Opportunities to Suspend or Reduce Programs in Lieu of a Reduction in Force. 7.701 The purpose of the procedures set forth below is to provide an opportunity for voluntary leaves of absence for retraining if a particular program or service is in jeopardy of a suspension or reduction. Tenured track faculty may request participation, but are not required to do so. In the event faculty do not request one of the opportunities listed below, they may pursue other opportunities such as: retirement, STRS reduced workload, resignation, or permanent reduced assignment to less than full-time.
Opportunities to Suspend or Reduce Programs in Lieu of a Reduction in Force. The purpose of the procedures set forth below is to provide an opportunity for voluntary leaves of absence for retraining if a particular program or service is in jeopardy of a suspension or reduction. Tenured track faculty may request participation, but are not required to do so. In the event faculty do not request one of the opportunities listed below, they may pursue other opportunities such as: retirement, STRS reduced workload, resignation, or permanent reduced assignment to less than full-time. Retraining Opportunities: The impacted faculty may request one or a combination of the following options within thirty (30) days of official written or oral notification that his/her discipline program is being suspended or reduced: Reassignment to teach other disciplines in which they are qualified and competent to render service and where assigned duties are available. If this reassignment jeopardizes another program or service, the retraining opportunities would apply to the affected employee(s). Willingness to be retrained in a new discipline, program or service with mutual agreement between the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Student Services and the faculty member. The faculty member may have an Association representative present at discussion meetings. Reduction in assignment to teach fewer classes or reduced services if such is available.* Request a full or partial sabbatical leave to be retrained in another available discipline.* Request a partial leave of absence to be retrained in a new available discipline while also teaching/serving in primary discipline(s).* Request a partial leave of absence to update currency in an available discipline for which the employee is already qualified to teach.* * Faculty who teach a reduced load under any of these options, shall be paid at their regular contract rate for that portion of a full assignment which they retain and will continue to be regarded as occupying one full-time equivalent position. All assignments must have the approval of the District.
