Special Studies Program (Long)

For the full policy on Special Studies Programs (Long) (SSP(L)) please see the Staff Development, Education and Performance Policy (MPF1227) and Staff Development, Education and Training Procedure (MPF1149) in the Melbourne Policy Library.

SSP(L) enables the University to provide academic staff with the opportunity to:

  • keep abreast of recent developments in their discipline or subject,
  • maintain their scholarship and/or creative work by research and contact with leading academics and/or professionals at other institutions or locations, or, in some cases, for specific staff development or rehabilitation purposes.

SSP(L) applications should be for periods of greater than 2 months and normally up to 6 months duration.

For periods of absence less than 2 months, SSP(Short) and/or other forms of absence will apply.

The following is taken from the Melbourne Policy Library, Staff Development, Education and Training Procedure (MPF1149) section 3, and may be used by the Faculty as a suggested process to administer SSP(Long).

  1. Applications will normally be called for twice each year normally in March for the first six months of the following year and September for the second six months of the following year.
  2. The SSP(L) Pre-Meeting Checklist can be used to determine the eligibility of the applicant.
  3. An SSP(L) Application Form (.rtf), and details of any payment for a Travel Grant and/or Travel Allowance is to be completed by the Applicant and submitted to the Head of Department.
  4. The Head of Department makes a recommendation to the Dean to approve an SSP(L) application (may be completed on a Faculty Decision Form).
  5. The comments of the Head of Department must be seen by the applicant.
  6. Please see SSP(L) Post-Meeting Steps for a checklist for the remaining process.
  7. Approval will be in the form of a formal Approval Letter.
  8. SSP(L) will normally be approved at least six months in advance.
  9. When an application for SSP(L) has been approved by the Dean, the application should be attached to a completed SSP(L) Advice and Action Form (.pdf). This should be forwarded to the Department of Human Resources no later than eight weeks prior to the commencement of the SSP(L). The SSP(L) Advice and Action Form requires the approval of the Head of Department and Dean.
  10. On return, the staff member will normally conduct a seminar or otherwise report to the Department. A Written Report would normally be submitted to the Faculty through the Head of Department. The Head of Department should comment on the report for the benefit of the Dean. A copy of the written report is to be provided to the relevant HR officer and will be placed onto personnel files. Details of the relevant HR officer can be found on the HR contacts page.
  11. Human Resources will provide an annual report on usage to the Human Resources Committee for information.