An academic appointee is considered to be on a leave of absence any time they take a leave from normal duties during the prescribed periods of services. Academic-year appointees are expected to be present from the beginning of the Fall Semester through the end of the Spring Semester, except during official university holiday. In addition, academic-year appointees may be absent during the periods between semesters without requesting an official leave, unless they are traveling on official university business.
Fiscal year appointees who are in service throughout the calendar year (12 months), except during official university holidays, shall apply in advance for leaves of absence.
For both academic-year and fiscal-year appointees, periods of academic recess (e.g. periods between semesters) include recess from formal classes, but not recess from research, committee and other administrative duties, or other university obligations.
Appointees granted a leave, paid or unpaid, due to their own illness or pregnancy disability, must provide a return to work certification. An appointee who fails to provide a return to work certification may have their reinstatement delayed until the required certification is provided. If a faculty member takes a medical leave or a childbearing/parental leave they are not required to make progress during the period of time they are out on approved leave. For example, a documented medical leave of one semester during a three-year review period would require achievements in all areas of review consistent with two years and one semester. Please note that Active Service Modified Duties is not a leave.
All leave benefits vary by title. Please consult with the Academic Personnel Office to confirm eligibility for benefits and privileges.
Questions: Contact Esmeralda Martinez at emartinez35@ucmerced.edu or the Acadmemic Personnel Office at academicpersonnel@ucmerced.edu.
General Information on Leaves for Academics
Please refer to the applicable policy section in the APM as listed below.
APM 700 Leaves of Absence/General
APM 710 Leaves of Absence/Sick Leave/Medical Leave
APM 711 Reasonable Accommodation for Academic Appointees with Disabilities
APM 715 Leaves of Absence/Family and Medical Leave
APM 720 Leaves of Absence/Holidays
APM 730 Leaves of Absence/Vacation
APM 740 Leaves of Absence/Sabbatical Leaves
APM 750 Leaves of Absence/Leave for Service to Government Agencies
APM 751 Leaves of Absence/Military Leave
APM 752 Leaves of Absence/Leave to attend Professional Meeting or Other University Business
APM 758 Leaves of Absence/Other Leaves with Pay
APM 759 Leaves of Absence/Other Leaves without Pay
APM 760 Leaves of Absence/Childbearing Leave, Parental Leave, and Active Service-Modified Duties
Contract Employees
Academic employees under collective bargaining agreements should consult their Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) pertaining to their title.
Please refer to the applicable Bargaining Units & Contracts.
For general information the following links provide information relating to family medical leave:
University of California Family Medical Leave Fact Sheet and State of California, Department of Fair Employment and Housing Family Care and Medical Leave (CFRA Leave) and Pregnancy Disability Leave
See our FAQ page regarding leaves.
