Faculty Remote Work Policy

Introduction

Policy Number: FA-2205-002

Policy Title: Faculty Remote Work Policy

Vice Chancellor/Associate Chancellor: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Unit Responsible for Policy: Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Effective Date: June 22, 2026

Policy Statement: In limited circumstances, the university will approve remote working arrangements for faculty after careful review using the designated procedures. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, faculty members and their academic unit must address the following considerations when making a request:

How will the remote working arrangement benefit the university?
How will the remote working arrangement impact the faculty member’s ability to adequately fulfil their teaching, research, clinical, and service obligations?
In what way(s) might the remote working arrangement negatively impact the faculty member’s career development opportunities?
In what way(s) might the remote working arrangement significantly reduce opportunities for undergraduate or graduate students to interact with the faculty member?

Reason for Policy: UIC’s faculty create the academic community that defines the university. As such, the physical presence of our faculty in research, clinical, and educational spaces maintains that community by supporting collegial engagement among faculty and students. The university recognizes that, in some circumstances, remote working arrangements in other U.S. states or foreign countries may provide mutual benefit to the university and to the individual faculty member. Faculty who work remotely may benefit from reduced travel costs, access to research facilities, or opportunities to collaborate.

Minority Impact Statement: The policy has no disproportionate or unique effect on UIC’s minority faculty.

Who Should Read the Policy: All UIC faculty holding at least a 51 percent-time appointment. Deans, unit executive officers (heads, chairs, directors), and others involved in the work of faculty affairs and/or faculty HR.

Definitions:

Faculty is defined as any employee with a 51 percent-time faculty appointment, tenured, in the tenure-track, or in the non-tenure track (clinical/instructor/lecturer/research/teaching).

Remote Work is defined as working from an off-site location all days of the week on a regular basis. Faculty approved for remote work may also be required, at times, to attend meetings or work at a campus work location as directed by a unit executive officer or as operationally necessary.

Procedures: Faculty Remote Work Procedures

Forms: UIC Remote and Hybrid Work Request

Related Laws, Regulations, Statutes, and Policies:
Illinois Workers Compensation: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx

Conducting Business Outside the State of Illinois: https://www.busfin.uillinois.edu/bfpp/section-1-intro-business-financial-functions/conduct-business-outside-illinois

Document History:

Document History: FA-2205-002 Approved by Chancellor Miranda, August 25, 2025
Approved as: Updated policy