Policy Activities

Faculty can better reach their professional goals and feel satisfied working at the University of Maine if they achieve a healthy work-life balance.

To support this healthy balance UMaine has adopted policies enabling faculty members to stop their tenure clock when their families have grown or when they or a family member become ill. Another policy lets faculty members with new children teach less for a time, in favor of other work responsibilities.

ADVANCE Rising Tide initiatives seek to:

• Clarify - Ensure that the language is consistent and clear to enhance understanding of the policies and guidelines among stakeholder groups
• Implement – Support implementation of new, enhanced, or existing policies
• Publicize – Alert faculty to the existence of policies that support work-life balance and achievement of professional goals
• Monitor – Evaluate the impact of family friendly policies on faculty satisfaction and retention to ensure effectiveness

In collaboration with the Office of Human Resources, ADVANCE efforts are currently  focused on clarifying Family Friendly Policies, distributing an informational brochure describing policies such as Stop the Tenure Clock and Alternatives to Teaching, and updating webpages to ensure easy access to clear and consistent information.  ADVANCE is also working to identify and implement best practices to ensure faculty evaluations are fair and appropriate. Specific policy focus areas include:

• Spousal and Partner Accommodation/Employment assistance including Search Waiver Process for Spousal Employment and the Faculty Partner Accommodation Program
• Stop the Tenure Clock (for family and health needs) 
• Alternative Work Assignments (for family and health needs)
• Automatic trigger of family friendly policies
• Fair evaluation of faculty utilizing family friendly policies

For more information about ADVANCE policy initiatives and activities, contact our Rising Tide Policy Advocate, Amy Fried.