Chair Step Down Policy

Chair Step-Down Policy

A. Provision for Retaining of Stipend when Relinquishing Position of Academic Chair (*Note- This policy does not apply to Chairs from the Quillen College of Medicine or the Gatton College of Pharmacy)

1. For AY chairs who have served for 5 or more years, the salary for the first AY after stepdown will include 50% of the summer stipend plus a percentage of the administrative stipend as described below. For the second AY after stepdown and beyond, the salary will be the AY base plus a percentage of the administrative stipend.

2. When FY chairs return to faculty status, they will revert to a 9-month appointment unless it is determined the appointment should continue on a fiscal year basis or the majority of the faculty in the department are on FY appointments. For chairs having served at least 5 years, the salary for the first AY after stepdown will be 90% of the FY salary plus a percentage of the current administrative stipend. For the second AY after stepdown and beyond, the salary will be 80% of the FY salary plus a percentage of the current administrative stipend.

3. Chairs who leave the position on good terms will retain a portion of the administrative stipend on a graded scale as follows:

Years Served as Chair	Portion of stipend that may be retained based upon resuming faculty ranks
5	50%
6	60%
7	70%
8	80%
9	90%
10 or more years	100%

4. AY chairs stepping down with less than 5 years of service will revert to the AY base and will not be eligible for stipends retention or other elements of the chair stepdown described herein.

5. Chairs who are removed from the position due to a faculty vote of no confidence or disciplinary action will not be eligible for stipend retention or other elements of the chair stepdown described herein.

B. Provision for Re-engagement in Teaching, Research, Service

1. Where possible, deans will meet with chairs the semester before they step down to develop a plan for re-engaging with teaching, service, and/or scholarly activity.

2. The re-engagement plan will include:

a. Provision of a one-semester NIA within one year of the chair stepping down.

b. The potential for an allotment of funds to support professional development in an area related to teaching, service, or research.