Vacation Policy for PhD Students
Effective September 1, 2019
The University’s policy is that all PhD students receiving stipended support are entitled to paid vacation time.
- Students with a 12-month stipend are entitled to two weeks (10 working days) of paid vacation time per academic calendar year (September 1 through August 31 of the following year).
- Students with shorter appointments are entitled to a pro-rated amount of paid vacation time per academic year, such as 6 days for 8-month appointments and 8 days for 10-month appointments.
This vacation time is in addition to the standard Boston University holidays/Intersession days (Boston University holidays/Intersession days do not include spring or summer recess periods). The guarantee of vacation time must be taken during a single academic year period and may not be rolled over or accumulated across multiple years.
PhD students are expected to coordinate with their research advisor, training grant PI, and/or their teaching supervisor in a timely way about their requested vacation time. Students who wish to take additional periods of time off, paid or unpaid, must receive the approval of their advisor, training grant PI, and/or teaching supervisor and are subject to funding agency restrictions.
Students who are supported by teaching fellowships cannot take time off that interferes with teaching obligations, including class time and planning meetings, and must discuss time off in advance with their teaching supervisor. Unauthorized absences may result in a pro-rated withholding of a student’s stipend.
Questions or concerns related to this policy should be directed to the Associate Provost of Graduate Affairs.
