The AAUP-AFT Collective Bargaining Agreement (Article XIII.D.5) allows for tenure and ESS clock interruptions.  

A member of the bargaining unit who is a significant care giver for an infant or young child, or a severely ill and/or injured parent, or who has experienced a serious and/or disabling medical condition (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Family and Medical Leave Act) personally or within the family may request that a maximum of one (1) year be excluded from the countable years of service that constitute that bargaining-unit member's probationary service for tenure or employment security status. The request must include a certified statement by the bargaining-unit member that s/he is a significant caregiver for an infant or child or parent, or has experienced a qualifying medical condition personally or within the family. Only one (1) year may be excluded for child rearing from the countable years of service that constitute an individual's probationary period regardless of the combination of circumstances. The request must be in writing and must be approved by the unit administrator and by the President or his/her designee, and a copy of the approval must be forwarded to the Association. The Association will be informed by the President or his/her designee of all such approvals. In the case of requests for stopping the clock for other professional reasons, the bargaining-unit member may appeal in writing through his/her chair/director and dean to the President or his/her designee, who will seek the concurrence of the Association.

Procedures to request an interruption:

1. Faculty or staff submit a written request to the department chair (or immediate supervisor) for approval. Be sure to include the academic year the interruption would take place and the rationale for the request.
2. The Department Chair (or immediate supervisor) should write a letter to the Dean of the SOM supporting the request with rationale for their support.  Both written requests should be forwarded to the Office of Faculty Affairs for Dean's approval.  The Chair (or immediate supervisor) letter should include a signature block for themselves, the Dean, and the Provost.  
3. The Dean's Office will submit the request to the Provost's Office for final approval.