Subd. 1. For FY98, the state universities will be allocated Professional Development Funds at the rate of $190,000 and in FY 99 $245,000 for the System to be distributed to the campuses on an FTE basis. The campus Association and Employer shall implement an equitable procedure for distribution of the funds made available under this subdivision. The provisions of the subdivision shall continue until a successor agreement is in effect.

Subd. 2. Funds provided by this section shall be limited to paying the cost of travel, housing, meals, registration, and related expenses associated with participating in professional conferences, workshops, similar meetings, courses, and other related professional development activities. The funds may be used to pay for professional memberships, books, journals and software. The unit may carry over any portion of its allocation from the first to the second year of the biennium, and from one biennium to the next.

Subd. 1. A total of $105,000 in FY 98 and $70,000 in FY 99 will be allocated to the state universities according to the number of full-time equivalent ASF members in the bargaining unit at each university. Any unused funds shall be carried over into the second (2nd) year of this agreement. ASF members may apply for Professional Improvement Funds without regard to the source of funding of their positions. The provisions of this subdivision shall continue until a successor agreement is in effect.

Subd. 2. These funds shall be grants for the purpose of professional improvement, ASF member development, staff training and similar kinds of development programs for ASF members. All ASF members shall be eligible to receive grants from these funds upon application submitted to and approved by the President or his/her designee. The President shall approve such applications if he/she deems the proposed professional improvement or development activities to be in the best interest of the university in improving the job-related skills and competence of the ASF member. The President shall determine the exact amount of each such grant on the basis of availability of funds and the application therefor. Within thirty (30) days of completion of the professional improvement or development activity, the ASF member must submit a written report to the appropriate supervisor outlining the activity completed and analyzing the impact on job-related skills and competence. Each campus shall develop a form for the report which shall be discussed at meet and confer.

Subd. 1. The President may grant a sabbatical leave to any ASF member who proposes to undertake additional study or other endeavors that will enhance the ASF member=s contribution to the university.

Subd. 2. In order to be eligible for sabbatical leave, an ASF member must have completed at least six (6) consecutive years of service of at least .5 time for at least nine (9) months within each appointment year at the university since the ASF member=s initial date of employment or the expiration of such ASF member=s last previous sabbatical leave.

Subd. 3. The ASF member=s application for sabbatical leave shall include a written plan consistent with the purposes outlined in Subd. 1 above with the dates of the requested leave. An ASF member who staffs a single-person department, program, or service area should work with his/her immediate supervisor to develop a plan for staffing coverage during sabbatical leave.

Subd. 4. Where sabbatical leave is approved, the ASF member shall be notified in writing. Where sabbatical leave is denied, reasons therefore shall be communicated to the ASF member in writing.

Subd. 5. The ASF member shall agree in writing to return to the university for at least one (1) year of service after completion of the sabbatical leave. In the event the ASF member fails to substantially fulfill the plan upon which he/she was granted a sabbatical leave, or fails to return to the university for one (1) year of service, the ASF member shall refund to the university such funds awarded during that sabbatical period, except in the cases where a layoff prevents the ASF member from returning. Within thirty (30) days of return from a sabbatical, the ASF member must submit a written report to the appropriate supervisor indicating what he/she accomplished on the sabbatical and how the accomplishments related to the written plan.

Subd. 6. Sabbatical leaves may be granted for three (3) months at a full base salary, or for any longer period up to twelve (12) consecutive months, at two-thirds (2/3) pay. ASF members who are granted a second sabbatical, if it lasts twelve (12) months shall be funded at 90% of base salary. For part-time ASF members, the amount of sabbatical pay shall be adjusted prorata. Beginning academic year 1998-99, ASF members on a sabbatical shall not accrue vacation leave, but shall accrue sick leave at one-half (1/2) the applicable rate.

Subd. 7. ASF members on sabbatical leave may accept scholarships, fellowships, grants, or employment during the sabbatical leave, consistent with the plan of such leave.

Subd. 8. The number of full-time (12-month) sabbatical leaves in any one (1) year at each university shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the number of ASF members appointed among several ASF members and among two-thirds (2/3) and full-pay sabbaticals contingent upon the President=s determination that funds are available for this purpose and that staffing requirements of the university can be met.

Subd. 9. An ASF member shall be eligible for continued group insurance benefits as provided by law during the course of the leave.

Subd. 10. If another ASF member is assigned responsibilities of a person on sabbatical leave, in lieu of hiring a replacement, he/she will be compensated for the additional responsibilities under the terms of Article 12, Section I.

Subd. 1. ASF members shall be entitled to enrollment, on a space available basis, in courses at any MnSCU state university without payment of tuition or fees, except laboratory fees and special course fees. Such enrollment shall not exceed thirty-six (36) quarter or twenty-four (24) semester credit hours per fiscal year.

Subd. 2. The ASF member=s spouse or dependent children shall be eligible to share this right within the limits established above,with waiver of tuition only. Eligible dependent is defined as a child (biological, adopted, step-child, or legal ward) of up to twenty-five (25) years of age.

Subd. 3. In the event of the death of the ASF member, the ASF member=s spouse or dependent children shall be eligible for this right within the limits established above, for the following five (5) years, with waiver of tuition only.