With flexible load assignment (flex load) applications having been due this week, there have been several questions surrounding how tenure clock extensions affect them. Back in April (https://clas.uiowa.edu/deos/mailing/april-01-2020/2020-21-promotion-and-tenure), the Provost granted an automatic one-year tenure-clock extension to all probationary faculty to respond to productivity disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension was made to all probationary faculty’s clocks unless they explicitly opted out. The extension also applies to the third-year review, if it had not yet occurred as of April 1, 2020: this review and resultant contract extension will also be pushed back one year. Contracted flex loads are generally taken in the year following contract extension, as they are meant to provide time “to focus on that aspect of your work that most needs professional development in preparation for the promotion and tenure review”. Therefore, the automatic COVID-19 extension, as well as any other extensions (such as those for the birth or adoption of a child), affect when flex loads should be taken. With the one-year COVID-19 extension, probationary faculty would generally apply for the flex load in the 4^th year, to be taken in the 5^th (one year later than usual, and following the delayed contract extension). In the event of multiple extensions (e.g., COVID-19 plus child), the timing of the flex load semester can be discussed with the Associate Dean for Research.