Review Process

5.1 Applications received by the Dean's office are reviewed by CAC which will consider the following criteria in its assessment of each application:

1. Confirmation of the applicant's eligibility for Faculty Professional Improvement Leave
2. Value of the proposed project to the mission/goals of UL or the University
3. The extent to which the proposed project has a clearly defined end product
4. The feasibility of completing the proposed project within the time period of the leave

5.2 CAC will advise the Dean of University Libraries as to the merits and acceptability of each proposal.

5.3 In the case that multiple applications are received from Kent campus Faculty, CAC should rank applications by considering all the following criteria:

1. How well the proposal meets the review criteria
2. Applicants who have the greatest years of service to the University at the time of submission
3. Applicants for whom the interval since the last award of a faculty professional improvement leave has been greatest.

5.4 The Dean of University Libraries, after consulting with the CAC, will determine for each proposal the budget and staffing capability of the department to cover the job responsibilities of the Kent campus Faculty member requesting the leave. The Dean will then make a decision based on both the merits of the proposal and the capacity of the department to provide the staffing support required by the proposal.

5.5 The Dean will forward the proposal(s) and a recommendation memorandum for Kent campus Faculty to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Curriculum. The memorandum should address the following points:

1. Confirmation of eligibility of the applicant and the completeness of the application
2. Comments on the value of the proposed leave project to both University Libraries and to the applicant's professional growth
3. A report on ranking of applications if more than one is being submitted by University Libraries
4. A report on staffing implications if leave is granted

5.6 In the case of Regional Campus Faculty, the Dean of University Libraries will forward a recommendation based only on the merits of the proposal to the Executive Dean for Regional Campuses. The memorandum should address the following points:

1. Confirmation of eligibility of the applicant and the completeness of the application
2. Comments on the value of the proposed leave project to both University Libraries and to the applicant's professional growth

5.7 After forwarding the recommendation and proposal to the appropriate office, the Dean of University Libraries shall inform the faculty member of the status of the proposal.