Research-Extended Appointment Policy

I. Scope

This policy applies to tenured, tenure-track, and term faculty with 9-month appointments at George Mason University.

II. Policy Statement

A. With the approval of the Dean and Provost, tenured, tenure-track, and term faculty on 9-month appointments may temporarily convert their appointment from 9- to 12-month for no more than a one-year period as provided by this policy. An appointment converted from 9- to 12-months under this policy is referred to as a research-extended appointment.

B. To request a research-extended appointment, faculty members must:

1. Document that they have secured or expect sufficient funding from sponsored grants or contracts to support the cost of their salary plus full fringe benefits for the equivalent of an additional three months. The contract period and formula for calculating salaries for 12-month appointments is as follows:

Contract length Contract Period Conversion Factor
9 months (Base Academic Year (AY) appointment) August 25 – May 24    Base AY salary
12 months August 25 – August 24 Base AY salary x 1.333

2. Request and receive their Dean’s approval for the research-extended appointment.

3. At least 2 weeks prior to August 25th of the year in which the 12-month research-extended appointment will start, provide documentation of available funding to the Dean for review and approval. Retroactive conversions to a research-extended appointment will not be approved.

C. Faculty members on research-extended appointments are required to follow all policies and procedures that apply to 9-month faculty.

D. Once granted, the 12-month research-extended appointment may be renewed annually. Each renewal requires approval from the Dean and the Office of the Provost at least 2 weeks prior to August 25th.

E. If a research-extended appointment is not renewed, reconversion to a 9-month appointment will be effective August 25th.

III. Compliance

A. With approval by the Dean, departmental funds, usually indirect, designated for the faculty member’s use may be committed as back up if pending grants are not yet secured. In the event of a shortfall, the faculty member may use the designated funds approved by the Dean to cover the salary obligations of the research-extended appointment in the current year.  Fringe benefit costs must be charged to the same source of funds as salary.

B. In case of unforeseen circumstances, faculty members who do not have sufficient sponsored funding (or approved back up sources) to support the additional months of salaried appointment, Departments will be committed to fund the remaining time in the twelve month appointment.

C. To initiate the conversion to a research-extended appointment, units must submit a Faculty Transaction Form indicating the research-extended appointment in the ‘departmental note’ and documenting the percentage used. Units must also submit a Faculty Transaction Form when a faculty member returns to a 9-month appointment. To calculate the academic year salary, units must divide the research-extended appointment salary by the factor in Section II. B.1 of this policy.

IV. Forms

The Faculty Transaction Form is available on the Human Resources & Payroll website.

V. Dates:

A. Effective Date:

This policy will become effective upon the date of approval by the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Provost and Executive Vice President.

B. Date of Most Recent Review:

N/A.

VI. Timetable for Review

This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed every three years or more frequently as needed.

VII. Signatures

 Approved:

_/S______________________
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance

_/S_______________________
Provost and Executive Vice President

Date approved: May 9, 2018

Revised: July 19, 2018