The President has authorized the Chancellor to enter into agreements with
outside organizations whereby University academic appointees may be
temporarily assigned to perform services within the
organizations identified above for the purpose of acquiring training and
development that will be of benefit to the University. Immediately following
the expiration of the agreement, the appointee will return to regular duties.
In exchange for the employee's service during the period of assignment, the
outside organization must agree to reimburse the University for salary and
benefits provided to the employee by the University.

The primary justification for the University to enter into any such agreement
is the benefit to the University from the assignment, not the desires or needs
of the individual appointee. Following a recommendation for approval by the
appropriate Department Chair, it is the responsibility of the Dean of the School
of the primary appointment of the individual and the Vice Chancellor − Academic
Affairs to approve such agreements and to determine whether the assignment
further the goals and objectives of the University and that sufficient benefits
are likely to be gained by the assignment.

As a guide, assignment to an outside organization is appropriate for
University participation when:

• The assignment provides an effective means of increasing employee
  performance on particular duties or enables the employee to assume additional
  responsibilities in the future; or
• The assignment provides a means of enabling the University to meet the need
  for specialized skills and knowledge deemed essential; or
• The assignment provides a means of acquiring special experience important to
  the University.

The length of the assignment will depend on the nature of the training and
development goals and the value of the assignment to the University. The usual
term of an assignment is six months to one year and may not normally exceed two
years. An appointee may not be on assignment with outside agencies for more
than two years in any five year period.

Under the terms of the agreement with the outside organization, individuals
remain University employees for the assignment period and are not placed on
leave of absence or terminated from University employment. An appointee who is
a member of a Compensation Plan prior to the outside assignment remains a Plan
member and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Compensation Plan.

Following preliminary discussions with the agency, the following procedures
shall be followed for each Agreement:

1. The academic appointee shall discuss the proposed agreement with the
Department Chair to ensure that the department can support the agreement.

2. The department shall contact the Office of Sponsored Research to
review the agreement and provide the coversheet.

3. The Department Chair shall submit to the Dean the proposed agreement
(or renewal or extension of an existing agreement) with a letter indicating the
Chair's support for the agreement that summarizes:

• The duration of the agreement.

• The location in which the work described in the agreement will be performed.

• The assignment goals and how they will be achieved.

• The increased knowledge, skills, and abilities that are expected to be gained
  by the employee and how they will benefit the University upon completion of the
  assignment.

• Responsibilities of the faculty member to the Department and the School
  during the period of assignment.

• Departmental expectations for fulfilling requirements for academic
  advancement.

• A description of duties to be resumed upon the appointee's return.

• When applicable, the reason(s) for departmental support for the renewal or
  extension of an existing agreement

The Dean shall review and, if approved, forward the proposed agreement and
Chair's letter to the Vice Chancellor − Academic Affairs for approval. The Vice
Chancellor shall return the approved packet to the Department Chair.

4. The Department Chair shall provide the faculty member with a copy of
the letter detailing the department's expectations as described in item 3 above.