluation process articulated in the Faculty Handbook and are eligible for standard potential merit increases pursuant to the Team Member Handbook. Application Process Interested full-time faculty should contact their Dean to request an application form (available at the end of this document). Deans will review the materials, confirm good standing employment status with Human Resources, and notify faculty of whether they have been accepted for the Flex Program and what their start date in the program will be. The Dean is responsible for providing HR with the approval paperwork and effective date to ensure the appropriate salary change is processed in a timely manner (effective dates must start at the beginning of the pay period). Flex Faculty Management The Deans of each School are responsible for determining number of Flex Faculty positions annually available within their schools and may, if School needs dictate, reduce the number of positions available in a given year. Deans are responsible for notifying key stakeholders of team member employment status change. Furthermore, Deans will determine what constitutes a 20% reduced workload, which might include one or more faculty duties (e.g., chairing, teaching, administrative responsibilities). While every effort will be made to provide faculty with a full year of Flex Program status, Deans may rescind the status if School or University needs dictate.

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