The MU Provost’s Office no longer will fund the Chancellor’s Distinguished Visitors Program and Lecture Series, faculty development leaves, project awards and research leaves starting July 1, Interim Provost Jim Spain said in an email Tuesday.
The Distinguished Visitors Program brings “prominent scholars” into the university to participate in academics, research and campus engagement. Research leaves provide faculty the opportunity to take a leave of absence from the university to conduct research in their fields of study.
In broad terms, faculty development refers to processes within an academic institution promoting improved faculty performance. Currently, MU faculty members can request a leave of absence for professional development to acquire a new specialty or enhance current skills. Instead of a development leave, faculty can apply for a project award to receive funding for activities aimed at professional development such as workshops.
Although the cuts will take effect next month, awards that were submitted in the 2017-2018 academic year and leaves that were awarded for the 2018-2019 academic year will still be funded.
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