Employee Spiritual Development Leave

Consistent with its religious heritage, Marquette University encourages all employees to make use of opportunities for continued spiritual development according to their particular religious tradition. Opportunities for spiritual growth and development are available through University Ministry, the Center for Ignatian Spirituality and other sources on campus.

In many academic units of the university, opportunities for professional development and in-service programs provide faculty with time off from their normal work in order to become acquainted with important developments in their field. Marquette likewise encourages non-faculty employees to make use of similar opportunities by granting two days leave for a person who wishes to make a spiritual retreat. For each day granted by the university, the individual must take one of his or her personal or vacation days. Thus, if a person wants four days off to make a retreat, he or she must take two vacation days or one vacation day and one personal day. If a person wishes to spend only one work day in retreat, the person does not take a vacation or personal day. In each case, in order to insure that important services do not lapse because of absences from the university, a person must receive the approval of his or her supervisor for the time away from the university.

If the proposed retreat is not sponsored by University Ministry or the Center for Ignatian Spirituality, the person may consult the Director of University Ministry for a confirmation that the proposed retreat meets the intent of this policy.