This section provides an overview of many benefits available to faculty and staff. In the event of conflict between the overview provided in this handbook and the plan document or insurance plan, the plan document or insurance plan will govern. Complete descriptions are not possible in the handbook; employees should contact Human Resources for specific plan details. The Labor Agreement governs in the case of Union employees in all aspects of this section. Regular non-union employees who have a schedule involving a (.46) FTE or above, and Union employees who have a (.50) FTE or above are eligible to participate in the College’s benefit programs.

Carleton College will comply with all applicable laws such as ACA, FMLA, federal, state, and any applicable regulations.

Employment & Benefits

Select a Policy to jump to: Annual Leave Policy for Staff Anti-Retaliation Policy Background Checks Childrearing, Family, and Medical Leaves Civic Duty Conditions of Employment Confidentiality Domestic Partners and the College Benefit Program Driving Privileges Earned Sick and Safe Time Employee Benefits Employee Family Relationships Enrollment in Course of Instruction Extended Illness Reserve (EIR) Faculty Development (FDA) Accounts Faculty Entertaining Students Program Federal Social Security and Medicare (FICA) Financial Planning Reimbursement FlexWork Policy Fraud Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Global Travel for Carleton Employees and Students Headley Travel Fund for Professional Meetings Holidays & Winter Break Job Postings/Upward Mobility Program Leaves of Absence Mobile Phones Moving Expense Reimbursements Open Enrollment (Renewal Option) Outside Employment Parental Leaves (Birth or Adoption) - Faculty Pay and Hours Payroll Advance for New Tenure-Track Faculty Personal Appearance Personnel Practices Review & Procedure Procedures for Additional Compensation Relocation or Travel Expenses Retirement - regular and phased Retirement Criteria Retirement Plan Sabbatical Leaves, Professional Leaves, and Leaves of Absence Salary Payments Short-Term Medical or Funeral Leaves Sick/ESST Leave Summer Student Research and Employment Tuition Wage Disclosure Protection Workers' Compensation

Faculty Development (FDA) Accounts

Each faculty member has a Faculty Development Account (FDA) for receiving professional development funds. Individual accounts are assigned to each account holder when they receive their first award or allocation.

Most Carleton faculty members receive an annual $2500 allocation to their FDA, which is deposited in their FDA in July. To be eligible for this allocation in a given fiscal year, a faculty member must hold one of the following types of positions on September 1 of that fiscal year:

• A tenured faculty position.
• A tenure-track faculty position.
• A PEAR appointment.
• A continuing appointment of half-time or more.

Faculty who have retired before September 1 of that fiscal year are not eligible to receive this allocation.  Information about faculty development funds available to emeriti faculty is available on the Provost Office’s Staying Connected page.

Faculty who are on sabbatical or a professional leave, who hold one of the appointments listed above on September 1, and who do not hold employment at another institution, are eligible for the annual $2500 allocation.  Faculty members who are on other kinds of leaves (e.g., a parental or FMLA leave) for more than one term during the fiscal year may or may not be eligible for this allocation. These faculty should consult with the Provost, before their leave if possible, to determine their eligibility. More information is available on the Leaves of Absence page.

Faculty may use their FDA funds to support a wide range of professional development activities such as:

• attending professional meetings relevant to their field or pedagogy,
• defraying the costs of travel for the purposes of scholarship or research (including transportation, lodging, and meals),
• purchasing books and other scholarly or research materials (such as scores, films, artifacts, software, and recordings),
• dues to professional organizations,
• subscriptions to publications relevant to their field or pedagogy, and
• supporting student research assistants or student research partners.

The first trip to a professional meeting in each fiscal year that is paid for by Carleton sources must be financed through the FDA. Faculty seeking additional travel support to attend professional meetings beyond what their total available FDA funds will cover can apply using the form linked on the Provost Office’s Requests for Financial Support page.

Charges to the FDA must be made in accordance with Business Office guidelines. Please see the Business Office Web site for further information or contact Accounts Payable.

Last Revised: November 25, 2019

For: Faculty

Last Reviewed: August 28, 2025

Maintained by: Office of the Provost

List all Policies & Guidelines for Employment & Benefits