Initially proposed for women of child-bearing years, tenure review legislation has been broadened to give faculty members time off for illnesses or to care for the elderly.

Legislation passed last week by the University Faculty Senate, called "stopping out for tenure," will allow assistant, associate and full professors with special circumstances to take one academic year out from the period they will be reviewed.

"It's for anyone who has some type of compassionate need. It could be severe illness, such as a heart attack, or if the person had to provide care for an ailing elderly parent or a family member," said Deidre Jago, assistant professor of exercise and sports science and a Faculty Senate member.

During this year, they will not be evaluated according to the tenure guidelines, and the year would not be counted toward tenure eligibility. After that year, the faculty member would return to the tenure track.

The option will not be used to provide faculty an extra year to increase productivity, Jago said. The executive vice president and provost will decide if the "stopping out" is granted.

University President Bryce Jordan is expected to approve the legislation within the next few weeks.

"This is a very positive step the University is taking," said Vice Provost Grace Hampton.

The legislation became necessary with child care and other family issues becoming more common as the population ages, Hampton said.

"It is very important that we look at how that affects the faculty members and their needs," she said.

The idea of stopping the tenure clock was initiated by the Strategic Study Group on the Status of Women, who wanted to give women of child-bearing ages "a more level playing field," said Gordon Hamilton, chair of the promotion and tenure subcommittee. He said his committee extended the legislation to other emergencies as well.

"Stopping out for tenure" will help attract and retain young women in the University's faculty, Jago said.

But Hampton said the legislation was not geared specifically and exclusively to women.

"The resolution is broader than that," she said.

But some criticized it for being too broad.

"Is it possible you can be seriously ill because you haven't published enough?" Bruce Murphy, professor of political science, asked.

"The basic idea behind it is well-guided, (but) you've expanded it so far that it could cover anyone that just needs a year off," Murphy said.

Both Jago and Hampton, however, said each case would be reviewed to ensure that abuses do not occur.

"One would assume that our faculty would have more integrity than that," Hampton said.

"This legislation does not give the absolute right to have this extension," Hamilton said. "Ultimately, it comes down to the judgment of the provost, so he can prevent any abuse."

"Overall, I think it's good because it encourages family life and understands that exceptional circumstances can occur," said Frances Bernat, assistant professor of administration of justice.

But she said she had some questions about the policy's implementation, particularly in deciding when to apply for the extension.

"When you have a child, knowing when you want to opt for that grace period or extension poses some difficulty," she said.

Penn State is not the first university to consider the idea of "stopping out for tenure." The University of Miami, the University of California's system, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Illinois at Chicago have already implemented similar legislation.

The University of California at Berkeley adopted a policy in 1982 that allowed for a stopping of the tenure clock for one semester for child-bearing, said spokeswoman Pat McGroom. She said it was modified in 1988 to include parenting, which includes child-bearing and child-rearing, and extended to two semesters.

While no men have asked to stop the tenure clock, about two or three women request it each year, she said. Faculty members are asked to apply for the leave three months in advance.

"People have found it to be a true benefit," said Roberta Aasen, coordinator of academic personnel. She added that people do not take advantage of the policy.

Calling the legislation "forward and progressive," she said she applauded Penn State for including care for the elderly within the guidelines.