FACULTY ABSENCES

RTF Faculty Absence Policy

• For the regular semester:

Faculty should not be away from classes for more than an absolute maximum of two weeks, and should not miss more than one week of classes at a time, with an absolute maximum of two such absences per semester. It is essential that faculty be in residence for the first and final weeks of class. Please do not plan to leave Austin prior to the day that your class officially ends (e.g., last class day or final exam day), and plan to be available to students, at least via email, for a few days' time after you have posted and turned in your grades.

• For the summer session:

Faculty should not be away from classes for more than an absolute maximum of four days, and should not miss more than two days of classes at a time, widely spaced, with an absolute maximum of two such absences per session. It is essential that faculty be in residence for the first and final days of class. Please do not plan to leave Austin prior to the day that your class officially ends (e.g., last class day or final exam day), and plan to be available to students, at least via email, for a few days' time after you have posted and turned in your grades.

• For ALL semesters:

Absences not in accordance with these guidelines require the advance written consent of the Chair.

Faculty Travel Request

All faculty should complete the Faculty Travel Request Form every time they travel and miss classes. It will take you less than 3 minutes to complete it. A copy of the form may be printed from this website and is always available from office staff.

The form should be submitted to Bert Herigstad or Eric Vogler, or hand-delivered to any RTF office staff member.

The information on this form serves 3 purposes:

1. • it enables us to reach you or to assist your students, if necessary,

2. • it enables office staff to provide for your travel arrangements or reimbursements if you are using UT funds for your travel, and

3. • it verifies that you are traveling on official University business, even if you are paying for your travel through other sources, so that any accidents would be covered by UT insurance.