Special Studies Program Policy

Intent

This Policy has been established to support James Cook University’s (JCU; the University) commitment to providing Staff Members with opportunities to carry out sustained scholarly activity or gain additional professional experience outside the University to maintain and enhance the quality of its teaching, research and engagement activities, and the University’s national and international reputation.

Scope

This Policy applies to full-time and part-time Academic Staff Members covered by the JCU Enterprise Agreement (the Agreement). It does not apply to casual Academic Staff Members and short-term Academic visitors.

Definitions

For a comprehensive list of definitions, please refer to the Human Resources Policy Glossary.

Policy

1. Principles

1.1 The Special Studies Program (SSP) provides eligible Academic Staff Members with an opportunity to undertake an appropriate program of research or study that is of significance and value to the individual Staff Member’s personal development and the operational performance and strategic agenda of the University.

1.2 The coordination and management of a Staff Member’s approved SSP is the responsibility of the Head of Work Unit where the Staff Member is primarily engaged.

1.3 Work Units may impose a maximum number of SSP participants each year in consideration of staffing and budget constraints.

1.4 SSP may be undertaken in Australia and/or overseas but would not normally be undertaken at JCU. In circumstances where staff members experience barriers to travel due to personal circumstances or caring responsibilities, SSP may be undertaken at JCU.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Applicants must meet the following eligibility for a SSP:

• Be classified as Associate Lecturer or above; and
• Hold an appointment of at least 0.5 FTE; and
• Have completed at least 36 months of continuous service prior to starting a SSP.

2.2 Academic Staff Members holding a fixed-term appointment are eligible for a SSP subject to clause 2.1 and provided the proposed SSP ends at least 6 months prior to the end date of the fixed-term appointment.

3. Appeal

3.1 Where a staff member believes they meet both the Eligibility and the criteria (as contained in the SSP Procedure), but their application is not granted, they may appeal the decision.

Related policy instruments

Special Studies Program Procedure

JCU Enterprise Agreement

Staff Code of Conduct

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Related documents and legislation

Nil

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History