Parental and Adoption Leave

Parental Leave Policy

The designated primary caregiver may be relieved of full-time graduate studies and work duties for up to nine weeks after the birth or adoption of a child. If need be, up to two of those weeks may be situated before the projected birth or adoption date. The designated non-primary caregiver may be relieved of up to two weeks of full-time graduate studies and work duties to provide additional support to the primary caregiver.  For primary and non-primary caregivers, parental leave must commence not more than twelve weeks after the birth or adoption date.

Note: If both primary and non-primary caregivers are Duke Ph.D. students, they may discuss with their respective degree programs and The Graduate School a feasible proposal for dividing up the 9-week parental leave in a different way if they wish. Proposals should be agreed upon by all parties to be instituted.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for accommodation, the designated primary caregiver or the non-primary caregiver must

1. be matriculated and have started classes as a Ph.D. program student at Duke University;
2. be in good academic standing.

Parental Leave Principles

1. Enrollment Status: Ph.D. students benefiting from parental leave will remain registered as full-time students, thus their eligibility for graduate student benefits remains intact (insurance, housing eligibility, student services, etc.). Eligible students who are also receiving stipend support would continue to receive that support.
    
2. Suspension of Academic Requirements and Work Duties: Ph.D. students benefiting from parental leave are relieved of full-time academic and program responsibilities, such as the following: teaching assistant or research assistant duties, official academic examinations (qualifying examinations or preliminary examinations), research deadlines, coursework.
   1. Any scheduled coursework or examinations should be rescheduled as appropriate to avoid conflicts with the accommodation period and to provide reasonable time to complete these academic requirements.
   2. The department or degree program will develop a plan to replace necessary duties and responsibilities, such as teaching and research. The Graduate School expects that the department or program will demonstrate the maximum flexibility possible.
   3. The Graduate School will work with the department or degree program to determine expenses associated with the accommodation period and an appropriate cost-sharing arrangement with the Graduate School.

Funding

• Eligible students who are receiving stipend support will continue to receive that support during the parental leave period. If a student is funded through a training or research grant the external sponsor will be expected to continue to pay the stipend to the extent allowable by the granting agency.
• The department or degree program will develop a plan to replace necessary duties and responsibilities, such as teaching and research. Any additional costs incurred by the department or program due to replacement of compensatory work will be funded through fellowship funds. However, parental leave for students in Arts & Sciences and Engineering departments that have a surplus in their carryover bank will be funded through the bank.

Requesting Parental Leave

Ph.D. students seeking parental leave should inform their department or program (normally through their Director of Graduate Studies) and The Graduate School office via the online request form (PDF) no later than thirty (30) days prior to the semester during which birth or adoption is expected to take place so that departments and programs can have adequate time to plan any necessary replacement needs.

• The request form must indicate the ‘expected’ birth or adoption date and estimated date of return.
• Parental leave must commence not more than twelve weeks after the birth or adoption date.