SECTION 4A. Leaves of absence

A faculty member in a state university who has served as such for at least 6 years or, if a leave of absence has previously been granted to such faculty member, 6 years after the termination of the last such leave or after the date such leave would have been completed but for a deferral of the leave, may, upon written recommendation of the president of the university where the faculty member is employed, be granted by the board of trustees of the state university a leave of absence for study and research for a period of 1 year at 1/2 pay or for a period of a 1/2 year at full pay. Prior to granting such leave, the faculty member shall enter into a written agreement with the board of trustees stating that upon the termination of such leave the faculty member shall return to serve as a faculty member in the same or another state university for a period equal to twice the length of such leave; provided, that if the faculty member fails to complete that service, the faculty member shall refund to the commonwealth, unless excused by the board of trustees for reasons satisfactory to the board, an amount equal to the proportion of the salary received by the faculty member while on leave minus the amount for service not actually rendered as agreed. For the purposes of this section, service in a state college, including The Teachers College of the City of Boston, shall be deemed to have been service in a state university.