Family Friendly
FAMILY FRIENDLY INITIATIVES
Here at the University we recognize the challenges faculty face in balancing their work and family responsibilities. Thus, we are proud of the many “family friendly” programs, policies, and practices we have in place at the Capstone. We hope that as a new faculty member you will take advantage of these initiatives and find that The University of Alabama is a great place to grow both personally and professionally. Welcome to the Crimson Tide family!
Child Development Research Center: Opened in 2005, the CDRC is a state-of the-art, 64,000 sq-ft facility that brings together research, teaching, and service. The Children’s Program is a laboratory school that enrolls approximately 120 students ages two to five years. In addition the CDRC houses Child Development Resources, which help families across the state of Alabama provide a safe, loving and enriching life for their young children. (205) 348-7932. http://www.ches.ua.edu/hdfs/crdc/
RISE program: Founded in 1974, RISE is a nationally known program that serves children ages birth to five years in the West Alabama area who have known or suspected disabilities. Children without disabilities are also enrolled in the program. The RISE program offers services to families that may include physical, occupational, speech, and music therapies. In addition, the program serves as a practicum and internship site for students and as a model for similar programs across the country. (205) 348-7931. http://riseschool.ua.edu
Student Recreation Center Complex: The newly renovated Rec Center is a state-of-the art luxurious workout facility with an affordable monthly fee. Members of the SRC may bring their children (ages 15 and under) into the Rec Center and Outdoor Pool Complex during family hours. Family hours are Friday-Sunday all day. (205) 348-5140. http://urec.sa.ua.edu/
Outdoor Pool Complex: Opened in 2003, the Student Recreation Center Outdoor Pool Complex is a favorite gathering place for faculty and their children. It features a lazy river, lap swim, a large water park-type slide, and lots of deck space. Swimming lessons for adults and children are also offered. (205) 348-POOL. http://urec.sa.ua.edu/
Faculty and Staff Immediate Care Clinic: As part of the University Medical Center, the Faculty-Staff Clinic is devoted exclusively to the care of University employees and their dependents covered under the University’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama health plan. It offers fast (no appointment needed), cost-effective ($20 co-payment), non-emergency medical attention right on campus and is open Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. (205) 348-4696. http://umc.ua.edu/faculty-staff-clinic/
Employee Assistance Program: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free assessment, short-term counseling and referral services to University employees. Sponsored by The University of Alabama through a sub-contract with DCH Regional Medical Center, EAP uses licensed, professional staff to provide University employees and their dependents specialized services to address problems that may have an adverse effect of job performance. (205) 759-7890; 1-866-840-0750. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRemployeeassistanceprogram.html
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Flexible Spending Accounts provide a tax-effective way for employees to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed under a medical plan AND/OR dependent care expenses that allow employees or their spouses to work or attend school full-time. (205) 348- 7732. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRfsa.html
Tuition Assistance: The tuition grant provides eligible full-time faculty and staff full (100%) tuition reimbursement for up to three (3) hours during the fall and spring semesters and up to six (6) hours during the summer term at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate. All other hours taken will be at one-half (50%) tuition reimbursement at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate. After eligible faculty and staff have been employed six (6) continuous months, spouses and dependent children may receive 50% tuition grants at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate for eligible courses. (205) 348-7732. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRtuitionassistance.html
Faculty Sabbatical: The University offers tenured faculty members opportunities to apply for sabbatical leaves to engage in activities designed for professional growth, development, and renewal. The goal of a sabbatical leave is to enhance the professional effectiveness of the faculty member and to enrich the academic climate of the University. A sabbatical leave provides an opportunity for professional growth through various kinds of activities (e.g., conducting research that leads to publication; conducting research or study that leads to improving teaching, to a new area of teaching or research expertise, or to curriculum development; engaging in activities to revitalize or retrain the faculty member, such as association with distinguished persons in the field.) (See UA Faculty Handbook for eligibility requirements)
Employee Health Promotion and Wellness Program: Launched in 2007, this office provides faculty with resources to improve quality of life through the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors. The programs focus on five key areas of health improvement and maintenance: nutrition and weight control: tobacco control; prevention and self-care; physical activity; and life balance. The office’s signature program is WellBama, a wellness screening and health coaching program that assists faculty with the identification and understanding of key factors relating to a healthy lifestyle (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and much more), combined with a personalized coaching session with a wellness expert. (205) 348-0077
Tenure-Clock Extension Policy (adopted 2007): Upon the birth or adoption of a child, a faculty member holding a tenure-accruing appointment will be granted a one-year extension of the date on which the probationary period would end. Only one such extension is allowed per faculty member. A written notice must be provided to the Department Head, the Dean, and the Provost within six months of birth or adoption and no later than the December 15th prior to the October 1st on which the original mandatory tenure application was to be made. During this extension the retention process continues, with the probationary candidate receiving normal feedback from the department about job performance.
Here at the University we recognize the challenges faculty face in balancing their work and family responsibilities. Thus, we are proud of the many “family friendly” programs, policies, and practices we have in place at the Capstone. We hope that as a new faculty member you will take advantage of these initiatives and find that The University of Alabama is a great place to grow both personally and professionally. Welcome to the Crimson Tide family!
Child Development Research Center: Opened in 2005, the CDRC is a state-of the-art, 64,000 sq-ft facility that brings together research, teaching, and service. The Children’s Program is a laboratory school that enrolls approximately 120 students ages two to five years. In addition the CDRC houses Child Development Resources, which help families across the state of Alabama provide a safe, loving and enriching life for their young children. (205) 348-7932. http://www.ches.ua.edu/hdfs/crdc/
RISE program: Founded in 1974, RISE is a nationally known program that serves children ages birth to five years in the West Alabama area who have known or suspected disabilities. Children without disabilities are also enrolled in the program. The RISE program offers services to families that may include physical, occupational, speech, and music therapies. In addition, the program serves as a practicum and internship site for students and as a model for similar programs across the country. (205) 348-7931. http://riseschool.ua.edu
Student Recreation Center Complex: The newly renovated Rec Center is a state-of-the art luxurious workout facility with an affordable monthly fee. Members of the SRC may bring their children (ages 15 and under) into the Rec Center and Outdoor Pool Complex during family hours. Family hours are Friday-Sunday all day. (205) 348-5140. http://urec.sa.ua.edu/
Outdoor Pool Complex: Opened in 2003, the Student Recreation Center Outdoor Pool Complex is a favorite gathering place for faculty and their children. It features a lazy river, lap swim, a large water park-type slide, and lots of deck space. Swimming lessons for adults and children are also offered. (205) 348-POOL. http://urec.sa.ua.edu/
Faculty and Staff Immediate Care Clinic: As part of the University Medical Center, the Faculty-Staff Clinic is devoted exclusively to the care of University employees and their dependents covered under the University’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama health plan. It offers fast (no appointment needed), cost-effective ($20 co-payment), non-emergency medical attention right on campus and is open Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. (205) 348-4696. http://umc.ua.edu/faculty-staff-clinic/
Employee Assistance Program: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free assessment, short-term counseling and referral services to University employees. Sponsored by The University of Alabama through a sub-contract with DCH Regional Medical Center, EAP uses licensed, professional staff to provide University employees and their dependents specialized services to address problems that may have an adverse effect of job performance. (205) 759-7890; 1-866-840-0750. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRemployeeassistanceprogram.html
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Flexible Spending Accounts provide a tax-effective way for employees to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed under a medical plan AND/OR dependent care expenses that allow employees or their spouses to work or attend school full-time. (205) 348- 7732. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRfsa.html
Tuition Assistance: The tuition grant provides eligible full-time faculty and staff full (100%) tuition reimbursement for up to three (3) hours during the fall and spring semesters and up to six (6) hours during the summer term at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate. All other hours taken will be at one-half (50%) tuition reimbursement at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate. After eligible faculty and staff have been employed six (6) continuous months, spouses and dependent children may receive 50% tuition grants at the standard on-campus in-state tuition rate for eligible courses. (205) 348-7732. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/HRtuitionassistance.html
Faculty Sabbatical: The University offers tenured faculty members opportunities to apply for sabbatical leaves to engage in activities designed for professional growth, development, and renewal. The goal of a sabbatical leave is to enhance the professional effectiveness of the faculty member and to enrich the academic climate of the University. A sabbatical leave provides an opportunity for professional growth through various kinds of activities (e.g., conducting research that leads to publication; conducting research or study that leads to improving teaching, to a new area of teaching or research expertise, or to curriculum development; engaging in activities to revitalize or retrain the faculty member, such as association with distinguished persons in the field.) (See UA Faculty Handbook for eligibility requirements)
Employee Health Promotion and Wellness Program: Launched in 2007, this office provides faculty with resources to improve quality of life through the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors. The programs focus on five key areas of health improvement and maintenance: nutrition and weight control: tobacco control; prevention and self-care; physical activity; and life balance. The office’s signature program is WellBama, a wellness screening and health coaching program that assists faculty with the identification and understanding of key factors relating to a healthy lifestyle (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and much more), combined with a personalized coaching session with a wellness expert. (205) 348-0077
Tenure-Clock Extension Policy (adopted 2007): Upon the birth or adoption of a child, a faculty member holding a tenure-accruing appointment will be granted a one-year extension of the date on which the probationary period would end. Only one such extension is allowed per faculty member. A written notice must be provided to the Department Head, the Dean, and the Provost within six months of birth or adoption and no later than the December 15th prior to the October 1st on which the original mandatory tenure application was to be made. During this extension the retention process continues, with the probationary candidate receiving normal feedback from the department about job performance.
