Policy

Special Studies Program - Policy

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1. Purpose and Objectives

This policy describes the purpose of the Special Studies Program and the general criteria for approving a proposed program.

2. Definitions, Terms, Acronyms

Authorised Officer – the officer authorised to exercise the relevant HR power or function in accordance with the HR Authorisation Schedule

Chief Investigator - the investigator with overall responsibility for the research project or grant

SSP leave – leave provided to eligible staff to undertake an approved Special Studies Program

Key areas of academic activity - research/creative work, clinical innovation, scholarship of teaching

3. Policy Scope/Coverage

This policy applies to academic staff across the four academic categories - Teaching and Research, Teaching Focused, Research Focused or Clinical Academic - who meet the eligibility criteria.

4. Policy Statement

The Special Studies Program is highly valued for the benefit it provides to the University and its academic staff. Special Studies Program leave is provided to eligible academic staff to release them from regular duties to pursue key areas of academic activity and thereby enhance their contribution to their organisational unit and the University.

The purposes of SSP are to assist staff to maintain and improve teaching skills and scholarship, to undertake research, creative work or clinical innovation and to make the outcomes public, generally via peer-reviewed outlets. SSP must not be used for the purposes of completing a Higher Degree by Research. SSP is one of the privileges of employment as an academic staff member.

5. Criteria for Approval

SSP is not a right to which an academic staff member is automatically entitled at the end of each qualifying period.

For approval to be given for a Special Studies Program, the onus is upon the applicant (i) to show that significant benefits will accrue to the University through the enhancement of the individual’s contributions to key areas of academic activity and (ii) to provide well supported arguments to substantiate their application. The Authorised Officer will approve applications for SSP only when (i) the workforce planning of the organisational unit can accommodate the absence of the academic and (ii) the proposed plan for the SSP demonstrates specific benefits to the unit’s key areas of academic activity as well as to the individual.

The provision of SSP is a significant investment by the University in its staff and must therefore be used for purposes which are congruent with the University’s financial commitment. The number of SSP applications approved each year may be limited by staffing and budgetary constraints.

Applications will be considered on the merit of the project proposed, the capacity of the staff member to fulfil the aims of the project, their record of achievement (including outcomes from any previous SSP) and its relevance to University needs.

Detailed information about the benefits available, the application process, and the conditions applying to SSP is contained in PPL 5.80.02b Special Studies Program - Procedures.

6. Eligibility for SSP

The following staff are eligible to accrue SSP leave if they have full-time appointments or fractional appointments of at least 50%:

  • CA, TF and T&R academics on continuing appointments of Level A or above.
  • RF academics at Level B or above where,
    • the Chief Investigator (or the Executive Dean or Institute Director if the staff member concerned is the Chief Investigator) is of the view that such a period of SSP will benefit the research program and not prejudice its timely completion; and
    • the necessary resources are available to support the program; and
    • the rules of any relevant granting agency permit such leave to be taken during the duration of the grant.
  • Those appointed under a contract that provides for a program, in which case the relevant conditions of that contract apply.

Normally, SSP cannot commence until the applicant has completed three years of continuous full-time service at this University, or the pro-rata equivalent, based on the fraction of the appointment.

SSP is not usually granted to a staff member during their probation. However, the Authorised Officer can approve periods of other forms of leave, or semesters with reduced or no teaching duties.

Probationary staff who have been formally notified that they have been confirmed in their continuing appointments are eligible for SSP at that point, subject to meeting the remaining eligibility criteria.

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer

Procedures

Special Studies Program - Procedures

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1. Purpose and Objectives

This procedure enacts PPL 5.80.02a Special Studies Program – Policy and describes the benefits, conditions, application process and reporting that apply to Special Studies Programs.

2. Definitions, Terms, Acronyms

Authorised Officer – the officer authorised to exercise the relevant HR power or function in accordance with the HR Authorisation Schedule

Chief Investigator - the investigator with overall responsibility for the research project or grant

SSP Leave - leave provided to eligible staff to undertake an approved Special Studies Program

Head – Head of School or equivalent level

Key areas of academic activity - research/creative work, clinical innovation, scholarship of teaching

3. Procedures Scope/Coverage

This procedure applies to academic staff across the four academic categories - Teaching and Research, Teaching Focused, Research Focused or Clinical Academic - who meet the eligibility criteria.

4. Procedures Statement

Staff on SSP can receive financial support in the form of a basic allowance and a weekly allowance, specified in Section 7.1. A staff member cannot apply for SSP without having prepared an Academic Portfolio and completing an Annual Review. As detailed below, staff applying for SSP must ensure their proposed program meets certain conditions, submit an application, have that application assessed against set criteria, and report on their completed SSP.

5. Accrual and Taking of SSP Leave

5.1 Accrual of SSP

SSP leave is accrued at the rate of 44 working days per year over the period the eligible staff member undertakes service at the University. Those on less than full-time appointments, but at least a 50% fraction, accrue SSP leave at a rate equivalent to their appointment fraction.

The maximum amount of SSP leave that may accrue is 264 working days (equivalent to 12 months).

No SSP leave accrues during an SSP program or a period of leave without pay greater than three months.

Years of Service

Working Days of SSP Accrued

1 year

44 days

2 years

88 days

3 years

132 days – equivalent to 6 months

4 years

176 days

5 years

220 days

6 years

264 days - equivalent to 12 months

5.2 Taking of SSP

To take a program of the duration in the table below, the applicant must have accrued at least the corresponding number of days, as outlined in Section 5.1, which will be reduced in whole or in part according to the duration of the program taken.

Duration of Program

Accrual used

0 – 2 months

2 years (88 days FTE)

2 – 6 months

3 years (132 days FTE)

6 – 8 months

4 years (176 days FTE)

8 – 9 months

4.5 years (198 days FTE)

9 – 10 months

5 years (220 days FTE)

10 – 11 months

5.5 years (242 days FTE)

11 – 12 months

6 years (264 days FTE)

6. Application and Approval Process

6.1 Applying for SSP

6.1.1 Application process

An applicant for Special Studies Program must:

  1. complete Form A - Academic Portfolio of Achievement, including Folio 8 which describes the proposal for the Special Studies Program and outcomes from the previous SSP, and Form B - Achievements and Objectives which are discussed with their supervisor at Annual Review
  2. discuss the proposal with their Head (if this is not their supervisor)
  3. submit the completed Form A, Form B and the Recommendation and Decision - Special Studies Program to the local HR Manager or Consultant. Refer to Section 6.1.3 for submission dates.

The Head will collate a list of applications and the nature of the program proposed across the School/Institute, taking into consideration each staff member’s period of service since their previous program, the number of staff seeking to undertake SSP at the same time, and other issues they consider relevant. The Head will provide this list and their recommendations to the Authorised Officer.

After the Authorised Officer has made a decision on the application, they will forward the completed documentation to the local HR Consultant or Manager and provide a copy to the applicant.

6.1.2 Information provided

An applicant must provide the following information:

  • in Folio 8 - details of the proposed SSP and the work (including work not connected with the program) to be carried out during the period of the program, including an itinerary of locations that will be visited;
  • in Folio 8 - a description of the significant benefits expected to accrue to the University through the enhancement of the individual's contribution to key areas of academic activity, and the principal outcomes for the proposed program;
  • in Folio 8 - where the applicant has had an SSP previously, a statement of the outcomes from that program (particularly peer reviewed outputs ), assessed against the plan approved for that program;
  • any other information required by the Executive Dean or Institute Director.

The SSP must comply with the policy and these procedures and the applicant must ensure that there is a clear underlying rationale for all aspects of the program.

Quantity of information required
The volume of information required will vary with proposals and the circumstances of applicants. The onus is upon the applicant to show that significant benefits will accrue to the University through the enhancement of the individual’s contributions to key areas of academic activity and sufficient information must be provided to achieve this end.

Where a proposal is dependent upon the cooperation of a host, attainment of a grant or other external factor, the applicant may have an alternative plan as a standby. If the applicant wishes to gain approval for a program, covering all alternatives, then all those alternatives must be described and justified.

6.1.3 Submission dates

An application for a program must be lodged by the date provided in the annual academic application submission timetable or another specified date as agreed by the Authorised Officer.

Normally, a program must be due to commence between 1 December that year and 31 December of the next, but in special circumstances the Authorised Officer may approve a program to commence at an earlier date.

If the purposes and goals of the proposal are well defined, some uncertainty concerning the venue and travel dates should not deter a staff member from submitting in a particular round.

6.2 Approval process

6.2.1 Authority for approval

Approval decisions are based on recommendations from the relevant Head, who provides written comment on the value of the proposed SSP and its potential contribution to the organisational unit and the wider University.

The Authorised Officer may convene a Committee to make recommendations on SSP applications. In this case, the Authorised Officer will make a decision on the application after receiving the Committee’s advice. The Authorised Officer chairs any committee convened to consider SSP issues. This committee need not be a separate committee but can be an existing suitable committee (e.g. Committee of Heads of School).

6.2.2 Criteria for approval

In considering applications, the Authorised Officer takes the following matters into account:

  • the relevance of the proposed program to the interests of the University and the applicant, including any impact on key areas of academic activity;
  • the academic record of the applicant;
  • where the applicant has had an SSP previously, a statement of the outcomes from that program (particularly peer reviewed outcomes), assessed against the approved plan for that program;
  • the list provided by the Head;
  • staffing and budgetary considerations, in particular the existence of arrangements to deal with teaching commitments and postgraduate supervision. It is expected that an associate advisor will be available on campus in cases where the academic taking SSP away from the University is the Principal Advisor. The Head must confirm in writing that acceptable arrangements are in place.

6.2.3 Notification of application outcome

All applicants will receive written advice as to the outcome of their SSP application. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed that they are welcome to seek feedback on their application from the Authorised Officer.

6.2.4 Alterations to programs

In Faculties, the Authorised Officer has the discretion to approve minor modifications to SSP programs as required, using the Modification to Program form. Requests to significantly alter approved programs must be forwarded to the Authorised Officer through the Head and the Faculty HR Section.

In Institutes, the Authorised Officer approves minor and significant modifications to approved SSP programs using the Modification to Program form.

6.2.5 Power to suspend compliance

The Authorised Officer may permit a departure from these procedures and may impose conditions when doing so.

6.2.6 Appeals

A staff member whose application has been refused by the Authorised Officer may apply for reconsideration. The Authorised Officer will refer the appeal to an appropriate committee convened to deal with SSP matters. If the application is again rejected, the staff member may appeal to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), who will determine the matter. In the case of Research Focused staff, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will consult with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

7. Benefits

7.1 Financial assistance

7.1.1 Salary

Staff undertaking SSP will receive their usual fortnightly salary payments. Loadings are retained, except for those relating to special duties discontinued during the program. Part-time staff undertaking a full-time program will receive a salary allowance increasing it to the full-time equivalent.

7.1.2 Allowances

Staff who have an approved SSP will receive the following additional financial assistance after submitting the Request for Financial Assistance form.

For overseas trips:

  • $3,500 basic allowance.
  • $500 per week allowance for the first 13 weeks and $250 per week thereafter.

For trips within Australia:

  • $1,000 basic allowance.
  • $500 per week allowance for the first 13 weeks and $250 per week thereafter.

A staff member may claim only one basic allowance in an SSP. Staff taking SSP within Australia will be eligible for financial assistance if they take their SSP at a location more than 400 kilometres from Brisbane. Staff taking SSP with a combination of Australian and overseas locations will receive the overseas basic allowance.

The amount of financial assistance calculated before the start of a program is a provisional grant which may be reviewed in the light of information provided in the report after the program and financial adjustments may then be made.

Except with the approval of the Authorised Officer, financial assistance will not be available until two months before the start of a program.

7.1.3 Other funds

Staff undertaking SSP may access University funds over and above the normal scheduled SSP allowances. Such funds would include:

  • Research grants financed by external agencies (e.g. ARC, NHMRC). Expenses which cannot be claimed include travel expenses from Brisbane to the SSP base, subsistence expenses while at the relocated work place, or any other expenses associated with the main research activities of the program, unless the expenses have been specifically allowed in the conditions of the grant.
  • Other University funds (e.g. New Staff Research Grant, conference funds or organisational unit consulting or testing account). Approval is sought through the normal procedures.

8. Conditions for Programs

8.1 SSP and leave

Leave such as Recreation Leave or Long Service Leave may be combined with SSP. An SSP that covers a semester or more must include an appropriate amount of Recreation Leave. Approval of an SSP application may be withheld if no provision for Recreation Leave has been made. Relevant approvals must be sought from the Authorised Officer, who will take into consideration the number and duration of other absences in the organisational unit before approving such leave.

8.2 Location of Special Studies Programs

SSP may be taken in overseas locations or within Australia or a combination of both. Applicants will need to show that the proposed locations for their programs are those best suited to the work to be carried out.

Travel plans must be recorded on the Travel Notification Template for insurance purposes.

8.3 Length of SSP

A program must not extend beyond one semester, and the associated University vacations, unless the extension into a further semester is supported by the Authorised Officer.

Where an overseas trip is included as an integral part of a comprehensive plan for SSP of at least two months duration, it is generally expected that such a trip will be of at least two weeks duration. The staff member may request the funding detailed above in Section 7.1 Financial Assistance. Such a trip will be different from a short trip simply to attend a conference.

8.4 Curtailed programs

In the interests of the University, the Authorised Officer may curtail a staff member’s program with effect from a specified date and may grant appropriate financial compensation.

8.5 Requirement to complete approved program and provide subsequent service

A program is subject to the following terms and any special conditions determined by the Authorised Officer.

The staff member must pursue the program approved by the Authorised Officer, unless alterations have been approved (see Section 6.2.4).

The University may require a staff member to repay:

  • salary paid to the staff member for any period of time immediately before or after the program during which the staff member was absent from the University without written approval; and
  • salary paid to the staff member for any period of time during which the staff member does not diligently pursue the program for any reason other than sickness or the written authority of the Authorised Officer. The staff member may also be required to pay a pro-rata proportion of the total financial assistance for the program (determined by the proportion of the program that was not diligently pursued).

At the end of the program and any approved leave (other than Sick Leave) immediately following it, the staff member must continue in employment at the University for a period equal to the length of the program so as to requite the University’s expenditure on the program. A staff member who does not complete this service must pay to the University an amount equal to the sum of the salary received for the unrequited period of the program and a proportionate part of the financial assistance received.

As well as any other rights it may have to the extent permitted by law, the University may deduct from any money otherwise payable to the staff member the amount payable under these provisions, unless the Authorised Officer permits an alternative method of payment.

9. Reports

Within three months of return to normal duty, the staff member must complete the relevant section of the Academic Portfolio and the Confirmation of Completed SSP form (which includes a report) and forward them to the relevant Head or Institute Director for consideration.

After considering the report and any further information they may have requested, the Head or Institute Director may accept the report or require the staff member to revise it. If the staff member does not revise the report, or if the Head or Institute Director does not accept the revised report, the Executive Dean or Institute Director must determine the action to be taken (including the refusal or deferment of a future program) upon recommendation from the Head as appropriate.

The staff member must be advised of any critical comment the Executive Dean or Institute Director records on the report.

If a staff member fails to submit a report within three months of return, there is no entitlement to accrue SSP leave until the report is received by the Head or Institute Director (unless the Executive Dean or Institute Director determines otherwise).

The Faculty/Institute HR Manager or Consultant will distribute a list to each Executive Dean or Institute Director, once per semester, of those staff who have produced a report on their SSP.

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer

Forms

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Special Studies Program - Confirmation of Completed SSP - Form

Special Studies Program - Confirmation of Completed SSP - Form

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Description: 

This form is to be completed within 3 months of the completion of the Special Studies Program (SSP).

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer
Special Studies Program - Recommendation and Decision - Form

Special Studies Program - Recommendation and Decision - Form

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Description: 

This form is to be completed after discussion of the staff member’s proposal for a Special Studies Program contained in Folio 8 of the Academic Portfolio at the Annual Review.

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer
Special Studies Program - Request for Financial Assistance - Form

Special Studies Program - Request for Financial Assistance - Form

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Description: 

Please refer to PPL 5.80.02b Special Studies Program - Procedures for details on financial assistance for SSP.

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer
Special Studies Program Modification - Form

Special Studies Program Modification - Form

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Description: 

Complete this form if you are modifying the details of your approved SSP.

Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer
Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer
Custodians
Chief Human Resources Officer