When joining UC Santa Barbara, employees enjoy an array of benefits, alongside being able to work in one of the most scenic environments in the nation. UCSB is one of a few universities nationwide that has its own beach and lagoon - "72 and sunny" is no joke around here.
Benefits
Faculty enjoy a wide variety of employment benefits, some of which they share with all employees of the University of California, and some of which are unique to faculty. For information on the benefits common to all UC employees (e.g., health insurance, vision and dental care, life insurance, retirement plans), please visit the UCSB Human Resources website. Additionally, Human Resources conducts regular benefits orientations for new employees.
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Pay Schedule
Faculty are appointed for a nine-month period during the academic year, but payment is spread over 12 months in the fiscal year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Faculty may supplement this base salary from a variety of sources (e.g., summer salary from research grants, teaching for UCSB Professional and Continuing Education, or teaching for Summer Sessions) with a limitation on the overall totals faculty may earn from UC. In general, payments from outside agencies which do not go through the UC payroll system, such as consulting fees and royalties, are exempt from limitations but can be subject to the Conflict of Commitment policy (APM 025). Outside professional activity is subject to annual reporting, prior approval for certain activities, and disclosure and effort reporting requirements (Red Binder I-29). Discuss your particular situation with your department chair or Academic Personnel.
Leaves
Leaves of seven (7) calendar days or fewer, to attend professional meetings or conduct University business, may be permitted at the discretion of the Department Chair or Director. Leaves of more than seven days require the approval of the Dean and in some cases the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Personnel. More information about short-term leaves can be found in Red Binder VI-7 and APM 700.
Faculty do not accrue vacation or sick time. As academic-year employees that render service during the entire academic year, i.e., nine months, faculty do not render service during the summer period. It is assumed that they will pace themselves so as to balance their personal needs and their obligations to teach and conduct research.
A variety of sick and medical leave options are available to faculty. Generally absences due to short-term illness can be covered through consultation with the department chair, and in addition faculty receive a bank of six (6) sick days per year that resets each January 1st and does not carry over into the new year. Information about the sick leave bank as well as information about leaves for major illness can be found in Red Binder VI-3 and APM 710.
Childbearing faculty are eligible for up to eight (8) weeks of paid childbearing leave. In addition, both childbearing and non-childbearing parents may be eligible for up to eight (8) weeks of Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB), or up to a year of leave without pay for the purpose of caring for a child (Red Binder VI-4). New parents may also be able to temporarily reduce their faculty duties through Active Service - Modified Duties (ASMD) (Red Binder VI-5).
Please reference Academic Personnel’s page on Family Friendly Policies for more information.
For every quarter a faculty member works at least 50% time in an eligible title, they accrue credit toward sabbatical leave. Faculty are eligible to take a quarter's sabbatical leave at full pay after nine (9) quarters of qualifying service, or a leave at fractional pay after only six (6) quarters of qualifying service. Many combinations of qualifying service, number of quarters on sabbatical, and percentages of salary are possible. Details on sabbatical leave may be found in Red Binder VI-2.
Health, Retirement, and Wellness
UC’s medical plans offer comprehensive coverage with premiums adjusted by salary to ensure affordability. Except for the Kaiser HMO, all plans offer access to UC Health providers, recognized globally for exceptional care. The ALEX tool can help you choose.
Please click the link to review our UC Medical, Dental, Vision plans and our other Health & welfare plans.
Choice is good! Take advantage of our resources to help you understand your options and choose the right plan for you.
ALEX — your virtual benefits guide
Which medical plan is right for you?
Please visit UCNET for more detailed information on UC’s Benefits Health & Welfare plans. Additionally, please visit UCSB Human Resources website for new employee information, benefits, retirement information, and wellness programs offered at UCSB.
Many of us need help navigating the health care system. The UCSB Health Care Facilitator (HCF) Program is here to help you understand the UC-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans and assist you if you have a problem you cannot solve. The program is open to staff, faculty and retirees.
UC offers comprehensive retirement benefits — including a choice between a pension and a standalone 401(k)-style account — along with savings programs and educational and counseling resources to help you plan for a secure and rewarding retirement.
Learn more about your eligibility for retirement benefits
UCSB Human Resources has a comprehensive list of resources available to employees in the following categories: financial wellbeing, physical + environmental wellbeing, lactation support, family resources, and flexible work arrangements. Visit their page on Worklife Wellbeing page for more information.
The myfamily.ucsb.edu website provides a centralized location for employees to find information and resources regarding youth, elderly, and family services. The website is a collaborative effort between the Academic Senate Council on Faculty Welfare, the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, Human Resources, and Public Affairs and Communications.
The resources listed on myfamily.ucsb.edu highlight services found at UCSB, as well as outside the University in the surrounding communities. Please note that the University does not recommend or endorse any particular non-University resource on the website.