University of Hawaii executives who take sabbaticals would have to make clear how their paid time away will benefit the institution, under a proposal set to go before the Board of Regents on Thursday.
They would also earn while on sabbatical the salary they’ll receive upon their return to the university, rather than automatically keep their executive pay, which is often higher.
The amendments to board policy are in response to public criticism of large salaries some UH executives have received while on sabbatical.
The proposed policy spells out that the purpose of executive sabbaticals are to “first and foremost advance the university by enabling the employee to prepare to assume or resume faculty or professional duties after significant administrative service,” Coralie Chun Matayoshi, chairwoman of the regents’ personnel affairs committee, wrote in a memo to BOR Chairman Eric Martinson.
Matayoshi said the proposed policy also reflects the “current fiscal climate.”
The discussion comes amid continuing scrutiny of the university’s practices regarding executive salaries and leave.
In a briefing this month, Senate President Donna Mercado Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Moanalua-Halawa), said “administrative bloat” is a growing issue at UH.
UH strongly disputes that, saying its executive salaries and incentives are competitive and in line with what other universities offer.
The Board of Regents is looking at executive sabbaticals as part of an ongoing review of university operations.
In her memo, Matayoshi said an informal survey of 24 peer institutions found 11 had similar “professional improvement leave” policies to UH, while 13 did not offer leave to executive or managerial personnel.
The new policy would require people who receive sabbaticals to return to the university for at least the same amount of time they spent on leave.
Also, executives would be able to get six months of leave at full pay or a year at half pay. Currently, they can receive professional leave for up to a year at full pay.
