The purpose of the Mission Leave policy is to allow staff toÌývoluntarily participate, with pay, in University sponsored spiritual retreats, andÌýapproved mission or community service-related activities that occur during regularly scheduled work hours. Mission Leave is intended to promoteÌýcollaboration and a mutual understanding of mission among the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ University community as we strive to be people for and with others.
The following leaves are covered under the following Mission Leave related activities:
i. Retreat/Reflection: any retreat or reflection activity approved by the Vice President for Mission and Identity along with the Director of the Center for Service and Social Action. ii. Mission-related service activity: includes service projects or programs that are sponsored by a University department or group. The Vice President for Mission and Identity along with the Director of the Center for Service and Social Action are responsible for determining activities eligible for Mission Leave.
iii. Immersion Trips: Employees are permitted to participate in University approved and sponsored immersion trips. These trips are generally a week or more in length. Participation is limited to no more than two immersion trips every three years unless it is required as part of the employee’s current job requirements.
1. If the volunteering employee is taking on a role of responsibility for the trip, such as chaperone, supervisor, Ìýcoach, etc., then the employee will be paid for his/her time without using Mission Leave, vacation, or other paid time off accrual.
2. If the employee is accompanying the trip with no assigned role, then the employee may use any paid time off accrual, other than sick, and including Mission Leave time for pay purposes.Ìý
i. Full-time employees are eligible for up to three days of Mission Leave (paid release time) for participating in approved University-sponsored Mission and service-related activities during regularly scheduled work hours.
ii. Part-time employees are eligible for pro-rated Mission Leave for participating in approved University-sponsored Mission and service-related activities during regularly scheduled work hours.
iii. Mission Leave may be used in increments of 1 or more hours.
Mission Leave hours must be recorded on either staff time sheets or administrator leave reports.
The approval of Mission Leave is not guaranteed and should not cause overtime work to be performed.
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